How Good Was Hakeem Olajuwon REALLY?

[@jonnyarnett]

We playin’ a game of pick-up Basketball. You want Hakeem or Shaq on your team?

[@fab7an758]

Jonny Arnett -NBA KZbinr Hakeem

[@BasketballHighway19]

Hakeem

[@afroabe7584]

Hakeem over Kobe and Shaq

[@murphydaquan]

Hakeem

[@h.j.victory6103]

Hakeem

[@ymerik6185]

Michael Jordan said he'd take Hakeem over EVERYONE in the NBA as his first pick on his team..Nuff Said

[@VeOThadeuS]

the GOAT has spoken!

[@HustleandFlow888]

THOSE ARE FACTS. IF THEY PLAYED TOGETHER OMG 10 RINGS

[@ymerik6185]

@Dante The Great yea right lol

[@ymerik6185]

@Dante The Great the one that won 6 rings...actually retired to come back and win 3 more... no other player will do that anytime soon in this "No Touch' NBA league :)

[@VitorRedes]

@Marcus Mitchell how many rings rockets have when Jordan was on the league? You can strech your point to anywhere, it doesn't make any sense.

[@nathanwulff4547]

The greatest compliment is that noone says the Rockets messed up picking him above Jordan. Best at his position IMO.

[@jamesgonzalez6992]

The only thing the Rockets messed up on is not trading Ralph Sampson for Jordan when they had the chance.

[@flatfeetlefthanded]

@@jamesgonzalez6992 yep. Along with that trade would have been Drexler. So the Rockets could have had Dream, Jordan, and Drexler for many years.

[@bradystanley5482]

True!

[@curtisthomas3598]

Funny thing about that is Portland could've had Jordan and Drexler, instead went for Sam Bowie

[@ericmatterson9905]

@@jamesgonzalez6992 Bulls never would have made that trade

[@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO.]

Best all around center ever in my opinion

[@OjoRojo40]

Wilt first, he's jsut from another planet, but Olajuwon was just amazing.

[@mattbenson2034]

All these people say wilt but never saw him play. Must be nice to have one other true center in the league to deal with (bill russell). Hakeem dominated THE era of the center and the only person even noteworthy is jabbar.

[@welven2321]

How can he be the best all around when he couldn’t shoot 3’s

[@JudaMetalMaiden]

@@welven2321 that was not a 3 point shooting league back then for centers. And Olajuwon, Ewing, David Robinson were capable of making 3's when they had to. Game 4 of 2005 finals when Houston swept Orlando Olajuwon made a 3 to put icing on the cake and win the finals.

[@JudaMetalMaiden]

@Htown Lifer very true. Olajuwon, Ewing, Karl Malone, David Robinson and other big men were automatic from 15 feet and could shoot the 3 if they had to.

[@jingqi9106]

I'm taking Hakeem over Shaq all day, every day.

[@Mistachill]

Finally, somebody is recognizing the greatness of Hakeem! I agree, I'm taking prime Hakeem over prime Shaq too!

[@Mistachill]

@Harold Melvin Exactly. If Orlando Shaq stayed in shape and developed his game he may have been the greatest player ever. I always thought slim/lean Orlando Shaq was better then bulked up Laker Shaq.

[@luke5767]

You got that right.

[@jingqi9106]

Shaq's funnier tho 🤣

[@Mistachill]

@Careful! i'm a retard Shaq and Hakeem in the paint? Not sure how that would work. I think you'd have to pick one or the other.

[@JnH5492]

Probably should add that in the '95 western conference finals when hakeem averaged 35.3ppg he wasn't just being guarded by david robinson, he was being double teamed by robinson and Dennis Rodman all series. An absolute legend

[@GalacticCoast]

Not only the most graceful big man ever, but both Jordan and Shaq have admitted he was the best they played against.

[@HappyAssassln]

Just saying hakeem probably would have dominated like wilt and bill if he played in their era because it's was less skilled, not taking anything away from the goats of the past, but the average player was worse.

[@muizmin]

@@HappyAssassln u spittin

[@mmii2859]

And his dream shake is one of the most beautiful basketball moves ever.

[@franciscoduran4618]

And arguably the most lethal of them all.

[@Hk-od4br]

not many basketball players have moves named after them

[@christopherbaker2632]

Grace personified

[@michaelzmudzinski5425]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@mancavesportstv]

Even Jordan said he knew he couldn't stop Olajuwon.

[@OddJaxx900]

I'm picking Hakeem over all of the great centers

[@poet279]

Sudhir Kakar Shut up!

[@yvans.]

Sudhir Kakar if Hakeem had the same teammates as Russel, Kareem, Shaq you try to tell me that he would not have as many titles as them ?

