NBA Players and Legends Discuss How CRAZY GOOD Prime Hakeem Olajuwon Was
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- Опубліковано 21 вер 2024
- Averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first 12 seasons in the league, Hakeem Olajuwon's numbers are out of this world. As the NBA's all-time leading shot-blocker and eighth on the career steals list (by far the highest for a center), “The Dream” can say with conviction that he was the greatest defensive center ever. As impressive as the numbers are, they don't do Olajuwon justice. Hakeem played the game with an elegance that had to be seen to be believed. He had impeccable footwork on the low block and a silky-smooth jump shot. The power and grace with which he went about his business were breathtaking. On top of that he was the ultimate teammate. Numbers are only part of what made Olajuwon so incredible, as a few other post players have put up those stats.
Today’s video will be about NBA players and legends talking about how insanely good Hakeem Olajuwon was.
Robert Horry
Robert Horry played alongside some of the best big men in NBA history, but when it comes to Hakeem Olajuwon and Tim Duncan, Horry believes there is no debate with regard to who was better. Horry expressed his belief that Olajuwon was the better player by a significant margin:
"They had nobody that could guard Dream. They had nobody that could guard Dream. I'm gonna say that twice because Dream was just that dominant. I played with both.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal recently made it to the 75th-anniversary team and during the ceremony, Shaq made an emotional speech in which he honored Hakeem Olajuwon, who also made it to the 75th-anniversary team. Shaq has been regarded by many for revolutionizing the role of a center in the NBA. He was one of the most dominant players of his time and bossed the role of a center for around two decades. However, Shaq, during his 4-minute speech, admitted that he wasn’t as good as former Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon.
Kobe Bryant
A lot of cities and teams had found ways to give Kobe Bryant gifts during his final appearance as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in their respective buildings. I'm not sure any gift could have been as rewarding to Kobe as getting to thank Hakeem Olajuwon after Bryant's final game in Houston.
After the game, Bryant was walking around the court before he spotted Olajuwon walking toward him. Kobe immediately raised his arms, made a quick move toward Hakeem, and gave him a hug. They got to share a very cool moment with two of the greatest players ever celebrating each other's careers.
Greg Anthony
In one of the videos produced in honor of Hakeem’s inclusion on the NBA 75 team, Greg Anthony praised the legendary big man. But in the process of mentioning everything we already know about Olajuwon's greatness, Anthony singled out the most underrated part of his on-court skillset.
“The Dream, man, was kind of a freak of nature. I had never seen a human being that big with his footwork, his quickness and his instincts. He had the best ball instincts of any big man I'd ever seen and he also had incredible hands. You know the footwork is legendary but his instincts, the ability to get deflections, steals, blocks…he was a game changer in so many ways and he really in a lot of ways redefined that position. We talk a lot about positionless basketball in today's era and the Dream was one of the first that really brought that to the forefront."
Chris Webber
It's fantastic when you can watch your basketball idols perform almost every single day, but it's even better if you can compete against them in a real game. That is what happened to former NBA player Chris Webber when he matched up against Hakeem Olajuwon in his first NBA game back in 1993.
"The first game I played against Hakeem Olajuwon. I think he was the reigning MVP or something like that. He had 33 that game, I watched the game the other day, and he was just cold. He was the first big man with a crossover. I remember after the game being, that jump hook, I'm taking that forever, he is busting my butt.”
Having matchups like that at such an early age is crucial for any young player because even Webber said he took many things he saw from Hakeem and implemented them into his own game. Watching MVP Hakeem go to work is incredible, even if it's against you and your team, and that's probably how Chris Webber felt that game.
Gary Payton
The way he won those championships, annihilating everyone in his path on the way to those rings, that makes you say Olajuwon is the best center in the history of the game. Hakeem took home most of the NBA's hardware in the 1993-94 season. Olajuwon became the only player in history to win the regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Finals MVP in the same season.
And what is your opinion? Where do you rank Hakeem all-time? Is he top 10? I would love to hear what you think so please let me know in the comments. Oh, and don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel for more amazing NBA content!
#hakeemolajuwon #olajuwon #nba
Hakeem Olajuwon was arguably the most complete player to ever play.
He was not a ball handler or play maker which makes him incomplete
@@Harrison2253you couldn’t be more wrong
@@AirForceVet76 then we have different definitions of what a complete player is
@@Harrison2253 yep there is literally nothing Hakeem couldn’t do and there are plenty of highlights to back it up
@@AirForceVet76 show me all the highlights of him bringing the ball up court
We were beyond lucky to have him in H-Town....we owe him so much. He defined us for years and brought us things we haven't seen since. My #1
I live there in Houston during the 90s. I seen all their seasons while I was there and then winning all those playoffs. That team right there would have crushed Michael Jordan Scottie Pippen and the bulls they would have never been able to beat that team with all those superstars on it.
