Hakeem Olajuwon | No. 8 | Nick Wright's Top 50 NBA Players of the Last 50 Years

Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon - No. 8 on Nick Wright's NBA Top 50 List - established himself as one of the most dominant and accomplished players of his era. His long list of accolades include an MVP award, two Finals MVP trophies and two Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was equally as dominant on defense as he was on the offensive end. Along with his 26,946 career points, he was named to the All-Defensive team nine times and is a three-time blocks leader (1990, ‘91 and ‘93).
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Hosted by sports personality and star of FS1’s “First Things First," What's Wright? With Nick Wright will see Nick dish his hot takes on the biggest topics in the world of sports, while sharing the behind-the-scenes of his family life. He'll play games, make lists, and most importantly, he'll tell you what’s Wright.
Hakeem Olajuwon | No. 8 | Nick Wright's Top 50 NBA Players of the Last 50 Years
• Hakeem Olajuwon | No. ...
What's Wright? with Nick Wright
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[@WhatsWrightShow]

Do you agree with Olajuwon's ranking?

[@nizamk5214]

Absolutely agree , he's my all time favourite center and player

[@mytowntrill5441]

Yes. And if we considered team mates, eras...then Olajuwon has a case as being 4th or 5th alltime.

[@Mrykcykc]

Should have been top 2 center with Shaq or dream as 1

[@adewaleadereti582]

Yes I do

[@HiNRGboy]

@@Mrykcykc nope

[@cakeboy227]

I'm just glad somebody besides me has him in the top 10

[@hippystyle6551]

Me too, he's underrated bc he won when Jordan retired

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

@@hippystyle6551 Jordan was NOT retired for his second RING. Jordan was beat by SHAQ and PENNY who Hakeem SWEPT

[@hippystyle6551]

@@IknowMoreThanYou To be very clear. I know Jordan played the second half of that season. I know he lost to shaq and that's my favorite argument against people who say he would have won 8 straight. I believe Hakeem would have beat anybody who came out of the east those two seasons. "I know more than you" lol, that makes you better than me obviously.

[@hippystyle6551]

@@IknowMoreThanYou I didn't say he won because Jordan retired, my point was he won after Jordan retired.

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

@@hippystyle6551 it's the BEST NAME EVER, INNIT? 😂😂😂😭😭😭

[@zj4008]

Talent wise he’s top 5 all time

[@crosbyhoffman1304]

#2 all time for me behind Jordan. Undeniably the best big man in the greatest era for bigs in NBA history. Literally no weakness to his game, while being arguably the best defensive player in history as well as the best post player in history. Hakeem's Rockets also had Jordan's number throughout the early 90s.

[@beenizz5102]

All time great Fosho. Best era of bigs of course not. In the 90s the bigs fell off in overall greatness so much from what they were in the 60s n 70s that power forward rodman was the best rebounder of the entire decade and best big man defender of the entire decade even with the luxury of wrist carrying and backdown punishment being legal and other luxuries. A great time and entertaining with several great centers for sure. But far and away from the greatest era for bigs in NBA history gotta destroy these false narratives built around media era and recency bias of the majority of masses helping media continue to paint such

[@ToneDennis]

Best offensive and defensive player ever. Give Hakeem the Lakers or Spurs organization with Duncans coach and supporting cast his entire career and Hakeem couldve won 7-8 chips

[@watchembleed8122]

Kyroe just opted in with the nets.. Per shams.. Lets go

[@guledahmed9415]

He's better then Duncan I'm long time NBA fan play in high-school basketball 🏀 Dream is better no Question

[@leeonpiano]

I can’t wait until to ridiculously put LeBron #1 and Jordan #2 😂😂😂

[@leeonpiano]

@Tyler Holt That’s hilarious 😂

[@leeonpiano]

@Tyler Holt did you say playoffs? As in Jordan being 6-0 with 6 Finals MVP’s without ever going to a game 7 with TWO 3PEATS? Oh….hilarious 😂😂

[@msl5253]

@@leeonpiano Right. Cause, those were the only playoffs Jordan ever went to. SMH

[@Raphmatic5000]

No NBA Great did more with less around him. Not Jordan, not Bill, not Wilt, not LeBron, not Magic, not Bird.

