Hakeem to Toronto?

Okay, I'll try not to let my anger show through too much. The Houston Rocket organization was apparently approached by the Toronto Raptors about a trade for Hakeem Olajuwon. They were offering Kevin Willis, Doug Christie, and two first round draft picks. If I were a droid or a Vulcan and operated my life without any and I mean ANY feeling, then and only then I would agree that this trade may be good for the team, IF we were going to begin rebuilding now. Fortunately, I am not a droid or a Vulcan, so my feelings do factor in whether I would trade the Dream for anyone. If it were up to me, I would not trade Hakeem for any player past or present. Well, okay, maybe I'd trade him for a younger Hakeem, but that's the only way. I wouldn't trade him for Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, or Magic Johnson. Not any one of those players nor would I if all those players were included in the deal at the same time.

Some people don't understand why I say this, so let me explain. Hakeem is 'MY' sports hero. I only started watching the NBA because of him. I started watching him about his sophomore year at U of H. At the time I watched very little NBA, with very little interest. I only watched to see Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. When Olajuwon was drafted by the Rockets, I knew which team would be my favorite NBA team for the rest of my life. I also knew who would be my favorite NBA player for the rest of my life. There was a time though, when all of this was in peril. Back in about 1991, Hakeem was complaining about an injury to his leg. The organization told the media that they believed he was just faking and using the injury as leverage in his contract negotiations. This really pissed me off. That was the only time I ever wished Hakeem was not a Rocket. There was talk, and I actually hoped that the Rockets would trade him. Only because I wanted him to play for a team that would appreciate and respect him. Luckily, he did not go anywhere, and so here we are today wondering what was going on in the hollow heads of the Rocket's front office with this Toronto thing.

Hakeem supposedly nixed the deal when he said he didn't want to go to the Raptors, and that he'd retire if they did. If he did retire his salary would count against the cap, and the Rockets would basically be playing handicapped until his contract expired. So, I guess they knew it'd hurt them in the pocketbook, and told Toronto that the trade was off. Then Rudy came out and said it was all about loyalty and his 'close relationship' with Hakeem. I really hope that's true, because if they only nixed it because of the money then I wouldn't think very highly of them.

Now that we know what Scottie Pippen is made of, and now that we've gone through another offseason where Barkley talks about retiring.... NOW DO YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE GREATNESS OF HAKEEM OLAJUWON?

Pippen underachieved, whined, pointed fingers, but still got payed and may get to go to L.A.

Barkley whines, doesn't play defense, talks about leaving unless we improve, points fingers at team mates, is a nightmare for any team chemistry, but we still want him back. I guess we're all masochists.

Hakeem plays his heart out even when the organization didn't surround him with players that would get the job done, he plays hurt, he's great for the community. Anyone who wanted to trade Hakeem, but keep Chuck and Pip just doesn't understand basketball. Talent isn't the only thing you need to be great.

(4-2000) We had to see one great player go out with a wimper instead of like the hall-of-famer he is.  Barkley's season was over that night in Philly when he tore a quadracep tendon in his left leg.  He was able to rehab enough to play in the season finale, allowing him to walk off the court instead of being carried off.  But, it just wasn't the way Charles would've liked to leave, or the way his fans wanted to see him leave, or even the way I wanted to see him leave.

Now that we had to endure that, who wants to see the Rocket organization try to trade, buy-out, cut, or in any other way disrespect the hall-of-famer Hakeem Olajuwon?  Not me.  I think we should allow this great ball player to finish his career out with dignity.  For all you "rebuilders" out there, Hakeem will only be around for one more year.  I just think that if the Rockets do something that Olajuwon's fan feel has somehow slighted him, that they will make passing the next arena referendum much much harder.

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