@@williamoddo1686 100% facts. Even Jordan said they never would have beat us. Proof. 🤘🏼
@@bootzmcgillicuty I know right. That team and Rudy T's own history made this team once put together unstoppable. But Hakeem was a true team leader and very patient person that guided the team to dominate.
@@bootzmcgillicuty Do you remember Hakeem was fasting during one of those weeks of play offs. And he was still dominant on a empty stomach... LOL 😂😂
@@williamoddo1686 no water even during games. He's a warrior. To the T. 💪🏼🤘🏼
Growing up being a Rockets fan and watching Hakeem especially between 92 thru 95 he was just on a different level especially during the playoffs.
I can remember that back to back run and thinking how magical it was and how Hakeem just outplayed every other great that he came up against.
I was a huge Bulls fan in the 90s and was such a treat to watch Dream in his prime. I argue that him and MJ were/are the most complete and unstoppable players to ever play. From one end of the court to another
He was a Freakshow - Unstoppable - All class too. Hakeem is ( by far ) the Greatest center of all time. Jordan said: if he and Olajuwon played together . . . they'd Never lose a game.
Shaq was a great center, but Olajuwon is the greatest center to ever played, period.
@kennethsanders8917 Russell wasn't really a center. He was just the other tallest black guy in the league, so he had to play center😂😂 The real centers, Russell would have no chance against, so he CANT be top 3!
1. Dream
2. Wilt
3. Kareem
4. Shaq
5. Moses Malone
6. David Robinson
7. George Mikan (If you don't know him, you better go ask somebody)
8. Joel Embiid (He still needs a chip tho)
9. Patrick Ewing
10. Alonzo Mourning
Wilt Chamberlain No1
Russel couldn’t score much Olajuwon No2
Google William Fenton Russell. No one else is close.
Watching Hakeem was like watching ballet on a basketball court. I still remember him as Akeem.
Unbeatable! :P
He made every UH student and alumni proud. In his college Years he was proud but kind. He would stop and talk to you like you were his long time friend. We all knew him but he didn't know us yet he treated us like we were long lost brothers. He was, is, and always be the greatest of all time!
Hakeem was one of the top 2 centers of all time. The other was akeem😂
@Cecil B
Ha. Like that (Akeem vs Hakeem). LOL
Well played lol
The Dream was better than both of em🤣
NO ONE CAN SHUT HAKEEM DOWN, BUT BEN WALLACE OR DENNIS RODMAN DID SHUT DOWN O'NEIL MANY TIME, AND THIS SHOW HOW GREAT HAKEEM REALLY WAS.
Ben Wallace wouldn't come close to shutting Hakeem down
That's because Shaq would strictly power his way to the basket and Wallace/Rodman had the low base strength that made it more difficult for him to do it as effortlessly.
@@eulissbenoit816 see when i tell people hakeem is over shaq in the top 10 dudes know its true but try to argue truth even shaq admits he wasnt better an a prime hakeem was the best center i ever seen i remeber what he did to Robinson as mvp an the best record spurs an hakeem does that to him an win the ring same year was top 10 all time automatically but what people dont get is kobe thank hakeem because the footwork skills you see kobe have in the prime of his career came from the teaching of hakeem himself even mj picked hakeem in his top 5 over shaq. In 1993-94, Hakeem Olajuwon became the first player to be named MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season not even mj has that on his resume
@@ChrisM07 but with hakeem that was 90 peercent skill an you cant beat skill if you dont know how to stop the skill
@@Ontiming2023 Because there's a biblical principal in work here.The world loves its own the bible says and people from America will always go with Shaq over Hakeem and we both know Hakeem is the greatest big man that ever laced them up plan and simple
Watching Kobe give Hakeem such a great hug...man...onions over here.
Modern players train with him, and they look like robots compare to him...that says it all.
Dude? Robert Horry. The H is silent.
Horry was bad to the bone but don't forget about Kenny Smith and especially about Sam Cassell. Play it again Sam that boy was awesome especially when it was crunch time and a game was close.