[@superdopehiphop]

Shocker Wright has Hakeem way too low! He will Larry Bird too!

[@ducekong7878]

Defense ? That's kobe

[@hassaraa]

The most respected NBA player of all time. I would put him no. 5.

[@Tonio5100]

The most skilled center of all time & its probably not even close

[@screwheadtx3658]

Its not. He literally had it ALL

[@kdepcpc7618]

Olajuwon is not number 8; name anyone better? No one is better overall than Hakeem Olajuwon.. He is #1 by far overall. Best blocks, defense, steals and points. Has more quaduple double and one was taken away by the scorer in error.

[@romallama44]

Hakeem isn’t 1st in points?

[@ianbahamonde6679]

You’re pushing it now he’s not better then lebrón or Jordan but def amazing

[@carlosportis3843]

Yes! He the best player ever.

[@carlosportis3843]

Yes! He is. Is the greatest player ever.

[@fun-vids6669]

Best center ever? He has a major case to be considered the greatest player ever and should be in every conversation

[@texasturner2313]

Hakeem was the best center ever and probably the most complete player to ever play. Hakeem was a superstar on both ends of the court. In addition, he played the majority of his career as the lone All-Star on his team. He should be top 5 easily.

[@armandopereznegron5757]

It's good to hear that he is recognized because he was the best defender of all time. Not just defensively but offensively he was a beast also. Nobody can do both like Hakeem did

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Best two way player the league has ever had. Hands up 🙌

[@michaelsevilla3697]

wemby has a chance to surpass hakeem he's going to be a lethal 2 way player

[@elnardowebster2842]

Olajuwon beat EXACTLY the same teams that Jordan beat (New York, Orlando, Utah, Portland, Phoenix) but somehow it doesn't count LOL By the way, he did it without Pippen or Rodman.

[@linh811]

swept the SAME Orlando team that knocked Jordan out...

[@boomhaueroo8703]

One of the most underrated. A king among men in many many ways.

[@armandopereznegron5757]

He's the best offensive and defensive center ever. Nobody had his offensive skillset. and defensively he was just as good. All around player

[@brandonelkin3166]

I don't agree with Nick on a lot but Hakeem was my all time favorite player to me the best big man ever

[@summeronio9751]

Strong, skilled, graceful. Hakeem Olajuwon is my favorite basketball player of all time

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

Imagine if the Rockets would have accepted the 1983 trade proposal from Portland of Clyde Drexler and the number 2 pick in the 1984 draft for Ralph Sampson. The Rockets would have had Hakeem, Drexler and Jordan on the same team in 1984. Talk about exciting.

[@realchrisgunter]

Hakeem is my all time favorite player, really enjoyed this!

[@Kenro200x]

When Hakeem won his title, he was the only All-Star on his team! Man, think about that. This is another "if he were an American" scenario. He's in my top ten.

[@hardwoodthought1213]

It’s not like he’s the only player who has done that though

[@MyLifeRemixed]

​@@hardwoodthought1213 Not for 1 title, no He IS the only player to win back to back chips without another teammate being voted to the all star game though...

[@hardwoodthought1213]

@@MyLifeRemixed Drexler made All-NBA that season, the narrative has been scewed. Drexler was one of the best 2nd options ever in 95 and was dominant in the playoffs

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

@@hardwoodthought1213 NONSENSE. Based on the weakness of his teams vs who he played, his two titles are DOCUMENTED as statistically HARDEST in nba history. This is FACTUAL. You're probably one of those weirdo casuals who think having late stage drex for 1 title is the same as having YOUNG TO PRIME: KOBE MAGIC & WORTHY PENNY DWADE PARKER GINOBILI KAWHI KEVIN DURANT AND KLAY THOMPSON D WADE AND CHRIS BOSH KEVIN MCHALE ROBERT PARISH DENNIS JOHNSON NO GREAT HAS DONE MORE WITH LESS AND IF DREAM HAD ANY OF THOSE CREWS AT A YOUNG AGE FOR HIS CAREER HE WINS 5+ SHAQ HAD THE JORDAN OF HIS ERA FOR 3 RINGS. IMAGINE DREAM AND JORDAN FROM THE 80S ON? THEY WIN LIKE 10 TITLES. ✌🏼

