IMO, Hakeem is the most complete center of all time. *offtopic* I live in Houston, Sugar Land to be exact (most professional athletes live there and it’s only 20 mins from downtown Houston), I was walking my dog in a park couple weeks ago , I saw Hakeem with two of his friends…I was so star struck that I said “Hakeem!!”…he just smiled and shook my hand.
@@blackjesus6433I don't know if Wilt The stilt Chamberlain can do the things that Hakeem Olajuwan could do, especially at a high level within the Jordan era
@@zzzvain9710 Admiral is my fav center of all time..with Shaq then Hakeen close 2 & 3 on my list but if RALPH SAMPSON never got hurt, he would have been the greatest of all time, I believe....
@@soulheaven9243 no one is greatest beside Wilt.Ralph is incredible but I doubt he can deal with strength of Moses Malone. Wemby is glance Sampson now. Admiral is more complete in everything than Shaq beside mass power. Ewing is too predicted. Embiid would be goat but fragile and no effort. Although im 76er fan I lick his chasedown blocks but thats reckless. Russell hustle effort and athletic skills are best in history but lack of offense and shoot. Jabbar relies on his 7'2 and incredible offense but as Wilt once said center of that magnitude should average 15 to 20 rebounds every night in prime. As for the Jokić he is buffed Divac Sabonis. Maybe Walton could enter convo if he stayed healty. As for the Unseld and Reed both lack of height. To me Wilt is 1 Olajuwon 2 Jabbar 3 Admiral 4 Moses or Shaq 5
Same. I even had the K-mart Olajuwon shoes back in the day, wore them during games even though everyone was clowning on me because they had the Jordans. Didn't phase me one bit.
AGREED.And comparing Jokic to Hakeem is an insult to basketball,there's no comparison-NONE. Draymond's defense is no where near Hakeem's,Kenny was being polite to Green-LOL.
@@rjc9537 So true,@rjc9537,but,don't forget Shaq was also a center in the 90s,Jokic would get dogged out with the physical play in the paint during the 90s and his shots would get blocked all day long by Shaq and company. Average center is correct.
“Yo, anyone saying you’re trippin’ for calling Hakeem Olajuwon the best center ever has gotta chill. Here’s the deal: Kareem had dudes like Magic, Worthy, Byron Scott, and Oscar Robertson feeding him the rock. Shaq? Played with Kobe and D-Wade. Robinson had Tim Duncan backing him up, and they all had squads full of heavy hitters. Now Hakeem? Man carried the Rockets. Yeah, he had Clyde Drexler, but the rest of his crew? Straight role players. Kenny Smith, Robert Horry, and the rest of ‘em were good, but they weren’t no superteam. Hakeem went toe-to-toe with stacked squads and straight dominated guys like Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Shaq in 94 and in 95 and despite that opposition he still walked away with two rings. That’s GOAT-level for a center right there. Big fan of your channel, man-your content’s fire. Keep it up!”
Hakeem only had Clyde mid season for the 2nd championships, and when they were all in athletic decline. Really Hakeem since Ralph Sampson, to the first championship put that team totally on his back!
Well, at the time, no one really knew MJ’s true potential. If Hakeem hadn’t gone on to win his two titles, the opinions would also look a little different. I try not to deal in hypotheticals, but this video is filled with hypotheticals, comparing The Dream to MJ. He was the best big man of the ‘90s and the second best overall player of that time, but he’s still not on the same level as MJ.
Grew up in Houston during the Hakeem Olajuwon Era so I got to see first hand what he could do. I was so lucky to be a Rockets fan back then, because it meant I caught every game, and saw him do some absolutely incredible stuff. The Dream is so underrated by new NBA fans.
Sleepy Floyd was a great player. I still remember watching the rockets with my dad as a kid and him pointing out how good Sleepy Floyd was during the game.
Man I have come to appreciate Olajuwon more and more over the years. I redownloaded 2k23 and did an expansion on MyNBA back in the 80s. My expansion team got the #2 pick. 76ers got 1. 76ers took Jordan and I took Hakeem. I’m just going into half time and Hakeem has a double double. I did a season before this, deleted it because I didn’t like how the team I had out in along with my team was also in the East, and I got one game in. His first game as a rookie he 32 points 24 boards and 9 blocks. He’s a beast. I’m excited to play through this in full with Hakeem as my franchise piece.
Hakeem was amazing! I was so lucky to watch at a time with so many incredible big men. Olajuwon, Robinson, Duncan, Shaq, Ewing, Mutombo were all terrific.
100%! I saw him play at the Univ of Houston. We would count how many times a game he would block a shot, outrun everyone and dunk on the other end. He was a marvel.
The greatest 2-way player of all time and my personal GOAT, my favorite player. All respect to Jordan, I love Jordan and he is the true GOAT, but I love basketball because of Hakeem.
