Olajuwon offers up some advice

[ShoogarBear]

I think the boos were boos of respect, if you can buy that.

Not boos because he's disliked, but 1995 was just so painful. Everyone was booing with memories of DRob helplessly caught in the air against the Dream Shake.

The cheers for Ice gave me chills, though.

[FromWayDowntown]

why, the guy was a hated rival.

I think its kinda crappy how people in this forum are always on their in high horses telling people how they should act

Hakeem.

Yeah, thanks for giving me that context. You know, I just started following the Spurs.

I'm not telling anyone how to act, TPark. It's just my opinion.

I'm just wishing that fans would appreciate that the men who were at center court last night entertained all of us for years. Hakeem played for the Rockets and his team burst the bubble in one of the years that the Spurs had a chance. But, you know, it's inconsistent to me that the fans who booed Hakeem would give a rousing cheer for Clyde Drexler. I guess you could extend the same logic to Mario Elie and Robert Horry, both of whom played key roles in dispatching the Spurs in the 1995 WCF. Somehow, people forgave those guys enough to cheer loudly for all of them, but can't take a step back and appreciate that Hakeem was a tremendous ball player and, from what I know, a good man, too.

Nice perspective.

By the way, ShoogarBear, I can buy that the boos were "boos of respect;" in fact, that was my rationalization for it last night. But when I'm the Supreme Ruler of the World, I'll outlaw those kinds of things.

Boos were appropriate in 1995; I thought respectful cheers were a better choice last night.

That's just me.

[whottt]

I am surprised he got booed too...Yeah Hakeem whipped our butts but he was classy about it. I bet the boos he got were nothing like what Shaq will get in SA until the end of time. And IIRC Drob and Hakeem actually became fairly good friends during the 96 Olympics.

I think it's actually it's cool that Hakeem came to the game...it's too bad Drob wasn't there.

Hakeem was as classy on the court as any bigman to play in the NBA...The fact that he didn't want to act like he knew more than Duncan or show him up shows what kind of player he was...

But he needs a reality check...he most definitely was bigtime...and I am sure Duncan loved getting the chance to talk with him...Duncan's game is lot more like Hakeem's than it is like Drob's....What could Duncan really learn about moves from the physical freak that was Drob?

Drob: Hey Tim...try this move...be 7'1, the fastest guy on the court, able to jump through the Gym, and have upperbody strength that's almost in Shaq's league...it worked pretty well for me.

Tim: Uh thanks...I'll work on that one Dave.

[ShoogarBear]

But, you know, it's inconsistent to me that the fans who booed Hakeem would give a rousing cheer for Clyde Drexler. I guess you could extend the same logic to Mario Elie and Robert Horry, both of whom played key roles in dispatching the Spurs in the 1995 WCF.

Drexler memories just don't cause the same pain, and Elie and Horry, of course, eventually ended up with the good guys--one winning a ring and the other trying to.

By the way, ShoogarBear, I can buy that the boos were "boos of respect," but when I'm the Supreme Ruler of the World, I'll outlaw those kinds of things. Boos were appropriate in 1995; I thought respectful cheers were a better choice last night.

Another five years and we'll be ready to cheer. As it was, I think most people were booing with a smile on their face.

[samikeyp]

Question:
Is Hakeem in the HOF?

His last season was 2001-02. He will be eligible in 2007.

[whottt]

There was no excuse to boo Hakeem...We'd be outraged if the Rocketfans booed a retired David Robinson...IIRC the Rockets honored Drob during his last season(and game there) and he didn't get booed...and Hakeem was just as classy of an opponent as Drob was.

That's almost like LakerFans booing Bill Rusell....it was 10 years ago, Hakeem is retired and he is an elder statesmen of the game now whose awesome play no longer threatens anyone. Hakeem was an honorable rival that played the game the right way...he deserved better than to be booed when he was HONORING us by coming to our arena to watch our team play in the NBA finals. I am sure he was rooting for his old Texas rival and former teamate Horry to win and keep it in state since his team can't.

[FromWayDowntown]

His last season was 2001-02. He will be eligible in 2007.

and since he was a dominant player in both college and the NBA -- and since there is no NBA HOF, just a "Basketball HOF," which accounts for both collegiate and professional accomplishments -- Hakeem will be a no brainer on the first ballot in 2007.

And for what its worth -- I cheered, LOUDLY, last night when Hakeem was introduced.

I actually applauded as the Pistons were introduced last night.

[myhc]

why, the guy was a hated rival.

I think its kinda crappy how people in this forum are always on their in high horses telling people how they should act

Hakeem.

It's called sportsmanship. And you've got your own issues if you think calling something as it is, acting like a classless fool and booing a guy like Hakeem, is the same thing as telling someone "how to act."

[T Park]

It's called sportsmanship

WTF, it doesnt apply to joe blow in the stands who just spent 400 bucks a pop to go to that game last night.

If they want to boo Hakeem Olajuwon, they can, and I support it.

You dont stop hating a guy like Hakeem after the 95 season.

He humiliated David Robinson in that series.

Absolutely disgustingly humiliated him.


Im suprised, that Whottt, the biggest DROB supporter would not have done that extremely loudly.

[samikeyp]

I was and still am, a big anti-Rocket fan....but as a fan who believes in sportsmanship...I give credit where it is due. I never rooted for Hakeem but I had and still have, the utmost respect for him on and off the court. The dude was incredible even when taking out the Spurs. He had a killer instinct but carried himself with dignity and class. I would have cheered for him.

