MVP Hakeem Olajuwon 1st Championship, EPIC Game 7 Duel vs Patrick Ewing 1994 NBA Finals - MUST SEE

MVP Hakeem Olajuwon 25 Pts 10 Reb 7 Ast vs Patrick Ewing 17 pts 10 reb Full Game Highlights (First Championship) | New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets - Game 7 | 1994 NBA Finals | HOH Throwback in HD
✔️ Subscribe, Like & Comment for More! ✔️
---------
🔎 Follow our Instagram: goo.gl/Syw81B
🔎 Follow our Twitter: goo.gl/5aata7

[@Sloth55Chunk]

Look how Ewing changed his game up after that first block. Slower on his shots, fakes his jumps, fades further back. Great reading of Olajuwon. One of the GOATs.

[@saleemkirmani5583]

I'm a huge fan of Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. I was delighted to see Houston win, but there is no doubt that Patrick Ewing was also one of the all time great centers. The clash of the gladiators! Take the 3 point shot away, and bring back the true big men!

[@deridivisstar884]

Rockets fan here. I thought Ewing was going to make that critical shot. But he missed that lay up.... Thank god 😂 he was a great player. Much like olajuwon, didn't have much help, no true all stars. I mean oakley was ok, and harper amd starks were good, but Ewing and olajuwon had no help this particular year. Beast centers. Not best... Beast

[@anklepick9524]

That was Olajuwons problem when he was younger. He tried to block everything. Got in alot of foul problems. Looked like he still had some of that habit in 94.

[@jackoleary505]

@@anklepick9524 it was best and worst attribute

[@devinlwoods]

@@anklepick9524 hence why he leads in all time blocks. A good thing that came out of all that too is how many shots he made people change to avoid getting swatted. And I recall many times seeing guys look for him while going to the basket and screwing up their shot when he wasn't even that close.

[@gopinathkarunanithi3973]

Hakeem gone through Shaq, Ewing, Robinson and Dennis Rodman in his prime and beat all of them.

[@saturndual32]

You can add Malone and Barkley to that list...

[@felixy23]

And he had no answer against sonics

[@jackoleary505]

@@felixy23 Olajuwon dominated the Sonics in 93' but the refs made sure that Olajuwon didn't advance so there was no chance of him beating Jordan in the Finals

[@jackoleary505]

Don't forget Kareem, Magic and Worthy as a second year player

[@glennrobinson.377]

@@jackoleary505 Pathetic excuses. 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997 , 1998 ? ? 1996 WCSF: *Game 1: Hakeem Olajuwon=6-Points, on 33% and 6-Turnovers.* By the way, in 1994, Hakeem did not dominate. Hakeem Olajuwon=23- 13- 5, FG-52%.

[@StarscreamvsMegatron]

Patrick always had that sweet fade-away jumper

[@jamesvickers9476]

StarscreamvsMegatron ... That's all he had too

[@jazzymars30]

Yea it was sweet

[@ayo30s]

No Doubt, 👍🏾👊🏾✌🏾🇯🇲🇳🇬🇺🇸

[@lacewinn1490]

and Hakeem always had that sweet Dream Shake

[@lasttwhisper]

Tell that to a Knicks fan. He literally missed all buzzer beater the last shot with that stupid side away fade away. I literally hated it. I rather have Houston or spreewell take the last shot

[@AlexAcostaB]

OMG, that was a real Pivot duel. A great physical game, no typical cross-overs, no fancy dribbles, no exaggerated 3pt shoots. Basketball fundamentals.

[@brucewayne1662]

This is the most underrated Finals in history.

[@burtward4611]

It's all OJs fault.

[@shanesawyer5103]

Burt Ward So true

[@dimitrisantoniadis4630]

It was competitive, but both teams severely underperformed.

[@premium7182]

John Stark's was 3/18

[@jackoleary505]

@@dimitrisantoniadis4630 no both teams had a dominant shot blocking center. Ewing had 30+ blocks that series

[@dctodec1985]

The post moves by Hakeem and Big Pat are masterful

[@anTsoziaL63]

Patrick Ewing => Jamaica's Pride 🇯🇲 Hakeem Olajuwon => Nigeria's Pride 🇳🇬

[@Moneyg73]

✊🏾🙏🏾☝️🏾

[@Only2GendersCommonSense]

Kendrick Perkins = no one's pride.

[@qamanigibeni1345]

Dwight Howard => Pride

[@ozandrosandroz8173]

@@qamanigibeni1345 just discusting

[@jazzymars30]

Yard man

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

Olajuwon’s game was a thing of beauty!

[@jayp8124]

When the NBA had real centers!!!

