Phi, You know why Ryan was ageless? He worked his A$$ off. Nolan was in riding the bike after his games. He was driven to suceed right up until his elbow gave out. I am not sure Hakeem has the same passion for Basketball, as he used to. DaDakota ------------------ All you MO-FO's better stop ripping off my lines !!
DaD, I am not disagreeing with you about Ryan, I am just adding to your "worked his a$$ off comment: Ryan viewed his workouts more as a job than a passion to get better. The difference being that he was a VERY loyal employee and did his job to the utmost of his abilities. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware.
Be, I seriously doubt that Ryan worked his butt off because he wanted to be a good employee. I think his work ethos was engrained in his mind. And I think that is due to his passion for the game, and competition. Hakeem used to have it, but seems to now be just happy to be playing. I don't want him to retire, I think he can teach these guys a lot, I would be ecstatic with 15pts and 8 rebounds. He is capable, if he is healthy, it is simply a matter of him wanting too. DaDakota ------------------ All you MO-FO's better stop ripping off my lines !!
DaD, I met Ryan once on his farm in Alvin. My sister worked with his neighbor. And you are correct, his work ethic is engrained within him. But in talking to him, I discovered he was passionate about everything he did. He had never picked up a baseball, he would have made the greatest rancher, or the greatest banker, or whatever he chose to do. His passion was to do his best at all times, not necessarily (but certainly most importantly) baseball. Sorry to derail the topic, I now return you to Discussing Hakeem. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware.
I do believe Barkley's view on Karl Malones longevity had to do something with "..him not running and dunking the ball". Anyhow, I know what DaDakota is getting at. Championships are made during the summertime and Hakeem just hasn't done what is necessary to get back in the proper physical conditioning that is required to play at a high level in sports today. Given the fact that he's 38, its his last year, and a year in which he will make around 14 million, you would think it would signal him to give it all he's got. Coming from a fan's point of view, whats wrong with asking that. However, I will say that even if he comes to camp out of shape, I won't criticize him or post threads demanding he retire like some people around here. I am going to enjoy the man getting his proper due as he travels around the league. We'll be watching replays of him shaking and baking David Robinson, blocking Kareems skyhook, or out-running his own teammates down the court and stuffing a would-be dunk from so many of his opponents. This season is going to be fun to watch and for me, Hakeem has a lot to do with it. ------------------ Be sure to water your grass
How do you know this? Hakeem is an intensely private man, and, for all you or any of us know, he could be working his a$$ off to be ready for this season. If this is just your opinion, fine, but at least state it as such. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware. [This message has been edited by Behad (edited August 27, 2000).]
Behad, With all due respects, we don't need to delve into Dreams private life for the answer. The answer is right in front of us. If you watched any of the games last year, you would have observed him on the bench smiling and relaxing. The fire is out. I respect Hakeem and am proud of what he has done for the city and Texas and for basketball. And I do not deny him a final tour through the league. And I think he should start. The fact is Dream is not as passionate about basketball as he once was and the answer is clearly on his face. If the Rocks can get 12-16 solid minutes, 10 or 12 ppg, 6 boards, and 1.25 blocks and teach the youngsters how to win with class and dignity, then that is enough. Any more than this is just not realistic. ------------------ GATER
I think it's fair to criticize a player's performance. It's fair to state that a player is "no longer getting it done" and should retire, when he is a shell of his former self. But to speculate that Hakeem Olajuwon - the greatest player in Rockets history, a man who put the franchise on his back for fifteen years and delivered two championships to the city of Houston - to speculate that this guy no longer has the fire to compete or that he is somehow 'mailing it in' ... well, that just sickens me. I think that Dream deserves the benefit of the doubt. He was injured last year ... or whatever you call that breathing ailment he had. If that is cleared up this year, I expect him to provide the same effort and competitive spirit that has characterized his career. ------------------
I agree with DaDakota. Anyone here noticed a strange coincidence about older players still playing well.. like Malone, Stockton, and Ewing?... None of them have won a title. I doubt that it's even conscious. I just would wager that not having anything to prove might reduce one's desire a bit. I don't think that's Hakeem... just human nature. He probably doesn't feel the need to wage a battle against time... he already won. LOOK AT IT THIS WAY: would you rather have never won those two championships, and have Hakeem putting up 20 and 10? ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
Behad, Even if he is doing conditioning work in private, there have been no reports of him playing pickup games around Houston. The sweating and pushing he did during the summers against Moses almost 20 years ago helped get him to the top. Didn't SI do an article on those workouts? Without playing during the offseason, Dream won't have the timing for game conditions when trainig camp starts. Mango ------------------ 1. Put new topics in the proper forum. Things happening in the rest of the NBA 2. Use clear wording for new threads. 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult. The Serious Police are watching. Donate Blood or be assimilated! [This message has been edited by Mango (edited July 28, 2001).]
