Hakeem Olajuwon's absurd post moves were only his 2nd-best skill | Greatest Peaks Ep. 8

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Hakeem Olajuwon is often seen as a pinch-hitter for Michael Jordan, carrying the mantle when Jordan played baseball. But was he more than that? How valuable was Hakeem's scoring on offense? How much did his passing hold him back? And was he the best defender of the 3-point era?
This is the 8th episode in a series on the greatest peaks in NBA history (focusing on 1977-2020), featuring detailed scouting reports and film breakdown on the best players in NBA history at their best, along with analysis of their impact using historical data & stats to size up the highest peaking players ever.
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Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
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For more, see the Thinking Basketball stats series: • NBA Stats 101 Series
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
*SERIES MUSIC*
Bames Jond by Mikey Geiger
csus (instrumental)
Hair (fairlight)
Our Imperfect Place by Strength to Last
Lost by Alter Ego
Restless Knight by Greg Collins
Empire Season by Dan Henig
Confronting the Void by Cody Martin
Bloom by Bryant Lowry
Nemesis
#ThinkingBasketball #GreatestPeaks #NBAGoat

[@stinkasaurus]

How the fuck do you have 5+ blocks in HALF your playoff games across any significant stretch of time?? Goated.

[@doxazo5512]

Did I mishear or wasn’t it 35%

[@Davivd2]

I watched him in the playoffs as a kid and 10 block games were a thing for him. He was one assist short of a quadruple double against the Clippers in one game. I've only seen Hakeem and Andrew bynum get 10 block triple doubles in a playoff game. The announcers of that Clippers game said that Olajuwon had notched a quadruple double in his career before that game. To this day I've never seen anyone put up a quad double. Hakeem was just insane.

[@nicolasc.8380]

@@doxazo5512 "in the last two years it was 50%"

[@back2back379]

@@Davivd2 Olajuwon has gotten 2 quadruple doubles, and he got them both in the same month.

[@imhotepnixon]

I think Timmy D did it

[@TheHockeyjock10]

Greatest post repertoire ever, one of the greatest defenders ever with the footwork to guard the perimeter, 70% free throw shooter, great mid range game he could hit falling backwards, and could pass out of double teams at an elite level. He was so stupidly well rounded it’s hard not to be impressed by him. But if all those accolades aren’t impressive enough: the guy literally dropped 40 points during Ramadan where he was fasting with no food or water until after sundown. The Dream was not human.

[@clawxxchris]

I mean did you watch the video he wasnt elite passing out of double teams lmao

[@loulou7194]

@@clawxxchris He wasn't elite passing, but he's one of only 4 players who made a quadruple double in March 1990 vs Milwaukee (18pts, 16reb, 11blk, 10ast) and in the same month, the same year, he was close to do another one vs Don Nelson' Warriors (29pts, 18reb, 11blk, 9ast)

[@mandodelossantos2]

@@clawxxchris what?!? He used to pass out of spin moves and was splitting double teams since the 86' Finals

[@mandodelossantos2]

@@loulou7194 he recorded 376 blocks and 174 steals that season too

[@kingcam0775]

@@mandodelossantos2 He peaked as pretty good at it, but he wasn't elite.

[@TyroneNBAFan]

The first 5 mins of the video is Hakeem blocking Sean Elliot 😂

[@kizvy]

LOL YEA

[@conanbdetective]

Lmao

[@PrettyRxccy]

Hakeem is Sean Elliot's father😭😭

[@starkk19]

and then at around the second half of the video is Hakeem making David Robinson dance

[@breakfastenjoyer]

dude i loved that spurs team growing up 😭

[@samuelyuan291]

Hakeem: my personal pick for favorite/GOAT center.

[@depressedrocketsfan2880]

Hell yeah hell yeah you know what’s up

[@dylan16843]

Same

[@brosidenbro638]

I think Kareem,Russell and Wilt are slightly better but I can definitely see it, since he’s more skilled than either of them

[@leoo4354]

It's got to be kareem

[@Herosennin]

@@brosidenbro638 Agree Kareem and Wilt are slightly better but Olajuwon has clearly always been at least the 3rd best.

[@Longmatti1]

when you're chosen ahead of MJ and nobody considers it a bad pick.

[@MasterAppels]

Probably one of the best compliments you can give an NBA player 😂

[@FirashAdryan]

I see no cap here. All facts.