[@PheStXavier]

ok boomer

[@mugatu171717]

@@PheStXavier thats such an insult stfu kid

[@tutstorial8474]

not like those who are self proclaimed "best center in the league" but scoreless in a game 😆😆

[@jakubbp]

@@tutstorial8474 if Embiid is the best center then kuz is the best sg🤣

[@yjl7237]

LensonJ wait does he play SG now? Didn’t even know lol

[@hoopscornerpod]

Hakeem never gets the love he deserves. Killer player and honorable person

[@Frankje01]

lol what?

[@rmleider]

Neither does Ewing. He dominated nightly for a decade, and would have at least 1 ring with a decent guard.

[@sweedkilla5210]

He does From this old People 😉

[@fuzhang5188]

Real goat mj said hakeem is the only one he felt cannot beat.

[@Frankje01]

@@fuzhang5188 I don't think MJ ever said that, I think it was more along the lines that MJ felt Hakeem was the only player he feared that could beat him in a series. But MJ never thought he couldnt beat anybody, not in his DNA, ever.

[@tygg4455]

It’s so satisfying watching post players battle. All those contested hook shots and fades are so beautiful

[@AKSBSU]

Sometimes I forget what a sweet midrange game the bigs had in the 80s and 90s. Some of those fadeaways and turnarounds are tough shots that are almost automatic for them.

[@Hawkeyes319]

@@AKSBSUyeah Patrick Ewing looked like Lamarcus Aldridge on steroids.

[@eduardovaldez-modonese5517]

Just my humble opinion here: at his peak, Hakeem = Greatest Center Ever.

[@CFH1962]

Not sure if it's sports illustrated or other mags w/c came out w/ an article comparing players from different eras, most notably were the match up between wilt and Shaq, unanimously they said that wilt will show Shaq how he drop a 100pts in a game, then Hakeem and B Russell, they said that defensively the Dream can hold his own against bill but on offense bill will have a nightmare

[@mohammedhussain9989]

Wrong. Shaq

[@hariyosuseno537]

He is

[@hariyosuseno537]

@@mohammedhussain9989 Shaquille O'Neal ?...in his prime , with that youth can't handle Hakeem

[@mohammedhussain9989]

@@hariyosuseno537 Shaq was the most dominant center in his prime PERIOD!!

[@kenarthur6253]

Ewing played his heart out for the Knicks. Wish we would have won a title. He always gave 110% effort and wore his emotions on his sleeve.

[@hectorlopez1069]

He was great, but he wasn't an all-time great like Olajuwon.

[@hectorlopez1069]

@Ferdi ♱ Kılınç No, he wasn't, he couldn't stop Olajuwon, Ewing was lost every time in the Finals.

[@namzy2726]

@@hectorlopez1069 Ewing is an all time great lol.

[@hectorlopez1069]

@@namzy2726 no he's not, that's why he never won a ring with NY.

[@namzy2726]

@@hectorlopez1069 okay so he is listed as top 40 on most lists. How is he not all time great

[@DC5Boss]

People can talk about Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain or even Shaq. In my opinion Hakeem is the best center of them all, his game is more complete defensively and offensively. The others had longevity on the dream but fundamentally all around Hakeem is number 1 to me at that position.

[@denesealayon8182]

Man i always loved Hakeem's footwork and agility he's so much fun to watch. Respect to Patrick Ewing as well. Both very good players

[@manuelmontejano9512]

Olajuwon was a soccer goalie that is why his footwork was beast

[@MosMoney187]

For those who don't know Hakeem lost his first appearance in the Finals to the Celtics in 86. By this time around Hakeem was the best player in the NBA in my opinion.

[@theodorebrego3737]

Absolute monster! Some of his playoff stats are flat out ridiculous. Dude averaged 38 and 17 in the 87-88 playoffs.

[@nicholsdeshan]

@@theodorebrego3737 Aye that's why history doesn't look down on the Rockets for taking Hakeem over MJ I can't lie I probably still would've picked Hakeem to he did go to the finals his 2nd year in the NBA

[@nicholsdeshan]

@The R. I think Houston did fine with Hakeem I think Portland should've drafted him 2nd instead of letting him fall to the Bulls.

[@ianwilson4483]

@The R. MJ had a better team than Hakeem from 1988 to 1998. Houston was right for drafting Hakeem.

[@mr.freddie]

If rockets did not lose sampson to injuries,they could had won more championship

[@MarkusGarvey1]

Didn't like Ewing as a kid, being a Jordan fan but growing up now, must say he was a great player, much respect for him.

