What made Hakeem the best post player ever IMO is the fact he did what he did against some of the best post defenders in NBA history: (Robinson, Ewing, Mutombo, Shaq)
Hakeem is one of the most underrated players of all time. He is definitely in my top 10. Let's remember, he played against the best centers in NBA history and he played against them in their prime. He dominated Shaq and Robinson in the finals. Even Shaq during the finals says, "He's Superman and I'm Superboy." The "Dream Shake" is a god level move. Truly amazing player
Let's not forget who he played against/what he did in the mid 80's to early nineties before/after multiple drug suspensions; injuries and crazy trades ruined an Hakeem dynasty after he/they killed the Defending Champion Lakers in the 1986 WCF, and Losing to another All Time great Celtics team by 6 games in the finals. And he made that NBA final by dominating way before Jordan did in 1986. Shame!!
icesco415 M'kay.......don't forget to take your pills. A center that has moves of a power forward is playing a power forward position. Genius. Glad he couldn't handle the ball like a point guard, people would swear he was point guard.
I started watching the NBA back in 1995 finals because of Hakeem. I was tuning my TV and stop at a NBA and I just saw that guy doing his work and it was delightful for me. That was a Sunday afternoon and since then, I never miss the NBA and my team is the Houston Rockets 🚀😃
Hakeem is the greatest center of all time period. MJ knows it. Shaq knows it, Elvin Hayes knows it, every single center in the 90's era up till now strives to play at Hakeem's level. He played in the most dominant era of basketball where centers were the toughest the NBA has ever seen. No one compares to Hakeem his legacy will reign forever.
@@well.thy.one. of course you do, as a matter of fact I'm done with this Olajuwon guy, I'll see you in the comment section below your career top 10. See you there.
He became much more dangerous as the pressure increased. Shaq described smacking him hard with an elbow to try to intimidate him and Olajuwon just laughed in his face. Nothing seemed to phase him.
Everyone remembers those signature pump fakes on the #1 play, but boy, THAT crossover though? That's some serious guard skills for an NBA center. Hakeem's just too good.
It was crazy to watch this guy back when I was a teenager. He'd be handling the ball and dribble past perimeter players, then the next play he's hitting a textbook turnaround or hook near the paint. And the league at that time was in an era of elite centers and tough physical defense. I think that's what sets Olajuwon apart as the best center ever, playing about as well as any center ever has in the mid-90s despite being defended by some of the all time defensive greats when the NBA was bursting at the seams with elite centers. Who else has excelled above such elite competition and played that well in the golden age of tough, physical defense? Back then it was often the case that the best player on a team was the center, meaning he was frequently playing at this level while being matched against the best player on the opposing team. He was simultaneously unstoppable offensively against some of the best defenders in history while perpetually being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. And when it was time for the Playoffs, he just elevated his game even further.
I met Hakeem several times, he's a highly regarded old-timer in my book. He's humble, kind, and not big headed like all these players these days. He's a gentlemen before being great basketball player.
I remember meeting Akeem in 85 before the Rockets Lakers playoff game, I said Asalam Alaikum to him. He signed something for me. He was driving a brand new Benz
Joel Embid 😭😭 Oh helllllll nahhhhhhh 💀😂😂 U trippin 😂😂 He’s not even the best center in the league rn. He’s nowhere near AD if you want to include AD as a center which he basically is one😂😂
Actually Giannis is the only one player at the same height who move with a better agility than Hakeem, and yes Giannis already played C some games, and even now Bud put him as C when he want to play small ball
I'm 54 so I grew up worshiping Connie Hawkins and Dr.J. Then it bacame MJ I marveled at. I remember the first time I saw Olajuwan in college, I thought the guy was incredibly raw, yet very powerful and talented. From 92' to 96' ( his prime years, in my opinion). there was no scarier center NBA. He was just as impactful on the defensive end of the court as he was on the offensive end. I often waiver when picking my all time NBA Team by positions. I never waiver when I comes to center. For me, Dream is #1.