Wilt the Stilt , yeah i remember watching him play back in the day he was pretty dominant cant take away those 3 separate box scores but i have to say that 100pt game there was no body on the Knicks no one was guarding Wilt he had a free hand to do what he wanted Wilt 7 1" the centers guarding him 6 9' they played a total of 200 games combine when he snatched 55 reb as good Bill Russell was he was just 6 10" and the 26 blocks against the Pistons nobody on that team either just 2 HOFamers cant take anything from that man Wilt the Stilt but Hakeem was a more complete center in box score Hakeem was in every stat category every night points rebs blocks steals assist and Hakeem foot work was ridiculous it was like give me ball no one here to guard me that includes all time great centers of his time David Tim Shaq Patrick Mark Eaton was 7 4" Alonzo V.Divac Mutombo Parrish Jabbar all these great centers were taller 7ft+ Hakeem was only 6 10" he just played like 7ft but " wait theres more " NBA MVP Finals MVP Defensive MVP all in same yr only one in all basketball and " if you act now " was one of only 9 players to block Jabbar skyhook , ain't taking nothing from Wilt the Stilt i loved watching dominate right but was offensive and defensive every game all the time I'll take Hakeem everyday of the week twice on Sundays , im just saying - Texas
@@felipecavazos1156 OLD INJURED WILT TOOK RING OF PRIME JABBAR. MEANWHILE OLAJUWON NEED 7'5 5RALPH SAMPSON TO STOP 40 OLD KAREEM. U MUST BE DERANGED. SO IF KNICKS DIDNT HAD BODY TO STOP 100 PTS WHAT TO SAY JORDAN VS 5'2 BPGUES AND DELL CURRY WITH ZERO VERTICAL AND DEFENSE CAZNNOT SCORE 60. IMAGINE U TRY TO DISCREDIT WILT ERA WHILE JORDAN PLAYED VS KINDERGARTEN HEIGHT
@@zzzvain9710If Hakeem would've been playing that same team and took every shot he would've had the same numbers. He was playing against a bunch of more unathletic shorter players. How old are if you don't mind me asking. I mean Cheryl Miller was better than Olajuwon I guess then cuz she scored 100 points in a game and Dream didnt
@ IF WILT HAD 4 SNIPERS TO DRAG AWAY TRIPLE TEAM FROM HIM HE WULD WIN 15 RINGS IN A ROW. TO REMIND U WILT WAS QUAD TEAMED OLAJUWON WAS 1 ON 1 CAUSE NO ONE LEAVE HORRY KENNY VERNON ELIE BULLARD OPEN.
I didn't hear anyone mention that Hakeem is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the year and Finals MVP all in the same year! GOAT!!
When Michael Jordan said he would choose Hakeem Olajuwon at center out of all the centers. That right there tells you everything you need to know. The best will only choose the best also.
NOT EVEN BETTER THAN OSTERTAG JAZZ WON VS HIS SUPERTEAM. BEST CENTER IS WILT CAUSE HE LOST VS 9 HOF. OLAJUWON HAD SUPERTEAM AND LOST VS OSTERTAG BECAUSE MALONE BARKLEY CANCEL DREXLER STOCKTON.
@@DavidRodriguez-ty8nq its ok u r deranged. DID EWING 1994 HAD 9 HALL OF FAMERS OR HE PLAYED ALONE ?? NOW ULL NEVER TALK HERE ANYMORE TILL U ANSWER THE QUESTION
@@zzzvain9710 Dude I literally think you have some sort of brain defect. U need to get checked out. It was a bunch of aging past their prime players with 2 of them that didn't compliment each other at all I'm Barkley and Olajuwon and Drexler was waaay past his prime. You flat out don't know basketball. You're just obsessed with this Ostertag thing for some reason
The Dream is in my top 5. #1 big of all time. All the best centers complented there team somehow, but the Dream did it all, just look at the stats then watch a highlight of him destroying all psotions not just centers.
Hakeem olajuwon was truly a class act, I had the rare opportunity to met him on 96th Street and 3rd in Manhattan in the Mosque .At the time I PRACTICED Islam & was a Muslim . We made prayer which is called salat together it was the month of " Ramadan"! ( During the New York vs Houston ) Finals in which The Houston Rockets went on to become victoriousover the New York Knicks!!!
@@tyronegreen6536 RUDY TOMJANOVICH WAS FIRST WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED WITH 4 SNIPERS. U DONT KNOW HISTORY. FIRST TEAMS THAT HAD 3 OUTSIDE PLAYERS WERE SUNS 1992/93, DALLAS 1994 AND GSW 1991/92. AS SOON AS HORRY GOT TRADED AND BARKLEY CAME, OLAJUWON WON NOTHING. WITHOUT 3 POINT SNIPERS HE IS VERY GOOD CENTER NOT AN CHAMPION.
@@tyronegreen6536 he never saw playoff before Tomjanovich. Their only success was when Ralph Sampson prototype 7'5 was there. Show me ring after Horry left?
Let's not forget Houston's other Legend and mentor to Hakeem, Moses Malone. Both were not 7 footers but both 6"10. Moses really prepped young Hakeem went to University of Houston. Thise summer workouts was brutal on Gakeem but made him an All Time Great. May Moses RIP. Yup.
The Dream is my favorite center of that time. It was so cool being able to watch him on TV. I never actually met him in person or seen him in person. But that guy was so dominant
Absolutely love all this stuff. My area of basketball. I remember watching bird not even in his prime towards the end and he still kicked butt. I'm a warriors fan. Chris Mullen was one of my favorites. Tim hardaway. I remember when we drafted. Chris Webber.
I was a Houston Cougar fan back in the 80s. A Houston Rocket fan as well. I watched him his whole career. Dude hands down the best center that I have had the pleasure of watching. I seen Karrem on his way out, but I seen The Dream from start to finish.
Best center all time, bar none! If you could watch him play a while season, every game. You would be amazed at his dominance over everyone in the court. 😎🤘
Hakeem would dominate wilt. Dominate. Show me all the times wilt had quadruple doubles like Hakeem did. Oh he never did. Wilt was just good at being a ball hog. He wasn't a winner. You can't call a guy like that, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo, the best. Wilt can't touch Hakeem. It's really not even close. Bill Russell, Shaq, Hakeem jokic all above Wilt.
