NBA Legends On Why Hakeem Olajuwon Was Better Than Everyone

[@adamelam6385]

The greatest all around center of his era. Shaq was an unstoppable force inside but that was the extent of his game. Hakeem could shoot outside, dependable on the foul line, greatest shot blocker, excellent at running the floor, and one of the best defending centers ever.

[@Eagle8]

Agreed 1000%! As far all-around centers Hakeem and Russell of all time. Hakeem would occasionally pick a guard and take it the length of the floor.

[@rudolphpieters7918]

Absolutely he was a 🐐 of his time.

[@jeromesimpson570]

He also swept Shaq and Penny in the finals which led to Shaq in his feelings, ruining Penny's career by going to LA. That's how good Hakeem was.

[@hudjohns6371]

That dunk Shaq got on Hakeem in the all-star game was sick though..

[@rayt2548]

Well said brother

[@ProfessorofTruth]

Olajuwon's offensive moves were spectacular. But his defense was even greater. A third attribute that made Hakeem the best player I've seen with my own eyes, was his ability to run the floor. His transition from offense to defense was better than any player of that era, maybe of all-time. What's not talked about enough was Olajuwon's knowledge of the game.

[@heywella]

Favorite nba player growing up. Loved MJ like most people my age did, but Houston was a lot closer than Chicago for me and got to see the Rockets during some of their best years. Humble guy and a very special talent. One of the best ever.

[@eugenedantzler4485]

Best footwork of any center...... Period.

[@DJDOGG31]

Hakeem was an incredible athlete who had crazy fundamentals and skill to go with that. Footwork was beautiful to watch.

[@jerrymorel-du-boil6773]

Hakeem was a legend. He went through some of the great centres in 90's for championship. Even MJ has him in his all time starting 5.

[@zacharystern7203]

Absolutely love Hakeem. Transcended the 5 spot. Would be all nba today if he played

[@NickIntoTech]

I think he Would average well over 30PPG considering how slow paced his era was and would be asked to shoot from 3 more often in which he is exceptional at as is. He would likely adapt and expand his range even further than what have seen him do. (Dream has shot and made from the logo in game)

[@redliongreatstar]

The hometown hero…..He gave the city ❤…I’m 43 and these young kids don’t know about that footwork. Houston Texas loves him and he is the all time top 5 in my book of legends

[@lestercharles8522]

Sometimes I feel these youngsters belive the game is only 5 year old. Dream is the best center I have seen since following the game. Offence, defense, midrange, handles... Wish there was better footage of Wilt cause I have heard some crazy stories about him.. But "the dream " is one in a million..

[@heywella]

All facts. I laugh when I hear that today's players/stars are SO much better than that era's. Imagine if Dream HAD to rely more on his mid range shot and handles and add the 3 ball to his already insane offensive arsenal....lol.

[@lestercharles8522]

@@heywella truth

[@beckpemberton4455]

I lived in Houston during those years. Didn’t matter if you were “into basketball.” EVERYONE in “Clutch City” rallied around that team.

[@MarlyMarlPodcast]

Best center to ever play the game

[@andrewpresley908]

He's so good that players, today, go train under him, like he's some kind of Nigerian Sensei, to learn an effective post game. You could see his blueprint in players of the past and present who mimicked his post game. He's the best two way center ever and that's why you can easily make an argument for him being the greatest center ever.

[@jamesearlcash7725]

Like he’s the Mr. Miyagi or master splinter of basketball lol

[@lucky889s9]

Didn't work on dwight howard. Dude was trained by Hakeem, Ewing, even Kareem, and still got none those moves

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

"Wax on, wax off."

[@deereddd_7-Thirteen]

​@@jamesearlcash7725 Yep

[@dwightlove3704]

Hakeem started out with the sport of Soccer

[@mostlypeacefulprotestor1310]

In my opinion Dream and Air are the best two-way players who have ever suited up. Prolific scorers. Post game off the charts. Defensive game off the charts. 1A and 1B.

