i found this artilce on another basketball forum i was wondering you guys agree with this guy and that hakeem scrwed toronto over. http://www.thefanview.com/rant/rant120202.html
Even if hakeem screwed them over it does not change the fact that he was one of the greatest of all time. He should have retired after the rockets but it was the raptors own damn fault that they took the risk. besides that, the raptors always sucked before and will continue to do so until they can actually keep a player without him being unhappy and wanting a trade. Dream messing up the raptors?!?! give me a break!! the only one who messed them up was themselves!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KfrumHTOWN!:</div><div class="quote_post">Even if hakeem screwed them over it does not change the fact that he was one of the greatest of all time. He should have retired after the rockets but it was the raptors own damn fault that they took the risk. besides that, the raptors always sucked before and will continue to do so until they can actually keep a player without him being unhappy and wanting a trade. Dream messing up the raptors?!?! give me a break!! the only one who messed them up was themselves!!!!</div> What? While I don't agree with the idea that Hakeem messed up the Raptors franchise, who are you to say something like that? Are you referring to the 'Wince' trade when you say 'until they can actually keep a player without him being unhappy and wanting a trade'? Please, before you make any uninformed conclusions, do some research. It's ignorant fans like you that splash mud on the reputation of this forum.
I thought that was a bit too anti-Hakeem. The man couldn't play anymore because of injuries. Everyone knew it would happen. You can't fault a man because he made money from Grunwald's stupidity.
i didnt rite it i just posted it cause i was wondering wat you guys would think i personally think it was grunwald's fault
We know that you didn't write the article, but just voicing our opinions... It was totally Glen Grunwald's fault for signing Hakeem to that ridiculous contract, same with Antonio Davis and JYD.... wow.
Toronto wasnt very smart to sign him to that contract in the first place, so they do take majority of the blame. Although i liked hakeem as a player, i have never really liked him as a person. I think he is a bit too caught up in his religion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KfrumHTOWN!:</div><div class="quote_post">Even if hakeem screwed them over it does not change the fact that he was one of the greatest of all time. He should have retired after the rockets but it was the raptors own damn fault that they took the risk. besides that, the raptors always sucked before and will continue to do so until they can actually keep a player without him being unhappy and wanting a trade. Dream messing up the raptors?!?! give me a break!! the only one who messed them up was themselves!!!!</div> Agreed. Hakeem didn't mess the Raptors up. They're idiotic GM did, and he still continues to make questionable decisions with the Raptors future. First off he traded Vince for NOTHING, and then drafts another bigman knowing that they're star player plays the SAME POSITION. The article is a little harsh, considering the fact the GM was left untouched and rarely even takes any blame.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They're idiotic GM did, and he still continues to make questionable decisions with the Raptors future. First off he traded Vince for NOTHING, and then drafts another bigman knowing that they're star player plays the SAME POSITION.</div> They're two different GMs. The one today is Babcock and the older one that signed Hakeem was Grunswald.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">They're two different GMs. The one today is Babcock and the older one that signed Hakeem was Grunswald.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Although i liked hakeem as a player, i have never really liked him as a person. I think he is a bit too caught up in his religion.</div> why? because he's a devout muslim? He actually became more disciplined and one of the best role models the league has ever seen so i don't see your point..
I think both parties (Grunwald & Hakeem) are at fault for what happened. As already stated, GG shouldn't have signed him to that ridiculous contract in the first place, and it was also Hakeem's fault for accepting the contract knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to live up to the expectations. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">The article is a little harsh, considering the fact the GM was left untouched and rarely even takes any blame.</div> ..... I don't even know how to respond to this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post"> What? While I don't agree with the idea that Hakeem messed up the Raptors franchise, who are you to say something like that? Are you referring to the 'Wince' trade when you say 'until they can actually keep a player without him being unhappy and wanting a trade'? Please, before you make any uninformed conclusions, do some research. It's ignorant fans like you that splash mud on the reputation of this forum.</div> im sorry..that the raptors suck at making draft and personel choices!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Agreed. Hakeem didn't mess the Raptors up. They're idiotic GM did, and he still continues to make questionable decisions with the Raptors future. First off he traded Vince for NOTHING, and then drafts another bigman knowing that they're star player plays the SAME POSITION. The article is a little harsh, considering the fact the GM was left untouched and rarely even takes any blame.</div> They got market value for Vince...its hard to sell a player that was doing what he was doing on and off the court. I personally think they did a great job going for future rather than a patch job to try and keep the no-nothings happy. Read the Raps forum as to what Charlies roll is going to be....i think they made an excellent choice and probably had the best draft of all the teams out there. They also appeared to have the best idea at how the draft was going to unfold. To many people trash Babcock. Between the Vince Bandwagoner's who say Vince can do no wrong to the IDIOTS who crucify a GM for 1 bad draft pick, which isnt even a sure thing yet. Araujo could still work out, he's only been in the league for a year and showed some flashes of what we need...strength and a big body to bang and hit the boards. Then they go crucify him for this past trade just because Dick Vitale and the ESPN crew threw a fit. Go away
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KfrumHTOWN!:</div><div class="quote_post">im sorry..that the raptors suck at making draft and personel choices!</div> I'm sorry nature sucks at weeding out the weak and the ignorant
In the playoffs the year before we signed Hakeem and everyone else to contracts, we were one shot away from the Eastern Conference Finals. The signing of Hakeem had everyone excited and many channels, including S.I who had projected the Raptors meeting the Lakers in the finals. Partially because of the previous year post season success, but also because of the opportunity to have the Dream at center and move A.D to the 4 spot. His playoff and championship experience and his leadership. We had a horrid year with injuries. That season ended Vinsanity. Hakeem was an expensive risk, that COULD HAVE worked out. When that it didn't, people start blasting Grunwald and Olajuwon. Grunwald knew it was a risk. Sometimes risks are needed to be taken to get to the next level. This risk didn't work out, and we lost a bunch of key players to boot, which made the Hakeem 'risk' look so much worse. Grunwald 'went for it' signing Hakeem, Alvin, Vince, JYD, A.D. He threw a lot of money around, maybe more than he should have, but it was done to build on the year before. It didn't work out. Some times things don't work out. When a championship team gets dimantled, it is hard for them to get back in the playoffs. Look at the Chicago Bulls after they broke the Bulls apart after their 6 championships. Look at the L.A Lakers after Magic retired, they sucked goats for awhile. No, the Raptors weren't ever a championship team, but we were close! And to get close, you need to throw some money around. You need to spend a little more then what a player is worth sometimes, just to get that final piece. In retrospect, sure, it was a mistake.....but no one was complaining when he was signed.
Yes the after effects, everyone complains, You cannot blame this on just one person on how Toronto sucks right now. Like Carcharias said, Grunwald thought they were contenders and a lot of sports media thought they'd be contenders too, so he went out and resigned Alvin, JYD, Antonio Davis to lucrative deals, they milked it good after only 1 or 2 good seasons with the Raptors. Then things kinda went worse since they got signed, everyone got unhappy.
If you never take risks, you'll never be a succesful team. While their's a difference between risk taking and stupidity, Hakeem getting injured was not a sure thing, no one knows exactly how their body will hold up. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">and it was also Hakeem's fault for accepting the contract knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to live up to the expectations.</div> I don't understand it, how can it be Hakeem's fault? What's he going to say, no, no, give me less years and less money because my body might not be able to hold up. As if anyone in their right mind would actually say that. This is one of those hindsight things. Now it's a "terrible move", but then it wasn't actually bad. It's not like Hakeem was useless when he played, he produced fairly well even, and if not for injuries he could've even been a good player at a nice price.