Hakeem the dream coming from a soccer background and dominating the NBA was something to behold; Michael Jordan said it “a center who is in the top ten in steals”….wow! In addition, he was and still is a humble guy…..absolutely the best of all time at his position.
Hakeem was the best center of the ‘90s. Period. He’s one of the 15 greatest players in the history of the game. The fact that he was the best during an era with so many other great bigs only makes my statement more impressive.
As a teen growing up in Houston. I always tried to imitate the dream shake on the court. My hero! Got his Etonics on my shelf and jersey to this day at 45. 6 Jordan’s and a Megawatt!
Hakeem was the man. His '93-'94 season was one of the best of all time, becoming the only player in NBA history to win MVP, DPOY, the Championship and Finals MVP in the same season. All without a single All Star on his team. He was one of the most complete players of all time. His footwork for a big man is unmatched. He could score multiple ways and that wasn't even the best part of his game. The best part was his defense. He's the only player in NBA history to be top 10 in blocks, steals and defensive rebounds. He was a machine.
@@kerry-j4m NEVER LED NBA IN PPG AND WITHOUT SNIPERS HE NEVER WON PLAYOFF SERIES. HIS TEAM MATES PLAYED 2015 CURRY GSW ERA. 4 PLAYERS OUTSIDE SPACE FLOOR SO HE CAN DO HIS.
90s WAS GREATEST ERA EVER IMAGINE IF JORDAN DIDNT EXIST & BARLEY ENDED UP IN TEAM WITH HAKEEM 😮 6 RINGS EASY... BUT JORDAN MADE LEGENDARY GOATS LOOK JUST GREAT PLAYERS
That showdown in the conference finals between Hakeem and David Robinson in 95 was a beatdown of EPIC proportions! In the end, everyone was looking at Robinson and saying; "MVP my ass!"
I knew Olajuwan was something special the first time I saw him play in the U of H "red and white" exhibition game in 1980. Clyde Drexler and Michael Young were also playing in that game. The Phi Slamma Jamma years were some of the most fun I ever had watching basketball. I enjoyed watching Hakeem as a pro as well. He is definitely in GOAT territory.
@zzzvain9710 , I have oljawon he can guard 1 through 5 and oljawon dominated more top 75 centers than wilt, wilt is up there but for me olj6is the most skilled
Show me once when wilt who played in a weaker era won a chip without another all star there is more to winning than just scoring. Dream is the better player but I'm not going to change your mind and you won't change mine. But I got wilt as the 2nd best ever than Kareem then Shaq then joker
Had the pleasure to meet him and wait for him and assisted he’s parents and family every time the came to the Houston Airport from Nigeria I would like to add up he is a wonderful Human being! Very generous and friendly and polite to his fan he would sign autographs and take pictures with them! I got pictures and memorabilia he signed for me a basketball and 2 jersey’s he’s always my favorite player!
Stockton and Malone was the dynamic duo Charles Barkley arguably the best player in the world that year David Robinson what's playing at the MVP level Shaquille O'Neal the most dominant big man in the game when a sidekick named Penny hardaway and they all went down by the hands of dream
Hakeem Olajuwon was the best center to ever play the game he great at offensively, defensively, and his basketball mind. There is one part of defense that impress me the most was when blocked a shot he kept the ball in play and most players that blocked shots tried to see how far they could send the ball out towards the second and third row. He kept the ball in the game to start the fast break.
I was at UH when Hakeem was there and I got to see his progression. A lot of people forget Dream is still the only college player to win Most Outstanding player of the NCAA tournament from a losing team ('83 against NC State). Man was the most physically gifted big man I've ever seen play. And to think he and Jordan could have played together for the Rockets. Now that's scary
Hakim was so good that whenever he would miss a shot, we were shocked. We expected him to make every shot he took. The most amazing complete player I had seen. Twice college national champion runner up, first year playing for Rockets next to Ralph Sampson eliminating raining champion magic johnson and the Lakers in western conference championship game, losing in the finals to a team full of legends, Larry Bird & the Celtics. Following year they would have definitely could have won the Championships if it wasn’t for 3 of their starters being banned by NBA due to drug use (cocane). Those three were John Lucas (the great point guard), Sweet Lois Loyd and Wiggins.
Hakeem Olajuwon played Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball. Soccer uses speed, lateral quickness Volleyball - He became the All Time NBA League Leader in Shot Blocks.
@@panama8009 Correct. Keepers are team leaders and nothing takes more athleticism than stopping. Keepers are frequently THE best athlete and player on the pitch.
