I agree he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. While he is on some people’s top 10 lists, not enough as far as I’m concerned. It’s really not a conversation between he and Shaq in my book.
Most people don't like to talk about him cuz they'll have to confront some of the narratives that were put out about the players they like and want to be the best.
Yes he does, think about this quote, I forget who said but I would give them credit for it. They stated that no one ever questions or bemoans that Rockets made a mistake in choosing Hakeem #1 over Bowie and Jordan. It was perfect player for the Rockets and he produced 3 finals births and is 2/3 in them.
The main reason why the NBA chose not to push Olajuwon to the front of their promotions was because he refused to sign a huge shoe deal because he wanted to have a shoe that poor families could afford. Even back in the 90's people were writing opinion pieces that were asking why Olajuwon never gets his recognition
Right! Many people don't realize this, but back then kids were losing their life over sneakers and sportswear jackets. I'd heard that Hakeem didn't want this, so he turned down a deal with the big name athletic brand. The greatest players of all time discussion is about what you do on the court, but legacies can be impacted by how you conduct yourself off the court as well. Take a look at Lebron's recent ESPY non-retirement speech as an example.
He also refused a statue of himself in Houston, as it's against his religious beliefs. But, the truth is Timmy played in an even lesser market, had record low viewership in his Finals and people found the Spurs boring, but over time Duncan is spoken of much more highly due to the GOAT of his position title, a title he wouldn't have if not for Pop pushing that narrative. Tim Duncan is a Center through and through in a 2 center lineup the way Hakeem and Ralph were both C's together. Duncan ultimately played longer as a starting C, than PF, but no one cares. He's the GOAT PF, with 5 rings, 2 with a top 20 player and top C ever in David Robinson and his last with Kawhi.
As a Bulls fan growing in the 90s I remember just how much I admired and respected Hakeem's game. For a long time he was clearly the 2nd best player in the league and a joy to watch. With the Bulls out of the equation I was really happy when he won those 2 championships, so deserving. He is the C in my all time starting five. Not a dream, I saw.
@@mirospajic9929 buddy, that team had a rookie Cassell, a 2nd year Horry, a bench that consisted of Scotty Brooks, Carl Herrera, and a guy who has a total of 25 career NBA games but now has a ring because of Olajuwon. Mario Ellie was literally a journeyman that had been playing overseas just a few years prior, Otis Thorpe was a solid PF that had ZERO success outside of playing with Olajuwon, Vernon Maxwell was a gunslinger that cost the Rockets way more games than he helped win, and Rudy T was literally in his second year as interim head coach. Explain where that team was strong please, cuz without Olajuwon they are literally a lottery team
I remember growing up and watching peak Jordan/being a Bulls fan during the late 80s and early 90s. Hakeem was one of a SHORT list of players that made me think "What the f*% are we supposed to do against this guy?!"
Every team thought that. The teams that beat Olajuwon in the playoffs literally only had one chance to beat him, and that was to isolate him on defense by bringing their center all the way out to the 3p line and then posting up his smaller, weaker guards or forwards and basically make his team beat them, which always were lacking in talent. Olajuwon is the greatest of all time
He had a 5-1 record against Jordan in 91-93. Had Jordan not retired in 94, Hakeem was still winning that title. That’s not a popular take, but it’s a fact. And I think Hakeem would be viewed differently if Jordan was in the league that year. Jordan WAS in the league the next year (if only for 17 regular season games). But Jordan did play the playoffs and Hakeem still won.
Living in San Antonio and seeing what he did to David Robinson and the Spurs in that 95 Western Conference Finals, I can definitely attest to his greatness!
Hakeem Olajuwon beat the best centers at their best during the Big Man Era. He played with the least amount of help for longer than any other All-Time great Center. He was the most skilled center in NBA History, with one of the greatest peaks in NBA History, all while being the best defensive player at his position. He also trained bigs and perimeter players such as, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Amare Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthomy. And Dwight Howard.