[@gqprince2]

that shouldn't be a hot take

[@jus3278]

MJ Dream and LeBron are the greatest players I've ever seen

[@kidmillion5540]

@@jus3278 Then you must not have seen Bird and Magic smh . What are you ten smh? Bird is way better than lbj smh

[@dannynhl9441]

@@kidmillion5540 Larry said it himself Lebron is better than him. I'll take what Larry says over fan bias and not being rude to you just being real. I got to see Larry play live. One of a kind. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson actually helped put the NBA on the map to larger audience before Jordan came along and rightfully so. Larry's will to win and overall smug attitude he had beats Lebron any day but Lebron is a once in a lifetime player. I'm not a fan of Lebron at all. Don't like his China ties or his views but I can step back and see what he' done for 20 years almost. That's a feat in itself. Jordan retired twice. Bird sadly had his career cut down with his back. Lebron has been able to keep it going. Modern tech helps of course too. Thing is your comment to Jus about him being 10 shows that maybe he is young but the way you reacted and tore into him shows your mental maturity as a grown man needs work. Just like the players older men saw I didn't that teach me. In all sports that is. Lebron is the evolution of Magic and Bird. Penny Hardaway was gonna be the next Jordan/Magic and Lebron took that higher. I'm not a 49ers fan I'm a Giants fan but Joe Montana is for me the best QB I ever saw play in the playoffs and SUperbowl. Can't knock the talent of others.

[@kidmillion5540]

@@dannynhl9441 I doubt he believes that ... Larry also said that he would never join MJ or Magic to win a ring, so u do the math. Larry said when he played he felt like Nobody was better than he was. He also said last year he felt MJ was still the greatest so once again if you're going to accept that then also accept he doesnt have lebron on MJs level or Kobes level

[@jeffwinkler1137]

I was always amazed by him and David Robinsons all around skill set, work ethic and sheer dependability... Neither hardly ever had an "off" nite.

[@dundee1080]

If MJ picks Hakeem for his top 5 of all time....who are we to disagree?

[@kidmillion5540]

Smart... theres no fkn way I'm picking him if I can get Wilt. But I'm taking Kareem over everybody, including MJ. And I'm definitely taking Karewm over all the centers. Hes the GOAT. MJ takes him because he is good friends with him and also he is a 90s player who entered the league with MJ. MJ also puts Pippen on his all time team smh over Bird. Does anyone in their right mind think Pippen is better than Bird smh No. But hes MJs teammate. Btw Kareem old dropped 40 on hakeem 2wice smh. But then again, Nobody is stopping Kareem.

[@hashimaliahmed3675]

That's the truth. Although Hakeem was indiciplined in his rookie years.fighting with team mates and players.he matured

[@anthonytaylor7928]

@@hashimaliahmed3675 where did you hear that from

[@hashimaliahmed3675]

What you saying dumbster

[@libfit9068]

@@kidmillion5540 Wilt is the most overrated player in the history of the NBA. Kareem is much better than Wilt but even he had great teammates and still could barely even win. He started winning once he got Magic on his team. There's a reason why Kareem only has 2 FMVPs to his name. MJ is the GOAT. MJ only needed 1 allstar teammate to put the league on lock.

[@cbixby8335]

Love watching the dream play he had crazy good footwork and scored anyway he wanted and a monster on defense

[@MarlyMarlPodcast]

Thanks for giving Hakeem is respect!

[@davidpaez6132]

So far, He is the best Center all time, taking into consideration his footwork, defense, humility, passion and overall skills in his game!

[@laz0rama]

i'm with you my brother. yes, wilt and shaq were more dominant. yes kareem was a better scorer. yes bill walton was a better passer. etc. etc. but as an all-around big, i'm taking the dream over anyone and everyone.

[@OnlyGamingClips]

Olajuwon and David Robinson were the 2 Centers that I enjoyed watching the most in that era.

[@azuresky8004]

Hakeem, top 5 center all-time! Couldn't guard or stop him but he had everyone else on lockdown.. Jordan fan here, but what Olajuwon helped the Rockets do in those 2 years in-between those legendary 3peats was just as exciting to me as a wide-eyed adolescent

[@c.kizzee8961]

Top 5? Name one that could guard him? Name one that had better defense than him? He's #1 in Blocks He's #9 in steals This would make arguably the best Defenders of all-time. While bring the most skilled big man ever and as dominate as Shaq.

