Hakeem Olajuwon - Hakeem the Dream

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Olajuwon played center for the Houston Rockets, whom he led to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995.

Olajuwon was drafted by the Rockets with the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA Draft. Olajuwon combined with the 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson, to form what was dubbed the "Twin Towers" duo. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. After Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the undisputed leader of the team. He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and shot--blocking three times (1990, 1991, 1993). In the 1993-94 season he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. In 1996, Olajuwon assisted in the gold medal-winning performance of the United States national team and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He ended his career the league's all-time leader in blocked shots.

Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), Olajuwon is generally considered one of the five greatest centers to ever play the game. Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks in his rookie season. He finished as runner-up to Michael Jordan in the 1985 Rookie of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to receive any votes.

Olajuwon was a legitimate two-way threat, being effective on both ends of the floor. On his own half of the hardwood, he was a standout defender (he was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner) and thwarted opponents with his shot-blocking ability, averaging 3.09 blocks per game in his career. He was quick enough to defend guards at the perimeter in clutch situations and was also an excellent ball-thief, averaging 1.75 steals per game in his career. Olajuwon was also a prolific rebounder, averaging 11.1 rebounds per game in his career, and leading the league in rebounding twice.

On offense, Olajuwon was famous for his soft touch around the basket and his footwork combined with a vast array of fake moves, highlighted in his signature Dream Shake (see below). He was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points in his career, and an above average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds per game in his career. Beyond this, Olajuwon could "put the ball on the floor" and dribble with guard-like quickness. He is also one of only four players to have recorded a quadruple-double, illustrating his versatility.

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Sports

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• basketball

[jeroel]

in China,with 1 billion people,Dream is considered just as great as Jordan...Mike had a hard time facing Dream,usually lost to Olajuwon,Dream with another hall of fame player like Scottie?? who knows how many titles and awards he gets-Jordan played 5 years w/out PIP-AND had a losing record all 5 years...equal the playing field,then judge them in a team sport-Mike got a lot of defensive awards,but in no way did he cause the havoc Dream did-Dream is also the #1 scoring center Pseason per /G

[blade78]

Hakeem was Hakeem... Jordan is Jordan... different positions

[roo7227]

@dm319756 I don't believe Drexler was offered, by Portland.. #2 pick, for Ralph Sampson was offered..

[dm319756]

@roo7227 lol yes ik and they also offered them drexler too

[roo7227]

@dm319756 People don't realize that almost happened.. There was an offer for the #2 pick (used to draft Sam Bowie), for Ralph Sampson.. The Rockets politely declined..

[roo7227]

@yowyOw69 Trust me when I tell you, I am as big an Olajuwon fan as anyone.. Watched his entire career, since he was a freshman at UH, in the Final Four, against North Carolina.. And I don't consider Russell the best player, ever, that honor goes to the Captain (Jabbar).. My point was Russell has a legitimate argument (as does Jordan, Chamberlain, Jabbar, and the Magic man).. Olajuwon doesn't, sorry..

[yowyOw69]

@roo7227 Hahaha. What are you talking about? I am sure you're a young Celtics fan. Bill had a team full of HoF and his job was to defend the rim, nothing else. He had all his energy just to do so since his efforts on the offensive end were absent. Plus, he wouldn't be able to stop an animal like Shaq. And I won't cite Olajuwon because he belongs to the select group of unstoppable players.

Dream is like a Michael Jordan playing at C, with better footwork & jumpshot. To me, they're the best 2.

.

[yowyOw69]

@DSOTL Ignorance is not an attribute, you know...

[frankorepsw]

olajuwon is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA PERIOD!!!!!

1.all time blocked shot leader

2.over 26,000 points

3.top 10 in steals and has over 13,00 rebounds

ONLY PLAYER IN NBA WITH THOSE STATS...

[DSOTL]

You guys are so delusional. Hakeem isn't top 5. Neither is Doc. Legends, but absolutely not top 5.

[dm319756]

Imagine Hakeem with Jordan. Scary

[DRUNKDRIVERMVP]

Here are my top 5 NBA players.

5. Julius Erving

4. Michael Jordan

3. Elgin Baylor

2. Wilt Chamberlain

And NUMBER 1

1. HAKEEM OLAJUWON

WE LOVE YOU!