Not to mention his individual greatness just towers over anybody and everybody you put him up against. Olajuwon recorded between 220-376 blocks and between 100-213 steals for his first 12 seasons!!! He's the only player in history to record 200+ blocks and steals in the same season, the all time leader in 5 by 5's, the only player to avg 2 steals and 4 blocks in 4 different seasons, the only player to record 2 quadruple doubles in the same month, the closest player to ever record a quintuple double, and still to this day the only player to win MVP, DPOY, Finals MVP, all NBA first team, all defensive first team, #3 in scoring and the ring in the same season. Olajuwon is the greatest player of all time
people brush off the fact that the dream won back to back championships with zero superstars and zero all stars . zero hall of famers and only above average three point shooters . and he did it himself back to back with the shttest regular season because his teamates were really that inconsistent . he won agaisnt everyone that took a shot at MJ . if hakeem has a decent team or something to compete agaisnt the bulls a new riverally wouldve been born. like celtics vs lakers. if the dream had a good team it wouldve been bulls vs rockets the whole 90s
This is a strong description of Olajuwon and how you are making comparisons to other all time greats. His reputation as one of the best players of all time has aged like fine wine.
He's my favorite player of all time. I know he's not in the GOAT discussion, but I don't care. His playstyle, IQ, defense and agility in the post is simply spectacular.
@@skap_attack great list, you are one of the few channels that give Kobe his props, that video how many 60 and 50 win teams he beat in that great western conference era back in the 2000s , Kobe was so great I was dam I think he might tie MJ in rings, definitely would be a cool video
He has some of the hardest won rings. He had the best foot work of any big. Fantastic over all skill sets with elite defensive instincts and offensive capabilities
To me Hakeem is the most versatile big man to ever play the man could do everything I know Many don't agree but I think his peak was the best a center has ever had
Your point about Hakeem having the worst supporting cast throughout his career compared to the luxuries Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, Duncan, & Russell gives Hakeem massive credentials. When Ralph Sampson & a washed Drexler are your best teammates ever, & you still do what he did, you know you're a legend. Great video.
here is the problem with bringing up the all-star selection it's a moot point and let me explain why. You see that year in 95 he didn't play enough games to qualify yet still made an ''all nba team ''averaged over 21.4 ppg 7 rpg 5 apg and 1.8 steals a game . In the playoffs he put the same amount which is elite production more than enough from a second option
When he retired he was top 10 in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks the only player to ever do that. Not to mention he leads the league in leading his team in all those categories in 9 seasons
I've always said he was the best.... ever. KAJ might've had more accolades, but this guy was an absolute ballplayer - on both sides of the court. Imagine passing on Jordan and still not regretting it - that's how amazing this guy was.
Totally agree. I know that Kareem, Russell, Shaq, and Wilt, even in their primes, can’t carry the Rockets like Olajuwon did to win two. Since he didn’t play for Lakers or Celtics, analysts don’t care about him.
@@marckellough529 straight garbage?? smh u lost all credibilty after that one. 1st team all nba 97... 3rd team 99. Learn to google before u embarrass urself again lol
Hakeem was 1 overall. Jordan was 3 and Barkley was 5 I believe. in the 2003 draft, LeBron was 1, Wade was 4 and Bosh was 5. The league that Jordan, Hakeem and Barkley came into was one dominated by all time greats on a teams with 3-4 hall of famers in the Lakers and Celtics. Those teams RAN the league for the first 6-7 years of Jordan, Hakeem and Barkley's career. What it those three were as big of cowards as Lebron, Wade and Bosh? Can you freaking imagine Jordan, Hakeem and Barkley on ONE team?! Literally would have won 8 straight.