[@SobridMusic]

I've been waiting patiently for this one! Olajuwon was my favorite player back in the 90's, I've read so many books and articles about the man I can tell you anything from his college days (Phi Slamma Jamma!) to what he's doing these days (still schooling 'em!)

[@grg20111]

They say MJ had the best fundamentals. Well Hakeem had the best fundamentals for a big man.💯

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Both of them today would dominate.

[@btf_program]

My favorite basketball player ever! Growing up in Houston I loved watching Hakeem play!

[@kedrickgamez]

You just gained a new subscriber!!! Hakeem is my my top center of all time as well. He dominated the position in the era that gave us Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, among others!!!

[@lestercharles8522]

The years that Jordan was out the league made me really appreciate how great this guy was.. The "dream".. No moniker was more deserved

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

You should've seen the years Jordan was in the league, Olajuwon was spanking Jordan routinely

[@lestercharles8522]

@@hakeemolajuwon4352 lol.. I heard so... I heard people say Jordan had lots of respect for the big African... They had a good record against the Bulls.. But Jordan pulled so much media attention we probably didn't get to appreciate Hakeem as much. . But the guy is a legend no doubt

[@edwardstrauss2204]

I played forward in HS, than fell in love with NBA Showtime,......but than living in Houston, I got to see this kid comming from Phi Slama, to enter the NBA. You don't know how rookie Hakeem changed the game. He was the pearl of the twin towers. He was a teenager making Kareem and the Chief have to re create themselves. You don't know how much fun it was for the Team announcer.

[@gladlawson61]

I would choose hakeem over shaq. Hakeem barely misses and hits free throws.

[@EmperorNerox]

No way.

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

@@EmperorNerox all day everyday, I would choose Olajuwon, David Robinson, Ewing, and Mourning over Shaq

[@averyce2]

@@hakeemolajuwon4352 Ewning & Mourning? R U a Georgetown fan?? Shaq destroyed both those dudes

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

@@averyce2they destroyed just as bad, with lesser teams! You gotta be able to shoot

[@janjilek3496]

@@EmperorNerox 95 Finals... Rockets vs Magic... 4-0 Sweep... I love Shaq, but as many others here, I would pick Hakeem as my starting center :) Even Shaq admits Hakeem pwned him...

[@andrewwebster15]

Love that he was a two way player. A team defender and iso defender. Skill and strength. An all time great.

[@Jinxcity84]

Hakeem in my top 5. I’m a man of skill set. Some are blessed with better teams so they win more.but as far as individual skills he is one of the greatest I’ve ever seen.

[@tommywaitsy]

Agree 100% Hakeem the Dream was the best big of them all. He had all the heart, toughness, athleticism and skill. ALL OF IT. Maybe Shaq would beat him some nights, but prime Olajuwon vs. prime Shaq in a 7 game finals series... I put my money on the Dream.

[@timmyodaley1411]

Keep rockin Sean. Thank you for this......

[@滋榎本]

Olajuwon's first win is truly amazing. I had excellent players among my teammates, but none of them could be called stars, so I won the championship. Neither LeBron nor Jordan could do this

[@chrisrobinson8339]

That Houston team was very good not just Olajuwon.

[@benyah3390]

@@chrisrobinson8339 that team was always missing a #2.

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

@@benyah3390 how do you go from this to berating someone else who said the exact same thing?! SMH

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

That year where Houston was 6th in the rankings, they battled...every....single....series. It was like watching Game Of Death with Bruce Lee or Gladiator.

[@HFH-Official]

Hakeem is one those player that were truly unstoppable. There has only been like 4 players that I can truly say no one could stop. MJ, Olajuwon, Shaq, Bird. You will never ever see players like that again...

[@kevinthomes1046]

That is a great list. I think Luka has a chance to join them.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I put Giannis in the soon to be category.

[@HFH-Official]

@Kevin Thomes I don't know about Luka... but we need to see a couple of years of him doing what hes doing now.

[@HFH-Official]

@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 Thing with Giannis is that he is limited to transitions and drives.... but still he is pretty badass.... In a couple of years we can seriously have this convo

[@kevinthomes1046]

@@HFH-Official I agree we need to see more of Luka.