[@hardwoodthought1213]

@@IknowMoreThanYou I’m simply disputing this bogus narrative that Hakeem carried in 95. Drexler didn’t make All-Star because he was injured and slow to start before being traded to Houston. Even with that slow start he was so good he still made All-NBA which is a far superior achievement to All-Star. Drexler also led Houston in Win Shares in the 85 playoffs. But Hakeem outside that 2 year anomaly couldn’t transcend his own greatness. Man spent half a decade at home after round 1 losing to mediocre teams like Dallas and Seattle

[@jacobjones5269]

Yeah, I’ve had him as high as 6-7, depending on how I’m feeling about Bird.. For all the reasons said here.. He was unreal, people fail to understand what he could do..

[@arianparker2482]

Wilt and Bill if blk and stls are counted in there era would be more then the great Hareem.

[@davidmorgan6246]

You have to remember he carried the rockets for most of his career. People think I’m nuts, but I think he’s the greatest all around player ever. Yes better than you know who. Much better defender, shot blocker AND teammate.

[@Tonio5100]

I think Hakeem gets overshadowed by the 90s Bulls like how the Bad Boy Pistons gets overshadowed by Magic & Bird they DOMINATED so many of the headlines that the Pistons and Hakeem just simply got overlooked...... ALSO the league wasn't really trying to "push" Hakeem for some none NBA reasons

[@hardwoodthought1213]

Those reasons being?

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

@@hardwoodthought1213 international player. The league needed the NBA to be distinctively AMERICAN. In order to have a successful product that the country could get behind. That's why bird and magic (heartland players on the coasts) were so important. They didn't start pushing for international players in the league to be promoted BY THE LEAGUE. Until the 2000s

[@stevearmstrong9554]

Hakeem is Muslim. He is like Duncan, silent, unmarketable, had a weird African diction. American fans will not be able to relate to him unlike Magic, Bird, Jordan, Barkley, Ewing.

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

@@stevearmstrong9554 Had an African diction. Not a "weird" African diction. But you are correct in calling it weird, in that it is the way Americans view non westerners accents and that's how they viewed him.

[@msl5253]

@Tonics You're right about "Not pushing", cause many people have written and speculated (including many Rocket players) that the league sent out those Drug Testers in 1987 to derail the Rockets (which it did, along with Sampson's injuries) cause they were freaked that Hakeem and the Rockets would derail Magic/Bird Gravy Train they were milking at the time. Rocket fans, always wondered about the shady ref calls/Non calls (with the illegal defense on Hakeem) with Seattle in the playoffs as well.

[@fekkim1]

Started off playing soccer! That's why his footwork was so ahead of it's time. Also, one of the very few players with quadruple double!

[@mytowntrill5441]

The ONLY player with multiple quadruple-doubles(1 digit short of having 6 of them).

[@msl5253]

@@mytowntrill5441 And Supposedly, close to Quintuple doubles several times.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Forget the often mentioned footwork 👣. He was dexterous like Nicky Wright said, both handed like a Goalie 🥅 in futbol... He could swat and steal pick and prod with both hands like hamhocking tomahawk choppers

[@jacobjones5269]

Handball too.. The way he tracked the ball with his hands was phenomenal..

[@Juicy_J713]

Controversial Opinion - given the choice I would build a team around Hakeem over Kareem.

[@xman1519]

Love that shaq and hakeem are ranked close together… id pick either of these guys over Kobe or Tim

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

🎯

[@michaelsevilla3697]

that's crazy period robert horry played with all those goats and he said kobe is the best player he ever played with and shaq and hakeem didn't have duncan's longevity that dream shake didn't work anymore once hakeem was 35 😂 ✌️

[@thefalco1981]

On top of Olajuwon’s accolades during the majority of his playoff runs and championships he did this while fasting because of Ramadan…No water during any of the games.