A testament to Dream's greatness. Imagine a sole superstar leading a team of role players to winning a championship, eliminating every top team with multiple stars. Thats what Dream did in 1994
(From The 'UNGUARDABLE PIVOT SCORING' In The POST, To BLOCKS, To REBOUNDS, To 'SCORING Practically ANYWHERE' On The Basketball Court....) "The DREAM Could MAKE It REALITY & DO It ALL!!!!!!!!" #MyFaveCenterEver #HakeemTheDreamOlajuwon #NigeriaStandUp #NBAGreatNBALegend.... 🏀🏆🙌🏽🙌🏽💪🏽💪🏽👍🏼✌🏽
Dreams soccer background is credited for his amazing footwork no center can stay with him he had a jumper he shot free throws black shots he ran the floor and he was also an underrated passer
Hakeem had multiple counters what the dream shake he will show you the ball back to the basket shimmy Faceup dribble crossover what a jumper and a three-point shot Hakeem was probably the first foreign player with stretch big game
Hakeem was the most complete player IMO. I think it would have been crazy if he had developed in this era. He could defend multiple positions, he had really good touch for his size. I believe if he had been in this era he would have developed a 3 point shot. While was technically a center, his true height was 6ft 10 3/4 inches. I would have love to see him developed as a power forward with a big like Shaq or Wilt at the center position. Another crazy front court could be Hakeem and Wemby in their prime, assuming Wemby lives up to the hype. They would block everything and switch
HAKEEM AKA AKEEM AKA THE DREAM IS HIM HE IS THE HOUSTON ROCKETS AND I WATCHED IT FIRST HAND BEING THAT IM FROM HOUSTON AND IN MY 40'S I CAN REMEMBER THE DREAM BEING AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND HE HAD THE CITY LIT WHILE IN COLLEGE AND TO WATCH HIM GET DRAFTED BY THE ROCKETS AND CONTINUE HIS DOMINANCE WAS A GREAT GREAT THING TO WATCH 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
I grew up in the Houston area and got to watch the Dream from Phi Slama Jama all the way through his great career in Houston. He was my favorite player of all time.
Long time Houstonian here. A lot of ppl don't know this, but Portland tried to offer the #2 overall pick AND Clyde Drexler for the Rockets Ralph Sampson. Houston declined bc they were building the "Twin Towers." One of the fun 'what-ifs' is if Houston accepted and drafted Olajuwon 1, then Jordan 2 (w/ Clyde Drexler now on the roster). That's 3 future HOFers, lol.
I agree 100%.. if I have to pick one center as an overall dominant center, it's Hakeem all day long! You can argue about others, but the best all around center ever to play is Hakeem.. tell me why I'm wrong!.
IMO, Hakeem is the most complete center of all time.
*offtopic* I live in Houston, Sugar Land to be exact (most professional athletes live there and it’s only 20 mins from downtown Houston), I was walking my dog in a park couple weeks ago , I saw Hakeem with two of his friends…I was so star struck that I said “Hakeem!!”…he just smiled and shook my hand.
he never led nba in scoring and only reason he beat Admiral its Drexler is 50 goat vinnie del N. is not even average
Actually it's Wilt. 🙏🏾
@@blackjesus6433I don't know if Wilt The stilt Chamberlain can do the things that Hakeem Olajuwan could do, especially at a high level within the Jordan era
@@zzzvain9710 Admiral is my fav center of all time..with Shaq then Hakeen close 2 & 3 on my list but if RALPH SAMPSON never got hurt, he would have been the greatest of all time, I believe....
@@soulheaven9243 no one is greatest beside Wilt.Ralph is incredible but I doubt he can deal with strength of Moses Malone. Wemby is glance Sampson now. Admiral is more complete in everything than Shaq beside mass power. Ewing is too predicted. Embiid would be goat but fragile and no effort. Although im 76er fan I lick his chasedown blocks but thats reckless. Russell hustle effort and athletic skills are best in history but lack of offense and shoot. Jabbar relies on his 7'2 and incredible offense but as Wilt once said center of that magnitude should average 15 to 20 rebounds every night in prime. As for the Jokić he is buffed Divac Sabonis. Maybe Walton could enter convo if he stayed healty. As for the Unseld and Reed both lack of height. To me Wilt is 1 Olajuwon 2 Jabbar 3 Admiral 4 Moses or Shaq 5
Hakeem is my favorite center of all time! 💪💪💪
Same. I even had the K-mart Olajuwon shoes back in the day, wore them during games even though everyone was clowning on me because they had the Jordans. Didn't phase me one bit.
@ I remember those! I had them too! 💪
AGREED.And comparing Jokic to Hakeem is an insult to basketball,there's no comparison-NONE. Draymond's defense is no where near Hakeem's,Kenny was being polite to Green-LOL.
@@kerry-j4m Agreed! I tell my son that Jokic would be an average center in three 90s cause Hakeem, Robinson and Ewing would have had his lunch! 💪
@@rjc9537 So true,@rjc9537,but,don't forget Shaq was also a center in the 90s,Jokic would get dogged out with the physical play in the paint during the 90s and his shots would get blocked all day long by Shaq and company. Average center is correct.
As a die hard rockets fan who idolized Hakeem growing up in the 90’s, thank you so much for putting this together sir!
Been waiting on this one. Dream’s my favorite player all time.
🎯💯
Don't blame you
He was so fun to watch. Such a great talent.
“Yo, anyone saying you’re trippin’ for calling Hakeem Olajuwon the best center ever has gotta chill. Here’s the deal: Kareem had dudes like Magic, Worthy, Byron Scott, and Oscar Robertson feeding him the rock. Shaq? Played with Kobe and D-Wade. Robinson had Tim Duncan backing him up, and they all had squads full of heavy hitters.
Now Hakeem? Man carried the Rockets. Yeah, he had Clyde Drexler, but the rest of his crew? Straight role players. Kenny Smith, Robert Horry, and the rest of ‘em were good, but they weren’t no superteam. Hakeem went toe-to-toe with stacked squads and straight dominated guys like Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Shaq in 94 and in 95 and despite that opposition he still walked away with two rings. That’s GOAT-level for a center right there.
Big fan of your channel, man-your content’s fire. Keep it up!”
