I made the same mistake Leeb probably made, which was to assume a max contract in 2004 started at more than $10+ million a year. Boozer was signed to the smallest "max" contract that was offered then, that being "Greater of 25 percent of the salary cap ($10.968 million this season) or 105 percent of the player's salary in the last season of his prior contract for players of 6 years service or less." I stand by what I said as far as not believing Boozer was worth a "max contract" at the time, but obviously he got one, much to the surprise of Cleveland.
didn't jordan hill start playing basketball late, like @ the age of 16 or something. Olajuwon was a late bloomer as well. I am not saying he's Olajuwon, but it would be cool if Olajuwon spent some time with him this summer (only a positive if Jordan Hill is not traded obviously)
They said he had only been playing something like 4 years at the NBA draft...lots of raw potential for Hakeem to work with
I would be very surprised. Of course, it partly depends on the definition of 1st/2nd tier, and what the number is. Who's worth max money? LBJ, Bosh, DWade... I guess Joe Johnson is close to it.
There's a big difference in never playing "organized basketball" and never playing basketball....Olajuwon had to learn all of the above. I see your point though. It's just hard for me to listen to/read any comparisons about anyone with Olajuwon in the same sentence. 14 all star appearances, a league mvp award, 2 final mvps, a defensive poy award, an olympic gold medal, and a couple of championships later I might feel a lil better about that comparison. Tim Grover, and Olajuwon can tag train, but there will never be another Olajuwon. <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uBrEsNS9zKg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uBrEsNS9zKg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Yea trust me, my point wasn't to compare them at all. Only that Olajuwon can share his experiences in learning the game at an advanced age.
While I agree it would be cool if Dream worked with him, don't underestimate Carroll Dawson and Jack Sikma. They are both excellent big men coaches.
there not going to get what they want there gonna end up signing boozer and johnson for the max lol their gm screwed them