[@l3ftie578]

to be honest i never knew how grat a shooter he was, those turning fadeaways look automatic even from near 3 pt land

[@AbdullahKuwait-is4rb]

Ewing cant be heated

[@hartsickdisciple]

Olajuwon at his peak was as good as any center in the history of the game. His combination of skills, athletic ability, work ethic, and desire were on full display here. He was one of maybe 5 or 6 players ever who were the best player on the court offensively and defensively.

[@TheFadedSpade35]

As good as any center? Try as good as any player

[@l3ftie578]

i gotta agree w/ you, there are certain players that are better than him in a single skill but he might be the greatest 2 way player ever. I also think MJ and John Stockton are great on both ends and in that conversation, imagine an all star team with the 3 of them plus Malone at the 4. Any small forward would fit lol@@TheFadedSpade35

[@mmcneil777]

In a two year stretch went 3-0 against Ewing, Robinson and Shaq in the playoffs. Simply the best of his era.

[@armandodelossantos736]

Olajuwon held Ewing to 19p on 36% fg! Defensive juggernaut

[@alexjimenez6893]

Armando De Los Santos That's also a reason why the Knicks lost the finals. Ewing wasn't clutch in that series. Scoring and shooting was down from regular season averages of 24.5 ppg and 49.8 fg%. Stark 2/18 shooting does overshadow the below average performance of Patrick Ewing. I don't think Starks should get the blame. Patrick also deserves blame for not playing well. John could've easily won finals mvp because of how he performed in the finals, except game 7.

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@alexjimenez6893 that was all Olajuwon defense, it wasn't Ewing having a bad series, it was Olajuwon going ham on defense like no one else ever could and still leading the team in scoring and rebounding

[@wuliwei6939]

Ewing did hit a few nice fadeaways in Game 7. It was Starks who cost the Knicks the series

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@wuliwei6939 but Starks was on fire in game 6 and still couldn't end it! He would've ended it if Olajuwon didn't block his buzzer beater!

[@thanif19]

Did Olajuwon foul him on a three pointer which sent Starks to the line for only 2 foul shots? Maybe it was game 5 but i remember they ended up changing the rules the next season where a foul on a three pointer got you 3 foul shots instead of two.

[@peterm6050]

Olajuwon, the greatest centre of all time.... Undisputed. What an era of centres we had back then; Olajuwon, Shaq, Ewing, Robinson, Zo, Mutombo.... I miss the good old days of the NBA. The game is very hard to watch today 😔

[@renantedelacruz952]

Peter m no it’s Kareem Abdul jabbar

[@peterm6050]

Renante Delacruz was referring to modern era centres.

[@mekkeh5235]

Who is Zo?

[@MistressAkasha]

이윤구 AlonZo Mourning

[@ignacioespinoza8776]

@@mekkeh5235 lol really

[@reven175]

Hell this just could have been a one on one "everyone get off the court Patrick and Hakeem going to battle this out"

[@andrescontreras9253]

If I remember clearly, Robert Horry stepped up big time in this series. He elevated his game to another level. No Horry, no rings. He was hitting 3's and taking it to the hoop with no mercy. But, Hakeem was the most athletic, agile, skilled all around center of all time. This is just my opinion.

[@najachero1384]

Actually you dont remember clearly because his finals stats dropped on offense in comparison to the rest of his the playoffs (finals 37.9 mins 10.7 ppg on .324 fg .306 3P% 6.1 reb 3.7 ast 0.6 bpg playoffs 33.8 mins 11.7 ppg .434 fg .406 3P% 6.1 reb 3.6 ast 0.9 bpg). But hey thats ok because the knicks had a really good defense and the series was really close. None of those teams won a game by a double digit point differential. Q

[@soramirez5473]

@@najachero1384 Yea I didnt recall Robert Horry dominating Anthony Mason like that.. Tho Mason was on Olajuwan..

[@RRRRRRRRR33]

Horry is the greatest role player of alltimes. The Knicks actually had the better roster overall, but Hakeem dominating Ewing (especially on defense) and then Horry, they were the difference makers. Also Cassell played very well, basically took over the guard duties

[@redherring4119]

Patrick Ewing is so so soo underrated.

[@arektacana]

Knicks disaster = John Starks: 0/11 3P and 2/18 FG :)

[@kolncarter7827]

😦😯😯😦😦😯

[@jackoleary505]

He was shooting lights out in game 6 and could've won the Finals but Olajuwon blocked his 3p buzzer beater killing his confidence

[@thorgardhaugen2193]

the toughest and most physical finals ever played... and it was soo close. we will never see this intensy again-ever!!!

[@CFH1962]

The Dream bleed for his points against the tough Knicks frontline

[@vincentestone5764]

Until the return of AIR-JORDAN !

