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Wednesday, November 26, 1997

Rockets regrouping after Olajuwon injury

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ / AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets were pleased with their depth at the start of this season. Now, they'll get to use it.

Hakeem Olajuwon is lost from eight to 10 weeks while recuperating from surgery to his left knee Monday night, forcing the Rockets to again adjust their lineup, something they had to do a lot last season.

"When we sat down and put this team together, we got a depth chart because we know things like this might happen," said Carroll Dawson, vice president for basketball. "The preparation for this doesn't come now. It started last summer. I can't tell you how many times we sat down and wondered, 'Well, what are we going to do if this happens?' "

The Rockets played only 40 games last season with all three of their superstars: Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler.

Kevin Willis, a big part of last year's revamped lineup, will play a major role again in the latest regrouping. He's been starting at forward since Nov. 7 when Barkley went out with a groin injury.

Willis picked a good time to have one of his best years. He's averaging 15 points and hitting 55.6 points from the field and nine rebounds.

Willis has always had an effective jump hook, but this season he's hitting the outside jumper, too.

"I don't think I'm shooting it more, I just seem to be hitting it more," he said. "I'm feeling comfortable with it."

Barkley is expected to return Friday when the Rockets play at Portland. Willis will move into Olajuwon's center position.

"Having Kevin Willis is an extreme plus," Dawson said. "He's playing as good as he has in years. Of course, when you take him off the bench, your bench isn't as strong."

Othella Harrington and Matt Bullard are expected to get extra playing time off the bench.

On Tuesday, the Rockets re-signed 40-year-old Charles Jones as a backup at center. Jones is the NBA's oldest player and the oldest ever to play for the Rockets. Injuries forced him to miss 49 games last season, when he averaged 0.3 point and 1.1 rebounds in 7.8 minutes.

The Rockets were 32-8 with all of their superstars last season and 27-16 when one or more was sidelined.

Olajuwon should have a complete recovery. He could return as soon as six weeks, but Dr. Bruce Moseley said the Rockets "would be happy if he's back by the All-Star break."

Olajuwon would miss 35 games if he returns after the All-Star break (Feb. 6-8).

The 34-year-old Olajuwon was playing below par this season, averaging 14.4 points and shooting 48 percent from the field. He has averaged 24 points and been a 52 percent shooter over his 14-year career.

Olajuwon even had trouble with his signature shot, the "Dream Shake," a fade-away jumper that is almost indefensible. The knee injury didn't allow him to push off properly. It also affected his other moves.

"He couldn't jump off that leg going to the middle," Dawson said. "He basically hadn't shot a jump hook this year. He shot one in the Sacramento game and he hurt for two days afterward. That ended that, so yeah, I'm relieved."

In 1991, Olajuwon missed 25 games after being elbowed in the eye. He hasn't missed more than 14 games in any other season, despite a blood clot in his left leg and an irregular heartbeat. He's missed only 26 games over the past five seasons.