The Houston Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon finally got around to a trade. Unfortunately, instead of players, harsh words were exchanged.
Olajuwon and Houston Rockets owner Charlie Thomas dealt verbal blows, with Olajuwon calling Thomas a coward and Thomas saying he wasn't trying to build a friendship with his unhappy center.Initially, the Rockets center and owner shook hands when Olajuwon came onto The Summit floor to begin the interview sessions. Then they broke up into different interview groups and the fireworks started.
"There is an old saying in my country (Nigeria), `Silence is the best answer for a fool,"' Olajuwon said. "I don't want to get down in the mud with this organization. Everything will come out."
The feud has been simmering since last March when Olajuwon demanded an apology and a trade after he was suspended by general manager Steve Patterson for refusing to suit up after being given doctor's clearance to play. Olajuwon said he had a hamstring injury.
The Rockets were involved in intensive offseason efforts to trade Olajuwon but all their deals fell through. Olajuwon was surprised that as a three-time All-NBA center, a deal couldn't be made.
"I'm not trying to build a personal relationship here," Thomas said. "If he wants a personal relationship then it's up to him to come to me. You know who makes people happy? Themselves, people make themselves happy."
Bullets
Washington traded disgruntled forward John Williams to the Los Angeles Clippers for Don MacLean and William Bedford.
76ers
Philadelphia signed first-round draft choice Clarence Weatherspoon and traded Jayson Williams to New Jersey.
Cavaliers
Cleveland signed former New York Knicks guard Gerald Wilkins to a multiyear contract Thursday.
Wilkins, 29, averaged 14.9 points per game in seven years in New York, including 12.4 last season.
Spurs
The Spurs and David Robinson resolved a contract snag, removing a shadow that had loomed over the start of training camp.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, although San Antonio owner Red McCombs said the All-Star center will be "among the highest paid and might be the highest paid" player in the NBA.
Timberwolves
Christian Laettner was missing from Minnesota's media day, and is expected to miss the opening of training camp Friday.
Club president Bob Stein said he had a productive conversation Thursday with Laettner's agent, Arn Tellum. Tellum had wanted to see what the Charlotte Hornets would pay Alonzo Mourning - who was drafted just ahead of Laettner - before starting negotiations with the Timberwolves.
Warriors
Golden State signed their first-round draft pick, Alabama guard Latrell Sprewell, to a four-year contract.
The Warriors also signed forward Jud Buechler. The Warriors relinquished their rights to forward Shaun Vandiver, a first-round pick in the 1991 draft who played in Italy last season.
Suns
Phoenix signed first-round draft pick Oliver Miller, squeezing the 6-foot-9 Arkansas center's $500,000 salary under their salary cap because Kevin Johnson was willing to restructure his contract.
Johnson agreed to defer $300,000 of his 1992-93 salary until next season, team president Jerry Colangelo said.