[@CFH1962]

That's basketball championship at it's finest and kudos to the coaches of both teams, physical but not dirty

[@vincentestone5764]

@Roger Edgerton IF(and that's a BIG if), it was because The Bulls had ALREADY WENT THROUGH the Black & Blue EASTERN CONFERENCE, My Brother. Oh, isn't THE NY KNICKS in THAT Conference?

[@vincentestone5764]

@Roger Edgerton Thanks for the stfu edit. But it's O.K. I'm pretty thick skinned. I can take it 😀😁.

[@hollywoodmkx]

Lost in the Bulls' domination in the 90s was this great Finals match. I honestly had more fun watching this particular series than any of the Bulls' Finals games. The Eastern Conference Finals were just awesome to watch with the Bulls, as the conference was stacked at the time. But this actual Finals series was one to remember.

[@momoneylessproblems9183]

Man I'd give anything to see the Bulls face this Rocket's team. Mike vs. Olajuwon would've been legendary

[@abrahamalvarez8321]

Bulls in 6

[@masonbg6]

@@abrahamalvarez8321 mike avoided the smoke

[@TorontoWire]

Almost did until the Rockets lost to the Jazz in 7

[@hectorlopez1069]

​@@TorontoWirein 6

[@hectorlopez1069]

Rockets in 7 in 1 championship

[@Goztepe-uf6si]

Olajuwon was flawless, he just had so much in his arsenal and if nothing worked, he got an assist. Ewing and Robinson never had the edge on him.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Not at all

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

Back when centers were athletic both were monsters on the post defensively and offensively‼Ewing beat Olajuwon in college for the national championship and Olajuwon won the NBA finals doesn't get any better than that....🏆🏆

[@hectorlopez1069]

Ewing got his championships in college Olajuwon got his championships in the NBA

[@21stcenturytlatoani]

Olajuwon was the best NBA player that season. However, it's tough for any away team to win a Game 7.

[@jrsmith1998]

Javier Rosas unless your name is Lebron James.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Especially at the Summit.

[@alexliu6012]

Ewing got some beautiful jump shots btw

[@MaxScheibenpflug]

Much as I love Olajuwon, I would ALSO have loved that Knicks team to win a title.

[@MazzaMedia_]

To this day this remains one of the most evenly matched NBA Finals I’ve ever seen. The teams matched up so well. It just came down to pure performance and efficiency to determine a winner.

[@michaelking475]

The best big man to play the game! So smooth! Can literally do it ALL! And so humble while doing it!

[@DDSTV2]

HAKEEM THE DREAM

[@PROBENICCOMPS]

🐐

[@mjareacts2731]

This is back when Playoff games were rockin and rollin from start to finish. The crowd barely took a second off.

[@darth2312]

Greatest center ever. I don't want to hear Kareem. Everytime Kareem went toe to toe with an actual great center, he was outplayed. In his two year run, Hakeem ate 94-95 MVP Robinson, Shaq, Ewing, Karl Malone, D-Rod and Barkley while outplaying them all. He is the only NBA player to truly carry a team to a championship. People need to stop sleeping on The Dream.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

"Hakeem never had to face Jordan in the finals!" True, but Jordan never had to face Hakeem...

[@azrielnguyen9586]

yea well, Jordan never backed down from anyone. Jordan was in the Finals x 3, retired, and back in the Finals x3 again. What was Hakeem's excuse?

[@sishaq12]

@@azrielnguyen9586 all MJ had to do was get past Shaq's Magic to settle the debate, but he couldn't deliver. That's why I say MJ is 6 of 8 in Finals. If he could walk, he could play those two years.

[@mrfatuchi]

@@azrielnguyen9586 Hakeem's excuse he didnt have another HOF top 50 player beside him in Pippen.

[@LG-gm6fc]

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion!"

[@PheStXavier]

ok boomer

[@halfogre7843]

the great rudy t

[@Baldphace]

That was after the 95 finals

[@sportsfan4178]

The passion of these players and the energy of the fans,

[@miltonbrown3075]

Hakeem the Dream Shake in my opinion he destroyed Ewing, Robinson and Shaq but people still still say Shaq is better which is false. Hakeem was better all around then all the centers and Shaq had to wait til Hakeem got older before he won his title. The Dream is top 10 player of all time in my opinion.

[@Mark_Knight]

If you look at the stats, they were very close the entire series. Just Starks went 2 for 17....and that is why people think the way they do.

