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Friday, January 26, 2001
Olajuwon talks with coach about team role
ESPN.com news services
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HOUSTON -- One day after meeting with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander in an effort to
clear up his future with the team, center Hakeem Olajuwon discussed his on-court role with coach Rudy Tomjanovich, the Houston Chronicle reported Friday.
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Tomjanovich, who met with Olajuwon after Thursday's practice, didn't say what the two talked about specifically but said the
meeting was "very positive, very unselfish," the newspaper said.
"It was a real good meeting for me," Tomjanovich said. "It cleared some
things up. I had a misconception on some things and that's as far as I will
go. I'm glad we had that meeting and I have a clearer picture of where Dream
is coming from. I found out I did misinterpret some things he said."
Olajuwon, 38, has been unhappy with his diminished role this season and
said last week that he would welcome being traded or waived. After missing
12 games with swelling in his right knee, he was activated from the injured
list before Wednesday's overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
"He's been gone away from the team and I had not heard any displeasure all
through the season up until a week ago," Tomjanovich told the Chronicle. "It was a
surprise to me, and now that we have some time and I know how he feels,
we'll deal with it."
The Rockets have said that because of Olajuwon's $16.5 million salary this
season it's unrealistic they would trade him.
Guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley have become the focal point of the
offense as the Rockets have moved away from the low-post game. Olajuwon
wants to become more involved but doesn't want to hurt the team's chemistry.
As far as his knee is concerned, Olajuwon said he was virtually pain-free
during Wednesday's game.
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