I agree Mango, it was just the tone of the post that got to me. It was stated as fact he has done nothing to get better this off season. Nobody knows this for sure. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware.
Man you guys kill me.. How do any of us know what's wrong with Hakeem. The thing is we don't, Hakeem has had some major medical problems the last few years. We don't know the TRUE affect that has had on him. SO HOW CAN ANY OF YOU QUESTION HIS PASSION FOR THE GAME.... Have any of you talked to him in the off season?? I doubt it very seriously, so if you don't know shut up... ------------------ Hey Juniors Call Me Big Brother T_Man.. Full Member of CC Inc
I have been reading posts all summer long about Dream and how he should retire, and at this point I simply can't take any more of this hypocrisy. Dream has not lost any passion for the game. In fact if anything he respects the game more now than he ever did. As he has matured over the years(which is a fact that some of you may not know) he looks at life and basketball in a totally different light. To even question his heart and desire to win at this stage in his life is ridiculous. He has always been a quiet type of player. He does not do a lot or rah, rah type crap. He has been a leader by example throughout his career. He is not the loud mouth or the media hound some superstars are particularly some of the ones mentioned in an earlier post ( who by the way several have not won anything). It has been documented or atleast mentioned that he has decided not to play pickup games this year as he is trying to make sure that this breathing ailment is under control. I for one believe that this breathing problem he has actually is far more serious than asthma. We as fans however, will never know the whole truth, nor is it really our business. As far as the playing at Fonde or Westside or Second Baptist in the summer as he has in the past, it would stand to reason that that too takes a toll on his body. I have witnessed him playing during the summer on numerous occasions in the past and he plays with as much fire then as he does during real games. Dream is a very proud man, and any real Rocket fan would never even consider thinking that Dream didn't care about winning, not to mention write it in a public forum such as this. But I'm sure that someone will advance the argument that it's simply their opinion. Well we all know what the saying is about opinions. Come on people, how about taking what Dream will be able to give us this year. Don't be a fair weather fan or a short term memory type. Dream at 50% offensively and defensively is better than Cato at present. If nothing else Dream will get a call because of who he is. Cato and very few other Rocket players can command that type of respect presently. ------------------
Ok, Im the biggest Hakeem/Akeem fan in the history of the game. I love what he did for the team I love what he did for the Houston But isnt anyone on this planet going to tell me that I didnt watch Hakeem play with less passion, and fire the last few seasons. I realize his age. And his medical condition. But it was his choice to not take the medication that would of helped him play more than 8 mins a game at the end of the season. He doesnt work out hard in the offseason. Maybe he doesnt have to, but I think we all know about his trips to the Holy Land, and his relaxing that goes on in the offseason. Ive watched him not hustle, not jump for bounds, and walk up the court on the offensive side from the opening tip off. Is there anyone going to tell me that IF HAKEEM WANTED to, and put everything into a season, he couldnt average 18 and 9 with Steve on the team? Nutz to anyone who tells me otherwise. I love the man. I believe that he has taken it a little easier the last few years. Im not saying that he needs to be running up and down the court, or is dogging it. Im saying that if Hakeem wanted to, he could be a much better player...still. Lets not forget that Hakeem didnt even start playing basketball till college basically. Most of those other guys were banging around for years prior to Hakeem, and have many more miles racked up than Hakeem does. Now heres to Hakeem getting comeback player of the year award. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
