Blood Disorder Sidelines Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the Houston Rockets to two NBA titles over a 17-year career and became the league’s all-time shot blocker, is suffering from a blood condition that may have ended his stellar career with the team.

The Rockets announced Tuesday that Olajuwon has a blood problem in a vein in the lower half of his left leg and will require medication that will keep him off the court for three to six months.

The fear is that taking a drug called Coumadin, a blood thinner, could result in a more serious internal injury if he had hard contact while on the court.

Olajuwon’s contract, which pays him $16.9 million this year, expires at the end of the season, but General Manager Carroll Dawson refused to say Olajuwon, 38, had played his last game as a Rocket.

“The first thing is his health,” Dawson said. “As you know, we don’t ever close the door. If you look at the way he’s played, I don’t know what this condition is going to bring.”

Rocket trainer Keith Jones said physicians could not identify the ailment with a name.

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The Walt Disney Co. has concluded its negotiations with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Anaheim Sports President Tony Tavares said, leaving the effort to lure the NBA team to the Arrowhead Pond to officials from the arena and the city of Anaheim.

Tavares said he believed Disney had satisfied the concerns of Grizzly owner Michael Heisley about the Mighty Ducks’ lease with Ogden Corp., operators of the Pond. Disney has offered concessions to that agreement, which requires an NBA team moving into the arena to split millions of dollars in advertising and premium-seating revenue with Disney.

“The city and Ogden came to us and asked us about the lease and I think we’ve accommodated them,” Tavares said. “But negotiations now are between Heisley, Ogden and the city. That’s where the deal will be made or broken. We’re not really involved any more, except to answer questions when needed.”

Heisley is scheduled to visit Louisville, Ky., tonight and Thursday, with Memphis, Tenn., New Orleans and Las Vegas also courting the Grizzlies. Heisley has said he hopes to narrow the field “toward the end of this week.”

The possibility of Heisley buying the Ducks, which would allow him to operate both teams in the arena, is not under discussion. Still, Pond General Manager Tim Ryan believes Heisley can find his most lucrative deal in Anaheim, the only city in which he would have to share an arena with an NHL team.

“There is a very real scenario that allows a second tenant to be successful,” Ryan said. “We’ll be in this game right until a decision is made. We’ve put ourselves in a position to win this game.”

Heisley said Monday he has been approached by several local investors interested in buying a minority share of the Grizzlies should they move to Anaheim.

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The NBA warned Orlando Magic forward Tracy McGrady that recent comments he made about enticing Sacramento King star Chris Webber to sign with the Magic this summer as a free agent could be construed as tampering.

“He was contacted and he was explained how the rules of tampering apply, and was asked to please refrain from making additional comments,” NBA spokesman Seth Sylvan said.

McGrady’s comments included saying, “You know Chris would fit damn well on our team next season.”

New York Knick star Latrell Sprewell received a similar warning this season for possible tampering violations involving Webber.

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Phoenix Sun star Jason Kidd agreed to undergo domestic violence and anger counseling for at least six months, pay a $200 fine and not commit any crime for one year. In return, officials will not prosecute Kidd on domestic violence assault charges involving his Jan. 18 arrest for hitting his wife, Paradise Valley town attorney Andrew Miller said. If Kidd violates the agreement, Miller said he will be prosecuted for assault. . . . Jason Williams of the Sacramento Kings was fined $15,000 by the NBA for cursing at fans during the Kings’ Feb. 28 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Oakland. Williams was also fined Dec. 1 for similar actions during a game at San Antonio. . . . Allen Iverson, the NBA’s scoring leader, was listed as doubtful for the Philadelphia 76ers’ game tonight against the Chicago Bulls because of a bruised hip suffered in Sunday’s victory over the Boston Celtics.

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Staff Writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this story.