@@skap_attack They almost landed together in theory-it's never been confirmed if Houston would have taken Mike at #2, but the deal offered to Houston was Ralph Sampson for #2 AND Clyde Drexler who had just played his rookie season off the bench for all star Jim Paxson(John Paxson of the Bulls older bro). Whoever the Rockets took, they could have had the 95 duo from 85 til end of career, being teammates at UH Phi Slamma Jamma + Jordan or the 96 Big 3 since rookies. AIR-DR34M-GLIDE or the Rockets could have drafted Chuck #2 and the 96 plays their entire careers together. DR34M-CHUCK-GLIDE. Either way, history would have been completely changed if the Rockets didn't reject Portland's offer.
Hakeem olajwon Used to destroy shack In the post with this array of moves. Impeccable footwork, He would be even more dominant in today's era. That's how great he was. The most underrated big man ever. Thanks skap for these Great docuseries u are providing us👏👏👏🙏🎯
The MOST SKILLED big ever. Foot work so good as a big that guards like Kobe went to him during the offseason to learn post moves and foot work from him. Just amazing!
-- Huge 'Jordan's Bulls' fan here. Born and raised in Chicago; used to mow lawns all week for standing room only tickets at the Madhouse. I lived and breathed Bulls basketball, so trust me when I say, us Chicago fans feared Hakeem's Rockets. Those Rockets might be the only team suited to actually beat our Bulls. Don't believe me. Just look at the regular season records between those two teams.
I grew up a huge Bulls fan. I think Houston was a great team and wouldn’t want to take nothing away from the Dream. The facts are people think that Jordan’s Bulls would have lost against Houston and they may be correct, we will never know. But they base that on Chicago’s losing record against Houston in the ‘regular’ season. Jordan’s Bulls also had a losing regular season record against the Lakers. Bulls 4-1. Jordan’s Bulls had a losing regular season record against Utah. Bulls 4-2. Bulls 4-2. We will never know but the playoffs series are a different beast. I’d bet Jordan’s Bulls
-- I'd always bet on Jordan's bulls. It was the way in which they lost the Houston that frazzled us. But in the interest of not writing a novel, I sited the records.@@scottiecole87
The 90s was probably the most stacked decade of all time in terms of Centers, and Hakeem blew them all away. Against competition like Ewing, Robinson, and a young Shaq. Hakeem was also the only player that Jordan ever feared.
@skap_attack this is the part that pisses me off when people say they only won the titles because Jordan quit. His teams dominated the Bulls before Jordan left. They had no answer for Dream on D and Maxwell could D up Jordan as well as anyone possibly could.
First of all, Hakeen had plenty of help, he had the bus rider, Kenny Smith, who, the older he gets, the more legendary his career becomes. I had no idea that 95 run was THAT crazy. I knew it was crazy but the man went through 3 MVPs and swept a future one with no all-star himself. Anywho, would always be my starting centre if I had to pick a best team of all time.
In the 94' Finals, nobody on the Rockets avg more than 13ppg on 36% FG and both Kenny Smith and Cassell combined avg less PPG than just Derek Harper by himself! Smith and Cassell combined avg 15ppg, Derek Harper avg 17ppg and nearly 3 steals. He was slow roasting Kenny Smith and Olajuwon had to do everything. He lead his team the entire playoffs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks! Doesn't get talked about enough
That's what I am telling you. The 1995 run was UNBELIEVABLE. It's the only run I put above Kobe's 08-10 run when he beat 10 50 win teams in a 3 year run and won back to back titles with Pau Gasol his only all star.
@@xavierb9061… I watched Olajuwon and Sampson beat Lakers 4-1 in ‘86. We were clearly better. We almost went to game 7 against Bird but Sampson got into a fight. If Sampson didn’t get injured and couple guys didn’t do drugs, it would be a whole different story.
