Loyalty is a two way street. Dream didn't play all that well later into his career, he was a shell of his former self. It was hard to watch him getting blocked by the rim on dunks or get outplayed by likes of John Ameachi. One would think he played his best only his body wasn't allowing him. However, Dream's passion for money had him play half season of good basketball in the final year of his contract. The Rockets organization knows it won't last long. They didn't bite into Dream's multi-year deal. Can't blame Dream for wanting more money and suddenly play well, but it doesn't sit very well with the loyalty angle.
I remember watching him towards the end and I was shocked at how quickly he lost it. If I remember right, we got a first round pick for him and I thought it was like the Rockets had just robbed Ft. Knox. My friend Mike Jak Balla had a great quote about Olajuwon: "To say he is a shell of his former self is an insult to shells."
In the immortal words of Paul Barre' and Little Feat: And you know That you're over the hill When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill Hakeem's 'Dreamshake' had become 'The Old Folk's Boogie'
Actually Dream's improved play came after talking to the coach, and explaining that even at his age he should be incorporated more into the offense. Rudy agreed and did so, and it looked like Dream really came alive. He had been capable of that the whole year, but the team was trying to develop young players and weren't having Hakeem as a focus in the offense at all. Hakeem left because of the money, but not because it was $$, but to him it equaled respect. Hakeem's honor is very important to him, and when he wasn't offered what he felt would show the proper respect, he sought greener pastures elsewhere.
It was a great trade on our part to heist a first round pick from Toronto for Dream, which we then used to pick Boki. That is, until JVG ran him out of town, and he later blossomed in NJ.
Some solid points. It's old history now. I just want to tell my view briefly. I and some other fans wished Dream could retire in Houston once his contract is up. He's over the hill. It's hard to swallow the pride and watch him got outplayed by young scrub centers on some nignts. Dream somehow found a new wind in the last year of his contract. Coincidence? Maybe. It seems that both sides have different priorities and the difference caused them to part ways, and loyalty isn't the first priority on both sides' list.
I didn't read the whole thread, but I DO recall an earlier trade rumor that included the then bench-fodder TMac as part of the deal for Hakeem. This was before the actual trade...maybe a year earlier. Anyone else remember this? Ironic how things work out.
So are you saying that you are no longer a Rockets fan? This schtick of being "Da Superfan" of the Sperms is played out and tired...really, it is. Sad to see a long-time member (single digits at that) exhibit trollish behavior.
