The power struggle taking place in Houston between All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon and Rockets management has the potential for changing the balance of power in the NBA. On the surface, the dispute is over whether Olajuwon really is injured or simply trying a desperate plan to force the team into renegotiating his contract.
Clearly, there are other issues involved.
Some say this is a league-inspired test case in which a team for the first time will use a little-known clause in the player`s agreement to sue a player for damages.
The Rockets figure to have some reason now that neither side expects Olajuwon to play again in the regular season ”People who I have asked and had the same problem said it takes three weeks (to heal),” said Olajuwon. That would make the Rockets a good bet to remain behind the Clippers and Lakers and out of the playoffs.
Olajuwon, who earns about $3.8 million this season and has three seasons remaining on his contract, has a reputation for seeking renegotiation. Agent Warren LeGarie said Olajuwon came to him a few years ago asking whether he could help get Olajuwon a big contract in Europe. LeGarie told Olajuwon he couldn`t do so as long as he was under contract in the NBA.
But those in Houston must be especially sensitive about accusing an athlete of faking an injury. That was the case with Astros pitcher J.R. Richard, who went on to have a stroke and almost died.
But what`s most likely to emerge from this morass is a trade because the Rockets say there`ll be no negotiation despite Olajuwon`s demand for a one-year extension at $15 million.
Long line for Olajuwon: Some teams aleady are lining up at Houston`s door, with Philadelphia and its angry superstar one possible exchange.
Olajuwon and Charles Barkley earn similar salaries, so that could be accomplished. The 76ers have been desperate for a center since unloading Moses Malone and the rights to Brad Daugherty, but the Rockets would need more. So the 76ers could offer Johnny Dawkins, or perhaps even Hersey Hawkins, with the Rockets matching that with Sleepy Floyd, whom they also have been trying to move.
And then the Rockets could go into the free-agent market for a center/
forward like the Pacers` Herb Williams to supplement Barkley up front.
The Pacers and Rockets already have talked about various deals this season. The Pacers like Kenny Smith and have a center with potential in Rik Smits, while the Rockets also like Chuck Person. They probably could trade Olajuwon and Smith for Smits and Reggie Miller within constraints of the salary cap.
Also interested in Olajuwon are the Lakers, who would put together a package of James Worthy and Vlade Divac, with Houston throwing in one of its overpaid guards, like Floyd or Smith or Vernon Maxwell.
Two other teams with centers and interest are the Clippers and SuperSonics.
The Clippers presumably would offer Charles Smith, a restricted free agent, and Danny Manning. The Sonics would offer Benoit Benjamin and probably Derrick McKey because the Rockets long have been searching for a quality small forward who can score.
And those scenarios continue to come into focus as the bitterness and losses keep mounting in Houston with Olajuwon out.
”A star player doesn`t have to like the general manager,” said Rockets General Manager Steve Patterson. ”Look at all the stuff Michael Jordan says about Jerry Krause, and all the Bulls did was win a championship. I don`t expect him to like me.”
”They`re trying to ruin my reputation,” said Olajuwon. ”They are trying to shift the blame to my contract, and that`s not the issue. Maybe it would be better for us (Olajuwon and Patterson) to not be on the same team anymore. He`s trying to turn the media and my teammates against me. If they want to trade me, they don`t need any excuses.”
Nor will they have much problem.
Robinson has surgery: San Antonio center David Robinson underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left thumb Saturday, and is expected to be sidelined six weeks. Robertson will miss at least six weeks, which would keep him out through the first playoff round-should the Spurs qualify. Robinson also expressed doubt about playing on the U.S. Olympic team this summer.
”That`s not even a consideration any more,” Robinson said. ”I have to worry about playing for the people that sign my paychecks.”
Whose shovel is it? With groundbreaking due this week for the Bulls` and Blackhawks` new stadium, they better be careful whom they select as a sponsor. The Suns now are trying to get out of their arrangement with financially troubled America West Airlines, for whom their new arena is to be named. Also, look for the Bulls this summer to start basketball camps out of their new practice facility. That revenue source was one reason for building their own practice facility.
Around the league: The Kings` sale to a Los Angeles group, which says it will keep the team in Sacramento, seems imminent. But the Rockets remain on the market after more than a year, and a Kansas City, Mo., group is trying to lure an NBA team back there. . . . John Salley has scored in double figures in 11 of the Pistons` last 14 games, all as a starter. . . . The Pacers had their best streak of holding teams to less than 100 points in three years with rookie Dale Davis getting the fourth-quarter minutes at center.
. . . Charlotte coach Allan Bristow says forget rookie of the year. He says Larry Johnson should be All-Pro: ”I wonder if Larry shouldn`t be second-team all-NBA this season. Name me four better forwards. There`s Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin. Then you (go down to) Dennis Rodman, Kevin Willis, Charles Barkley and Larry (Bird) at the next level. I think you`ve got to put Larry right up there with them.”
Credit the Cavaliers with a brilliant pickup of Mike Sanders, whom the Bulls passed on. He was cut by the Pacers with two years left on a four-year, $3.2 million contract so they could sign Dale Davis. Sanders is starting at forward-the sixth starter at that woeful position for the Cavaliers this season-and his 16 points in his first game was the most by any starting Cavalier small forward all season. He scored in double figures in four of the first six games he started, and the Cavaliers are 67-29 in games he has started lifetime for them. ”This team is tailor-made for me,” he said. . . . Unrest in Denver for teetering coach Paul Westhead. Said Joe Wolf: ”If we`re a young team learning to pass the ball and win, that`s not happening. Obviously, things aren`t coming from the right direction. We`re not playing as team, and that`s coaching. We have guys playing out of position and are getting beat by 30.” Westhead`s response was to start playing Scott Hastings for Wolf.
The Lakers signed former 76er Cliff Robinson, out of the NBA almost three years and playing in Europe and the minors after knee surgery. Said Robinson: ”I`m the comeback kid. I had to go all around the world to come back home.” . . . Magic President Pat Williams got a new contract and a surprise. Robert Van Der Weide, a Grand Rapids, Mich., real estate developer who is the son-in-law of new team owner Rick DeVos of Amway fame, was named president of basektball operations. . . . Atlanta forward Alexander Volkov, a restricted free agent averaging 15 points as a starter, says he`ll go to Europe if the Hawks don`t re-sign him. . . . The Nets seem to have the scheduling edge to get the final Eastern Conference playoff spot (the Bulls privately are rooting for Atlanta) after recently finishing a grueling 11-game stretch against winning teams 5-6. One never knows what to expect against them. They`re talented and unpredictable. Like when Derrick Coleman showed up late for a recent practice and was fined $1,000. He handed coach Bill Fitch $5,000 and said: ”That`s for now and the next four times.”
Said Pat Williams about center Stanley Roberts, now that he weighs less than 300 pounds: ”I can`t use those (fat) jokes anymore. Stanley has turned over a new chin.”