[@jermainemapp438]

Anybody else love the way Reggie Miller is a fan who just got to play in the league?

[@arlindodosreis7522]

The most skilled center EVER to play the game. He played great at both ends. Imagine if surrounded this guy with some good ballers!!

[@dannynhl9441]

Grew up in NYC. Ewing was my favorite player all time but Hakeem is not just the best center I ever saw play but perhaps the best player. I was tall for my basketball team and I would study his moves to try and use. So many VHS tapes of NBA on NBC Sundays to watch. The fact that he was fasting as well and still playing top level. Pretty darn amazing. Houston fans had a special one to cheer for. I love that Hakeem and Patrick both went into the HOF the same year.

[@greatteacher3237]

He deserved to win much more DPOY awards. If it ain't with injuries and heart issues, the league history could be more thrilling and we'll be seeing an intense finals rivalry.

[@curtiszyr]

I remember as a kid growing up in Lagos Nigeria , we didn’t have tv to watch the games we only saw Hakeem stats and accomplishments in the newspaper. He inspire a generation of Nigerian basketball players

[@RicoBanani]

my favourite center ever

[@topgun6981]

I Love the love 👊🏾🙌🏾 mad respect

[@alexandrossimitzis146]

I also say that Hakeem Olajuwon is the greteast center ever! Because he never played with superstars in their prime, but he still won two rings. And even though he won his first one when MJ was retired, and his second one after his unsuccesful comeback (at least initially it was usuccesful), but it takes nothing away from him because he still schooled Patrick Ewing in the 94 finals, D-Rob in the 95 Eastern Conference semis, and Shaq in the 95 finals!

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

Not to mention he was whooping on Jordan from 84'-93'!

[@alexandrossimitzis146]

@@hakeemolajuwon4352 Where they playing 1 on 1?

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

@@alexandrossimitzis146 SMH what do you think?! But since you brought it up, Olajuwon was literally getting 2-3 steals and 4-5 blocks on Jordan himself nearly every game they played against each other!

[@alexandrossimitzis146]

Don't shake your head! You're the one who brought this 1 on 1 competition between Hakeem and Jordan, which doesn't exist, because basketball is a team game! You literally said "Not to mention he (meaning Olajuwon, not they, the Rockets) was (instead of were) whooping on Jordan (you didn't say the Bulls) from 84-93. But I understand what you're doing! You're trolling! Because this video is about Hakeem Olajuwon, not about the GOAT! So, I'll make quick work of you by asking you the following rhetorical questions: Who got the most rings, with finals MVPs, and what happened after 93? I'll answer that for you! I'll answer that for you! No disrespect to Hakeem, he's the greatest center I've ever seen, but it all comes down to rings! 6-0 with 6 finals MVPs is better than 2-0 with 2 finals MVPs. Plus, Hakeem got his first when Jordan was retired in 94, and his second in 95 when Jordan was in baseball shape! And then guess what happened from 96-98! Another three peat! All of them on Hakeem's watch! I don't bringing great players down, to prop up other great players, but some people like you just force my hand, and I gotta put you in your place! Good bye!

[@benyah3390]

Don't do that. Clyde wasn't in his prime when he joined Olajuwon, but he wasn't too far off. In ''94/95, he was just as good as Pippen was and Pippen was in his prime at the time. Olajuwon, goat center imo, but he does *not* win #2 without '95 Clyde. Clyde offset Penny and that's the very reason why Houston won. It's crazy people disrespect a top 5(#2 imo) positional player as good as Clyde was. We're talking about a consistent top 5-7 player leauge wise from about '86-'93 and some years besting Olajuwon and a top 3 player. There were years where he, Jordan, and Magic or Barkley were the 3 top players at the time; and Olajuwon and everyone else were behind him. So please stop the lie as if Clyde wasn't a superstar in '95. He & Olajuwon are two of the most underrated players ever. Take away the media bias and Clyde is certainly in the discussion for the #2 spot with Kobe, and Olajuwon is in the discussion of being the #1 center of all time, or #2 depending on where one ranks Wilt.