@@xavierb9061 not really! It was losing Wiggins and Lloyd to cocaine suspension that really hurt the Rockets chances. Ralph Sampson is the reason why Olajuwon didn't have a ring in season two
Hakeem spent his youth playing soccer so he was good laterally and watch old tapes of him, he is never out of position because of his footwork. sometimes centers are too far away to score or too near to block a ball before its downward arc. Hakeem was a small center but that made him quicker than behemoth centers like Shaq or Mount Eaton. he had quick hands and played like a guard (steals) at center position. he was more suited to be a power forward. if Hakeem played his whole career at power forward he would be better power forward than Duncan or Malone Hakeems good footwork not only helped him defensively, but offensively as well with his Dream Shake he looks like a guard in the low post. his game was finesse over power
Absolutely unlimited offensive skillset, coupled with arguably the best defensive package as a big EVER, this side of Bill Russell. A truly one of one, unique player.
Very well put. I heard that he didn't even pick up a basketball before the age of 15... how crazy is that! As someone who used to be a soccer fan in my young days, knowing that Hakeem used to be a goalkeeper made me understand why his positioning, footwork and hand-eye coordination was unreal as a basketball player.
Kobe also spent his childhood in Italy playing soccer and acquired excellent footwork which allowed him to pick up Hakeem's moves quicker than anyone Olajuwon had ever trained. He called him his best student. It's cool the similarities.
@@koolkai4299 yeah, Kobe was famous for his footwork. he was always in the right place at the right time - which incidently is the difference between watching a goal in soccer and making one yourself. its all about positioning, where you are in relation to the ball
@@skap_attack Hakeem is my favorite center and you are right, Russell and Hakeem are very similar in regards to defensive intimidation, but Hakeem had the total package of offense and defense
As a Nigerian dude. We like to thank you for pointing out the greatness of the great Hakeem Olajuwon…I still believe if Jordan would’ve played every season in the 90s, Hakeem would still get at least one chip 🙏🏾
I'll keep commenting the same thing I do on every Hakeem video that's uploaded to RU-vid. He's the most skilled two-way center in basketball history and he was the standard for what the position should be all about! He had ALL the moves in the post, respectable shooting from mid-range and the FT line, could pass effortlessly out of double teams, controlled the paint without fouling, could switch to the perimeter on defense and would be active in the passing lanes and had the kind of quiet leadership that would elevate nominal players' level of play and believe in the skills that would be an asset to his style and overall team effort.
thanx fr another grt vid! Another major plus factor fr Hakeem is that he brought out the best in teammates, makin em lk like perennial allstars. Such a contrast to some prime superstars that negates fellow superstar teammates
Hakeem Olajuwon is one of my favorite NBA players of all time. His footwork, finesse, defense, leadership etc was out of this world. He is a definite top five center in NBA history, the greatest international NBA player of all time and a top ten greatest NBA player of all time. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Finally, someone who recognizes Haleem's skills as I do. I always said that if I were to create an all time starting 5, Hakeem would be my center, Dominant both on offense and defense. The best post player ever, and probably the best defensive big if we take into account his versitility on defense, quick on his feet with great timing and hands, in today's game could esily guard wings on the perimeter and maybe even guards.
If I were creating an all time starting 5, I would likely go based on PEAK. With that in mind, I am shifting Kobe to 1 and rolling with Kobe, Jordan, Bird, Duncan and Hakeem. Hakeem is arguably the best offensive AND defensive center EVER. Which is absurd to think about based on all of the LEGENDS that have played that position.
What everyone talks about him. U may not no. He was training kobe and LeBron. He was one of the best defensive centers ever but u can make case for bill Russell even wilt. Post player u can say shaq or wilt
Life time Rockets fan here and man I appreciate this video! He's always been my favorite big growing up and I loved watching him do Shaq so dirty in the paint. /THE DREAM/MR. FUNDAMENTALS!
glad you did this... i see a lot of gen zers disrespecting the all time greatness of hakeem olajuwon; because (again like with jordan) they didnt see him
As a kid growing up in Houston at that time, I concur. I remember in the late 80's our starting SF was a guy named Buck Johnson. I liked him a lot, but he was a bench guy on a good team. Hakeem did things that I'm only now appreciating.
Witnessed his brilliance on the court for his entire career. Criminally underrated big. I have Olajuwon in my top 10 greatest players, usually arguing with myself that he’s about 7th best.