[@OjoRojo40]

Cool I'll take Wilt then :)

[@ajkoroma4512]

Kareem he got 6 mvps and 6 champs

[@OddJaxx900]

@@ajkoroma4512 Hakeem would bust Kareem's ass. Trust me. Better moves. Better handle. Better shot. Just as good on defense and way better footwork. Hakeem would've dominated in the 70's

[@becazapatero2477]

*I’m from Houston, and those days watching Hakeem the Dream seem in hindsight almost as that, a dream.* He had beautiful footwork. It’s almost as if it were a choreographed on broadway. No joke.

[@joshuabaggio1982]

I'm from Houston to and loved watching the dream do his master piece! The foot work came from ⚽️

[@jetjiles49]

He was chosen before Jordan and everyone said, "Good pick." 'Nuff said.

[@bizarroeddie1]

@Evilstorm11 and what this has to do with anything?

[@msalih10]

@@bizarroeddie1 nobody dared to criticize the Rockets for picking Dream over MJ. You know how much criticism the saints got for not picking LT in the draft? A ton.

[@nbagoats4819]

They also said the same about Sam Bowie.

[@timmaz24s]

The greatest finals the world will never get to see. The Bulls with Michael Jordan vs The Rockets with Hakeem Olajuwon. Hakeem is just great.

[@niilovaananen3215]

2nd to Kobe vs. LeBron

[@dagameplayer]

Shaq and Kobe vs MJ in 1998 would have been entertaining too. Kobe was young but he was already one of the best rising stars in the league. Only got better and better in 1999 and the years ahead.

[@vza7938]

@@dagameplayer yea real hype..but i believe mj would murder kobe and lakers (including shaq) ub 1998..idk why, maybe media brainwash

[@dagameplayer]

@@vza7938 I doubt he'd murder" them. The 98 Bulls had some pretty tough games against the Lakers that season, and I don't see it being any less challenging if they met in a Finals series.

[@timmaz24s]

Inigo Bantok i totally agrre

[@JamesBond-vx9kn]

That Hakeem All Star fact blew my mind. Don’t know why no one ever mentions that. Great video!

[@msl5253]

They also don't mention, how stupendously good he was on defense most of the time as well.

[@msl5253]

@HexagonBright He had Drexler for one of those championships. And the year they won with Drexler he was NOT AN ALL Star. So, the statistic is correct. If I guy like him couldn't make it on general principle, then he must have not been playing at the highest levels throughout the season. Think about it?

[@msl5253]

@HexagonBright I hear ya. But for whatever reason, he wasn't an all star (oops). LOL

[@princeali1786]

HexagonBright-They got Drexler toward the end of the season - Hakeem still had to keep them (Team) in arms reach . And regardless if he ONLY did it once, that’s still quite the feat.

[@affarokurz1486]

@HexagonBright what are u on man, stop babbling, 1995 Clyde was not an all star team, so Olajuan won two championship without an all star team player, got it? Now apologise for saying it was a lie and shut the fuck up

[@findout9830]

The called him the dream cause it was the only place you could have hoped to guard him. That's how good he was

[@jamesmeuwissen7823]

@Sudhir Kakar well he had nobody

[@MovieGuy666]

@Sudhir Kakar next time watch the actual video before commenting with your stupidity.

[@Isaac-mk3wj]

Sudhir Kakar your comment doesn’t even make any sense. Jordan lost in the first round many times before getting the help he needed. Just because you’re a transcendent talent doesn’t mean your team will win

[@dadillonful]

He barely won any rings tho

[@findout9830]

@@dadillonful i have written a long reply for you. But on the other hand you're not worthy of arguing and persuading.

[@HunterPhenomMakoy]

Draft class had the Dream, Jordan, Barkley and Stockton. Pretty damn stacked.

[@ivanwilson8038]

No question I'm taking hakeem. I argue for him with my friends all the time, dude was a 7 foot guard. A skillset that can't be rivaled at the size

[@prxnicessmira1254]

Facts I’m taking hakeem over any centre even shaq. Shaq couldn’t even guard him

[@akiyahwilliams9521]

@@prxnicessmira1254 bill Russell

[@eriklakeland3857]

@Dante The Great Great point about him starting basketball late

[@beaker8111]

Hakeen was the best center I ever watched play. I'd take Hakeem in his prime over any other center to ever play the game.

[@NinjatomPizzaPie]

Absolutely. Dude was unreal

[@cavaleermountaineer3839]

Go watch some Wilt then fast forward the development of the game as a whole and see how his skills would've developed. Same with Russell. Not taking anything from Hakeem tho. He definitely mastered the position.

[@jamesmpasiakos9258]

Have you seen jabbar and wilt the stilt

[@thesobertruth8271]

facts

[@jamesmpasiakos9258]

Son get some videos of wilt chamberlian and Kareem than hakeem

[@kennethli8]

As a Warriors fan for over 25 years, Hakeem is my favorite NBA player of all time.