[@gobot581]

Mark M people think Hakeem is a top 10 player because he is. No one cares about Starks stats the Knicks overall are an afterthought Hakeem destroyed every great center of his era. He is the Jordan of bigs

[@sarhenty]

I wouldn’t say destroyed

[@Mark_Knight]

@@gobot581 If starks shot a normal percentage, the KNicks would be champs. I think Hakeem is the best, I am a HUGE Olajuwon fan and growing up tried to imitate his moveset, but Ewing was not "destroyed" at all. Look at the stats and you will see Ewing was the better in a lot of stats outside of FG% if I remember correctly.

[@Secret20246]

Shaq only advantage is his height and force, but Olajuwon has the advantage in terms of skill and talent

[@CaruDave10]

Hakeem... the best center of the NBA history!

[@grandizer4531]

When your nick name is The Dream, you know you nice.

[@kolncarter7827]

Greatest center of alltime hakeem

[@raphaelsoohoo3486]

My favorite player of all time, The Dream

[@versatiletitan2466]

"Its a good thing they can't get out of the west,cuz we have no answer for that big monster i dont think we can beat them" micheal jordan

[@facethemountain6503]

one of four NBA players to record a quadruple-double and the only player in NBA history to retire in the top ten for all four categories

[@12wehgy]

Didn't KG do this?

[@kk22bbme]

I feel sorry for Patrick Ewing and company. They were really contenders and talented. Just fell short on this series.

[@bigworm2129]

They were brutal. Came one Starks three-pointer away from taking the series in game 6, but Hakeem got his fingertips on it.

[@nomooon]

@@bigworm2129 Then in game 7 Starks shot 11%....

[@francisalbert1799]

They were up 3-2. Bottom line they Should’ve won they let it get away.

[@12wehgy]

Yeah Starks shot the Chip away

[@devinlwoods]

I think I recall they were only selling houston championship gear in Houston and they already had all the Knicks championship shirts and hats printed and ready to go. Not sure where that memory came from anymore. It was quite some time ago.

[@nicholasfilipek7053]

a 7 footer having such a smooth and sweet fade-away

[@uranga1981]

Has there ever been a big man with that kind of footwork like Hakeem?

[@clarkchestermayordo8520]

Joel Embiid has that kind of footwork in this Era.

[@hartsickdisciple]

@@clarkchestermayordo8520 Embiid's good, but his footwork isn't as fluid, and he isn't as quick.

[@reallife0728]

OMG,,,,I LIVED FOR THESE BASKETBALL BATTLES,,,WATCHED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY GAME!!!! OLAJUWON VS. EWING WAS MUST SEE TV!!!!!!!💯💯💯

[@demonace7114]

Facts: Hakeem olajuwon is the only player to win back to back championship without a all-star teamate

[@pt703]

No easy shots. Amazing intensity from two greats

[@user-wu3rg4dj4b]

The Dream dominated 1993-1994 season. He won DPOY-MVP and also Final MVP that season.

[@dionysise5008]

Ewing would rank 5 spots higher on the all-time list if he d won that game

[@Hakimw21]

more than that

[@thatnewpimptrickgangstacli8922]

He’d be top 5 center

[@user-vk8hu4re9z]

@@thatnewpimptrickgangstacli8922 he actually is

[@catfishness9037]

No he wouldnt. He is very forgettable

[@user-vk8hu4re9z]

People forget him because he didn't win a championship but he never had a full cast around him to do it. If we talk individual game Patrick is a top 5 center of all time though

[@devinlwoods]

Not only his footwork and defense but Hakeem's ability to pass out of the post was on full display here too.

[@cobio51]

That was so exciting for every Houstonian Thanx Houston Rockets.....

[@mraaron81]

Real basketball

[@PheStXavier]

ok boomer

[@b7ndn]

ok boomer

[@bizzybredhawk349]

Hakeem is the only center to be in the top ten All Time in four categories... point, blocks rebounds, and STEALS! He’s the NBA All Time shot blocks leader. The only other center that was better was Kareem. Wilts only real competition at center was Russell and he wasn’t an offensive type of center. Hakeem dominated in the best era of of big men in history point blank period!

[@Nelekets]

There may never be big men who can play like this in the NBA ever again. Soak it up young fellas, this might be the only way you can experience it.

[@AKSBSU]

This is why I place Dream as the best center of all time. It's true he only has 2 championships compared to the room full of trophies guys like Kareem and Russell have, but Dream did not have a monster dynasty team full of stars, and look at the defenders he was playing against while putting on these absurd championship runs in the mid 90s. Look up the best defenders of all time and you'll find several of the guys he was obliterating like they were college freshman. Ewing, Oakley, D. Robinson, Rodman...that is unreal to tear through the defense of the 90s Spurs and Knicks like that. And to finish off his second title, he swept Shaq and Penny right out of the Finals 4-0. Accumulating multiple championships is of course an extraordinary accomplishment, but also consider that Dream's teammate Horry has 7 titles versus Dream's 2, and Horry wouldn't hesitate Dream is one of the best to ever play the game, rating him well above even guys like Duncan.

