First and foremost, he deserves it. He has earned the right to finish his career on his own terms. Secondly, if he does rehabilitate his health issues, he will still be better than just about anyone else that we could possibly get. Thirdly, I want him to be honored by every team we play next season. I want the world to be reminded just how dominant he was. I want the world to be reminded what he did to Ewing, Robinson and Shaq in the mid-90s. Contrary to most peoples speculation, I beleive that Hakeem has plenty of pride and does not want to be forced to retire. If he had no pride then he wouldn't want to be coming back just to look bad. Hakeem is a very smart man and I'm sure his desire to continue playing is fueled by him knowing that he can go out with a bang, or at least a pop. I can't see Hakeen wanting to continue if he actually thought that he couldn't play up to his own expectations. I for one do not buy into the speculation that his skills have diminished that fast. His body, maybe. His skills, never. He is not a broken down old man. His is just unfortunate. In some twisted joke played by fate, Hakeem has been besieged with injuries every since the Championships. In my opinion, we stand to lose more by forcing him to retire than we would gain cap-wise. He deserves to go out on a higher note than what many are wanting him to. If we (and his body) give him the chance, I'm sure he will not disapoint. Hakeem is not expendable. He is not the hard-headed person that the stupid report from Basketball News claims he is. He would not be a detriment to the team just for the sake of his own ego. Hakeem is not that type of person. Haven't people learned anything about him in all of these years? So to sum up things: Hakeem must play his final year if he is able to. If Hakeem is going to work his ass off over the summer to get back in basketball shape, then he damn well better be allowed to play. ------------------ RocketFuel is taking the summer off!
Making Hakeem retire will not free up cap room. Buying out his contract might free up a little cap room, but nowhere near enuff to sign Tim Duncan this offseason. So the question is PURELY HYPOTHETICAL. The only reason the Rockets would want him to retire is if they thought Hakeem was more of a hinderance to the team than a help, which I think is silly. If he is healthy, he would still be the most talented big man in a Rockets uni. But he needs to realize this is Steve's team now and adjust his game accordingly. And as for Duncan or Hakeem? Duh! Got to take Duncan. ------------------ Save Our Wizard Step up and shoot it!
If buying out Dreams contract actually freed up all $16 million then we would actually have a nice moral dilema on our hands. But it doesn't so therefor we don't. Sweeping Dream under the rug is NOT worth the $4 million we would free from under the cap. If Duncan wants to come to Houston, I'm sure he'd rather go to war with Dream by his side, along Steve and Cuttino. He's already learned from the Admiral. I'm sure he'd love to learn from the master. Like Popeye said, Duncan is a good guy who is not all about the $$. As most players know by now, Houston makes good on its promises. We have an outstanding reputation when it comes to wink-wink deals. If he wants money over wins then he might as well go to Chicago or Orlando. ------------------ RocketFuel is taking the summer off!
As I understand it these are his options: (Correct me if I am wrong,please.) 1. Hakeem decides he does not want to come back this year, and agrees to a buyout, therefore we can reduce our cap minimally. ( It would be silly not accept such an opportunity, so let's not discuss the right or wrong of it.) 2. Hakeem retires without a buyout option, therefore we DO NOT HAVE a cap reduction opportunity as the full amount is attached to our total cap. 3. Hakeem decides to make this his last year and complete his contract, therefore all cap reduction scenarios are groundless as far his contract is concerned. What Hakeem Must Decide Is he disillusioned enough with his playing value, either because of some real or perceived physical limitations, decreased scoring threat, or his assumption that this is his time to hang it up. He then elects to accept a mutually agreed upon buy-out option. What the Rockets Can Do The Rocket's go get a young, impressionable but talented center via trade or draft that will make Hakeem feel he will earn his keep as a tutor/mentor (Think: O'Kandi). Or, we land a complimentry 4/5 player that would add some new dimension to Hakeem's game or even PROLONG IT (Think: Duncan).Yes,Prolong It! Both of these acquisitions are possible but not likely. What I Think Will Happen I have vacillated myself on this all year. But I think Hakeem will hang it up this year unless some extreme changes take place on this roster.
I hear the reports of Hakeem's "fairwell tour" already being planned, but Hakeem never struck me as someone who needed that kind of attention. However, after watching the Rockets make some off-season moves to improve the team into a playoff contender, I think Hakeem will return to be a contributor on yet another playoff team. This way, Hakeem's last game will be a playoff game (poetic), and he can help usher in a new era of Rocket playoff teams. ------------------
*sigh*... I said it was purely hypothetical... Yes, I'm very aware of the fact that the scenario would ever occur. The point of the question was to determine how much one values winning, and the success of the franchise, versus personal loyalty to Hakeem. I just tried to make the issue more black and white than it would ever be in reality. ------------------
I posted this in Clutch's thread, but I thought I'd pose this as a PURELY HYPOTHETICAL question here: If the cap space that would open up through buying out Hakeem's contract would allow us to get Tim Duncan, would you do it? Personally, I say yes. Getting Tim Duncan would ensure the success of the franchise for YEARS to come, especially with the solid core we already have. I'd be willing to forgo one year of success if it meant allowing Hakeem to have his farewell tour, but I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice years of potential championship caliber teams. The issue of loyalty should cut both ways. Sure, the Rockets owe a Hakeem a great deal. On the other hand, a player should be willing to help his team in any way possible. In Hakeem's case right now, if that meant retirement, then that's what he should do. The good of one man should never be considered more important than that of the entire team. So, what do the rest of you folks think? If it came down to it... Hakeem or Duncan? ------------------ [This message has been edited by haven (edited April 27, 2000).]
That's a toughie, I'd like to see Hakeem play one more season, but having a chance at Tim, is the REAL deal. I'm sure we will have plenty of more chances for that in the future. I say, let Hakeem's reign come down to this final year, and let him play it and show us what magic he possesses. -Elie17 ------------------
