Yeah - lord knows we'll get freezing rain tonight with the 95 F temp we had earlier today I'm sure Hakeem will pick out a nice igloo out on the lake with lotsa seals to hunt. It'll be a refreshing change from Billy Bob's Saloon
Everyone better get used to it because unlike our Rockets, which I will still root for, the Raptors will have the maximum number of games televised on NBC and TNT . So if you think you're sick now wait till the season starts. I don't think I'm wrong in saying this, but Toronto and Orlando are the favorites in the east with the 2 old guys at center.
Am I the only cold-hearted b*stard around here who isn't getting ill looking at this picture? I was ready for Hakeem to retire this year. Instead, he decided to keep playing. But psychologically, it still feels to me like he has retired. Yeah, he's still playing, but only in the sense that John McEnroe is playing on the senior tennis circuit. The Hakeem Olajuwon who's out there for the Raptors just is not the same guy who brought two championships to Houston. If he plays like the Hakeem of old, I'll go bang my head against the wall for not keeping him in Houston. But if he plays like the Hakeem I've gotten used to over the past couple of seasons, I'll just shake my head and wonder how long his pride can maintain itself in the face of reality.
$3 mil = placating the team and having less motivation to play. Hakeem seems genuinely excited about playing in a new city for a new team that actually wants him for what he CAN do - not what he DID do. It's sort of unfair for Rocket fans to expect Hakeem to fade away in Houston while he could make an impact in another city. A changing of the guard has been happening for last 2 seasons and I don't think anyone there could honestly think he left for $3 million dollars. Did any of you watch the press conference clips? There was a genuine excitement happening that was very evident when Carter showed up. I think Hakeem wants to enjoy basketball, rather than play to fulfill some sort of duty. He helped the Rockets to 2 titles a few years back and that is something I am sure he is fiercely proud of - but he is no longer part of the winning picture there. He seems genuinely happy to be experiencing a change in his life and change is good. Would you rather he went to the Lakers to back up Shaq to another title?
I'm totally with Will on this, it was time to retire and he chose to leave instead. I am not that worried about seeing him in the uniform that much anyway, remember you don't wear a uniform on the IR. The 58 games last year was the first time over 50 in the last 4 years. But at least now he is with a coach that will know how to coach a big man, Lenny Wilkens has shown for years that he uses a big man just the way Hakeem likes. Rebound, play defense and keep your mouth shut. Its all roses now but we will see what it is when the season starts, and we will still have our two draft choices. Besides that I am not sure that Toronto will have a better team the we will next year anyway. I still have faith in CD and Rudy to get what is needed to move up.
IMO the hardest part is over. Hakeem is a Raptor, Hakeem is a Raptor, Hakeem is a Raptor. ......not feeling so well
This may make some of you queazy, but just picture this. Hakeem and the Raptors playing Patrick Ewing and the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, then moving on to play Shaq and the Lakers in the Finals. It's quite possible, and that would be the same center matchups of the 94 and 95 finals.
It looks strange to see him in another uniform,but we have to get it over with,he is gone,and although we will undoubtedly miss Hakeem,in the long run I feel we might become stronger. Long Live The Houston Rockets!
That does look wrong, even to a Pacer fan. I just wish someone had pictures of Hakeem's last grocery shopping trip in Texas to set things right.
BTW -- I read David Aldridge's column on espn.go.com and he made the comment that David Stern did cartwheels or handsprings or something gymnastic because Vinsanity decided to stay in Toronto. Hate to say it guys, but with the commish and NBC backing them, we will be subjected to endless ads promoting just how great the Raptors will be. This will only make it even sweeter when we beat their a**!!! Hopefully, that'll be on TNT or TBS because it sure won't be on NBC (darn Laker-loving fools)!! Does anyone remember that ridiculous long losing streak that the Rockets had on NBC?? Wasn't it like 10 games or something?? Maybe, it's good that we are NOT on NBC after all!!
AMEN, Will!! I much rather see the Rockets possibly miss the playoffs this season than to see them miss for several seasons all because "we had to re-sign Olajuwon for 3 years for what he wanted", leaving us to be unable to sign anyone else let alone our own freakin' free agents!!
Once again I am in agreement with Will. As much as I love Dream I just keep getting more and more worried that he will end his career like that of Willie Mays and Robert Parish.