[@russellgentsch2740]

Finally someone said it. Hakeem Olajuwon is the best Center of all time in the NBA! Bar none

[@Tiger-pu4oz]

Absolutely, the best two way center (offensively & defensively ) in the history of the game of basketball! Not a single center I have seen till this day that was more skilled & polished. If the trade went through and him and Jordan were on same team…they would have had 10 championships together and would be the most 1-2 deadly combo ever.

[@Eagle8]

A truly great one.

[@slanderman3296]

Hakeem was like a super athletic Duncan

[@ap6160]

Greatest center of all time

[@magichands135]

He was already in the finals in 86, often overlooked.

[@1234jokerboy]

Yes true, but sadly they faced *THE CELTICS* , with prime bird, McHale, parish,DJ .. and so on.

[@magichands135]

@@1234jokerboy They did beat the Lakers though, who were champs in 85, defeating the Celtics. And who would be champs again in 87, again beating the Celtics.

[@anthonytaylor7928]

No it's not

[@tonysanders1299]

Akeem Olajuwon Still My Favorite Center Of All Time. He Had Everything U Want In A Center. Shaq Is My 2nd Favorite As Well

[@SunkaWicasa]

best center ever for me i met him twice and also a beautiful human bean

[@slick222]

Greatest center of all time and in the discussion for GOAT

[@leramfreeman2950]

Two greatest players ever. Jordan and Hakeem!!

[@erxhanb.810]

Bro i love ur videos there great

[@dojdoomz2363]

Greatest C ever! 💯🤺

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

Bar none

[@69olskool54]

Hakeem was a beast, loved watching him play. Would dominate even today.

[@kevinhu3515]

I agree with the take that Hakeem is the GOAT amongst NBA centers. Olajuwon literally had no weaknesses in his game. On defense, Dream is a two-way player that can bang with the bigs in the post, and to be quick and nimble enough to switch on pick and roll to keep up with the guards. He is the league’s all-time shot block leader AND is also ranked TOP 10 in STEALS all-time AND top 15 rebounders all-time. On offense, his footwork in the post is matched by none, he can score on the inside with an array of moves, AND can hit the outside jumper with great accuracy extending 15~18 feet from the basket. He is a decent free-throw shooter for a center( though he was not good at free-throw shooting early in his career, but at his prime, he shot above 75% for 6 seasons and has a total of 10 seasons of shooting better than 70% from the line in his career) He is the complete package of size, mental strength and toughness, great fundamental skills, quickness, finesse and raw talent.

[@bootzmcgillicuty]

I was at the playoff game where he received his MVP award. I was young AF but still my best sports memory ever. Plus they won the game 💯

[@tomstandring8678]

Best player I've ever seen also just a phenom.

[@midtownliving7197]

I got a chance to play him 1 on 1 at MacGregor Park in Houston. That was the first time I saw a 7 foot man dribble like a point guard.

[@MannyMensah94]

The Best center of the 1990s🏀🏀🏀 #Hakeemthedream

[@hakeemolajuwon4352]

Of all time

[@ATLienForLife]

Without a doubt

[@angelowhite4701]

The best I've seen

[@alexmills4981]

Nice Sean, great video

[@jaggernaut100980]

Hakeem is a center who didn't used physical banging strategy... But purely BRAINS. Brains are hard to guard because you can't see it. So it's hard to guard Hakeem "The Dream"... because you don't know what's he is goin to do because of his Brainy strategic moves. You will only figure it out when he had done the move.

[@kenwell3498]

best I've ever seen.

[@jasonpope1265]

Great video

[@janickimusic]

The Dream is always in my top 5 players

[@MasterSpade]

Hakeem is Top 10 in the GOAT list.

[@omegarojo790]

The Dream had simply too much class!!😎😎😎

[@mwright_boomer]

A top 5 player all-time

[@CrankyDumpling]

Lol...Absolutely no idea why people are comparing embiid to olajuwon...olajuwon is the greatest center I have ever watched

[@TrueFineGentleman]

Great quote I saw… “Hakeem was picked before Jordan and it still wasn’t considered the wrong pick” That’s powerful

[@desert_sky_guy]

Spurs fan since mid 1980s, well before Robinson arrived, so I'm no Rockets fan. But truth reigns supreme, and from my perspective Olajuwon is the most underrated player of all time. I'd take him over everyone who ever played at C except Wilt and Jokic. You do him justice here!

