Hakeem Olajuwon interested in Houston Rockets ownership stake
By Tevin Williams
The Dream is ready to shake things up once again in Houston.
Leslie Alexander put the Houston Rockets up for sale in July. In that time, many potential suitors have expressed interest, including former Rocket Dikembe Mutombo. Now the greatest Rocket of all time, Hakeem Olajuwon, wants in on the action.
Leslie Alexander purchased the Houston Rockets in 1993. Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon led the Rockets to consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995.
It would be a perfect handoff, because the current Rockets team may be the best since Hakeem suited up in Houston in the mid-90’s.
Olajuwon is looking to join a group to purchase an ownership stake in the Rockets, according to Mark Woods of ESPN.
“Many groups now have called me and want me involved,” Olajuwon, now a Rockets team ambassador, said. “With two of the groups, I’m doing my background check to see if that is a possibility. Just an association would be great.
“I’m still with the organization now. I have a contract with the Rockets, not to be in an ownership position. But if the opportunity opens itself, it will be something great.”
The Rockets are on the upswing.
The Rockets finished with the third best record in the NBA last season. Not mention that James Harden was the runner-up for MVP, Mike D’Antoni won Coach of the Year and Houston acquired Chris Paul via trade.
It’s a great time to be a Rockets fan, or owner. The Rockets are on the come up, and for Leslie, this was the right time to sell high. The Rockets are valued at $1.65 billion, according to Forbes. They could very well sell for $2 billion or more, especially if Carmelo Anthony comes to town.
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Olajuwon said that the Rockets are a championship contender.
“I think they were a championship team last year. That series we lost against San Antonio, I think we could have given Golden State a better series than San Antonio did.”
“I’ve always believed that if you have a legitimate team like Houston, with one of the best records in the league, they are a championship team. But of course, the West is so strong that you have to go against Golden State or San Antonio. But I think they can beat San Antonio.”
Next: Weaknesses That the Houston Rockets Still Have
The last time there was a change of ownership, the Rockets won back-to-back titles. Let’s hope for a similar outcome this time around.