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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Hakeem headed to Toronto
TeenWeek what's a status?	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 8:32 AM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	Thursday, August 2, 2001 Rockets owner says Hakeem headed to Raptors -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon is headed to the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets. The Raptors, Rockets and Olajuwon have agreed to a three-year, $16.7 million deal that will send Olajuwon to Canada, ESPN's David Adridge reported Wednesday. The figure is the maximum the Raptors can pay Olajuwon. The Rockets want to make sure they get something -- so they will sign Olajuwon to the agreed-upon figures and then trade him to the Raptors for a first- and a second-round pick in unspecified future drafts. The deal is expected to be announced Thursday. "Hakeem's decision is disappointing for the entire Rockets organization," Alexander told KRIV television in Houston. "Hakeem Olajuwon has meant more to this franchise and this city than any other athlete in Houston history. "We desperately wanted to keep him in a Rockets uniform for the remainder of his career and made every attempt to do so. It is with a heavy heart that we have agreed to his request." Alexander, in the television interview with KRIV, said the Rockets will get a first-round pick and a second-round pick from Toronto. Earlier in the day, Olajuwon reportedly called off talks with the Rockets after rejecting the club's latest offer of $13 million guaranteed over three years. "Hakeem Olajuwon has been the most influential person in my basketball career," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's the guy behind my success. We've had a tremendous association and success. The city, the Rockets and my family owe him a debt of gratitude." Tomjanovich appeared somber and didn't try to hide his emotions. "When I talked to Dream we had a positive conversation," Tomjanovich said. "Dream is a champion and he has come up with a situation where he feels he can go for another ring. "He explained that to me and even though it's a loss, to see him go for another ring, I have to respect that and give my blessing." Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. "I hope he gets a chance for another championship and I hope it's against us," Tomjanovich said. "This has really torn him apart," a source who had spoken with Olajuwon told the Houston Chronicle. "Honestly, he did not want to leave until (Tuesday or Wednesday). He has something to prove. Everybody believed he was done. But he is not done." Earlier this week, the 38-year-old Olajuwon reportedly turned down a three-year, $10.2 million offer by the Rockets before they upped it at the last minute. "Since I've owned the club for eight years, Hakeem has always been a part of it. Always synonymous with the Rockets has been Hakeem Olajuwon," Alexander said. "To lose that is sad, but we're moving on to a new era with young players, and we'll make the best of it." Olajuwon played in 58 games for the Rockets last season, averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds and making 49.8 percent of his shots. In his 17 seasons with the Rockets, Olajuwon averaged 22.5 points and 11.4 rebounds. He is the NBA all-time blocked shots leader with 3,740 and a 14-time All Star. Olajuwon was named as one of the NBA's 50 all-time greatest players and was on the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic basketball team. In 1994, Olajuwon became the only player in league history to win defensive player of the year, league most valuable player and NBA Finals MVP honors in the same season. Tomjanovich said he hadn't decided the Rockets next move. "This has been very difficult," he said. "I'm having a hard time concentrating right now. Ask me against in a day or two." The possibility of an Olajuwon trade was discussed at Vince Carter's news conference to announce he had agreed to a six-year contract extension. "I'll go sign him myself if I have to." Carter said. "If he's listening, `We're waiting on you Dream."' The addition of Olajuwon would give the Raptors their first marquee center and allow Antonio Davis to return to his natural power forward position. Carter couldn't hide his excitement at playing with a center of the 17-year veteran's calibere. "My thoughts, on playing with a center?" Carter laughed. "And The Dream at that? "I think he's a great player....He's ready. I'm definitely up for giving him another chance to show what he has to show."
DiamondDust	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 9:58 AM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	The Raptors have some front court now... Hakeen Olajuwon, Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams, Vince Carter, Tracy Murray, Keon Clark,Mo Peterson, Eric Montross NOT BAD East is gonna be tough this year with Orlando, Indiana, Philly, Toronto, Miami, Knicks, Milwaukee, Charlotte all lookin pretty good. Poor Nets. Just another observation of insanity.
Francine Banger	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 12:42 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00	The Knicks are looking pretty good?
DiamondDust	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 12:46 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	FB... had to put that in there... I'm a Laker fan, and didnt want to hurt any orange N blue feelins :) Just another observation of insanity.
Cluster F	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 4:51 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	thank god he didnt go to the kincks. They are old enough right now, and they didnt need to spend their last ounce of salary cap money on "The Dream" when we already have Camby. We will still suck though, because we dont have a point guard. "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out, in a good cause, and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." -Vince Lombardi "90% of baseball is mental, the other half is physical." - Yogi Berra
Rone	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 4:55 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01	the east is terrible. i bet the 8th playoff team finishes under .500. proud adopter of HUNGLIKEAHORSE and squrl. E-Mail Me or IM me at Okterrific771.
BaLLooN NoT	posted on 08-02-2001 @ 6:24 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	i guess we aint using the NBA trade thread any more???? i posted thins exact story last night oh well fuck it.... looks like Toronto is gonna be a decent contender next year SIG PIC CREATED BY Jolene78 E-Mail Me METS will go ALL THE WAY THIS YEAR !!!!!!!!!!! (ok maybe not this year but i aint chainging this) Yankees & the Braves SUCK !!!!!!!! Resident Strip Club Pimp Very Proud Member of the OA.com Stalker Society

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