[@harryarias2476]

Most skilled center of all time, on both sides

[@roderickmckinney1547]

All centers train with him in the off season and even Lebron for post moves...legend!

[@depressedrocketsfan2880]

The best Center ever

[@Poloskii]

@@depressedrocketsfan2880 I agree that Hakeem is the most skilled center but I have him under wilt because wilt was arguably just as skilled but with super human athleticism, after all we talking about a guy that never dropped below 18 rebounds per game and averaged a career 23 rebounds per game

[@Poloskii]

@Ethan Hill I'm a big wilt fan even though I was born long after he died. Not only do I have him over Hakeem but he can probably beat anybody 1 on 1 mainly because of the fact he's arguably the best defender, with the only person even close to being as good as him on defense was Bill Russell.

[@Poloskii]

@Ethan Hill Hakeem is good but nothing compared to wilt, Hakeem used his skill to win but wilt had everything, skill, body, athleticism, IQ. He had it all

[@Chesstr100]

Hakeem is the most underrated player and He is the GOAT

[@tinezakotnik15]

No he isnt Mj is goat

[@Bluecloudprod]

I feel extremely lucky. I watched this man play in his prime night in and night out. Saw many games live. He was so damn quick. Film doesn't do his speed justice. He was QUICK. Shooting guard quick.

[@Aloulou11]

man its absurd thinking a 7 foot centre is that quick and that skillfull

[@elreiec1]

It also gets understated how he had some insane playoff runs during Ramadan when he would be fasting. Legend.

[@madadisr]

This is so underrated and understated that it baffles me. Athletes have trainers that schedule every detail of their life now days to optimize their performance and this guy goes into playoff games starved for the entire day.

[@bigsoos]

No food, no water, and no excuses. Dude was a beast!

[@AmbassadorScorpio]

This is THE FACT of Hakeem`s talent.

[@hectorandem2944]

Didn't need to eat, because he was _feasting _ on the competition. 😤 #BBQ_Chicken 🍗

[@hectorandem2944]

@Cyber Bully How does changing your religion "evolve" the league? 🤔

[@h.j.victory6103]

Thank you for paying tribute to and making a video about Hakeem. Definitely my favorite center of all time. Very underappreciated and overlooked player

[@RishabhSharma-ln1hs]

Shaq said in an interview that the dream was only the person he couldn't break physically or mentally

[@kostastube2010]

Shaq always forgets to mention Robinson, Ben Wallace and Rodman...

[@FuShengAlex]

@@kostastube2010 yes. David Robinson was outplaying Shaq slightly h2h before his injury plagued 96-97 season. Shaq didn't like have to come out of the paint defensively vs his faceup game

[@tj5180]

@@kostastube2010 and Rodman. If u watch him in the 96 ecf he gave him lots of problems.

[@acjnse8258]

Meanwhile Tim Duncan looked bored when he was guarding him

[@mariusloveless7880]

Hakeem over every single ATG center, easily. Jordan said he would have picked Hakeem out of ANY other player let alone center,to be on his team if he needed to win. Hakeem went head up against and beat great centers of his era in the playoffs, Hakeem beat Kareem, Shaq, Robinson, and Ewing in the playoff's. He was viable on both sides of the floor, he could hit from outside, he could do it all. No center is more valuable top to bottom than Hakeem. Hakeem is the magic Johnson of Centers, Magic is considered the best point guard ever over guys like Stockton because he was more than a prototypical great point guard, he could do ALL the things a PG needed to do like , pass and handle, but could also do so much more at such a high level. Hakeem could do all the things a center needed to, like score in the post, rebound, and defend the rim, but could also pass, steal, and shoot from the outside. No doubt he is a better all around more valuable center than any other center in history.

[@TooDuStrong]

People forget about how me went through Karl Malone and Barkley, both guarded him

[@miketrue6345]

Hakeem was amazing. I grew up in Houston watching him and he was constantly double and triple teamed and still took games over. Great post moves, crazy good defender, and very high basketball IQ.

[@aaroncabbage8572]

Man. You are the most underrated NBA KZbinr out there! Love your vids.

[@jonnyarnett]

Thanks Aaron! Appreciate you being a faithful viewer!

[@kielmaguire5121]

The Dream would embarrass today's big guys

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Today's so-called big men. I might add lol.

[@geezusgeezus4413]

Absolutely.

[@MrAzeker]

The subtle shoulder shake down low is gone. But Steph is fun to watch. swings and round abouts

[@cantyay897]

No crap the center position has had a huge downgrade from the 2000s and all you need to be a top 5 center is to average 20ppg

[@stevenx2083]

Hakeem would dominate any era of big men.