[@msl5253]

And everything centered around him. The defenses would normally double to quadruple team him (sometimes before he even touched the ball, like The Knicks in the finals, and Seattle under George Karl), and Hakeem patrolled the court from literally within from 3 ft past the 3 point line down to the rim. He was just ridiculous good and great!!

[@mytowntrill5441]

Olajuwon should have 8 or 9 All-NBA First Team nods(89 they GAVE it to Kareem for his retirement gift and 95 Olajuwon was still the best player in the entire NBA). Dream has 2 D-MVP but he should have 4. He would have been on the 92' Dream Team but he was 2 years short of being a citizen.

[@prescriptionexercise3899]

Incorrect. Hakeem WAS the 1st team all-NBA center in 89. Kareem's last all NBA selection was 1986.

[@mytowntrill5441]

@@prescriptionexercise3899 And even in 1986 Olajuwon was the best Center in the league.

[@prescriptionexercise3899]

You are incorrect. Kareem was put in the all star game in 1989, NOT the all NBA team. Please do your research. Hakeem WAS the starter in the 1989 all star game in HOUSTON. Kareem was added, after Magic relinquished his spot. These ARE facts, that can be easily looked up. The 1989 all star game is on youtube. Watch it. All of your statements are incorrect except that perhaps Hakeem was a little better than Kareem in 86, arguably.

[@mytowntrill5441]

@@prescriptionexercise3899 Bish shut up. You're incorrect! Olajuwon was twice the player Kareem was in 1986. Now go look that up!

[@prescriptionexercise3899]

@@mytowntrill5441 Umm ok. I will. I will look up your opinion. I'll find it in your you tube posts. Thanks. Once I obtain these significant historical facts, I will be able to have meaningful discussions with other basketball experts.

[@RubenMendez-tv9qz]

He is better than Shaq cause of his defense was way more superior than Shaq

[@SonnyK248]

When you pass on Michael Jordan in a draft and no one cares. You know you’ve picked an all time great player. Still can’t forgive Houston for turning down Portlands offer of the number 2 pick for Ralf Sampson though. Then they could have ended up with both of them 🤯

[@benyah3390]

What can't be forgiven is Houston picking Rodney McCray over Houston local Clyde Drexler, who played both high school and college ball in Houston; in the 1983 draft. It doesn't matter if Ralph Sampson gets hurt or not, Jordan, Pippen, and Grant aren't beating Drexler, Olajuwon, and Sampson/or Otis Thorpe.

[@msl5253]

@@benyah3390 Yup Yup. Drafting Clyde, would have kept the team stable with all those Drug; Sampson Injury, and trade problems due to Sampson's injuries.

[@benyah3390]

@@msl5253 yep, especially if they still end up with Otis Thorpe.

[@msl5253]

@@benyah3390 Yeah. Nice nucleus (Clyde; Thorpe; Drexler) Rodney McCray did a lot of nice things for sure, as the team described. They went to the finals with him playing "Point Forward" (particularly when Reid wasn't bringing the ball up). However, Clyde could have pretty much done all those things as well (bring the ball up the court; pass, and attack the basket). So, the Rockets kinda missed on that pick, whether they wanna admit or not. I guess, we'll never know, since McCray got traded to, along with everyone else except Dream.

[@benyah3390]

@@msl5253 yeah, I guess; but McCray wasn't even half of Drexler. I personally don't think Chicago's 3 headed monster could compete with Houston's Thorpe version, and definitely not Sampson's version. I think with Sampson, Houston's dynasty starts in '87 or '88, but with Thorpe; in '88; but more than likely '89 depending on how the rest of the team fills out.

[@laker_fanatic3985]

People like to ignore How great Hakeem was He's top 10 to me He was a the greatest defender ever that can drop 30 every night with the greatest footwork in NBA history A big in the top 10 in steals is unheard of 🤯 Definitely top 10 LeBron Jordan Kareem Magic Wilt Bird Shaq Duncan Hakeem Russell That's my top 10 (i might take Kobe over Bill Russell)

[@marcusg1021]

You know you're about to get ripped apart by the Kobe people right? It's inevitable

[@marcusg1021]

I dig your top 5. It's 6-10 that get extremely difficult. Tight race in those areas. I had Kobe around 7 on my list maybe 8

[@cakeboy227]

@@marcusg1021 kobe over Duncan.

