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Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Olajuwon close to returning from injury
Associated Press
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HOUSTON -- It's almost unthinkable that Hakeem Olajuwon
would end his great career anywhere but in Houston.
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| Olajuwon |
Since arriving in the city from his native Nigeria, Olajuwon's
name has been synonymous with Houston basketball, first at the
University of Houston -- taking the Cougars to three NCAA Final Four
appearances -- and later leading the Rockets to consecutive NBA
titles.
Yet, in the final year of his contract that pays him $16.5
million, Olajuwon told the Rockets he would consider being traded
and possibly extending his 17-year career beyond this season.
But Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson has told the center
it was highly unlikely the team could pull off such a deal.
"He asked us to look into 'can he be traded,' and that's where
we are and we can't do that," Dawson said Monday. "I keep getting
these calls that I don't have an answer for (about trades)."
Olajuwon, 38 and on the team's disabled list with a
cyst on his right knee, went through a rugged workout Monday but
probably won't be with the team when it plays in Denver on Tuesday
night. Olajuwon has had difficulty previously playing in the high
altitude of Colorado.
"You don't want to start back in Denver," Olajuwon said,
smiling.
Olajuwon ended the interview, however, when asked when he
planned to sit down with Rockets owner Les Alexander to discuss his
desires.
"I don't want to talk about that, that's it," Olajuwon said.
Dawson said it was his understanding that Alexander and Olajuwon
would meet this week, possibly Wednesday when the Rockets host the
Philadelphia 76ers.
"They are going to talk and something else may come out of
that," Dawson said. "My job is to try to get him back and win as
many games as we can."
Dawson doesn't doubt there are teams that would take Olajuwon.
"Anybody that's in the race would be interested in Hakeem as
far as trading," Dawson said. "I think if they said they were
interested in Hakeem, I believe it. But think how many players it
would take for a deal like that."
After Olajuwon's contract expires, the Rockets will be under the
salary cap, giving Dawson room to sign his own players and possibly
shop for free agents.
Olajuwon missed four games after a cyst on his right knee caused
swelling and on Jan. 9 he was placed on the team's disabled list,
still affected by the swelling that first occurred when he fell
Dec. 21 in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Olajuwon is averaging 10.2 points
and 1.3 blocks in 29 starts this season.
The Rockets have played their last 11 games without a true
center. Kelvin Cato is out with a partially torn rotator cuff and
Jason Collier is recovering from knee surgery.
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