[@deltadan3565]

If I had to pick any center to start a team with, I’d pick The Dream over Kareem, Wilt, Russell and Shaq 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cosmicclover1544]

Same here

[@bradystanley5482]

Id take hakeem over any player in the nba! Period!!! The man was unstoppable! And could do everything!

[@swingmaneats]

Yup

[@vietnowsoldo]

For me second greatest player of all time. He was monster in every damn category.

[@slashbxe2832]

id take wilt instead but hakeem is great

[@worldwidemarketing9980]

He was the quickest, most skilled, most adjiled, high jumping, Harlem shaking, supreme foot work, hard working, 2 time back to back mvp champion with out any other super stars on his team. Phi slama jam dunking, unbelievable nba legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@djflax8806]

I’m from H Town and watched pretty much every game of his entire career. Best center ever

[@elreiec1]

Thank you so much for making this video. Solid content as usual. Hakeem was so good that nobody gives the Rockets any criticism for taking Hakeem (Akeem) over MJ. His 1993-94 season was one for the record books as he won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP (the only player in history to win all in the same season). By the time Olajuwon retired, he finished his career ranking in the top 10 in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. #Dr34m

[@ja8ames]

Yeah, that's the biggest compliment to Olajuwon, that nobody thinks it was a mistake to pick him over Jordan.

[@donaldtillman4351]

Give me THE DREAM over any Center in NBA history!! 1984 Best draft class in NBA history. 3 top 20 players.

[@akiyahwilliams9521]

Bill Russell and 2011 will be best draft ever

[@donaldtillman4351]

@@akiyahwilliams9521 Yeah there was 6 teams when he played!! LOL

[@akiyahwilliams9521]

@@donaldtillman4351 do that makes it harder or easier also wasn’t the same scientific discovery

[@donaldtillman4351]

@@akiyahwilliams9521 Is it easier to dominate in Pittsburgh or New York?

[@luke83rj]

He was the most skilled Center who has ever played this game. That's how good the Dream was!

Lol @ Spalding shoes

[@2008israelramos]

I grew up in Houston watching Hakeem and I remember the first time I heard the local TV guy call him "The great one." I laughed when he said it, but then I was like yeah.....he is!

[@blasterman789]

Most physically gifted and best rounded center that's ever played the game. Hakeem moved like a small forward, but also had incredible paint savy and ball smarts. It was a deadly combination. Watching him vs other 7' lumbering meat sacks was almost comical at times. He could easily step into today's game and dominate.

[@halalmoussa4029]

The greatest center ever

[@poet279]

Sudhir Kakar Yes way!

[@Bleatmop]

While you can certainly make arguments for others I think Hakeem is the best center ever. Play him any other star and they suddenly are in threepeat territory. Imagine Allen Iverson playing guard on his team. Suddenly the inside out game the Rockets had turn into a team that run pretty much any play.

[@tmac731]

Wilt? Kareem?

[@Bleatmop]

@Sudhir Kakar Right? But how many of those people were bona fide stars. Not just Hall of Very Good players? Because you need those as well. But who was the Kobe to Hakeem's Shaq? Where was his Pippen? His Magic? His Bird? He didn't have anyone play with him at that level. My argument is that if he did he would have won a threepeat. Though that would have had to come in 1993 because nobody was going to beat those 1996 Bulls.

[@OjoRojo40]

Nah that's Wilt but my god Hakeem was amazing.

[@vg452]

Lest you forget, JA: * Only player in NBA history to record both 200 steals and 200 blocks in a season (1988-89) * One of those two DPOY awards (1994) was also in a season when he won MVP (only matched by Jordan) * Only center in NBA history to be in the top 10 in career steals (closest active player is LeBron with just under 200 to go) * And he's on MJ's all-time starting lineup. As for modern centers, I would probably take Wilt (transcendent athlete) and Kareem (highly proficient and also finesse) over Hakeem, but Bill Russell is close and a lot would also depend upon their supporting casts. FYI Russell was a track athlete and there is grainy footage on KZbin of him *leaping over* a guy.

[@jonnyarnett]

Love it. Thanks for the additional facts! The Dream was a beast indeed

[@6266jamal]

VG also Hakeem is the only player in history to win mvp dpoy and fmvp in the same year that’s why he’s on my starting 5

[@affarokurz1486]

Add to, the only player in history of the NBA to win the MVP, the finals MVP and the defensive MVP in the same year, the guy on another level for he is my first pick by miles

[@Rodzilla97]

i never leave him out of the top 10 players of all time. he's was a basketball GOD

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Great video made by you. And great description of Olajuwon's game. Ide say that Olajuwon was the most skilled center I ever saw. He could score, rebound,defend, pass and even handle the ball. Very unique.