[@davidfebreeze428]

You talking about Sam Bowie?😂

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

This sums it all.

[@RosesInTheDark1996]

If they have to redo it with the knowledge they have now, I'm not sure they change their pick, as great as Michael is

[@BenJumpman89]

The ONLY Player to ever MVP, FINALS MVP and DPOY in the same year ('94). What a beast, severly underrated when it comes to GOAT talk.

[@user-yu7kl3zc6c]

Giannis in 2021 now

[@Li_Twig]

@@user-yu7kl3zc6c nope won the finals the year after mvp & dpoy

[@innosanto]

Michael Jordan

[@Manolo8988]

​@@user-yu7kl3zc6c not in the same year

[@Manolo8988]

​@@innosantomj 88 won everything except the chip champion

[@2timchen]

Glad he brought up the fact that Hakeem was really 6"10 which made his shot blocking and making during the era of Ewing, Robinson, and Shaq even more amazing.

[@sambeaumont395]

Plenty note that Ewing wasn’t 7’0” either, more 6’10” - Which partly explains that while he was great he wasn’t on the level of Olajuwon, Robinson or O’Neal.

[@arsonhakobyan]

@Xalpha23 And flattop, if you're referring to Ewing? Olajuwon would need his wife's high heels to get to 7'0. Dream was scratching 6'10 barefoot, like 6'10 3/4 w/ shoes on.

[@glovs4188]

Dream have crazy wingspan.

[@BasketballHighway19]

@@glovs4188 I just looked it up and God damn I did not expect that

[@louismclean6662]

Dream more 6'11

[@Chairsium]

Handball, Volleyball, Soccer and Basketball created one of the greatest athletes of all time. A true sportsman, that's for sure.

[@msl5253]

@Chairs Yeah. His defense was unreal on so many levels. No big (at least that I've seen) played defense like him. And the little guys defense didn't impact the opposition the way his did. He was like whirling Dervish, Human Tornado all over the court.

[@mandodelossantos2]

And Olajuwon is the only player to have a winning record on Jordan in the 90's

[@allanhouston6759]

Hakeem has a 13-10 winning Record against over MJ. *Shawn Kemp has a 30-20 winning Record over Hakeem Olajuwon.* In the Playoffs: MJ is a monster. For example: In 1989, the Chicago Bulls lost all regular season games to the Cavs ( 0:5 ). *1989 ECFR: Bulls vs Cavs ( 3:2 ).*

[@mandodelossantos2]

@@allanhouston6759 I think it's funny how when Jordan finally has a team that he won't get swept with, now it's all him! But Olajuwon being the solo all star for the majority of his career means he's a failure! Typical Jordan fanboy double standards. And no, Shawn Kemp wasn't by himself he had Payton, Shrempf and Ricky Pierce coming off the bench. Olajuwon had guards like Purvis Short, Sleepy Floyd, and Maxwell on his team and he still whooped on Jordan and Pippen and Grant routinely. But if you wanna be a dumb broad, I'm fine with that, let's talk about Jordan being guarded by little Craig Ehlo and role player Gerald Wilkins. So you have excuses for Jordan being 1-9 in the playoffs while Olajuwon had already made the Finals, but what's your excuse for Jordan being 5-1 for 3 straight seasons against Olajuwon with his 3 peat Bulls?!

[@mandodelossantos2]

@@allanhouston6759 you wanna talk about a 13-10 record but you try your best to ignore the 11-5 record Olajuwon had on Jordan for 9 seasons before Jordan picked up Rodman just to be a contender again. Olajuwon beat Jordan more times in 9 seasons than Jordan beat Olajuwon in 15 seasons... even after Olajuwon's surgeries Lmao without Rodman, Jordan would've never made it back to the Finals, but you wanna give him all of Pippen and Rodman's credit cuz you're a delusional fanboy.

[@allanhouston6759]

@@mandodelossantos2 *Hakeem teammates: Clyde Drexler, Ralph Sampson, Charles Barkley, Scotte Pippen.*

[@allanhouston6759]

@@mandodelossantos2 *1996 WCSF: Sonics vs Rockets ( 4:0 ).* Game 1, *Hakeem Olajuwon=6-Points, on 33%.* The Rockets won the title just a year ago. If Hakeem Olajuwon is so good, why did he play like a scrub ? ?

