Why not play Dream till he drops?

That's the thing, the Rocks don't want to waive him, Dream wants to be waived if essentially he doesn't get his way. Trust me, if Dream was content to be a defensive player and rebounder he wouldn't be complaining about the offense over the weeks and months.

True, the scary thing is I could probably try out for their pitching staff and make the team!


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If Megatron can become Galvatron, why can't Rocks2001 become RocksMillenium?

[This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

His body did break down. That is why he was on IR.

I don't want to waive the guy. I don't see any point in doing so unless he is really becoming a negative influence on the club. The best one to answer the waiving question is Hakeem. He asked to be waived. So I guess he wants to join a contender for the minimum and go out with one more title.

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Dadakota, I too, think trading Dream will would be an irecoverable mistake.

We would be at the point of no return.

We would have to make due even if we later realize that we are stuck in poo.

Now, I dont want that, do you?

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The problem is that Dream's big ego is in the way of his judgement sometimes. He has to realize that this is Steve's team now, not his anymore. He needs to stop demanding the ball and accept his role with the team. I do however, feel that Rudy needs to use him a little better offensively, setting up different plays for him instead of just posting him up like in the old days...it just doesn't work anymore.

Why on earth would we want to waive him, it just doesn't make any sense.

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I remember Hakeem saying he didn't want to go on the IR because he waws ready to play but he was put on the IR anyway. I think that is what pushed Hakeem over the edge.

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Hakeem is acting ludicrous, what other team would make him the focal point of their offense? Seriously, neither the clippers or the Hawks would consider making Dream their "go-to guy".

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"Cuttino is all heart, and no brain. It just occurs to me that he is the Scare Crow from the Wizard of Oz."- a wise observation from Dadakota

 

Maybe he should've left the office with that attitude, but in reality it would appear that he didn't.
Sure we gain nothing by waiving Dream, but what do we gain by putting a player on the floor who doesn't want to be there?

And why are we "not going to the playoffs without Dream" ? Currently the team is .500, the schedule for February is quite nice and (looking at it) it would be easy to see the Rockets go 16-9 through Feb and March, that would put us 7 games above .500 and I'm sure that even in the tough West that's enough to be an 8th seed.

I've got no problem with Olajuwon and would LOVE to see him play as part of the offense and to present a tough interior presence who can rebound! But it seems that Hakeem wants more than that! His presence on the court would probably be detremental to the Rockets winning ball games.

What do we have to gain by playing Dream if he doesn't want to take part in the offense?



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I don't think we have ANY chance of making it to the playoffs in the west without an intimidator in the middle.

I suppose we could battle for the 8th seed with Minnesota and Denver, but in this conference, we need a big man at center, and Dream is by far our best option.

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"Salt Lake City, Utah. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany."
--Olaju-Won Kenobi, to young jedi Steve (Fran)'chiseWalker

 

Here's reality as I see it.

1) Any serious contender in the West (this year or 4 years from now) needs a quality low post presence on O & D.

2) Playing Mo and KT at the 5 is both a disservice to them and hinders the team from developing a half-court style of play that they will need to be a serious title contender. It also hinders learning defensive rotations.

3) The Rockets are at .500 with no Center. But they have problems with the West which has more inside presence (10-1 vs East, 9-18 vs West).

4) Under Nat McMillan, the Sonics are playing much better than the Rockets. Ewing gets about 10m shots/game. Is Dreams ego that much bigger than Patrick's that something can't be worked out?

5) DREAM AIN'T GOIN' ANYWHERE - read this twice if you have to. His contract is too large and his value is too low. Teams making a playoff run would have to gut their team to get him (Miami would have to give up Majerle, Causwell, Ceballos, A.C. Green, Ricky Davis, Don MacLean, & Eddie House). Teams wanting cap space would have to HOPE they would contend for Webber - fat chance for most). Next years FA crop is THIN!! And who wants to have the "Chicago syndrome"?

BOTTOMLINE:
I don't care who's playing the 5...Dream, Cato, Collier, Los, or Pig....just so it's NOT Mo or KT

Basically, I agree with DaDakota - play Dream till he drops.

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GATER

[This message has been edited by GATER (edited January 18, 2001).]

 

DaDakota

I agree .. . Trade him or Play him
Waiving should not be an option.
It Gains us NOTHING!!
Nothing at all.