[@jadonrollins9812]

When NBA greats want to learn footwork and post moves who do they call? Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. No one calls Shaq to learn anything. Enough said!!

[@tobingallawa3322]

Truth, how many big men has he trained?

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

😂...great point!😂

[@abuabdoalwaheed9967]

I disagree with you a lot of people call shack to learn how to shoot the free throws, loool

[@QuinnClips247]

The most skilled big man ever. My favorite center of all time.

[@QuinnClips247]

Sudhir Kakar who’s more skilled?

[@yvans.]

Sudhir Kakar GFOH I like Kareem but he has 1 go to move

[@utthamprakash4976]

@@yvans. But that one move was unstoppable and could be constantly used for 20 years.

[@yvans.]

DaMn sOn yeah but that’s not the point. The dude said that Kareem was more “skilled” than Hakeem so that he can do more things technically in both ends of the floor

[@vincentjefferson1454]

He’s definitely the top center of all time!! Way more versatile than the others!!

[@ulyssessanders9178]

Hakeem was always my favorite center even over Wilt, The Dream would always be my first center on my team

[@benjaminvardaman1406]

Love this. He's my favorite player of all time

[@gregahunt]

i agree. i watched this guy in the early and mid 90's. it was insane how good he was

[@MinLee2]

These videos are awesome!

[@jonnyarnett]

Thanks friend! Wouldn't do it without viewers like you

[@peterpellechia5985]

He was unstoppable.he made ewing look like he was standi g still when he played him

[@geraldslaughter1996]

My favorite all-time athlete. He's a GOAT.

[@oaguilera81]

The man was a beast. I’ve became a fan of his in the mid 90’s because it was amazing how he dominated other great players such as Ewing, O’Neal, Robinson. He was a show on defense and his foot work was amazing for his size. And incredible talent.

[@javigar133]

Greatest Big Man ever, top 5 all time, unquestionale. He was unbelievable, played on skates and blocked everyone you threw at him. Great review!!!

[@user-fr6qn9xl9e]

*THE DREAM OHHHH HOW SWEET IT ISSSS!* -Bill Worrell

[@techmarvel807]

The most skilled Center of all time!

[@msl5253]

I finally watched your video (I had posted before I watched it, lol), and it was excellent BTW. You articulated so many tidbits that I knew from watching Hakeem play since he came into the league. I always felt, he was the best player I ever seen, since he was the absolute best 2way player the league's probably ever seen, as you noted. And don't forget, his insane penchant for steals and ability to face up guards, on both offense and defense, many times stealing the ball from them. Great points on his lack of All Star Teammates during his championship years, and how much better a scorer he is than multiple DPOY awardees. Keep in mind: When he led his team to that 86 finals during his 2nd year. He was without his starting All Star point guard, John Lucas. And that Boston team they faced in the finals had only lost 1 game up until that, and the Rockets took them to 6 games, effectively doubling their loss total from the previous three rounds of to two in the finals (for a total of 3 losses). After that 86 finals appearance; numerous drug suspensions; injuries, then the carousel of trades and coaching changes tore apart that Rockets team the next year onward. Meanwhile, Hakeem was putting up some of the greatest playoff basketball ever seen, only to be forgotten years later by the national media, cause the Rockets couldn't get out the West, sometimes during the first round even. Note: I would put him ahead of Shaq for sure, along with Kareem and Bill Russell (cause he was so much better than either on offense or defense). Remember, Hakeem dominated on defense, in so many/multiple ways before he even scored a point. He never took breaks as well, just to focus on his offense as some/most of the others. He was Basketballs version of Lawrence Taylor-on defense, and Looney Toons cartoon Tasmanian Devil-on offense-rolled into one. I'll give it to Wilt (or Kareem for his overall dominance since high school to the pro's) due to his ridiculous sway over the statbook. LOL

[@timfrancisco7640]

I often get into conversations with young basketball fans who ask who my starting 5 would be all time. My choice for centre usually bounces between Shaq and Hakeem. I am always tempted by Shaq. But no matter how happy I think I am with my decision I always hear the same thing in the back of my mind. "Hakeem led the league in steals and blocks in the same season and can score with more versatility than Shaq." This has always and will always bring me back to Hakeem. I also watched a video from "Open Court" where they talk about Hakeem. Even Shaq seems to have a "man crush" on Hakeem and they talk about more than just his play but also his character. Hakeem is the answer for every aspect of a great big man. Thanks for the video. I appreciate it.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

Johnny, another great video. Hakeem is better than Shaq and Kobe and yet Hakeem is talked about far less. Among centers, I think he is 4th behind Kareem, Wilt and Bill with Shaq in 5th.

[@dezos2900]

That is Hakeem Olajuwon's move (shake turn around jump shot) that Jordan has used for most of his career.