[@c.kizzee8961]

Take out Duncan and add Kobe

[@benyah3390]

@@tjjohnson6772 why? He isn't top 10. Probably not top 15, maybe not 20.

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

Jordan Bird Kobe LeBron Magic Hakeem Wilt Duncan Kareem Russell Curry DrJ My top three are killers. Bird took his Indiana team to the NCAA finals with a bunch of farm kids and barely lost to Michigan with Magic and four other NBA stars. I put Curry in as an alternate and DrJ because half his stats are ABA and not counted in the NBA. Shaq couldn't shoot a free-throw and never was the best player on his team. Wade, Kobe, LeBron, Celtics Big 3; so he's no top 10 for me.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Tim Duncan is not the 2nd greatest defender post Bill Russell after Hakeem Olajuwon.... It is Hakeem Olajuwon #1 David Robinson #2

[@kevinthomes1046]

If this is greatest player then Hakeem should be number 1. If this is greatest career Hakeem is not top 10. Career is Russell then Kareem. Jordan would be 3rd.

[@vintagemonte]

41 points 25 rebounds 🤣

[@RubenMendez-tv9qz]

Hakeem was better defender than all the modern players as well he is better than Koby, Lebron, Steph , Durant, and I think his defense side of the game was better than Michael Jordan

[@denisnittis]

No one Rockets fan questions not picking Michael Jordan in the draft. INCREDIBLE!! For that reason alone, it is already possible to see the size of Hakeem Olajuwon. He is definitely among between in the top list of all time in the NBA.

[@RubenMendez-tv9qz]

Hakeem was able to effect a game on the defense end with block shots and steals

[@summeronio9751]

And a top 5 all time offensive move, probably top 3

[@RubenMendez-tv9qz]

Broussard said that Shaq has more Championships yes but as a player Olajuwon all around better cause you can't say Power forward Horace Grant who won 3 championships is better player than Barclay or Malone cause they didn't win one

[@rayjames2149]

That's not true I'll take Scottie Pippen as the best defensive player ever Scottie Pippen 6 rings yo

[@armandopereznegron5757]

Nick Wright is right Olajuwon was the greatest defender ever. Wilt and these other guys weren't better than Hakeem. They always want to bring these guys in the conversation but in their era there wasn't that much competition like in the Hakeem era.

[@MrEOM41]

Well deserved.. he’s definitely one of the most athletic big men of all time.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

Love Olajuwon, and glad he made the top 10, but who give's a @#$! what Nick Wright thinks?

[@dariusthegr8one81]

Weird nick ain’t bring up his quadruple double. The rarity of that should be spoken about. Wish I had witnessed it

[@fun-vids6669]

Definitely top 5 100 percent number 8 is just disrespectful

[@betzaidamartinez4793]

