Olajuwon's future in doubt

Olajuwon in action for the Houston Rockets

Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the Houston Rockets to a pair of NBA titles over a 17-year career, is suffering from a blood condition that may end his career.

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

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson, however, refused to say Olajuwon had played his last game as a Rocket.

"We're not going to close that door. You don't ever say it's over with," said Dawson.

Olajuwon's contract with the Rockets expires at the end of the season.

Olajuwon, the top pick in the 1984 draft after playing three years at the University of Houston, was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1994.

That season, he became the first player to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP of the NBA Finals in the same year.

He is the Rockets career leader in nearly all categories, including games, points, free throws, rebounds, steals and minutes.

Olajuwon played a key role in the Rockets' recent surge to playoff contention and did not play on Sunday in a last-second Houston loss at Phoenix.

Ten days ago, he scored a season-high 27 points at Dallas.

In a game last month against Washington, Olajuwon had 20 rebounds.

Last week, the team announced he would miss two games because of a strained right calf.

Olajuwon last month said he wanted to remain in Houston to play out the last year of his contract, which pays him $16.5m this year.

Olajuwon earlier had indicated he wanted to play for the Miami Heat and specifically for coach Pat Riley, saying he had been frustrated with his lack of playing time and his role with the Rockets this season.