I don't claim to know what the deal with Hakeem is one way or the other, but here are some things I've been thinking about. It was reported that he worked hard to get into better shape last year (with that track coach, right?). I've not heard anything about what he's doing this summer, which doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it does cause me to wonder. The last piece of news I heard about Hakeem, he was vacationing in Jordan. I'd like for him to be doing some work (and he may be), but I'm not sure I want Hakeem playing in pick-up games during the summer. I don't want him hurt, and I do think that's more likely at his age than it was years ago. He does seem to not be as interested as he was in the past, but I'm not sure that I'm not reading more into it than is there. I think we'll only know for sure when the season starts, and not necessarily right away; I think Hakeem has had a tendency to start off the season slowly, even when he was at the peak of his career. ------------------
I agree that we shouldn't too-soon forget what Hakeem has done. However, I'd be hoping he has been working on his fitness and conditioning. I don't believe he'll show up to camp over-weight and out of shape. It's just not a thing that has gone hand-in-hand with the name Olajuwon since he joined the league. I think, that if Hakeem were to play at Fonde, he'd draw soo much attention, they'd have to close the gym down. Seriously, that's how it would work Not to mention- he'd probably school some of the other NBA players. Skill would allow him to fake out the other players and hit the shot. I've seen gee gervin, (who isn't overly athletic, hit jumpers and win games because of his ability to shoot the ball.) Of course, you'd still have to be in the shape and have the ability to handle the defense. Hakeem doesn't need to work on his skill at the moment, those are things he has developed. Has anyone else noticed the respect that Houston has show Hakeem? After 15/16 years, and Houston keeps it promise.. (this disregards the years, when hakeem was willing to be traded, while he was unhappy.. basically pre-rudy.) The organization has just shown it's class... compare it to New York, who would have traded away a NY icon in Patrick Ewing. Houston must rank as tops when comparing NBA front offices. I can't believe the Lakers signed Rider. Sure, barkley's has his.. "flare," but i don't think it's the same kind that will find him on the front of a magazine caught smoking pounds of mar1juana while havin' various other drugs in the car.. you get the picture. I think houston's smart having a limit as to what kind of player they'd sign. NY signed spreewell, (sure albeit he's become a better person.) and LA has signed Rider. Portland is still known as the Jailblazers. Wow, i've gotten off topic..anyone else want to comment? ------------------ Oh.. so this is how you add a signature huh? coo coo.
Respect goes both ways. Remember just before this all happened, Ewing said he needed a 3 year contract extension or he would have to look at playing elsewhere. Act like a punk, get treated like a punk. Also, two points on Hakeem. First, he is not a natural at basketball (for example, remember how many years it took him to grasp the concept of passing out of the triple team?). He might suffer on court while trying to adjust to the new offensive philosophy. Secondly, his primary asset was always quickness and agility, and those are always the first physical deteriations caused by getting old. As a general rule of thumb people don't begin to lose strength (ala Malone) until the mid to late 40's. Therefore, Hakeem's game may not be well suited for someone who is getting older. ------------------
You guys want to know why Hakeem lost his fire? I'll tell you. He got married. It's ruined the best of us. He had all of that stored up energy before. ------------------ Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me...you.
Let me explain this to you..... Does anyone here know why it's Hakeem now, not Akeem? He changed religion, and everybody knows how much calmer he became when HAKEEM was born..So, the thing is, as a Muslim, there are certain things u have to respect...This "calmness" is cause of his religion....Muslims are supposed to be calm....He CAN'T be crazy and dunk on every punk on the court.....He has it, he doesn't use it, he calmed down....Has nothing to do with him getting older, the monster's still inside him.....If he's holidaying in Mecca (which he is/was), it's cause every Muslim is OBLIGATED to do that as many times as he/she can.......He's not to blame, no one/nothing's to blame......Be happy u have him, He can still provide his 17 ppg, 8 ppg, 1.5 blocks per game ------------------