[@sdawg4834]

Honestly, I think the Rockets would've given the Bulls a run for there money in the Finals if MJ played during the '94 and '95 season

[@Akeem034]

MJ did play in the 94-95 season... Shaq and Penny beat his ass.

[@blurzzmelo9547]

@@Akeem034 no he didnt

[@Akeem034]

@@blurzzmelo9547 Were you even alive back then? Why don't you look it up...

[@gregbye331]

Jordan did play in 1995. Shaq's team beat the Bulls handily, to get to the finals.

[@sdawg4834]

@@gregbye331 Yeah I know but I meant had the Bulls got into the Finals with MJ not taking his leave of absence it would've been cool to see how those Finals series played out.

[@dabarnes12]

Great video. Hakeem is the goat. One big thing that may say it best, is who he went through to get there. Hakeem beat dominated every great center of his era.

[@jamiebradbury2331]

Hakeem was the reason I fell in love with NBA back in the day haven't seen as good before, at the the time or since he finished playing, amazing all rounderwith unbelievable feet for a big man!

[@revjim77]

I love Hakeem. When I coached my daughter’s basketball team from elementary school to j.v. high school, I recommended to all my players that they play soccer in the autumnal months because of Olajuwon. His footwork was amazing which had a lot to do with his time on the pitch. It didn’t hurt that soccer players gain an understanding of how to fill a lane correctly. That being said, I have one huge issue with this video. There is no guarantee that Hakeem would’ve won even a single title, let alone multiple titles after the two titles he achieved if he had young Kobe or Wade on his team in the 90’s. You could say the same about the Pistons in 2003 if the drafted Wade or Melo, but they could’ve messed up their chemistry which resulted in them losing in ‘04.

[@morecowbell235]

Sure, chemistry means a lot. That is what made his 2nd title so interesting. They basically broke up that team to bring in Clyde and it was clear things were out of sync a bit. They really didn't start to jell until towards the end of the year and were a 6th seed when the playoffs started. Not exactly a recipe for success

[@moety2]

I’m taking the dream over all centers. You put him on any of the teams the great winning centers had and he makes them better. But I will leave a question mark with Kareem.

[@jimmyjones9962]

Most compete center there ever was

[@Amick44]

Offensively yes.

[@pinheadsquarefriend4189]

Mick A and defensively, his block average was absolutely insane

[@lucasnogueira1137]

@@Amick44 he was the best shot blocker in the league for a while plus the only C at the time who got steals

[@arnoldmojados399]

He is a ballader in motion..it's poetry..top 10 GOATS

[@tejiroonovakpuri9759]

Great video!! Hakeem is my favorite Center All Time. He had so many moves and even Jordan said he will be on his top 5 starting list.

[@TheIkaraCult]

Hakeem's footwork was like watching a 7ft ballet dancer. I mean that in the best possible way

[@michaelpascarello895]

Top fifteen in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals!!! That is how good he was!!!!

[@videogameboutique2196]

It's so strange how The dream's name isn't brought up by the masses and the mainstream media. I think it has a lot to do with hakeem's quiet demeanor and the fact that he is Nigerian-American. It's sad, because he still won't get the respect he deserves from the main media. They always disrespect hakeem by always mentioning Shaq over him! Just because he has more championships, doesn't make him better than hakeem. The author of this video pointed out, why others have more rings than the dream, because samson retired early. Drexler was way past his prime, when he won a ring with Hakeem.

[@elreiec1]

Agreed, Dream was more skilled than Shaq. Shaq was more dominant in terms of using his brute strength - that was about it.

[@7boysam]

SHAQ himself has Hakeem as the best center ever

[@fabolousninenine30]

Shaq had no competition on the C position. Ben Wallace came along and look what happened - they lost. Shaq couldn‘t win in the 90s because they were too good for him.

[@evanodum563]

And then Kobe Bryant gets with Hakeem to learn footwork... It was beautiful . My favorite player as a child teaching my favorite player as a young adult. Hakeem was the real big fundamental.

[@AMG-ko3gt]

But Wilt's old fanboys always believe that Wilt is the GOAT. Bitch please! Hakeem was more skilled and he doesn't shoot free throws like a pussy unlike Wilt. Also, Wilt got outscored by Sam Jones 4 times in the playoffs. He's a statpadder. Oldheads always bring up irrelevant shit such as his bench press personal record and how many women he banged. Hakeem would've schooled Wilt in the post and in the free throw line. Hakeem is a better leader, a better team player, and overall, a better center than Wilt.

[@davidberlin3042]

That was some great analysis! I would say in that 1984 draft that two of the first three picks were top 10 All Time great players!

[@jerrysmith8436]

Hakeem is the best moving center of all time. How many times can I say this? Great video brother. Stay safe.