[@CFH1962]

Big shot Bob played w/ some of the best teams and winning some for them, he sure knows what he's talking about

[@MrDotaleavers]

wilt, didn't have either. but his record is unbreakable.

[@DC5Boss]

@eoe123321 I can't put Ewing above David Robinson in the 80s to 90s

[@yeeyee-sl8qf]

damn something about this generation makes me marvel at just how poised and solid they were. True professionals.

[@jetjiles49]

I feel bad for Ewing. Has to be in the top 5 players to never win a championship.

[@JavierDeldado4760]

You mean Charles Barkley, Carl Malone, Stockton, Dominique Wilkins and Clyde Drexler??

[@jetjiles49]

@@JavierDeldado4760 Drexler won a championship with Hakeem.....

[@JavierDeldado4760]

@@jetjiles49 oh yeah l forgot he played for the rockets the next year when the rockets won their second championship. Drexler was lucky.

[@JavierDeldado4760]

@@jetjiles49 l always had the feeling it was Ewing in the top five. LOL

[@ozandrosandroz8173]

@@JavierDeldado4760 shut up you fucked up already. Didn't even know drexler got s championship. Now shut up fool!!

[@internalhex3540]

As a Biggest fan of dream shake, the real mvp of this game was John stark 2 for 18

[@youngerwithmarshal]

that ewing fadeway on 1:17.... butter

[@roderickdelaine6554]

Money

[@jazzymars30]

@@roderickdelaine6554 yeah nice as fuck

[@jazzymars30]

Swéet

[@QuinnClips247]

Butter 😂 that’s old school right there

[@waylondurocher738]

HAKEEM THE DREAM, one of the best Centers ever, Patrick Ewing was also incredible 👏

[@hectorlopez1069]

Ewing isn't an all time great like Olajuwon.

[@tomswill9189]

Loved his game. I would take him over Shaq And Ewing. Not to take nothing away from the or there game. This dude was a bad man. He had moves like a guard.

[@mmcneil777]

Hakeem had something ‘extra’. He was the second greatest player in the Jordan era. He thoroughly outplayed Robinson and Ewing during his championship year. No small feat - considering they were both top 10 centers all time. I place Olajuwon as a top 2 or 3 center all time. The only one who was better was Kareem.

[@CFH1962]

First championship against the Knicks, no all star and no future Hall of famer for a teammate

[@doootheytho9821]

mikem987 tbh I’d actually put him over Kareem as Kareem was just an offensive force whereas Hakeem had the total package. Dude won mvp AND DPOY in the same year, was in the top 10 all time in 4 categories. In his 2nd year in the league he absolutely cooked the showtime lakers (while they were at their peak and also had Kareem) before losing to the Celtics in the finals. Seriously go look up his in stats vs the lakers in that series.

[@SunfoodWarrior]

@@doootheytho9821 you might consider checking Kareem's defensive stats..Blocks, steals, rebounds

[@MrDotaleavers]

hakeem only peaks for two years. You cant beat bill russell, kareem and of course Wilt.

[@pickzkickz]

First best player in Jordan era...he owned MJ.

[@daillisteri]

Beauty of a legit NBA Big Man. 2 legends right there in this series. Now we have “fake” big men. A true big man that can move with the agility of a smaller player was awesome to watch. Not just bully ball!! Even Shaq had finesse back then.

[@bojackson3923]

I love Patrick I wish he coulda won a ring...but Olajawon the GOAT center

[@asya4750]

Kareem and Shaq were both better

[@bojackson3923]

Better than who?.... Name something Shaq can do better than Hakeem besides get the ball a feet from the rim n dunk!?.. Who's better in the post? Who's better mid range? Who's better ball handler? Who's better rebounder? Who's better blocking shots? Who can play n guard multiple positions? Who's better free throw shooter?..lol.. who's a better passer?.. Olajawon is better big man in any era!... I'll choose Wilt over Shaq!..

[@asya4750]

@@bojackson3923 Shaq was stronger, quicker and better scorer. He dominated the league and the other centers from mid 90s to mid 00s. Hakeem was a great center too. But he was not as great scorer. Yes, his offensive plays were more assorted, but Shaq was more effective in his only way. Hakeem was a very limited offensive player in his early years, after 93 he improved greatly himself. Dream Shake is a fun to watch. But he is not as good as Shaq. A bit better than his contemporaries like Ewing and Robinson, but far from GOAT.

