Hakeem Olajuwon and Houston Rockets officials aren't on the same page in their debate over a new contract.
Rockets general manager Steve Patterson says Olajuwon has regularly demanded that his contract be renegotiated.Leonard Armato, Olajuwon's agent, says all he's done is reply to owner Charlie Thomas' request for a contract extension that would make Olajuwon happy.
"Then, the next thing I know, he (Olajuwon) gets served with a letter from Steve Patterson saying, `We think you're demanding to renegotiate your contract in violation with your agreement,' " Armato said.
Olajuwon will earn about $3.8 million this season and has about $12 million remaining on a contract that extends through the 1994-95 season. Patterson says Olajuwon wants $15 million for the 1995-96 season.
"I was shocked when I heard that and so I responded and said absolutely not, he hasn't violated anything in his contract," Armato said. "We've been having discussions for a year and a half at your (the team's) request about an extension and the talks have been ongoing. That's it."
The simmering battle exploded Saturday night when Olajuwon refused to suit up for the Rockets' 100-97 loss to Sacramento. Olajuwon said a hamstring injury he suffered on Tuesday still bothered him although doctors gave him medical clearance to play.
The Rockets wondered if he's faking an injury in a high-stakes gamble to force their hand, using the upcoming playoffs as leverage.
"It's all escalated into warfare and as far as I'm concerned, they've declared war on him and really, in essence, they've declared war on him and the fans," Armato said. "How can you resolve a situation in a way that works for everyone? They've convinced some people he's faked an injury."
Olajuwon said he was offended by Patterson's accusations.
"He has attacked my reputation, my integrity," Olajuwon told The Houston Post. "Tell Steve he's stupid, I'll sue them for everything they've got."
Patterson said Olajuwon made a demand last Monday that his contract be renegotiated and when the demand was rejected, "the last thing he said was `You've got to do what you've got to do and I've got to do what I've got to do.' "
Patterson said part of Olajuwon's last contract agreement was that he not ask again for renegotiation.
"We've renegotiated three times and the last time we signed a deal, he promised he'd never come back (to renegotiate again)," Patterson said. "I think the entire organization is disappointed in Hakeem . . . the players, the staff and management."
"Unless I'm 100 percent ready, I won't play," Olajuwon said. "I'm not going to jeopardize my career for just a couple of games."
Olajuwon told the Houston Chronicle he felt damaged by the Rockets' comments.
"Nobody wants to play more than I do," Olajuwon said. "But now, people will look at me funny. They'll think I faked the injury. That's not going to make me come back any quicker."