Please execuse me as I cry. I know my fellow Rocket fans, who witnessed the unbelievable runs of '94 and '95, as well as his years at UH will understand.
yeah, its so bad for a team when they get rid of a washed up slow old vet who wants WAY too much money relative to what he can do on the floor.
I'm a Packer fan and I love Brett Favre, but if there comes a time when its better for the team to trade or cut his ass, then I hope he doesn't let the door hit it on the way out.
Don't worry, players come and go... just because the Raptors got hakeem in a sign and deal trade, it doesn't mean that it's the end for the Rockets. I'm sure that Mo Taylor as well as Stevie Francis will pick up the slack and have career seasons.
This is definitely an upside for the Raptors though, since they now have a center to compete in the East, and along w/ the resigning of Vince, they should be an even more threatening team next season.
He left because he knows he's part of the missing pieces needed for the Raptors to be champions. He couldn't get back to the championships with Houston. In 7 years, the Raptors will have won at least one championship. I'm a happy man. Glen Grunwald is a genius.
<< He left because he knows he's part of the missing pieces needed for the Raptors to be champions. He couldn't get back to the championships with Houston. In 7 years, the Raptors will have won at least one championship. I'm a happy man. Glen Grunwald is a genius. >>
A 38 year old with rapidly declining skills is the missing piece the Raptors need to be champions? Come on. Hakeem is a good pickup, but he is no one's missing piece to the championship puzzle anymore. The Raptors are good enough to finish first in the "Who's going to lose to the Lakers in the finals this year" race though.
Also, Hakeem may have taken Shaq to school back in '96, but I don't think he has the strength to do it now. He DOES still have some good game left in him though - but, Toronto still will not be winning any rings anytime soon.
He sat on the bench 3/4 of last season with various injuries. I think the Rockets had banked on him retiring already and didn't leave room in the salary cap for a big $$$ player in the 2001-2002 season. Business is Business, there is no room for sentiment in pro sports. It's all about money.
A good player's skills can waste away if he isn't surrounded by a championship contending team. I'd say Hakeem has two good years left in him with the Raptors. He's not in there to lead the team to victory, just get us those key points we need and be the big man.
<< A good player's skills can waste away if he isn't surrounded by a championship contending team. I'd say Hakeem has two good years left in him with the Raptors. He's not in there to lead the team to victory, just get us those key points we need and be the big man. >>
So how is going to the Raptor's going to help the wasting away of his skills? Hakeem didn't have two good years left in him, two years ago. I personally think its sad when one of the former best players in the league is reduced to a 10ppg role player. Mike did it the right way, retire on top (and he should stay retired).
<< So how is going to the Raptor's going to help the wasting away of his skills? Hakeem didn't have two good years left in him, two years ago. I personally think its sad when one of the former best players in the league is reduced to a 10ppg role player. Mike did it the right way, retire on top (and he should stay retired). >>
He'll be surrounded by so much more talent and heart with a reasonable and realizable goal of getting to the finals. I think it'll give him extra motivation, but it's just a hunch.
<< He'll be surrounded by so much more talent and heart with a reasonable and realizable goal of getting to the finals. I think it'll give him extra motivation, but it's just a hunch. >>
Motivation is one thing, the fact that he is 38 and his best years are way behind him is another. Hakeem's mind might be saying, "hell yeah, let's go," but his body and declining skills are going, "she can't take much more of this captain!"
he can't compete anymore, hes too weak and old. shaq will eat him up. plus he's most likely gonna get injured often so its not a big deal for the raptors or the rockets with or without olajuwon.
its a sentimental issue if anything else. you grow up having this hero, this one sports player that puts your city on the map, that leads your team to the promised land...
and you ask yourself.. can i see him in any other uniform?
granted hes not the player he once was. but hes a symbol of Houston.
i agree totally Huy - Hakeem has defined basketball in Houston for the past 20 years or so... Those two championship runs were the most interesting in recent years - from the tough 7 game series w/ NY, to coming back from 3-1 vs Phoenix, to totally demolishing that scrub Shaq and the Magic in 4 games...
on an interesting sidenote - his wife was my girlfriend's good friend in high school but ever since they got married she wasn't really allowed to do anything - like when they would write letters back and forth but they had to be sent to her parents' house... We drove by their house one time while the gate was open and saw clothes hanging on a line... He definitely is old school =)
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