[@bojackson3923]

@@asya4750 😂😂 u didn't answer any of my questions... U just Shaq was dominate in the paint... So was Wilt n Wilt was better than Shaq.. better rebounder n shot blocker!.. Shaq was just bigger n stronger n like I said all he could do was dunk!... Wilt was more dominate... But u didn't answer my questions, I ask u did Shaq do any of those things better than Hakeem? ... U just saying a better scorer... U right the dream shake unstoppable! Fadeaway unstoppable! Hakeem can take u off the dribble... Again Shaq was just stronger n was dominate two feet near the rim...Shaq is nowhere, no how more skilled than Olajawon... I'm choosing Wilt, Kareem, n Russell also over Shaq!.. 😂...

[@alsosa6901]

Classic times - Good stuff 👊👊

[@romin388]

Both dudes where beast..Ewing never had a good 2nd option like Kareem and Moses did

[@amustthatibust713]

Neither did Hakeem

[@blackspokane4497]

Dancing with Hakeem

[@kennysa3586]

94 rockets were full of clutch!! maxwell,horry,cassell, elie. Championship DNA top to bottom

[@fergusonhobbyfarm4567]

Epic! Both of these guys were amazing

[@rsgerman4061]

Hakeem was so good

[@XDB888]

gee i miss 90's nba

[@romirza7773]

I remember when the first time i watch nba game...it was hakeem olajuwon, and wow, what a move...his moves made me love and play this game...

[@peytonlong5573]

MJ and Hakeem in the same draft class is nuts they had the 90’s in a chokehold

[@PhilBurr100]

By 94' Ewing's knees had taken a tole on him. In 90' they were as close as could be, Dreams body held up though.

[@peterblake3000]

@Lukaku's First Touch by the 90s he was a vet , in this game he had been in the league 9 years so no wonder his body was breaking down

[@jamesgarcia6966]

Sounds like excuses that was olajuwons 10th yr in the league

[@jrsmith1998]

Philmon Berhe Ewing’s knees were shot his entire career. And he was still a certified ⛹️ BALLER! Imagine if his knees were normal!!!

[@bretmaverick9434]

@@jamesgarcia6966 sounds like someone doesn't know what he's talking about

[@seand8415]

The Bulls were great, but with this Houston team standing in their way, I honestly don’t think there would’ve been a Chicago 8-peat.

[@DTS_I]

Absolutely not. The way the Rockets played ball in the 90s was problematic for the Bulls. They were 5-1 against Chicago during the first 3 peat run.

[@coreyrowe4119]

@@DTS_I They went from going 5-1 against Chicago during the 1st 3-peat and then it evened out to a 2-2 split during MJ's brief first retirement to only going 1-5 against them during the 2nd 3-peat after MJ returned. It would've been tough winning 8 in a row but we'll never know since the Bulls and Rockets never got the chance to face off in the Finals despite combining to win 8 in a row from 1991-1998. 1994-1995 would've been hard to call if MJ was there since Houston's dominance over Chicago from the 1st 3-peat was already beginning to disappear while MJ was on his first retirement. It sucks we never got to see a Chicago/Houston final during the 90s to answer the hypothetical "what ifs".

[@DTS_I]

@@coreyrowe4119 honestly I think they would’ve split with the Bulls. I think they would’ve beat them in ‘94 but would’ve lost in ‘95, that’s only if MJ didn’t retire tho.

[@coreyrowe4119]

@@DTS_I Bulls would've had a tougher series against Houston in 1995 since it was the 1 year in between Grant's departure and Rodman's arrival.

[@DTS_I]

@@coreyrowe4119 my theory is based off the fact that if you back in time and change the events of MJ’s retirement, a lot of things would be different; I.E getting better guys in free agency, you know?

[@Dimaz42]

Big guys back then had so much finesse.. not just backing down then dunk or random hook shots

[@mcdowellmediagroup3888]

When the NBA had real men! Knicks had no offense, Mase was an inspiration, RIP

[@outdoorsman8385]

Damn, you don't see much post players like these anymore in the NBA. The last one was Tim Duncan

[@maffytaffy1914]

The game has change specially now that everyone is shooting 3's.

[@dreamsoda897]

Embiid is bringing it back, thank god

[@MrDotaleavers]

because hand-check is dirty and destroys the psyche of the players, but it does makes basketball harder and more watchable to play for great players.

[@deelewis5560]

Andrew Bynum

[@PheStXavier]

ok boomer

[@sewermachine1371]

If any team could've beat Jordans Bulls it was The Rockets. Olajuwon didn't have the benefit of having great teammates for several years like Jordan did. Its a shame they didn't hookup in the finals.

