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Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Olajuwon activated, meets with Rockets owner
Associated Press
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HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon, unhappy with his role on the
rebuilding Houston Rockets, met with team owner Les Alexander prior
to Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Hakeem and I had a pleasant meeting today, very productive,"
Alexander said. "We both want the same thing, and that is to win
the playoffs."
Asked if that meant Olajuwon would finish out the season with
the Rockets, Alexander said: "He'll be here, we'll see. The rest
is confidential. Right now we're just trying to win the playoffs."
Olajuwon is in the final year of a contract and earns $16.5
million this season, making him very difficult to trade. He has
played a lesser role this season and asked the Rockets to consider
trading or waiving him.
Olajuwon played 18 minutes in Wednesday night's 85-84 overtime
loss to Philadelphia and had little to offer after the game.
"I think a lot was accomplished. I'm satisfied," Olajuwon
said. "We'll just wait and see what happens. The purpose of the
meeting was to look at all the possibilities and find a solution.
"It's very confidential. That's it. I'd like for you to respect
that."
Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said it was highly
unlikely the Rockets could trade the future Hall of Famer and
remain under the salary cap for next season.
The Rockets activated Olajuwon from the team's injured list
prior to the game and place center Kelvin Cato on the injured list
with a partially torn left rotator cuff.
Olajuwon, recovering from a cyst on his right knee, had been on
the disabled list since Jan. 9 and missed 12 games. Olajuwon has
averaged 10.2 points in 29 games this season.
Cato injured his rotator cuff against Sacramento on Jan. 13 and
has missed Houston's last five games. Cato spent time on the
injured list Nov. 9 to Dec. 16 with a left ankle sprain.
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ALSO SEE
Sixers ground Rockets for 12th straight road win
Rockets official says Olajuwon trade unlikely
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