Center should be DREAM, Collier, Los, Moe, Walt bullard. . .then CATo

[oops I guess I'm a lil bitter with the catomic bomb]

Like other posters I get tire of see Dream
pulling a Kareem [running past half court
8 seconds into the play]

But we have no better.

Rocket River

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The only problem I have with this idea is that Hakeem seems to be most upset with the fact that he feels he is not utilized in the offense anymore. Meaning he wants to be the focal point once again.

If we play Hakeem 40 minutes a game, and he can manage to do it, but still doesn't play well, then we start losing games again simply because we are trying to convince Hakeem to retire in Houston.

I want Dream to stay here as much as anyone else, but imagine the message this would send to our other, younger players who are fighting for PT and want to win. It will seem like a very superficial reason for the huge sacrifice. Not to mention it will make Rudy look like a pushover, and with many young, outspoken players like we have, that might spell disaster.

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"Of course, everything looks bad if you remember it!"
Homer Simpson

 

I agree to some degree, Dadakota. I think that Mo and KT have better post up games than they are given the chance to display. But, I feel if Rudy is to start running more post plays, he needs to start with Hakeem out of the lineup, and then slowly move Hakeem into the game. If he puts Hakeem in, and suddenly starts running more and more plays for him, it will look like Rudy is cowtowing to Dream's every whim, and while I do think that Hakeem deserves this to some degree, it would send the wrong message to our younger players. They might try to start making some demands of their own.

But if it could be done discreetyl and slowly, more post offense would be a great benefit, I agree.

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"Of course, everything looks bad if you remember it!"
Homer Simpson

 

DaDakota, I agree with your premise that Hakeem is our best post player and best low-post defender. I don't think he could put in 40 minutes a night, but I don't see why he couldn't give 30 to 32 solid, productive minutes, including some 4th quarter time.

The question is, is he willing to settle for 12 or 13 shots a game? Between Mobes, Francis, and Mo Taylor (who is NOT a post player) I can't see him putting up more shots than that. If Hakeem were willing to settle for the role of rebounder/defender with occassional touches in a guard-centered offense, the team would be much better off. I don't know if he's willing to do that or not.

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"Thirty-seven?" -Randall, Clerks
www.clutchtown.com

 

I agree with the premise of the DaDakota's argument. We do not profit at all by waiving Hakeem, and could actually SUFFER (cap room) by trading him. He's certainly still better than Cato or Collier, so we truly would be best playing him as much as he is able.

At the same time, however, I worry that Hakeem WOULDN'T be content with a few more shots per game. In fact, I'm worried that he would always want the ball in crucial situations. This is natural; just shows he's a competitor, and that he has self-confidence . However, it really isn't a realistic option for the Rockets right now.

I do disagree that Houston truly needs a low post threat. I think that they need post DEFENSE (like Philly). If Cato could become our Ratliff, then I think we'd be set. Of course, I'm skeptical about the possibility of this ever happening. At best, Dream is a short-term solution to a long-term problem... but I'd still prefer to play to win. Just make sure he doesn't ruin chemistry, or take shots away from more productive players.

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Shandon Anderson rocks.
The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.

 

I'm getting in one this thread a little late and initially started saying that I agree with Dakota to a certain degree, but didn't want Hakeem's desire to be more involved to hurt the development of the guys of the future, but thought "what the hell?" Hakeem is still a part of the team and his skills should be utilized. He is still a scoring threat and when on the floor, one of the more consistent rebounders. Dakota, I agree with you 110%. Hakeem wants to play and be involved, give the big guy 30+ minutes and let him show us what he has left in the tank. There are only 2 things that can happen: 1. He'll step up, contribute to helping the team win by defending, rebounding and scoring 10-15 ppg and show some leadership or 2. He'll realize he can't play alot of minutes and retire or move on next season. It's worth a shot to keep him in a Rockets uni and let him decide what to do with his future after the season is over.

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"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Gandhi

 

I think Rudy has too much respect for Hakeem to play him that many minutes, and Rudy will play Dream only when Dream feels he can play. I still think he should put up at least 30 minutes a game. I agree that waiving him is not the solution...especially when our centers are always injured. What does the cap room do for us right now? Nothing. Regardless of whether we drop him now or he plays out the season we're still going to get his salary money. Unless we get a trade offer we can't refuse, Hakeem better be on this team for the rest of the season.

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"Steve is good. Steve is real good."
-- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis

 

DaDakota has won me over. I'd bring him out and play him the entire 1st and 4th, at least. I think sweat and competitive minutes could be the best remedy to this mess.