Great video, put together real well. The Dream playing that well in the mid 80`s is something. I saw clips of him going against Kareem and even out playing him. top 3 bigs of all time ! ?
Best analysis I have seen respect to you. Keep doing what your doing , I was a kid when I saw the rockets sweep Orlando ,one of the best runs I’ve seen by a legend
Hkeem's '86 Rockets team was great but they ran into one of the greatest teams of all-time in the '86 Celtics. That Celtics team had Larry Legend, Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish and that Celtics team played like a well oiled machine. Bird was at his peak and Hakeem was still learning but he would be back...
I agree. His peak is the highest of any center in league history. In fact I’d say his peak is right there with Bird and Kobe as the second best in league history behind only Jordan.
@@skap_attack man me and one of my friends, only one say he’s the second greatest behind MJ and people just look at me like we’re crazy. This man was something we haven’t seen and probably won’t see again. He’s definitely a unicorn like MJ to me.
I commented on your Bird video requesting you to cover The Dream! So glad you did, this video was excellent. Didn’t realize just how momentous his back to back title runs truly were. The level of competition was fierce and he made the most out of his supporting cast. One of the greatest talents the game has ever seen
Hey Ethan! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I really enjoyed making it. And truth be told, even I learned some stuff I didn’t quite know about Hakeem. I’ve had him in my top 10 for years. But after really digging in deep to his career, I think he legitimately has the highest prime of any 5 ever. And if peak is your most important element, you can argue he’s the best big of all time.
My favorite big man. Dude was definitely the most skilled big man of all time. You rarely see big guys with such smooth and sound foot work because it is hard to balance with that height yet legends go to him for advice. And two way players are always very respectable. Specially when you are the primary scoring option in your team and still becoming DPOY at the same time. Only giannis and MJ in the modern era did that. Hakeem is really a dream. A dream come true.
Jordan also picked Hakeem to be the C for his all time starting 5. In a draft where Jordan was available, only Portland (#2) is considered to have messed up their pick.
My dad, who is fully British, got in an elevator with Hakeem in Salt Lake City. My dad says to him “you must be a basketball player”. Hakeem, recognizing my dad’s accent, says, “I am, but I am also a huge fan of premier league football”. I was watching Olajuwon in the finals and my dad says “i have met that man! he is a huge soccer fan”.
I agree he is better than many give him credit for. He was incredible to watch. My favorite entertainment anyway. I would say the best all around player ever.
I love that you pointed it out. I agree, and my pops helped put me on game as to why: he has the best collection of abilities of all the centers. He's a far greater scorer than Russell while approximating his defensive greatness in a far more modern era; He can hit FTs and midrange shots while facing up purposely far more accurately than Shaq or Wilt ever did. He had the proper fire and mentality to attack and approach the game, as opposed to Wilt who shrunk from big moments and challenges (all while almost matching his total athleticism), or even Shaq whom never took the game as seriously as Hakeem. That and he battled a veteran Kareem and came up big, once again matching or approximating Cap's overall or seasonal statistical greatness. This is the same man who was *fully persuaded* he could beat the 86 Celtics, only the best team up until and remains at least top-3 team all time, IMHO.
One hundred percent facts here. Arguably the best offensive AND defensive big ever. Absolutely ludicrous. I value winning and rings the most of anything on the accomplishments checklist. But his two rings are better than some players 4 or 5. His peak in my opinion is as high as any players ever. I put his peak right next to Jordan, Bird and Kobe's.
@skap_attack and the "rings" argument above all is why guys like him don't get their due. What if he decided to hop to the Pistons, Bulls, and Lakers - all of whom could've used his services - and won 1 ring each with them? It just wasn't done in those days, and yet we hold it against him concerning the all-time rankings.
