FROM THE OTHER SIDE

What writers in Houston are saying about the series:

DALE ROBERTSON, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Four years ago, Hakeem Olajuwon took the self-proclaimed “Man of Steel” to school in the NBA finals. Hakeem dream-shook Shaquille O’Neal until the big kid was dazed and confused, dizzy to the point that he was practically bleeding from the ears.

It was a gross mismatch, that Superman vs. Superboy confrontation, as the former’s Houston Rockets beat the latter’s Orlando Magic four in a row.

But in basketball years, four seasons can be almost forever. With Olajuwon, 36 and creaky in the knees, now having reached the autumn of his days and Shaquille O’Neal in midsummer form, the mismatch element has reversed itself. The monster of the Lakers’ midway has become poor Dream’s worst nightmare.

So difficult has O’Neal been for Hakeem to attack--or, worse, defend--the Rockets were a much better team Thursday night without Olajuwon in the lineup.

Using a hockey-style “plus-minus” system, where points scored by the other team are subtracted from the points scored by your team while you are on the floor, we would see Hakeem probably was deeper in minus territory, the dreaded red zone, than any other Rocket.

Ultimately, the Rockets won despite him, not because of him, thereby staving off elimination and making a Game 4 necessary. Four years ago, such an ironic twist would have been unfathomable.

Charles Barkley believes Olajuwon needs to accept reality and cover O’Neal more judiciously, certainly at the outset of games. Because you’re not going to stop O’Neal, why waste the fouls trying?

Olajuwon’s pride, and probably his memory, makes it difficult for him to concede anything, though. He hasn’t forgotten when the sneaker was on the other foot. Alas, the clock only runs forward. He has to accept reality and choose discretion over valor.