[@chedda45]

About time you made this video!!,

[@jonnyarnett]

Thanks for waiting patiently, CJ! Just been tired between YT and my full time job. After Christmas Day, I'm back on the grind and putting out frequent videos :)

[@chedda45]

@@jonnyarnett I appreciate you. Keep up the good work!

[@camaradiop3731]

@@chedda45 You are so correct, sir!

[@armandodelossantos736]

He's the greatest basketball player of all time, hands down!

[@Ojkojj]

That's your opinion

[@Rakeemgrant]

You maybe right

[@OddJaxx900]

Simple answer. Greatest big man ever

[@Ojkojj]

Wilt was

[@OddJaxx900]

@@Ojkojj Nope. Hakeem dominated in the greatest era ever for big men. Dream would've destroyed Wilt

[@Ojkojj]

@@OddJaxx900 sure

[@serenityloyalty3699]

Been saying this for years thanks for this video. Best centre of all time. Especially in the era dominated by bigs.

[@pennyhardaway5628]

I love the piano at the beginning of your videos!!

[@jingqi9106]

There is no doubt Hakeem is the greatest center of the modern era and the most fun to watch. I remember when the Celtics spanked the Rockets in '86 and McHale was great on the low block with his post moves and footwork. One of Dream's greatest attributes was ability to learn and later you could see Mchale's influence in his game as Hakeem developed the Dream Shake and other post moves...what a great player.

[@chrislane9615]

You need another season of the Goat series for shaq, Hakeem, and Big O

[@grantrmoore]

Tbh I put him right there with Kareem & Wilt

[@emilantipay6877]

Wilt was good only during his time, but if you put him in the 80's and 90's he will be just another big man. Think of it, Wilt could not stay inside the paint as he did during his time, look how he dribble the ball. Again he cannot do the blocking as what he oftenly did during his time, it will be goal tending - He will be guarded by the likes of Robinson, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Parish and many 7footers of the 80's and 90's. Plus just take a look at the power forwarss of the 80's and 90's 6'9" with powerfull body frames. He will be prone to steals and blocks from the rear. No disrespect to WILT but man, the game of basketball is way way different from his time. Take a look at the olympics, only college players were sent by the USA Team during those times and they always won until USA team was beaten. So if you put NBA players of the 80's and 90's during wilts'time, how can they guard big man who can dribble, should jumpshots, spin, layup and shoot 3points?HOW?even if you apply their old rules in blocking and shot clocks, still the big men of the 80's and 90's can do well.

[@noah_256.]

Duke Gali fax wilt is so overrated

[@heh8me168]

Hakeem the Dream was playing ahead of his time.His style of game would dominate and destroy all centers this decade easy,Man I loved seeing this man play!!!!

[@Moby4Christ]

The Dream Shake was incredible to watch. I lived in Houston back in the early 80's. I think it was Coach Guy V. Lewis that found him on the soccer team. He did not even come to America to play basketball. Coach Lewis signed him up for the Houston Cougars which later became known as Phi Slamma Jamma and competed for 2 college championship seasons. They didn't win cause Coach V and the miracle at NC State in the last seconds and the next year Georgetown got them with some guy named Patrick Ewing 😉. So the story goes the first time Olajuwon touched a basketball was as a freshman at The University of Houston. Amazing! Great Athlete! Great Career! One of the best of all times! 😄 Thanks for sharing!

[@americangraffiti3971]

In Spain we know him as Hakeem "Hola-jugón", a word trick that means something like "Helll-great-player".

[@seanflaherty5973]

I would't take anybody before hakeem the dream

[@prometheus1711]

My unpopular opinion: Hakeem Olajuwon is the GOAT

[@abbot-bockapollo-silvero4154]

Yeah unpopular opinion gang I personally think wilt but Hakeem is the finesse and footwork goat

[@charlieschool3073]

@@abbot-bockapollo-silvero4154 dude wilt isnt even top ten

[@NickIntoTech]

@@charlieschool3073 thank you

[@robloxstephencurry2148]

my unpopular opinion: Kareem is the Goat

[@drdre4397]

@@charlieschool3073 Lol how can you possibly quantify that statement? Do you know how many records he broke? He could run 100m in 10.9 seconds at 7' 1". I get you are clearly uneducated on the subject matter but do some research. He led the league in assists the season after he was told he wasn't a team player. He averaged 50ppg. They didn't even records blocks properly back then so he likely has a lot of those. Don't say he played in a weak era because that is easily disproven. Either than ignorance, whatvreason do you have for not having Wilt top 10? If nothing else his impact. I get it was 60 years ago but it's important.

[@S.M.SuperHero]

I totally AGREE with you! THE DREAM was a BAAAAAD MAN!!! --- He had some Silky Smooth Moves, but he was also Big Enough to DOMINATE.... It's crazy... He's very UNDER-RATED.