@@T.H.E.O.R.Y. exactly right. See fools today think the ring argument is only used to harm lebrons legacy LOL. In actuality it harms real players legacies like Hakeem who fought it out on teams that really didn’t have a competitive roster around him. For his entire career. WHAT IF Hakeem, Drexler and Barkley teamed up EARLIER. None of them won shit for like a decade plus into their careers. As the NBA was being dominated by the lakers and Celtics, then the pistons and Bulls. What if instead waiting till years 13 and 14 in their mid 30s, Barkley, Hakeem and Drexler teamed up in like 1992 when they were late 20s. It would have changed the landscape of things. But players didn’t do garbage shit like that back then.
Bro thank you for providing context for the young generation! I would add that Hakeem is underrated because he wasn't about self-marketing, trying to talk himself up in the media (unlike someone we all know in today's game). Later on in his career he matured and became devoutly religious. Rarely, if ever, would you see him showboat or show up his opponents, coaches, or teammates. So not only did he not have a strong supporting cast, he had more of a even-keeled, stoic personality, rather than flair or braggadocio. I'm not saying one is better than the other, btw. I enjoy a little brashness myself. But the fly-under-the-radar type persona tends to get him overlooked in the greatest players of all time discussions.
In 94-95 season both Olajuwon and Drexler were on all-NBA 3rd team. Only Olajuwon was an all-star. Also he didn't make it to all-defensive team. But in the playoffs Rockets went into overdrive and won NBA championship as 6th seed. That was impressive.
Hakeem is in my top 5 all time. Russell and wilt have inflated rebounding numbers because of the poor shooting % and no 3 second rule so they could camp in the paint near constant. Shaq(my former stepdad and 4rd favorite player all time) will tell you Keem cooked him. And despite folks beliefs, the bulls would not have beaten Hakeem twice in the finals. They definitely losing one to Hakeem. Hakeem couldnt stop jordan but he could slow him down. Jordan couldnt stop or slow Hakeem.
I agree with you on this. While it’s not a “popular take”, especially by people in my little circle here, I don’t think Jordan would have won both those titles in 94 and 95 had he not retired. Hakeem Was winning at least one of those and very arguably maybe both.
Yeah...I believe Hakeem would still get both even when Mj was around... still would be a hell of a matchup... prolly will be Mj's only game 7 in finals
Don't blaspheme. God is holy and righteous. God loves you and wants salvation for you by you repenting of your sins and turning to Jesus for salvation. I pray that for you in Jesus name and love amen.
He is the best player of all time in my book because of everything you said and more. He did more with less than any player in NBA history and was a complete and dominant player on both ends of the floor.
amen best center ever ... i met hakeem twice when i was a young gun and always was kind to people still got my hakeem stuff autographed by the best center ever
You should be on ESPN! Once again Skap your analogies are spot on. I agree 100%, Hakeem Olajuwon is arguably the most skilled Center the NBA has ever produced. Olajuwon was the whole package. Offensively and defensively, he was a player to be reckoned with. Hakeem’s footwork, back to the basket, post-up and midrange game was a thing of beauty. Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to record 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season and in 2022, the NBA renamed it’s Defensive Player of the Year award as “The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.”
Hakeem was an absolute FORCE OF NATURE!! And ESPN doesn't want me. I don't prop up the garbage current era. When I see someone that deserves recognition and respect today, I give it to them--like Jokic and Murray this year. Other than that, I am just trying to keep those discarded underrated players alive in peoples consciousness. I would like to go on ESPN and just debate their personalities lol. I would gladly do it for free haha.
@@skap_attack We need truthful sports analysis, not these jerks on tv spewing out nonsense. These kids are eating it up, because they’re easily manipulated.
@@user-li2ir5ss5p not only are the young kids eating it up, they’re absorbing it and believing all of it at face value. That’s why like at least half of kids under 20 probably think Lebron is the goat 😂. They simply don’t know any better.
@@skap_attack He’s the self manufactured goat 😂 It’s ridiculous that a player that has done everything in his power to give himself an unfair advantage is even in the Goat conversation. He’s never persevered.