That’s my Center the greatest Center ever gave me so many good memories. I Will be a fan forever and a day The Dream!!! Hakeem Olajuwon 🤜🏽💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ive just been learning about this guy and he's become one of my favorite players of all time. If it weren't for Jordan this man would've won an insane amount of rings
He only went to the finals three times. No Jordan in any of them. So it's not because of Jordan one bit. It's probably Ralph Sampson's injury that he wasn't able to get over the hump ti 93.
Best Center of all time He was absolutely elite on both ends over the floor. 2 times nba champ and finals mvp, 2 times defensive player of the year Dude was unstoppable
the primary reason Hakeem is the best center to ever play is because of his level of performance against some of the best big men to ever play the game. Hakeem often outplayed hall of fame centers such as Robinson, Ewing, Mourning, and even O'neal. Hakeem was without doubt the most versatile big man having 2 of the 4 quadruple doubles ever recorded and finishing top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Kareem is great in the stats sheet but it's because he played with many greats such as magic and roberson. Hakeem took a team with no other all stars other than himself to the finals and won. That man is insane
you would not believe this guy is a 7 ft. tall when it wasn´t documented in his bio. some of his moves could cause broken ankles on the quickest point guards. incredible player.
@@saleemkirmani5583 I remember some famous scout saying Hakeem could've been 6ft and still have NBA level talent. The fact that he's 10+ inches taller is ridiculous. Oh yea, and official height for NBA players is just ridiculous, I mean Trae Young is 6'1" lol. I don't know why a League worth billions can't document actual height accurately, they did back in the 60's. Wilt would be listed at like 7'3" today.
they put his tip in against the magic but they don't put his block against John Starks in the 1994 NBA finals in Game 6 where John Starks was 5/8 from three. he was going for the game winner and the championship and hakeem blocked it to force a game 7. that was probably the most important play he's ever made.
@@localneo-graphic4647 yeah and he had to recover from losing his footing. That was one quick on his feet big man! Starks would have made that too. He was on another level. And his game 7 appearance never happened... just a crazy turn of events and a hard fought battle between these teams.
hands down the best center of all time, the fact he stood the fuck out during the most competitive big men's era, and the only player to win a final without any other star players on the team, man was a superman in playoffs
He didn't just play with them, he played with them at their PEAK. Well, not Robinson's peak, he was kind of old and washed up by then, but he did watch Hakeem absolutely humiliate peak Robinson.
It's disgusting how underrated Hakeem is. I have him as the best Center ever. He would always dominate on both ends of the floor. This man would absolutely own every big in modern NBA
I actually agree with D. Robinson. It's not like Robinson was slacking off defensively. Robinson is one of the best post defenders of all time. Olajuwon was just that good in the mid-90s. I don't think any center has ever played at that level against that caliber of defense (I mean against that many elite defenders and star centers, not just D. Robinson). Other centers have a lot more rings, but I've never seen a center play better than Dream did during his championship runs. Who wins league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA championship, and Finals MVP in the same year against that level of competition? Olajuwon did that in 1994. I watched him do it.
Nothing he could do, go to BR and look up player stats for pretty much every HoFer or future HoFer and look at their efficiency,, then look at Hakeem's. He's the only one to IMPROVE his efficiency in the playoffs, rather than decrease. This isn''t a knock against the other greats, it's completely normal because it's playoff teams with starters playing 40+ minutes trying harder on D. Only other player to do that is Reggie Miller, who was an decent player during season who became a monster during the playoffs. Hakeem was an all-time great who elevated to GOAT status during the playoffs, seriously, his impact numbers are as good as Jordan's. Jordan himself MAINTAINED his godlike efficiency during the playoffs, which is the same as improving since he's playing against better teams in a strong East.
He did. Robinson's problem that series was not his defense on Olajuwon but his offense. He just couldnt give it on the other end. The last two games of the series I dont think he even scored 20 points. Some say that is because of the Spurs system and I dont know about that.
Hakeem is my favorite center but that spot goes to bill Russell. He’s the all time leader in defensive win shares and it’s not even close. Hakeem might have been the greatest shot blocker though
Was there any big man *ever* who could do play #2??? Can't think of any center or power forward in NBA history with such awesome footwork and body control. Hakeem was (and is) the man!!!