Horry you have 7rings that awesome put you are not the bus driver you're a rider 😂😂😂
The Twin Towers of Houston were the only ones to give the '86 Celtics real trouble on the way to the NBA finals, and a lot of that was due to Olajuwon's magnificent 2-way play. A defensive player to match Parrish's best, and footwork to rival McHale, also gave Walton some headaches with those sneaky steals! Could've been a contender for Russell's title of most rings if he'd played Center for the Bulls from 87 onwards, but that's all academic at this point. A golden talent by any standard.
I'm a rockets fan who remembers that 86 championship and at no point in that series did anyone think they were going to beat that celtics team. Every game in Boston was a blowout. After Boston went up 3-1 then there was the Sampson vs sichting fight in game five that Boston pretty much conceded to win it all in Boston
for me the best ever
Easily the best. Just didn’t have enough on his career resume to be the greatest unfortunately
Olajuwon the best ever? Maybe. But when he was in his prime it was really fun to watch!
best center ever even if you say not best player hes the best center no doubt dude was way to skilled
HAKEEM IS THE BEST CENTER TO EVER PLAY THE GAME BECAUSE HE WAS THE BEST AT EVERYTHING! HE HAD NO WEAKNESSES, AND YOU COULDNT TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM HIM TO BEAT HIM CAUSE HE HAD TOO MUCH!
H-Town in the house. Best basketball memories of my life. I’ve seen just about every single game Olajuwon ever played.
As a die hard rockets fan I wish I was born around the 90’s to see how good the rockets were and got to see the beautiful play of Hakeem Olajuwon
So glad dream is getting his props!! U just had to see it man hard to explain. The big fella did everything!!!
Hakeem is in my top 10 and the best Center of All-time, but I understand those that say Kareem, who could also be #1. Shaq, Wilt and Russell are behind those guys, because of certain limitations in their games w/ Jokic (if he keeps this pace), Ewing, Malone, Robinson and Embid to round out the top 10.
Absolute best center in the universe of all time. Amen 🙏
Ok again, he didn't "see his opportunity now that Jordan retired". Do some damn research!! The rockets weren't afraid of Jordan and the bulls. They were 5-1 vs the bulls in thier first 3peat.
How did Jordan's dynasty have a losing record against a low budget Houston rockets team
Ya man, I really hate that narrative. It’s not like it was the Bulls that kept the Rockets from the finals or ever winning one before. In ‘86 they made the finals with Hakeem and Sampson but lost to the Celtics. Their biggest struggle was against the Sonics. It was most definitely NOT the Bulls.
@@BadMoonRising92 but they won with heekem twice so thats all that matters he proved he can win just took years later but his ewas more valuble cause he was a 8th seed an beat the mvp robinson like he was nothing
So true, I've always said this...the West was far more difficult to get through than the East during those years...when they met in the regular season the Bulls had no answer for Olajuwon...Weddington/Cartwright 🙂...it would have been a classic if Olajuwon & Jordan would have matched up in a NBA Finals series, of course with a Rocket win!! 🙂
@Iron Angel
And it's not like the Rockets had ever faced and lost to the Bulls in the finals. SMH
As you said, the Rockets would have relished to play the Bulls, as Hakeem was a Gamer just like Jordan (with as much, if not more talent). So, both players would have loved it!!
No question my 1st pick to start a team would be Olajuwon at center.
Hakeem was the greatest center in NBA history. He was to the center position what Jordan was to the 2-guard. Silky smooth, powerful, a tireless defender, a tenacious rebounder, and a nightmare defensive matchup because his offensive repertoire is was near-limitless.
Hakeems greatness comes from not only what he did on the the court but off the court in and around the city of Houston and for other players in terms of his summer training camps. He's just an all around good dude.
Hakeem was a great Center with great footwork and he shoot better than other Centers Back in the day.
G.O.A.T.
Swish Nation, you know his career inside out. Those two jams against the Knicks were the most jaw dropping plays of him. And you saved the best for last 👍
What is scary about Hakeem is he didn’t start playing basketball until he was 15-16? He played football ⚽️!
Yes...
Dream is the Center in my personal ALL-TIME starting 5
PG Magic
SG MJ
SF Bird
PF Duncan
C Olajuwon
Oh, and his foot work ,,, impeccable....
He was Absolutely the Best at what he did offensively and defensively.
Definitely at the top of the herd. 🐐
I think greatest cuz he did it all as a CENTER!
STATS may have changed the last 5,10 years,
But at one time he was in the TOP 10 ALL TIME in every stat!
ONLY PERSON TO DO IT!🤯
poetry in motion we will never see another big man with those silky skills goat for me
When I was in highschool- early 90s, I always try to the "WOW!" moves of Airness and the Dream.