[@DC5Boss]

@eoe123321 I'll bet on the Bulls but matchups doesn't do the bulls well here. Who's going to stop The Dream? Jordan is going to get his way yes maybe also Pip, but the only way around that is putting Harper or Pip on Sam Cassell and send a double team to the dream when he gets the ball within 12-10ft of the basket.

[@12wehgy]

Yeah but he had Ralph Sampson's brain to pick at the beginning of his career (Ewing didn't have any big to learn from & practise against), and he ended up with Drexler & Barkley the year after his 2peat. The Rockets could've had MJ anyway, they didn't need to pick another center in consecutive years

[@FactorD3]

This was the first NBA FINALS I ever watched. The NBA on NBC kept me connected with the game because they focused more on the game and the way fans reacted in the arena, and less on the commentators. I hope ABC/ESPN will lower the volume of the commentator’s voice and give us more emotions/crowd noise.

[@kobebean3535]

This is the era where Center is the center of the game. So many great Centers in this period, Hakeem, Robinson, Ewing, Mutombo, Mourning, young Shaq, Longley, and big man such as Malone. Power play!

[@12wehgy]

Longley????? You forgot Europeans like Divac, Sabonis, Smits hell even Shawn Bradley was a top 5 shotblocking average. That's quite an era when one of the worst in his position is still top 5 at one of that positions core roles

[@asya4750]

Daugherty was very skillful too. He is very underrated now whysoever

[@Dux310]

Longley?!? LOL

[@abdiali-li6fd]

What a final what a game, Hakeem was really the Dream, what a talent for a Centre. When NBA was exciting to watch.

[@MM-tn8wj]

I’d take Dream over every other center in history

[@gogame4861]

I think this was the best center duel. Both were on fire 🔥.

[@thompsonappliance3078]

I love watching Hakeems work.

[@jimmyperez8258]

Man, still hurts till this day.

[@pm_-wm1wq]

Jimmy Perez totally. thought we had that series.

[@jstinson7072]

Man the intensity of that was off the charts. I remember watching this game as a kid and it was every bit as great as those highlights showed. Olajuwon is #12 all-time on my list of greatest players to ever play! wow

[@thomasmagand8384]

I remember this like it was yesterday, crazy to think this was 30 years ago. that's like if in 1994 I watched a 1964 NBA finals game....

[@ajitdesigan]

Jordan also picked hakeem in the center position if Jordan had to play a 5 vs 5 pickup game just because of his incredible versatility. And also made into the nba finals in his sophomore season. Something that Jordan had to wait more no of years. The one thing that the nba missed in the 90s. But we can admit that it was always going to be Patrick ewing vs hakeem olajuwon as one of the best big man rivalries in history starting all the way from ncaa title game where hakeem lost to ewing and going their separate ways with hakeem heading to the west and ewing to the east and finally culminating in the 1994 finals,the time where Jordan retired for the first time and hakeem getting his revenge and went on to cement his legacy as one of the Greatest defenders and centers of all time. It couldn't have ended it better

[@coltsrule5150]

No one talks about Hakeem much in the discussion of the greatest of all time. When honestly, he deserves to be in the conversation. Even Michael Jordan admitted that if the Bulls ever faced the Rockets in the Finals, the Bulls may not have an answer to Hakeem. Basically saying, that the Rockets would probably beat them.

[@jazzymars30]

No answer for Michael either...so buĺls probaly beat them or most likely beat them

[@H-718-BROOKLYN]

Exactly Mike Said if He had met the Rockets In the Finals They Wudnt Have An Answer For Hakeem I remember the interview But MJ Never Said anything About Losing To The Rockets in The Finals MJ is A Competitor He Never Gives in To Saying A Team Can Beat Him..... The Only Time MJ Had Trouble Beating Hakeem Was When MJ 1st Came into the League In The around 1986-1990 There were Here And There seasons Where The Rockets Beat The Bulls in The Season 2-0 But From 1993 and Up MJ And His Bulls Got at the Rockets The Year Jordan Didnt Play To Go to Baseball The Rockets Smoked The Bulls 2-0 in the Season

[@matthewanderson6674]

Even admitted hardest player to score on

[@DMalltheway]

jazzy marz MJ had a losing record playing Hakeem, the rockets just didn’t have enough superstars to support him through his career and Sampson’s injury certainly didn’t help

[@dg8448]

@@jazzymars30 The Rockets swept a Magic team that had beat the Jordan and the Bulls in 6 games in 1995.

[@JLLJR]

When the post game was SERIOUS!!!!

[@filanike5772]

Man John Starks was a funny player to watch and he was good. His journey to NBA story is interesting too.

[@abp1400]

Man, I'm loving this back to the basket post play. I think most players today have no clue how to do these moves!