[samikeyp]

He humiliated David Robinson in that series.

Absolutely disgustingly humiliated him.

and yet David still thinks very highly of him and still speaks well of him....if its good enough for Dave...its good enough for me.

[ShoogarBear]

There's a difference between an opponent who is an ass versus one who has merely just kicked yours.

[myhc]

WTF, it doesnt apply to joe blow in the stands who just spent 400 bucks a pop to go to that game last night.

So the less sophisticated and the people who can't afford courtside tickets are exempt from being called classless because..........they're naturally part of a lower social class! Got it!!!! So what about the more sophisticated fans who were sitting closer to the court and who booed him. Can I still call them classless whiners or does their higher social status give them exemption from the sportsmanship rule too?

[FromWayDowntown]

WTF, it doesnt apply to joe blow in the stands who just spent 400 bucks a pop to go to that game last night.

Pay your money and you can do pretty much whatever you want, right? I'm sure those jackholes in Detroit (the handful of real troublemakers) agree with you completely, TPark.

I guess it comes down to this: if you don't believe in being respectful of those who've accomplished a great deal and a good sport about recognizing achievement in athletics, there's really no problem with booing Hakeem or anyone else who beat your team. After all, it's a good practice to remain bent about a loss for 10 years -- it does the soul a lot of good.

[samikeyp]

After all, it's a good practice to remain bent about a loss for 10 years -- it does the soul a lot of good.

You mean changing the channel every time "the Catch" is shown, is a bad thing?

[E20]

@ TPark, doesn't have a clue.

Hakeem was a badass player on and off the court.

[whottt]

Absolutely disgustingly humiliated him.


Im suprised, that Whottt, the biggest DROB supporter would not have done that extremely loudly.

It's overblown...I actually was at the SA games in person...I'm telling you guys that if Hakeem had to guard Drob one(and he didn't in SA) on one he wouldn't have had those kinds of numbers, look at nearly every game they played outside of that series...he'd have been in foul trouble...he could never handle David one on one without getting in foul trouble. Drob's offensive numbers would have still been bad because he didn't have anyone that could stretch the defense under playoff pressure other than the Rifleman and he was pretty much done by then.


I don't think David played that badly considering he was doubled and even tripled at times, ...the Rockets were the better team , they were more talented and they were better coached...it hurt, but I wasn't that surprised by it...they were the defending champs and we were 2 players away from being a top lottery contender.

I've never had the perspective on that series that most people have...all you gotta do is listen to Rudy T talk about Drob and his ability to get to the foul line and you'd know there was no way he would have left Hakeem on David one on one for an entire game. Rudy T is one of the biggest backers Drob had.



Even if was true though...I still wouldn't boo Hakeem now that he's retired...because he was as classy an opponent as there was, in fact he was probably the classiest rival the Spurs have ever had...he never badmouthed an opponent....he wasn't one of the guys that called Drob soft..in fact he's said otherwise...he never played dirty...if he had issues(like Drob not mentioning him during his MVP acceptance speech)...he settled them on the court.


Shaq deserves to be booed until the end of time...Hakeem no longer deserved boos the day he retired...not even the respect boos...if you really want to respect a great rival at the end of their playing days, you cheer them, that's the ultimate sign of respect for their career...and Hakeem's career deserved it...

Besides he swept Shaq's ing ass out of the finals like they were a CBA team...how can you not like that?

[FromWayDowntown]

You mean changing the channel every time "the Catch" is shown, is a bad thing?

Ok, you make a compelling argument with that one, mikey. Good point.

You know, now that I think about it, I still hate f'ing Clark High School for that beatdown they put on me and my Marshall Rams in 1988 (ahem, 38-9). Bas s. I make it a point to boo those guys everytime I see them . . . .

[samikeyp]

Its ok...I remember in '86 when Marshall hosed us (Taft) 15-14.

[whottt]

What happened last night was the equivalent of Celtics Fans booing Magic Johnson at Larry Bird's jersey retirement ceremony. It was a stupid thing to do. I think it's bad ass that Hakeem actually attended a Spurs game...it probably won't ever happen again.

[samikeyp]

It also didn't help that Rodman stood under the basket and watched Horry nail 3's.

[FromWayDowntown]

Its ok...I remember in '86 when Marshall hosed us (Taft) 15-14.

Yes, a rare victory against a Northside team in that era for the mighty Rams!! That was the last one for a good while -- I'm pretty sure that MHS and THS tied in 87, and I know that we (Marshall) got shut out in 88 and 89.

Those bitter memories . . . .

maybe I should have booed Hakeem after all.

[samikeyp]

Yes, a rare victory against a Northside team in that era for the mighty Rams!! That was the last one for a good while -- I'm pretty sure that MHS and THS tied in 87, and I know that we (Marshall) got shut out in 88 and 89.

Those bitter memories . . . .

Bitter for YOU maybe!

[FromWayDowntown]

What happened last night was the equivalent of Celtics Fans booing Magic Johnson at Larry Bird's jersey retirement ceremony. It was a stupid thing to do. I think it's bad ass that Hakeem actually attended a Spurs game...it probably won't ever happen again.

I think that's right. Frankly, Hakeem seemed surprised to hear any boos, and I can't say that I blame him, particularly after Drexler got such a great reception.

[FromWayDowntown]

Bitter for YOU maybe!

well, yeah, but I'm a raging bitterman most of the time anyway.

oh wait, I forgot for a second there -- I'm not TPark.