Since I can't fly same as high and as long in mid-air MJ do, I practiced some moves of Hakeem and whew!!! It ain't easy but geeeezzz!!! Basic and really effective!!!
Hakeem is my 2nd favorite player of all time(after MJ). He just reminds me if of a bigger version of MJ.
He wanted to be a soccer player as a youth, probably helped out with with his footwork as a basketball player.
One of my all time favorite players. Best center in history.
The dream was an amazing center one of the best centers in NBA history
12:20pm Hakeem Olajuwon is the Total Package!
Hakeem was the Chosen One of centers.
If wanted to start a team, there a lot big men to choose,,, but I gotta go with The Dream,, hands down, he did it All,, gave you boards, Defense, scoring, passing, run the floor, and I can start him at the 5 and 4.. and his moves around the basket on offense and defense should be daily reading... and film study...
Hakeem was the absolute best center during his time an prime!! He better than O'Neal Robinson Ewing Parisjh just the greatest None of them did what he did!!
WHY DO THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT LEBRON....LEBRON AIN'T GOT "NO" SKILLS.....KOBE, JORDAN, KAREEM, HAKEEM, CURRY, BIRD, IVERSON, RODMAN, DR. J., ETC....
Jordan said he was afraid to face the Rockets in the finals because there was no answer for Olajuwon.
Dream was the best!
watched his entire career and i would say he was the all around best center to play the game, there are others that were great but hakeem was just on another level and he played when big men were dominant in the leaque at that time.
Hakeem scared MJ , so he took off to play baseball !😂😂😂
Hakeem is top 10 without the Zero!!!
There was a reason he was called the dream. Guy was unreal, best center ever or 2nd best.
Olajuwon is one of the best
Most folks don't know that Hakeem's child hood sport was soccer. This was the origin story to his amassing foot work. Side note, The Rockets won back to back titles only because Jordan was playing baseball.
That would be false. MJ actually returned later in the season in 1995.The Bulls with Jordan lost in 6 games to the same Orlando team that was later swept in the Finals by Hakeem and the Rockets.
@@Xryder15 I feel the sweep over Orland was facilitated by Nick the brick Anderson. He missed 4 free throws to keep the game balanced.
@@MikeSmith-ch7jv Yeah, I agree. It likely would've been a 6 or 7 game series if Anderson had come through with those shots in game 1.
Maybe most folks but not most Rockets fans. ;)
Next you are going to tell us Hakeem is from Africa and is Muslim lol
dream's name is spoken with respect and gratitude here in houston.
Pretty simple for me really any player that is transformative to there position should be right up,there in the conversation as being the best there is.
Hakeem is the best big man ever. If he played in a market like LA or NY it would be unanimous.
After Magic era/80s .. i couldn't think of a Team that only had 1 Super star HOF wining.. even MJ had Scottie and Denisse. Hakeen is special
2004 pistons and 2011 mavericks
@@jlobiafra back to back Championship?
@@jameslee9742 you said one superstar hall of famer right? I counted 1994 only because 1995 he had Drexler
@@jlobiafra mavericks had 2 HOF
@@jameslee9742 Jason kidd was 38 and way past his prime. He averaged 9 points and 7 assist in 2011 which isnt bad for his age. However, He was probably their fifth best player but I suppose technically he was still a hall of famer but he definitely didn't put up hall of fame numbers at that point in his career.
Imagine if akeem would have had a point guard at least
That's what really separates him from Shaq IMO, Shaq played with all star guards the majority of his career where he didn't have to be the go to guy towards the end of the games.
Thats why cassell was so important.
@@ironangel667 Yeah especially against the Knicks, Starks and Harper dominated the guard matchups against K Smith and Maxwell.
@@ChrisM07harper made kenny his bitch that series
hakeem was poetry in motion
IMO, bar none, the best big man to ever play the game!
Hakeem is my favorite big man ever. I really believe he is the best center. .
He credits his youth playing football/soccer for his footwork and stamina.
Russell, Chamberlain, Olajowon, O'Neal and Mikan.
Hakeem the dream is the best center of all time for sure 😊
He us the best center all time abs my favorite player
The back to back champion is also the hardest path..
Hakeem was giving Shaq that lateral movement and there was nothing he could do
I was fortunate enough to live in Houston and watch Akeem all the way through college and all the way through the pros
Same here
Really wish things had worked out for us to see a Prime Jordan vs Prime Hakeem finals matchup. It would have gone down in history.
2nd best player of the 90's and definitely in the debate for best center of all-time.
Top 3 Centers of all time !!!
"Seeing the opportunity to win it with Houston now that Jordan was retired".