Hakeem Olajuwon 1984-85 1.2 spg 2.7 bpg es igual a 3.9 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 20.6 ppg and 11.9 rpg 1985-86 2.0 spg 3.4 bpg es igual a 5.4 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 23.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg 1986-87 1.9 spg 3.4 bpg es igual a 5.3 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 23.4 ppg and 11.4 rpg 1987-88 2.1 spg 2.7 bpg es igual a 4.8 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 22.8 ppg and 12.1 rpg 1988-89 2.6 spg 3.4 bpg es igual a 6.0 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 24.8 ppg and 13.5 rpg (84-85 thru 88-89) 36.2 mpg, .518 shooting %, .672 ft %, 4.5 orpg, 7.6 drpg, 12.1 trpg, 1.9 spg, 3.1 bpg, 5.0 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 23.0 ppg 1989-90 2.1 spg 4.6 bpg es igual a 6.7 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 24.3 ppg and 14.0 rpg 1990-91 2.2 spg 3.9 bpg es igual a 6.1 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 21.2 ppg and 13.8 rpg 1991-92 1.8 spg 4.3 bpg es igual a 6.1 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 21.6 ppg and 12.1 rpg 1992-93 1.8 spg 4.2 bpg es igual a 6.0 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 26.1 ppg and 13.0 rpg 1993-94 1.6 spg 3.7 bpg es igual a 5.3 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 27.3 ppg and 11.9 rpg (89-90 thru 93-94) 38.8 mpg, .515 shooting %, .746 ft %, 3.4 orpg, 9.5 drpg, 12.9 trpg, 1.9 spg, 4.2 bpg, 6.1 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 24.4 ppg 1994-95 1.8 spg 3.4 bpg es igual a 5.2 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 27.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg 1995-96 1.6 spg 2.9 bpg es igual a 4.5 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 26.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg (94-95 thru 95-96) 39.2 mpg, .515 shooting %, .740 ft %, 2.4 orpg, 8.4 drpg, 10.8 trpg, 1.7 spg, 3.1 bpg, 4.8 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 27.4 ppg Hakeem Olajuwon Playoffs (84-85 thru 95-96) 41.1 mpg, .530 shooting %, .716 ft %, 3.5 orpg, 8.2 drpg, 11.7 trpg, 1.7 spg, 3.5 bpg, 5.2 defensive stops 🛑 per game with 27.8 ppg

[@dwainwilson1845]

Hakeem is the goat the people in front of him tell me what they do better than dream bill Russell please

[@ShadowWizard224]

Hakeem is better than Duncan and Kobe. #1 in blocks, #9 in steals, #14 in rebounds, #12 in points, two time defensive player of the year, two time rebounding leader, three time blocks leader, good free throw shooter for his position, numbers and efficiency and percentages got better and better every year and even better in the postseason. Greatest defensive player of all time while at the same time had one of the best offensive skillsets. He was the only person that Jordan feared and was thankful that he never got to see him in the finals. His best statistical season also clears Duncan and Kobes best statistical season. Hakeem could do everything and even more.

[@connormacleod1490]

Better than Duncan yet less rings? Uhh okay.

[@eP-le2mk]

He’s better than Duncan

[@cakeboy227]

Facts!!!!!!

[@TheSwish_]

Duncan better resume

[@cakeboy227]

@@TheSwish_ true. I would take KG over Duncan too 🥴

[@xman1519]

Imagine if Hakeem played with a better squad in his prime. Look what he did with the short time he had Ralph

[@Noin007]

@@TheSwish_ Duncan had a better career due to ending up in a great circumstance that he absolutely made the best of. But, IMO, Hakeem is the better player. So it becomes a question of how do you define "great".

[@Nando-qt9ty]

Hey Nick BIG FAN! Content idea : What if the FTF crew does a Fantasy Draft of your 50 of the last 50 list. I think seeing Wildes on the clock would be comedic GOLD! (P.s. throwing up the W to let producers know it’s Wilde’s turn was hilarious I thought you were throwing up Wu-Tang 🤣)

[@godfreyojeator999]

Bravo!!!!! My brother from another mother. I'm Nigerian, and you couldn't have praised Hakeem any better. Thank you and that sire for such an awesome job. Love you brother.

[@coffeecrazy1]

He's unquestionably (except MAYBE for Russell) the greatest defensive center of all time, and he paired that game with a one-of-a-kind sublime offensive attack that is still mentioned as one of the greatest movesets ever.

[@ericgarcia6264]

One of the only times Nick Wright is right lol

[@unclekoochie9384]

Houston got cheated against the Celtics in 86

[@ryandavis8658]

In no particular order these are 10 greatest players in NBA history. Jordan Olajuwan Bird Duncan Magic Kobe Lebron Curry Kareem Shaq

[@Jp2timezz]

Greatest 2way player ever not even close💯

[@michaelastorga3187]

I'n my opinion The Greatest Center of all time

[@stevelo2057]

If Olajuwon plays today, he will have 8 DPOY. Olajuwon had to compete with Rodman, D.Robinson, Mutombo, Morning ect for DPOY in 90s. The 90s defense was so great, that even great defenders like Pippen didn’t won DPOY once.

