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Forget-me-not Olajuwon doesn't want to be a face in the crowd
Posted: Thursday October 28, 1999 06:33 PM
Everyone in Houston seems excited over the departure of Scottie Pippen and the arrivals of Shandon Anderson and rookie Steve Francis. Everyone except Hakeem Olajuwon. Turns out, the Rockets are more interested in an up-tempo style, which would showcase the talents of their new additions. "I'm just hoping they don't forget about me," Olajuwon recently joked. "Seriously, I'm hoping at some point we'll get back to getting me the ball." After the fatigue Olajuwon has shown over the past two seasons, don't expect Houston to oblige him too much. If anything, they'll defer to Charles Barkley before Olajuwon. Remember, he's the guy officially gone at the end of this season.
Taylor may find Sterling's purse strings too tightThe L.A. Clippers are about to lose another potential star if they're not careful. Since owner Donald Sterling continues to lose millions on the franchise each year, he's not about to pay Maurice Taylor market value. Taylor wants the maximum once this season's over, but he knows he's not going to get it from the Clippers. That's why the former Michigan star has already talked with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons might be able to work out a sign-and-trade deal. The way Sterling has operated throughout the years, he won't ask for much. Just don't ask him to spend.
Jackson, Van Gundy take issue with drug-testing clauseApparently, Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy have something in common. They both have a beef with the clause in the league's new drug-testing policy that calls for coaches to be tested. Actually, they have a point: There wasn't anyone representing coaches at the collective bargaining table last season. But don't expect any sympathy from Billy Hunter, the man who represented the players. Remember, before the lockout he kept saying that drug testing would be a negotiated issue. He conveniently forgot to mention that part of his game plan was raising the discomfort factor by making the coaches, and all on-court personnel, a part of the deal. Stephen A. Smith covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is a regular contributor to CNN/SI.
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