What a load of BS. Except for his first couple of seasons with a healthy Ralph Sampson, Hakeem didn't get to play with an elite player for the majority of his career.
It wasn't until 1993 / 1994 that Houston finally put enough talent around Hakeem for them to make a deep playoff run. They win that title whether Jordan retires or not
Top 10 for sure
Dream- "I'm hitting him(KG) with lateral movement. He can't do anything."
Top 10 for sure.
I love Hakeem as a player, but everyone who says he is the greatest center ever forgets about a guy named Wilt. They also forget about a prime Kareem. Wilt was 7'1", 300-330lbs, and was faster and could jump higher. He was a world-class track & field and men's volleyball athlete. Bill Russell also said that Wilt was the most intelligent. Bill also saw Hakeem play and never wavered on what he thought about Wilt. You guys need to stop. BTW, Wilt also had a wide range of shots and was almost impossible to block. 7'2" Kareem got his shot near the end of Wilt's career. Russell, the second-best in defense, got him in their prime. I can't say that I saw any of the other HOFers get him. 7' Elmore Smith was another rare guy who blocked him.
Hakeem top 5!!!!!!!
Top 10? ( TOP 5 ) AT THE VERY LEAST!!!HE IS AMONG THE VERY GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME WITHOUT QUESTION - ASK Michael Jordan himself!
Hakeem would destroy todays NBA
I take Kareem over him because height, longevity, and they had to change the rules in college where they made a no dunk rule for Kareem. They called it the Lew Alcindor Rule.
Yes, he was truly great, but apparently your history only goes back to the 80's. To say he was the greatest defensive center you must not know much about Bill & Wilt, they were on yet another level.
The Dream would dress Shaq any way he wanted .😆
Hakeem was number one
He is the best center of all time
Akeem is the best center of all time
Hakeem is the best center ever
I think Wilt Chamberlain & The Dream are the two best Centers of all time
The quintessential work smart not hard!!
No don't forget Moses Malone, Kareem, Wilt, Bill Russell, Big Red Walton,
But Shaq just created his list of the top 10 players and he didn't put Hakeem on it.
Hakeem made it easier to overlook Kareem, Wilt and Bill Russel. No small feat.
Wilt and Russell played in a weak era. The 80s, 90s, and 2000s are the best eras.
#1
It's never gonna sit well with me when anyone acts like Jordan retiring was the reason Houston won....BACK 2 BACK. You can eat a glizzy.
Since MJ pick him on his team then definetly top 5
Best centers of all time has always been, 1-Hakeem, 2-Robinson, 3-Ewing, 4-Duncan and 5-Chamberlain. All versatile center that could kill you anywhere around the court. Too bad wilt didn't play in the modern era. I think Wilt would've dominated in any era. We'll never truly know how good he really is.
I like your list. I would however add Shaq and Moses
Lol no way Robinson and Ewing are 2 and 3 😂😂😂😂😂
“Now that Jordan was retired from basketball.”
Top ten
I thought we were going to hear from former players lol
FREE THROWS, FREE THROWS, FREE THROWS! The Dream was better shooter, Shaq was horrible at the line. The coaches and their teams took him out the game because of HACK-A-SHAQ.
Horry and Duncan always had problems. His opinion on the matter doesn't mean shit. He even supposedly slept with Duncan's wife and fathered his kids.
Shaq was being kind. I'm not saying Hakeem wasn't better, but I mean...under the old rules, I'd probably pick Shaq before Hakeem. But that said, you can def make an argument that Hakeem was better than Shaq. If in their primes they were playing today? Definitely Hakeem over Shaq. Shaq's game was better suited for the old NBA rules.
You don’t think the sweep of Shaq and the Magic settled that debate?
@@Zseventyone - Not really because Shaq wasn't in his prime until around 2000 when he won the finals MVP. Again, Hakeem deserves to be in the conversation, and perhaps was better than Shaq, but if both were in their prime under the old NBA rules, I would pick Shaq with my first pick. But as far as skills, Hakeem was superior.
Hakeem 2 defensive player of the year awards to shaqs 0.
Hakeem led the league in rebounds 2 times to shaqs 0.
Hakeem led the league in blocks 3 times to shaqs 0.
Hakeem all first defensive team 5 to shaqs 0.
Point is offensively both are very close stats wise but basketball is a two way sport and hakeem is far superior on the defensive end so how does anyone put shaq ahead of hakeem? I know the titles but hakeem never had penny, Kobe, or dwade.
@@jlobiafra Word!
Easily Top 5