[@jacobjones5269]

I’ve seen 2 players dominate every inch of that 94’ long floor.. Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon..

[@euntaepark6001]

People never understand how good Hakeem is. Hakeem might not be "the greatest center/player" because of his resume(especially rings), but he is "the best center ever". The consensus of top 5 center are: Bill Wilt Kareem Hakeem Shaq. Hakeem is the only Center with no weaknesses. Bill had almost no offense compare to the other four and he was 6'9" Wilt and Shaq both were no good at the free throw line, plus was not able to guard when they get switch to the guard. Kareem was not able to guard perimeter players either. And he was the least quickest player out of those 5. Hakeem could score(to the degree you have to double team), score all 5 position(on-ball), and greatest team defender(off the ball) too consider his blocks steals and crazy numbers of deflections. You just have no way to expose Hakeem at any way.

[@anthonygilmore5969]

Nick, cut it out! We can't negate russell and wilt contributions. They didn't count blocks back then......lets ve fare.

[@rocksolid5260]

Nice information but just imagine how much greater his lists and overall content would be if he had a lick of respect for the 60s legends especially goats that have proved themselves against even the number 2 on his list Kareem and have made prime Kareem struggle more than any player from the 80s n 90s ever did. Imagine how much better it would be if he had more respect for the 70s than he already does? Maybe one day. It’s hard to ask for tho when you look at how sick n twisted media is in basketball culture in modern times. Very hard to unplug from so many layers of brainwashing when enthralled in irrational perspectives about things like 60s basketball and some of the 70s

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

That's exactly where I have Hakeem and Shaq 8th and 9th, there interchangeable really at those two spots.

[@c.kizzee8961]

Shaq will tell you that Hakeem is better. Imagine Hakeem with Kobe or Penny or Dewade or Lebron... He would far more rings. Now imagine Shaq with Horry, KSmith, Ellie and Old Drexler. It's not even close

[@delanolamin7577]

Agree

[@Noskcaj90]

My 2nd favorite center of all time. Don’t judge me I’m just young. I got Shaq no.1

[@antrinh5525]

Dream is higher on the list than shag for this main reason, he did more with less. shag had always had a stack team . he had penny, horce grant,nick anderson, dscott. anderson and scott were very good 3rd and 4th option and horce grant was a solid pf who could play great d and also consistenly knock down mid range jumper when team double shag or penny, horce grant could play as good as any pf in the block. Dream had kenny the jet, a rookie sam cassel and rokie rober horry and otis thrope who was a tough defender and rebounder but not much of an offensive option. after the 94 season he even lost otis thrope , his side kick pf, meaning he had no rest cause there wasn't any one the rockets had as good as thrope as a second big man to help Dream out.and shag after orlando, he had kobe and the lakers stacked the team with fox and big shot rob horry as shooters. shag went to miami he had dwayde, alonzo mourning was doing all the dirty work playing d, getting rebound and blocking shot so shag could just do his offense .

[@hassaraa]

He played well against the 1986 Celtics unfortunately Ralf was absent and the rest of the Rockets were not consistent.

[@ManE-e6u]

Shaq played against Rick Smith in finals and Mutumbo 2 times come people Mutumbo is so overrated its unbelievable

[@Bmerciful]

You know why they don't talk trash about the rockets picking him ahead of Jordan? That's why!

[@donphares9006]

Shaq beat Jordan and Hakeem swept Shaq what I want to know is how did Jordan and his dynasty have a losing record against a low budget rockets team his entire career I smell a goat

[@ricardorico4942]

Good take Nickelodeon!!! #clutchcity 🤘🏾

[@J-S.P]

Only player in NBA History to retire in the top 10 in for categories, and the only player in the top 15 in those categories.