[@anticorporatists9959]

one of the best centers of all time you couldn't find a big man with those skill sets it's impossible

[@davidleach4689]

Hakeem had no weakness to his game plus unlike Walt and Shaq he was a very good free throw shooter. At one point he top ten in most stats for his career,was a clutch player most fundamentally sound center I have ever seen

[@davidleach4689]

Wilt not walt

[@dirkgarner9342]

The best best center period

[@EL2ube]

I agree, Hakeem is the BEST

[@mentubahotep6807]

Fact of the matter Hakeem was the best center over Shaquille David Ewing Parrish you name em Hakeem was the best!!!

[@leoniledebelen9740]

ONE thing Fearless no matter what player you are Hakeem wont be intimidated he will score defend the basket whenever he wants

[@VidiverseExplorer]

Hakeem the Dream! Anytime you talk about a defensive stalwart you think of him, but he was also a monster on offense as well!

[@yusufali2745]

The dream shake was 🔥🔥. Top my 3 center of all time 🙌👊☝️

[@TheShaund]

Growing up in Houston in dreams prime....he was everything our idol

[@maduroholdings]

Wow those pivots were smooth

[@monkwilson9063]

thank you i live in san antonio Hakeem was the fluid that Michael Jordan had too Hakeem's taller so i give him the edge on those two no offense that man was truly a dream

[@clownedoutonfoenemgrave6071]

I was saying that too he like Mj taller version he was to cole

[@soulbrother3299]

FACTS!!! NUMBER 1 !!

[@navyblue12]

Fully agree with his take: best center of all time. And for one reason that is not often mentioned; every player in this conversation has an aspect of his game that could not be matched. Kareem scoring, Russel the rings, Wilt & Shaq the physical dominace, Dream the skillset. But only Dream had beauty or maybe call it art, in his game. In the same way that Jordan had the airtime, the plastic moves, the agility, the same things were in Dream's game and made people wonder how a human being could create something so beautiful in the court. And beauty in the game inspires people more than rings or physical dominance, which of course you got to have as well in this conversation.

[@swoesteban5570]

I was a big fan from his college days.

[@TheRucker]

Hakeem is the best Big for me. I can't imagine that there will be another player who is so incredibly well trained. In his time he's had Ewing and also Robinson as counterparts, but when it came down to it he showed how good he really is.

[@aaronhutchinson885]

Greatest Defensive player of all time and center. He is without question. The starting center on my all-time team. There was nothing he couldn't do and he is really like 6'10. This guy was dominate in, maybe the best era for centers all time.

[@pamember]

the greatest centre of all time

[@medicropper]

When I was a kid, I collected Olajuwon cards. That was my guy. My jersey number was 34 because of him.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I always called Hakeem the "rubber band man" because it seemed like his muscles and tendons were made of rubber bands. That move he put on David Robinson was slicker than oil on ice.

[@johnroop9625]

HAKEEM=GOAT BIG MAN

[@차지훈-m3i]

Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon 😊

[@MrCashmere101]

Best center ever! Period!

[@josephknowles9015]

Best Ever HANDS DOWN

[@mikehinson5935]

YES!! The skill set on offense and defense!!! Even MJ says he is the most skilled center!!

[@rudyburnias3915]

I agree with David. Number 1 big of all times

[@michaelbunnell886]

Michael Jordan was asked in an interview who he would pick as his partner in a game of 2 on 2 basketball. He said “Hakeem Olajuwon”

[@jwilson6406]

I always agreed with this assessment. Never ever wanted to disrespect Abdul Jabber.

[@lenin25]

The dream! My favorite of all time

[@rjc9537]

I’m in 1000% agreement with you. Hakeem to me is the best Big ever! Defense he’s #1 with the most blocks ever and in the top 10 in steals. And offensively he was the baddest big to ever lace them up!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@greenehorn]

Favorite player ever.