Hakeem .... leaving?

[Jersey Devil]

Hakeem WANTS out! -

"Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon said all the right things when he went public saying he wouldn't hold it against the Rockets if they wanted to trade or waive him. 'I just want what's best for the team,' said Olajuwon on Tuesday. 'I only want to do what's best for everybody, and that's what I said.' However, a source inside the Rockets organization has told NBAtalk that there is much more to it than that.

The Dream WANTS to finish his career somewhere else. Olajuwon originally made this statement privately to the Rockets a few months ago, but went public with it after he perceived the Rockets weren't seriously considering moving him. He holds no grudges, but he doesn't want to finish his career in rebuilding mode. He's been frustrated with his role and thinks he would have a bigger impact on a team contending for a title.

Olajuwon feels that he has enough left in his tank, according to the source, to help a team win an NBA championship. Hakeem has asked for a trade, and the Rockets gave his agent permission to shop the Dream around, but everyone understands that it may be impossible to pull off anything given his massive salary. So the last few days, Olajuwon has been pushing the Rockets to waive him so he can catch on with another team.

Said the source, 'Dream expects something to happen. He was hoping for a trade that would give the Rockets some compensation for him. Now he's pushing hard for us to waive him so he can play somewhere else. He's not taking no for an answer.' The Suns and Heat would both be interested in picking up the Dream if he is waived."

What's up with this? Does anybody follow the Rockets enough to tell me what the real problem is? Or does he seriously just want to win another title before hanging it all up? Sorry, I just can't imagine Hakeem on another team right now.


[Edited by Jersey Devil on 01-19-2001 at 04:43 PM]

[Marc]

I hope Hakeem doesn't make the same mistake Ewing did. Let's leave it at that.

[iFroggy]

What mistake did Ewing make?

And with Steve Francis coming in, I'm not suprised Hakeem feels this way - how would you feel if you've been leading the team and some other guy comes in? Sure, some people could adjust, but not really great players or players they were really great. Just being objective. :)

[Spike]

Yeah, it's kind of sad how Hakeem's game has kind of really fallen off the last few years.

I'm a big fan of the "Dream Shake". That was such an awesome sweet move he had in his prime. It's like that move couldn't be stopped in the mid 1990's with all his fakes.

But Hakeem's been going downhill for a while now. I remember a game about 3 years ago between the Kings and the Rockets at Houston and Michael "Yogi" Stewart (who was with Sacramento) just blocked Hakeem's shot 3 straight times one sequence. That's the first time I saw Hakeem just didn't have the hops anymore. The old Hakeem would have never let that happen.

[Marc]

Originally posted by iFroggy
What mistake did Ewing make?

And with Steve Francis coming in, I'm not suprised Hakeem feels this way - how would you feel if you've been leading the team and some other guy comes in? Sure, some people could adjust, but not really great players or players they were really great. Just being objective. :)
What mistake did Ewing make? Are you saying you think it was smart for him, in the twilight of his career, to go all the way across the country to a new team and end his career as a mediocre "has-been" rather than retiring a Knick, being loyal to his team and teammates, and not tarnishing his legacy?

Oh, and regarding Hakeem, I heard rumors that he will be signing with Miami soon - they really need a center with Zo this season and the Rockets want to free up some cap space.

[iFroggy]

Originally posted by M. James
Originally posted by iFroggy
What mistake did Ewing make?

What mistake did Ewing make? Are you saying you think it was smart for him, in the twilight of his career, to go all the way across the country to a new team and end his career as a mediocre "has-been" rather than retiring a Knick, being loyal to his team and teammates, and not tarnishing his legacy?


Tarnishing his legacy? What or who are you and where did you go with Marc, Mr. Costas? lol

I don't see anything wrong with him leaving to go to a new team then stay loyal to a team he has grown unfond of... I mean, why stay? If he wants to leave NY, thats his choice and more power too him. He has been in the league long enough not to be told to sit doggy, he can go where he wants. He's still a Hall of Famer and his "legacy" which I doubt he cares about is in tact.

Do you mean you should play the game for your legacy? And make decisions by your legacy? I sure wouldn't - do what makes you happy in whatever sport while you can still play at a professional level.

[TheRocketGuy]

Dream is having trouble accepting the fact thathe is no longer "THE MAN" on the team. In his present condition, he won't be "The Man" on any team, so I don't what he hoeps to accomplish by leaving. He will only draw criticism if he leaves. Fans of other teams will think they are getting Hakeem Olajuwon. At least in Houston we understand he is only playing out his contract.

The Rockets will not trade him unless he makes it the only choice. They stand to gain a lot of cap space ($16.5 million) when he retires - or his contract ends, whichever. They are not going to give up Shandon, Mo, and the prospect of getting CWebb just because Hakeem is getting old and wants to be Steve Francis. GM Carroll Dawson has said he will not trade Hakeem. That's that.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[Jersey Devil]

Thanks for the post TheRocketGuy. It's great to hear from one of the most noted and respected Rocket followers on the Net. Hope to hear from you more often.

As for Hakeem, best to luck to the guy whereever he goes, or whatever happens in his future. He's always been one of the best out there -- a real class act and a great basketball player. As for the Rockets clearing cap room for Webber ... I don't think that'll happen. But I'm sure they'll love the extra cap space for some other additions. They look like a real good up-and-coming team in the NBA. Francis is slowly but surely getting more respect around the league and should be an all-star for years to come.