Clyde was late though... Hakeem done damage from day 1...
@@rodneyharvey8938🗣️🎯EXACTLY ! ONLY PLAYED⏯️. WITH CLYDE DREXLER FOR 4 SEASONS .>🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️
🗣️ONLY PLAYED⏯️ FOR 4 SEASONS , WITH CLYDE DREXLER . NEAR THE END OF THEIR CAREER .>🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️
Hakeem only had Clyde mid season for the 2nd championships, and when they were all in athletic decline.
Really Hakeem since Ralph Sampson, to the first championship put that team totally on his back!
Right on
How good do you have to be, at the end of your career, to have been drafted ahead of jordan and no one says it was the wrong move?
You probably can’t say that about 5 other players
And NO-ONE else can claim that unique fact because he's THAT guy and only that guy
Facts
Well, at the time, no one really knew MJ’s true potential. If Hakeem hadn’t gone on to win his two titles, the opinions would also look a little different. I try not to deal in hypotheticals, but this video is filled with hypotheticals, comparing The Dream to MJ. He was the best big man of the ‘90s and the second best overall player of that time, but he’s still not on the same level as MJ.
How would he compare to Wilt Chamberlain though, Hakeem is a smaller center so I feel like Hakeem would be a better PF
Grew up in Houston during the Hakeem Olajuwon Era so I got to see first hand what he could do. I was so lucky to be a Rockets fan back then, because it meant I caught every game, and saw him do some absolutely incredible stuff. The Dream is so underrated by new NBA fans.
Same… remember the parades and finals
I was there through the good times and bad... remember guys like sleepy floyd or rodney mc cray in the 80's?
Sleepy Floyd was a great player. I still remember watching the rockets with my dad as a kid and him pointing out how good Sleepy Floyd was during the game.
My favorite player of all time ❤
Man I have come to appreciate Olajuwon more and more over the years.
I redownloaded 2k23 and did an expansion on MyNBA back in the 80s. My expansion team got the #2 pick. 76ers got 1. 76ers took Jordan and I took Hakeem.
I’m just going into half time and Hakeem has a double double.
I did a season before this, deleted it because I didn’t like how the team I had out in along with my team was also in the East, and I got one game in. His first game as a rookie he 32 points 24 boards and 9 blocks.
He’s a beast.
I’m excited to play through this in full with Hakeem as my franchise piece.
Hakeem was amazing! I was so lucky to watch at a time with so many incredible big men. Olajuwon, Robinson, Duncan, Shaq, Ewing, Mutombo were all terrific.
No they where top tier!
8:15
"The most underrated thing was his word"
Love that quote from Kenny Smith
My favourite player of all time. Poetry in motion is absolutely correct.
100%! I saw him play at the Univ of Houston. We would count how many times a game he would block a shot, outrun everyone and dunk on the other end. He was a marvel.
I loved watching Dream go to work. Dude was🥶!!!
The greatest 2-way player of all time and my personal GOAT, my favorite player. All respect to Jordan, I love Jordan and he is the true GOAT, but I love basketball because of Hakeem.
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
Wilt the Stilt , yeah i remember watching him play back in the day he was pretty dominant cant take away those 3 separate box scores but i have to say that 100pt game there was no body on the Knicks no one was guarding Wilt he had a free hand to do what he wanted Wilt 7 1" the centers guarding him 6 9' they played a total of 200 games combine when he snatched 55 reb as good Bill Russell was he was just 6 10" and the 26 blocks against the Pistons nobody on that team either just 2 HOFamers cant take anything from that man Wilt the Stilt but Hakeem was a more complete center in box score Hakeem was in every stat category every night points rebs blocks steals assist and Hakeem foot work was ridiculous it was like give me ball no one here to guard me that includes all time great centers of his time David Tim Shaq Patrick Mark Eaton was 7 4" Alonzo V.Divac Mutombo Parrish Jabbar all these great centers were taller 7ft+ Hakeem was only 6 10" he just played like 7ft but " wait theres more " NBA MVP Finals MVP Defensive MVP all in same yr only one in all basketball and " if you act now " was one of only 9 players to block Jabbar skyhook , ain't taking nothing from Wilt the Stilt i loved watching dominate right but was offensive and defensive every game all the time I'll take Hakeem everyday of the week twice on Sundays , im just saying - Texas
@@felipecavazos1156 OLD INJURED WILT TOOK RING OF PRIME JABBAR. MEANWHILE OLAJUWON NEED 7'5 5RALPH SAMPSON TO STOP 40 OLD KAREEM. U MUST BE DERANGED. SO IF KNICKS DIDNT HAD BODY TO STOP 100 PTS WHAT TO SAY JORDAN VS 5'2 BPGUES AND DELL CURRY WITH ZERO VERTICAL AND DEFENSE CAZNNOT SCORE 60. IMAGINE U TRY TO DISCREDIT WILT ERA WHILE JORDAN PLAYED VS KINDERGARTEN HEIGHT
@@zzzvain9710If Hakeem would've been playing that same team and took every shot he would've had the same numbers. He was playing against a bunch of more unathletic shorter players. How old are if you don't mind me asking. I mean Cheryl Miller was better than Olajuwon I guess then cuz she scored 100 points in a game and Dream didnt
@ IF WILT HAD 4 SNIPERS TO DRAG AWAY TRIPLE TEAM FROM HIM HE WULD WIN 15 RINGS IN A ROW. TO REMIND U WILT WAS QUAD TEAMED OLAJUWON WAS 1 ON 1 CAUSE NO ONE LEAVE HORRY KENNY VERNON ELIE BULLARD OPEN.