[@willmchenry5729]

Thank u for this. A lot of people don't understand what u just produced. I have so many friends that say Shaq Kareem I'm like u don't understand basketball then. This man could still be a force in today's game. Shaq honestly was 1 dimensional. Dunk or maybe a close hook shot. The dream was a hook a layup a dunk and if he wanted to could shoot a jump shot from anywhere inside the 3 point line. Understand basketball the dream was the best period

[@sammysam2615]

And the man broke ankles and faked players into the stands while wearing Spalding Shoes

[@michaelgainey1050]

Deadass lmfao🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelgainey1050]

I had a pair cause of him lmfao

[@tonedefhimfan]

during the best era the dream proved on the court he was the best. he is the goat. gbye.

[@bigezy42]

Hakeem is actually my favorite center of all time and I also think he's the greatest. So I wouldn't put any center ahead of him.

[@ianisaac2501]

I was fortunate to watch him play games on TV in the 90s. Best all around Center EVER.....He could do it all.

[@geonidas6098]

Dream was the greatest 5 to ever step on the hardwood. Every trick in the bag, a defensive monster and most of all a high basketball IQ..Unstoppable!

[@sojiroseta98]

Well the Dream was definitely a better basketball player than Shaq, thats not close, the argument comes down to dominance but you cant teach Shaq's size so talent wise its all Hakeem imo

[@alp21188]

Sudhir Kakar shaq got swept many almost every year in the playoffs up until 2000. He got swept by centers who outplayed him like Rik Smits and LUC Longley and Greg Foster

[@sojiroseta98]

@Sudhir Kakar oh yeah? Where was Hakeem's Kobe? Why do you think Shaq couldnt win without a Kobe or a Dwade? Its nothing against Shaq bro, no one can do it alone, not MJ not anyone

[@sojiroseta98]

@Sudhir Kakar heres the thing, you can find plenty of interviews of Shaq ACTUALLY saying he couldnt stop Hakeem, ur comparing teams, the man himself Shaq Diesel who is nowhere near short on confidence can be found admiring (out loud) Hakeem's game, more like praising...that may actually be the only Center that Shaq himself will tell youvwas better than him so realistically if even Shaq tells you that, the argument ends there, young Hakeem, like young MJ, young Shaq etc they didnt know how to win, thats just across the board so ur comparison of teams he joined in the 80s is meh, we know who the 80s power houses were

[@FelixOh]

Sudhir Kakar Hakeem and MJ were in different conferences, and they never matched up against each in the fjnals

[@Herosennin]

Sudhir Kakar Shaq between 1999 and 2004 seemed dominant because the refs allowed him to get away with murder and because between 1999 and 2010 there were barely any good centers around. I mean just look at who Shaq faced in the finals lol. Some of the most horrible centers that ever laced them up for a finals.

[@ryanjiii]

Olajuwon in his prime was the greatest center of all time. period.

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

Definitly a top 10, anything less is an insult to bball.

[@neilsmith9066]

The Dream still my favorite player of all time. So smooth

[@jimmyjones9962]

Him and Kevin McHale were the best post players

[@J34xalpha_KING]

McHale is a Post BEAST!!

[@jadonphillips8122]

You really know basketball because you're exactly right, Dream and McHale's post moves were a sight to see. The 2 best ever.

[@kostastube2010]

He spanked Shaq, Robinson and Ewing in the same year on his road to the ring, so he was damn good, actually having a case for best Center ever.

[@obad.iah.]

I would choose hakeem over any center ever played in the entire nba history.

[@spencerantoniomarlen-starr3069]

This is going to sound weird coming from someone born in 1994, but for a while, Ralph Samson was my favorite NBA player when I was growing up because of an old VHS tape of basketball highlights my stepmother bought me at a thrift store that I would watch over and over again lol.

[@zepets]

Great video, I love Olajuwon a lot with regards to his footwork and fake move. Thanks for sharing it. Only one thing need to justify is he is not the only superstar in his team. Clyde Drexler who used to be 10 times all star was in his team in Houston.

[@Zamppa86]

The Greatest of all time, Michael Jordan, was drafted AFTER Olajuwon and Olajuwon's pick still is not considered to be a bad one at all. That should tell people how good he was. He is top 10 of all time with no doubt but I say he is top 5! 1. Michael Jordan 2. Magic Johnson 3. Larry Bird 4. Hakeem Olajuwon 5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6. Kobe Bryant 7. Wilt Chamberlain 8. LeBron James 9. Shaquille O'Neal 10. Tim Duncan 11. Bill Russell 12. Oscar Robertson 13. Jerry West 14. Julius Erving 15. Elgin Baylor

[@TruthOverFeelings745]

Julius Erving top 15? That's a bold statement. Give me Dirk instead of him.