Kareem has scored the most points in nba history, the dunk was outlawed because of him, mastered the sky hook (the most unstoppable move in nba history ), won 6 mvps, 19 time all Star (both records), two finals mvps and 6 championships. I love hakeem but comon man. I personally think: 1. Wilt 2. Kareem 3. Hakeem
All good points, it's why of all the centers in the history of the league, I have Kareem at number #2. But I'll still take Olajuwon over Kareem. You have Hakeem at number #3, so it must not be unreasonable for someone to have him at 2 or, like me, at #1. Hakeem's post game was beautiful, he could take his offense to mid-range, & most blocks in NBA history. In a great generation of big men: Ewing, Shaq, David Robinson, Mutombo, Mourning, Hakeem was the best.
True. Hakeem was a phenomenal player. I used to have him at number 1 but I studied Wilt and was really impressed. But you're right, hakeem did face the toughest competition
You don't see moves like this in today's game, especially from Centers! Every ball player, should watch and observe and learn from, The DREAM!!!! Absolutely 💯 Fantastic 👏
Kris Keller Hakeem was born and raised in lagos nigeria. we grew up in the same neighborhood in surulere lagos... played soccer together as teenagers. he's footwork as a soccer player is what we did growing up.. watch Brazilians play soccer and you'd understand. mut say I love the way he implemented the move to suit his basketball prowess. FANTASTIC!
Caprinski 10 wilt was likely athletically superior and just a bigger stronger guy, but dream was far more skilled overall in the game. Passing, shooting, handling, footwork, fakes, spins etc...probably not even close. Same way hakeem handled shaq or robinson he would handle wilt.
There has never been a 7’ player that could make the moves Olajuwon did. So agile. The Dream Shake was unstoppable. Even Shaq said there was no way he could keep Olajuwon from scoring. He wore David Robinson and Patrick Ewing out. None of them could come close to moving like him. Jabbar and Chamberlin could score with basic sky high shots but weren’t near as much fun to watch. He had such quick hands it how he blocked so many shots. His speed developed from so many years playing soccer in his homeland Nigeria.
At 2:27, Sam Cassel appears celebrating at the bench. At 2:30, Cassel appears in the replay asking for the ball. Bizarre editing mistake, even though I knew that Cassel was very fast and versatile. Other than that, I even cry when I see Olajuwon's videos. I just love this guy
I think when you watch these plays they are pretty good. When you realize who is guarding him in most of these clips it is unbelievable. Ewing and Robinson were 2 of the best big men to ever play the game and he is spinning around them like he's a point guard.
J.Olajuwon fue uno de los pívots más dominantes en la historia de la NBA. Ese hombre parecía como si volara y de la nada aparece por de tras y se vuelca en tu encima 💪
I attended several Rocket games and man what great foot work and control he was a gifted big man also watched him in practice hit his dream shake baseline jumper 10 times in a row.
Any time you jump and push down on a defender it's an offensive foul. No matter the time of play. I was raised on 90's basketball with clyde and the blazers. I'm not new to that style of play.
On #1 the teammate reaction was cut and pasted from a different play. Notice how Sam Cassell is on the court and on the bench at the same time. The NBA has a habit of cutting teammate, fan, and commentator reactions from plays and then pasting them onto other plays in their highlight videos.
You know how you know Hakeem was a fukn legend? Almost all those crazy insane highlights came on Hall-of-Famers Ewing and Robinson - he was pwning their asses all day. He even embarrassed Shaq in that Finals against the Magic... says it all. He may not have put up the offense like Kareem but he is a legend and deserves all the praise that legends are afforded... Dwight Howard is not in the same ball-park; hell, he's not even playing the same sport he's so far behind.
1) Robinson is one of the greatest centers of all time and Olajuwon could eat his sack lunch any day 2) Olajuwon and Duncan understood how to use the off hand to gain an advantage elevating for tips and put backs 3) Any post player that wants to be fundamental in the post should make this man's repertoire their study
They should have a OG tournament about 8 teams battling for a ring or something creative. All the legends from back in the day that are still mobile, Ex: Steve Kerr, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Shaq, and more
Camari Simpson I think he was just listing capable legends, which when you see that Kerr is the best career three-point shooter in NBA history you can list him as a legend, sort of.