I didn't hear anyone mention that Hakeem is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the year and Finals MVP all in the same year! GOAT!!
Facts
When Michael Jordan said he would choose Hakeem Olajuwon at center out of all the centers. That right there tells you everything you need to know. The best will only choose the best also.
The best center of all time. Awesome footwork. He would KILL NBA today 😅
NOT EVEN BETTER THAN OSTERTAG JAZZ WON VS HIS SUPERTEAM. BEST CENTER IS WILT CAUSE HE LOST VS 9 HOF. OLAJUWON HAD SUPERTEAM AND LOST VS OSTERTAG BECAUSE MALONE BARKLEY CANCEL DREXLER STOCKTON.
@@zzzvain9710you obviously have ZERO clue what you’re talking about.
@@DavidRodriguez-ty8nq its ok u r deranged. DID EWING 1994 HAD 9 HALL OF FAMERS OR HE PLAYED ALONE ?? NOW ULL NEVER TALK HERE ANYMORE TILL U ANSWER THE QUESTION
@@zzzvain9710 Dude I literally think you have some sort of brain defect. U need to get checked out. It was a bunch of aging past their prime players with 2 of them that didn't compliment each other at all I'm Barkley and Olajuwon and Drexler was waaay past his prime. You flat out don't know basketball. You're just obsessed with this Ostertag thing for some reason
Oh yeah, those were good years in Houston. Love this channel.
Hakim is/was the best center in the history of the NBA...PERIOD
Hakeem seemed like such a nice guy, and he wasn't into trash talk... but dude wasn't shy about throwing punches.
The DREAM SHAKE was way better than Dirks fadeaway. Hands down..
EXCEPT DIRK WON VS 3 SUPERTEAMS AND DREAM PLAYED 1 ON 1 VS EWING. AND NEED DREXLER VS 1 ADMIRAL
@@zzzvain9710he destroyed Robinson by himself
I think Dirk’s support was better than Hakeem’s i could be misremembering so I’m curious what others think.
@@zzzvain9710 you're such a troll...lol
@ bird destroyed jordan by himself
The Dream is in my top 5. #1 big of all time. All the best centers complented there team somehow, but the Dream did it all, just look at the stats then watch a highlight of him destroying all psotions not just centers.
For me and on my list he is the best big man to play the game. Nothing like the dream shake.
Hakeem olajuwon was truly a class act, I had the rare opportunity to met him on 96th Street and 3rd in Manhattan in the Mosque .At the time I PRACTICED Islam & was a Muslim . We made prayer which is called salat together it was the month of " Ramadan"! ( During the New York vs Houston ) Finals in which The Houston Rockets went on to become victoriousover the New York Knicks!!!
Great video!
This is why I like you Shawn. Spotlight on 34 🏀
Michael Jordan on Hakeem Olajuwon - He is a Taller Version of Me.
Michael Jordan has Hakeem Olajuwon in his Starting Five.
He's the best all around center that I've EVER seen!
No team I can ever put together without dream as my center he was literally a dream!!!
HE WAS NOTHING WITHOUT TODAY STYLE OF PLAY.
@zzzvain9710 I don't get it 2day is too soft for dream
@@tyronegreen6536 RUDY TOMJANOVICH WAS FIRST WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED WITH 4 SNIPERS. U DONT KNOW HISTORY. FIRST TEAMS THAT HAD 3 OUTSIDE PLAYERS WERE SUNS 1992/93, DALLAS 1994 AND GSW 1991/92. AS SOON AS HORRY GOT TRADED AND BARKLEY CAME, OLAJUWON WON NOTHING. WITHOUT 3 POINT SNIPERS HE IS VERY GOOD CENTER NOT AN CHAMPION.
@zzzvain9710 srry g means nuffin for dream he was dat deal b4 any of Rudy even coaching him..smh kno ur HISTORY!!
@@tyronegreen6536 he never saw playoff before Tomjanovich. Their only success was when Ralph Sampson prototype 7'5 was there. Show me ring after Horry left?
Let's not forget Houston's other Legend and mentor to Hakeem, Moses Malone. Both were not 7 footers but both 6"10. Moses really prepped young Hakeem went to University of Houston. Thise summer workouts was brutal on Gakeem but made him an All Time Great. May Moses RIP. Yup.
The Dream is my favorite center of that time. It was so cool being able to watch him on TV. I never actually met him in person or seen him in person. But that guy was so dominant
My boy Hakeem was bullying superstar centers left and right.
Thank the Great Moses Malone for mentoring Hakeem with that toughness in College Offseason. Look it up.
Thank you very much for the content, OG!
Absolutely love all this stuff. My area of basketball. I remember watching bird not even in his prime towards the end and he still kicked butt. I'm a warriors fan. Chris Mullen was one of my favorites. Tim hardaway. I remember when we drafted. Chris Webber.
Gary Payton had it right Shaq was something in the very beginning when he could run, but he still couldn’t shoot.
i love how everyone says he's a great guy. on top of all his abilities, people say that about him.
Hakeem the only SHAQ STOPPER!!
I apologize my guy! I’ve been watching the channel for years and thought I subscribed. Here you go and great great work
I grew up watching Hakeem. We were really spoiled.
Agreed olajuwon #1
I was a Houston Cougar fan back in the 80s. A Houston Rocket fan as well. I watched him his whole career. Dude hands down the best center that I have had the pleasure of watching. I seen Karrem on his way out, but I seen The Dream from start to finish.