[@calioumarx4289]

HAKEEM OLAJUWON KING OF BLOCK NO PLAYERS IN NBA HISTORY AVERAGE 2 STEAL 4 BLOCK IN NBA PLAYOFF HISTORY

[@PLAN2B3]

And the rockets had a winning record against the bulls in regular season

[@seanwood82]

Jordan ,hakeem, bird,kobe,magic, kareem,shaq,wilt,curry,durant

[@Noin007]

People are foolish to sleep on Hakeem because he was in Houston and the front office did a mediocre job of getting talent around him between his early success with Sampson and his later title runs. Hakeem was absolutely dominant on both ends of the floor.

[@HiNRGboy]

@Jajajaja Jajajaja people in 1994: all curry does is attempt 3s he just a role player 😉😂

[@curtisthomas3598]

That's offensive. Name the 7 players ahead of him you'd rather have than Hakeem.

[@tyronewilliams6778]

Too bad nick didn’t mention Jordan was back when he swept shaq who beat Jordan to make it to finals

[@calioumarx4289]

49 POINTS 25 REBOUNDS 5 BLOCK 41 POINTS 17 REBOUNDS 4 BLOCK IS INSANE

[@Epion0485]

Nick is right Brou is wrong end of the story.

[@temurikakachiya5094]

Hakeem is my starting Center by far Love him, one of my favorite players ever But I love defense, that's why

[@dotunolawale5125]

Please keep Preaching the gospel. I agree with your list bro

[@jesseg9892]

If you think Shaq was good, you dont understand the sport

[@armandopereznegron5757]

Shak can tell you himself that Hakeem was better than him and he was

[@jameshorton3692]

Anyone who knows hoops knows he’s goat center

[@SmilingDolphins-ye4zm]

Scottie Pippin top 5 all time player and he's not a better defender than Pippin

[@Realyst]

Pippin was never DPOY. Hakeem did it twice. Pippin only had 145 more steals than him while Hakeem had almost 3000 more blocks. Hakeem is definitely a better defender than Pippin.

[@phillipschuman4307]

I forgot Hakeem got his team to the Finals in his second year. So did Kareem and Bird (although they both won). LeBron got three teams to the title in his second year with them (the Heat, Cleveland in his return, and the Lakers), but as a veteran player.

[@nonamewillbegiven9989]

@@phillipschuman4307 try harder Bron stan

[@nonamewillbegiven9989]

@@phillipschuman4307 and the Lakers aint won no title with Bron haha

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

My all time 5- Magic, Bird, Jordan, Olajuwon, Duncan. I didn't get to see the players from the 50's to late 70s ....Wilt, Russell, etc etc so I dont include them

[@prescriptionexercise3899]

Dear Mytown Trill, You are incorrect. Kareem was put in the all star game in 1989, NOT the all NBA team. Please do your research. Hakeem WAS the starter in the 1989 all star game in HOUSTON. Kareem was added, after Magic relinquished his spot. These ARE facts, that can be easily looked up. The 1989 all star game is on youtube. Watch it. All of your statements are incorrect except that perhaps Hakeem was a little better than Kareem in 86, arguably.

[@scottola2497]

unarguably a top 10 ever, the 3rd best center ever right behind WIlt and Kareem !! Anybody who ranks Shaq ahead of Hakeem is doing so bcos they fear personally i.e. Chris Webber, Chris Brussard etc etc OR may be they rank Shaq ahead bcos they do not know basketball very well OR many be they were born recently in the 1990s !!

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

How is David Robinson not in top 60 steals? That means he just played less prime seasons than Hakeem since he entered after his Navy tour and reduced his role with Duncan. But that also means the top 60 in steals to no. 1 has to be a tight list of competition. Cuz Robinson has to be no. 61 and like 200 steals away from top 25 or something

[@ryandavis8658]

🐐 Center

[@SeaQuest305]

Also to note Akeem did play with the same team if I am not mistaken

[@krisbrown6066]

Loyalty to a franchise doesn't get you more points on the all time list. As a matter of fact I can name more players it has hurt than helped.

[@hardwoodthought1213]

He also played for the Raptors

[@fatboy5926]

7:03 “got to the finals super early….. was unbelievable”….. Lebron was unbelievable in those finals??

[@antxxa_]

First