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| Posted By | Discussion Topic: Olajuwon Out For Season | ||||
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King Shit *board owner* | posted on 03-14-2001 @ 5:59 PM |    | |||
| O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01  | HOUSTON (AP) -- Hakeem Olajuwon, the greatest player in Rockets' history, helped redefine the center position in the NBA. Now, two teammates will do what they can in hopes of replacing him. Kelvin Cato is nearing the end of a fourth unremarkable season in which he's played just 19 games because of injuries. It will be up to him to produce. Budding star guard Steve Francis, meanwhile, becomes the undisputed team leader in his second year. ``This is my job,'' said Cato, one-third of the way through a six-year, $42 million deal. ``They brought me here to be the starter here one day. It just came early.'' Olajuwon is the league's career shot-blocker. At 7-foot, he also brought an outside shot to the floor. He has been Houston's anchor during a 17-year career, taking the team to two NBA titles in the mid-1990s. On Monday, the Rockets said he will be sidelined for at least three months because of an unusual blood disorder -- similar to a clot -- in his lower left leg. The blood thinner used to treat it would make the 38-year-old center vulnerable to internal injuries, doctors warned. Olajuwon will not be under contract after this season. The Rockets next season aren't expected to pay him anywhere near the $16.5 million he'll make this year, meaning he may move elsewhere if he doesn't retire. After a slow start, the player nicknamed ``Dream'' had been flashing his old moves lately. With Olajuwon leading in rebounds and scoring 27 points against Dallas on March 3, the Rockets had won 12 of their last 15 before he missed two weekend games because of what was then called a strained left calf. In two weekend games, Cato totaled six points and two rebounds, but he picked up the pace in a 127-118 triple-overtime victory over Indiana on Monday, with eight points and 11 rebounds. ``Nobody is going to be Dream -- nobody,'' Cato said Wednesday. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich says he's optimistic about the 6-foot-11 Cato. ``I think he fits our team and what we really need: a big presence on the floor, rebounding, blocking, energy,'' Tomjanovich said. ``More responsibility falls on his shoulders.'' Francis says he, too, is ready for greater responsibility. He said Olajuwon's influence will help him become Houston's guiding force if the 7-footer's days as a Rocket indeed are done. ``I think I saw the guy who handled it best,'' said Francis, referring to Olajuwon's patience and commnication with teammates. Francis even noted the way Olajuwon dressed. ``I don't think he'd wear a bandanna, though,'' added Francis, who prefers such fashion. Tomjanovich accepts Francis as his rising star. When asked if the Rockets were Francis' team, Tomjanovich deferred to the club owner. ``They're Les Alexander's team,'' the coach said.  ~Matt/Froy from Jersey Official Protector of Gay Marco & SwampJunk...if he ever decides to post. Also providing total immunity to Fayth | ||||
| Calm Your Nut | posted on 03-14-2001 @ 6:00 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Nov. 00 | He isnt the same player he was a couple fo years ago. Watching Over "Kwyjibo" | ||||
| SaintJames | posted on 03-14-2001 @ 6:08 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Mar. 01 | Guess it's a good thing the Knicks didn't go after him in the off season.
Kindest Regards, Your Name | ||||
| MashedPotatohead NIGGA PLEASE! All the bitches in here are crazy! | posted on 03-14-2001 @ 7:08 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | quote: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? The only center rumored that the Knicks were after was Mutombo. He was playing like crap early in the season, but seemed to have new life recently. It may be time for him to hang it up as - hate to see great players hanging on and be a shell of what they once were (sorta tarnishs their image). He's had heart problems (irregular heartbeat)in the past. Didn't they put him on blood thinners one other time? Sig Pic Under Construction | ||||
| Calm Your Nut | posted on 03-14-2001 @ 7:19 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Nov. 00 | I don't remeber the knicks going after him. Watching Over "Kwyjibo" | ||||
| theinsectsgotme | posted on 03-15-2001 @ 7:46 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Sep. 00 | I hear ya but there's so few great centers anymore that these big guys can hang on even longer. Plus the truckloads of money these guys make is hard to walk away from. "Can't afford Photo Shop" | ||||
| MashedPotatohead NIGGA PLEASE! All the bitches in here are crazy! | posted on 03-15-2001 @ 10:11 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | quote: But who REALLY needs a great center to win? Did they ever HAVE one all those years the Bulls won the NBA title? I don't think so. It helps, but you can win without one Sig Pic Under Construction | ||||
| theinsectsgotme | posted on 03-16-2001 @ 8:09 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Sep. 00 | I agree with you. The Bull's had Jordan and Pippen and a very solid supporting cast but pretty average centers at best. Hey, the Knicks couldn't win when Patrick was younger and he was one of the best three centers in the league. They didn't surround hoim with enough talent. "Can't afford Photo Shop" | ||||
Displaying 1-8 of 8 messages in this thread. |