Rasheed Wallace impersonation Avery Johnson call spot on give 50 the ball😂
Thanks for giving Dream this ❤
Talk about then! Yeahhhhhh I'm H-Town and we love love love the Dream here! From Phi Slamma Jamma to the Rockets he is a BEAST!
Best two way center ever.
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
Best center all time, bar none! If you could watch him play a while season, every game. You would be amazed at his dominance over everyone in the court. 😎🤘
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
Hakeem would dominate wilt. Dominate. Show me all the times wilt had quadruple doubles like Hakeem did. Oh he never did. Wilt was just good at being a ball hog. He wasn't a winner. You can't call a guy like that, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo, the best. Wilt can't touch Hakeem. It's really not even close. Bill Russell, Shaq, Hakeem jokic all above Wilt.
@@zzzvain9710 stop crying 304
Hakeem the dream coming from a soccer background and dominating the NBA was something to behold; Michael Jordan said it “a center who is in the top ten in steals”….wow! In addition, he was and still is a humble guy…..absolutely the best of all time at his position.
Hakeem was the best center of the ‘90s. Period. He’s one of the 15 greatest players in the history of the game. The fact that he was the best during an era with so many other great bigs only makes my statement more impressive.
As a teen growing up in Houston. I always tried to imitate the dream shake on the court. My hero! Got his Etonics on my shelf and jersey to this day at 45. 6 Jordan’s and a Megawatt!
DR34M is the main reason why I became a Rockets fan.
Hakeem was the man. His '93-'94 season was one of the best of all time, becoming the only player in NBA history to win MVP, DPOY, the Championship and Finals MVP in the same season. All without a single All Star on his team. He was one of the most complete players of all time. His footwork for a big man is unmatched. He could score multiple ways and that wasn't even the best part of his game. The best part was his defense. He's the only player in NBA history to be top 10 in blocks, steals and defensive rebounds. He was a machine.
*Olajuwon was a monster on the court*
AGREED. An all around center too,he could do everything on a b-ball court.
@@kerry-j4m NEVER LED NBA IN PPG AND WITHOUT SNIPERS HE NEVER WON PLAYOFF SERIES. HIS TEAM MATES PLAYED 2015 CURRY GSW ERA. 4 PLAYERS OUTSIDE SPACE FLOOR SO HE CAN DO HIS.
@@zzzvain9710 stop crying 304
Best center I have seen in the last 35 years. Wemby is going to take the shot blocks leader title which seemed impossible but will have to see
90s WAS GREATEST ERA EVER
IMAGINE IF JORDAN DIDNT EXIST & BARLEY ENDED UP IN TEAM WITH HAKEEM 😮 6 RINGS EASY... BUT JORDAN MADE LEGENDARY GOATS LOOK JUST GREAT PLAYERS
That showdown in the conference finals between Hakeem and David Robinson in 95 was a beatdown of EPIC proportions! In the end, everyone was looking at Robinson and saying; "MVP my ass!"
I knew Olajuwan was something special the first time I saw him play in the U of H "red and white" exhibition game in 1980. Clyde Drexler and Michael Young were also playing in that game. The Phi Slamma Jamma years were some of the most fun I ever had watching basketball. I enjoyed watching Hakeem as a pro as well. He is definitely in GOAT territory.
The greatest center of all time. Hakeem. Most of the superstars went to Hakeem Olajuwon for help. That includes Kobe
Arguably the greatest post package in NBA history. Arguably the greatest defensive player in NBA history.
Hakeem was scary. Just the best among the rest.
Greatest center of all time on both sides of the ball
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
@zzzvain9710 , I have oljawon he can guard 1 through 5 and oljawon dominated more top 75 centers than wilt, wilt is up there but for me olj6is the most skilled
Hakeem is the best center ever
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
SHOW ME ONCE HE LED NBA IN SCORING
Show me once when wilt who played in a weaker era won a chip without another all star there is more to winning than just scoring. Dream is the better player but I'm not going to change your mind and you won't change mine. But I got wilt as the 2nd best ever than Kareem then Shaq then joker
Had the pleasure to meet him and wait for him and assisted he’s parents and family every time the came to the Houston Airport from Nigeria I would like to add up he is a wonderful Human being! Very generous and friendly and polite to his fan he would sign autographs and take pictures with them! I got pictures and memorabilia he signed for me a basketball and 2 jersey’s he’s always my favorite player!
The Basketball Time Machine!
My 🐐
Stockton and Malone was the dynamic duo
Charles Barkley arguably the best player in the world that year
David Robinson what's playing at the MVP level
Shaquille O'Neal the most dominant big man in the game when a sidekick named Penny hardaway and they all went down by the hands of dream
Averaged 2 steals per game. Unbelievable quickness for a center....
Greatest big man of all time. Seven feet tall with the footwork of a point guard. He just was not fair.
I grew up watching the Rockets. Starting with Sampson and Akeem at the time. #ClutchCity 4ever
Wow I haven't seen content from you in forever and my notifications are definitely on yet youtube want to show me shirts of ppl wasting food
Hakeem Olajuwon was the best center to ever play the game he great at offensively, defensively, and his basketball mind. There is one part of defense that impress me the most was when blocked a shot he kept the ball in play and most players that blocked shots tried to see how far they could send the ball out towards the second and third row. He kept the ball in the game to start the fast break.
I was at UH when Hakeem was there and I got to see his progression. A lot of people forget Dream is still the only college player to win Most Outstanding player of the NCAA tournament from a losing team ('83 against NC State). Man was the most physically gifted big man I've ever seen play. And to think he and Jordan could have played together for the Rockets. Now that's scary
Hakim was so good that whenever he would miss a shot, we were shocked. We expected him to make every shot he took. The most amazing complete player I had seen. Twice college national champion runner up, first year playing for Rockets next to Ralph Sampson eliminating raining champion magic johnson and the Lakers in western conference championship game, losing in the finals to a team full of legends, Larry Bird & the Celtics. Following year they would have definitely could have won the Championships if it wasn’t for 3 of their starters being banned by NBA due to drug use (cocane). Those three were John Lucas (the great point guard), Sweet Lois Loyd and Wiggins.
I love Hakeem
Hakeem Olajuwon played Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball.
Soccer uses speed, lateral quickness
Volleyball - He became the All Time NBA League Leader in Shot Blocks.
Soccer, he was a Goalie
@@panama8009 Correct. Keepers are team leaders and nothing takes more athleticism than stopping. Keepers are frequently THE best athlete and player on the pitch.
The Dream.... LEGEND!
A testament to Dream's greatness. Imagine a sole superstar leading a team of role players to winning a championship, eliminating every top team with multiple stars. Thats what Dream did in 1994
Yeah, that’s my homeboy, dude was not human. ❤ the Dream
You from Nigeria? 🇳🇬🤔😉
The years of the center and power forward were the best years in basketball
(From The 'UNGUARDABLE PIVOT SCORING' In The POST, To BLOCKS, To REBOUNDS, To 'SCORING Practically ANYWHERE' On The Basketball Court....)
"The DREAM Could MAKE It REALITY & DO It ALL!!!!!!!!"
#MyFaveCenterEver
#HakeemTheDreamOlajuwon
#NigeriaStandUp
#NBAGreatNBALegend....
🏀🏆🙌🏽🙌🏽💪🏽💪🏽👍🏼✌🏽
Dreams soccer background is credited for his amazing footwork no center can stay with him he had a jumper he shot free throws black shots he ran the floor and he was also an underrated passer
To me, best center ever.
U MEAN WILT IS. SHOW ME 1 GAME OLAJUWON HAD 100 PTS 55 REB 26 BLOCKS ?
Hakeem had guard like skills in the paint
Word is bond.
Hakeem had multiple counters what the dream shake he will show you the ball back to the basket shimmy Faceup dribble crossover what a jumper and a three-point shot Hakeem was probably the first foreign player with stretch big game
"The dream" best center of all time
Hakeem Olajuwon is my #4 all time. 1. Michael Jordan 2. Kobe Bryant 3. Larry Bird 4. Hakeem Olajuwon 5. LeSuperteam James. That's about all...
Nice top 5. I got Jordan, Bird, Hakeem, Johnson and Duncan in my starting 5.
Hakeem was the most complete player IMO. I think it would have been crazy if he had developed in this era. He could defend multiple positions, he had really good touch for his size. I believe if he had been in this era he would have developed a 3 point shot. While was technically a center, his true height was 6ft 10 3/4 inches. I would have love to see him developed as a power forward with a big like Shaq or Wilt at the center position. Another crazy front court could be Hakeem and Wemby in their prime, assuming Wemby lives up to the hype. They would block everything and switch
Can play in any era, and be the best at it
HAKEEM AKA AKEEM AKA THE DREAM IS HIM HE IS THE HOUSTON ROCKETS AND I WATCHED IT FIRST HAND BEING THAT IM FROM HOUSTON AND IN MY 40'S I CAN REMEMBER THE DREAM BEING AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND HE HAD THE CITY LIT WHILE IN COLLEGE AND TO WATCH HIM GET DRAFTED BY THE ROCKETS AND CONTINUE HIS DOMINANCE WAS A GREAT GREAT THING TO WATCH 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
I grew up in the Houston area and got to watch the Dream from Phi Slama Jama all the way through his great career in Houston. He was my favorite player of all time.
Favourite athlete of all time for me. MJ might be the Goat but Hakeem was the Dream!!
The Dream and Wilt, the two best, complete centers to play the game
Bro said that in front of gill like he wasn't talking trash about Keem 😂😂
Greatest player of all time . lets don't forget about the cougars and Phi Slam a jamma and the unity of that team . All the right time and place. #34
Long time Houstonian here. A lot of ppl don't know this, but Portland tried to offer the #2 overall pick AND Clyde Drexler for the Rockets Ralph Sampson. Houston declined bc they were building the "Twin Towers."
One of the fun 'what-ifs' is if Houston accepted and drafted Olajuwon 1, then Jordan 2 (w/ Clyde Drexler now on the roster). That's 3 future HOFers, lol.
Jordan and Hakeem would slaughter today’s game. Even Pippen
I agree!
Love you mr Robinson ❤❤❤ you were unlucky with mr Hakeem😂😂😂
STOP LIE. U MEAN DREXLER AND HAKEEM VS 1 ADMIRAL.
I agree 100%.. if I have to pick one center as an overall dominant center, it's Hakeem all day long! You can argue about others, but the best all around center ever to play is Hakeem.. tell me why I'm wrong!.
Congratulations on THE LAST KUMATE'🥋🥋 MAKING A 🎥 IS TASK💪
RESPECT✌
THE DREAM🏀 DAMN & HE WAS ONLY 6'10!