[@margarinetaintedgreen8140]

‘93 Olajuwon over 94 total games: 26 PPG on 52% FG, 80% FT 13.5 RPG, 4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 4.5 BPG Especially when considering this season featured prime versions of Ewing, Daugherty, Robinson, Mutombo, Oakley, Kemp, Barkley, Malone, and Rodman, as well as young monsters like Shaq, Mourning and Johnson, these are ridiculous numbers for any era.

[@msl5253]

@Margarine Yeah. He should have won the MVP in 93. That was a crazy year.

[@SapphicTwist]

Yeah, and his offense was nothing compared to his defense. This video vastly low-balls Olajuwon for some reason, on the basis of some hypothetical limitation he would have playing alongside another superstar. Since when is that the test of greatness? Dream's peak was all-time top 5, no question about it.

[@margarinetaintedgreen8140]

@@SapphicTwist Yes. Something that is completely hypothetical is not an argument at all. Plus, alongside Clyde Drexler, he avg: 33 PPG, 53%, 10 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG and 2.8 BPG in 22 playoff games against prime versions of Malone, Barkley, Robinson, Rodman, and Shaq for FMVP.

[@Justs99171]

@@SapphicTwist Hakeem Olajuwon had the greatest peak of any basketball player ever. This is easily verifiable, not just looking at his competition and the era he played in, but the fact that he is still the only lone all star to ever win a championship without another all star team mate. He certainly should have won MVP in 93 and he was the best basketball player in the world from 93-96.

[@alectapia1518]

Jordan

[@AFoulOdor]

I watched Hakeem on the Rockets from 86 until he left. One of his weaknesses before the championship years was foul trouble, and that was frequently the result of challenging plays he shouldn’t have challenged. Instead of seeing someone unwilling to go for the ball as frequently because of fatigue or age, I saw maturity and someone making good decisions about when to challenge. Outside of his amazing physical talent, Hakeem was dedicated to becoming a better player every day he stepped on the court. The mature play we saw in the mvp years was him elevating his mental game. Rudy T deserves some credit for that aspect of his game.

[@ethanwaggoner6017]

Idk how these videos not blowing up?????? These are the greatest videos on all of KZbin!

[@SuperMisteryMan01]

For real It’s the basketball appreciation I’ve been looking for in taking about their skill and proving it by skill man People sleep on the players this guy has made videos on

[@kizvy]

@@SuperMisteryMan01 ye

[@back2back379]

it'll probably show up randomly on recommended videos for random people in a few months. KZbin algorithm can be weird.

[@ethanwaggoner6017]

@@back2back379 I hope so, he deserves it

[@rollotomasi4045]

@The Ultimate It would take over 2 hours of content to deep dive into Russell and Chamberlain. I'd rather have 20 minute videos on separate profiles.

[@jonwhispers]

This is a masterclass in many things, but in particular in what your kids should be doing if they decide to play basketball (or any sport of that matter). Have fun, play different sports, enjoy your childhood before you get narrowly focused on one thing. It might give you some unintentional perks down the road. Also, if that man learned to read cuts a little better my goodness.

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

Stuff like vision and elite passing instincts are usually innate. You can't really learn to become an elite passer or to have that sort of vision. It's like someone learning to become an elite shooter like Steph. You can improve, but to get to elite level, you have to be gifted. Just like Hakeem was such a gifted post scorer, so much balance, coordination, agility, creativity and touch.

[@dasupremegentlelad4321]

@@nostalgicbliss5547 I think he means how hakeem played volleyball, handball soccer etc before basketball and some skills naturally translated.

[@jonwhispers]

@@dasupremegentlelad4321 Precisely.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

@@nostalgicbliss5547 I think part of it came from playing with hot garbage for about 7 years during his prime. LBJ may have carried some bad teams, but they were bad teams built around him that at least complemented his game. Hakeem's teams were just bad, which is astounding when you consider the Rockets had an all-timer on an undervalued contract, and was single-handedly too good to tank for lottery picks no matter how bad his teams were. He may not have been much of a passing threat, but that's because he was probably better off jacking up a fadeaway into a triple team anyways for half of his prime. If he had better coaching and teammates for his prime, God forbid a perimeter costar, we'd probably see a different Hakeem. Even though he wanted to stay in Houston, if Portland won that coin flip (or the Rockets made that fabled Ralph Sampson trade), most all-time lists would look pretty damn different, and Jordan wouldn't be Jordan.

[@MarioDiciple]

If you just make incredible shots all the time as it turns out they dont get any harder vs elite defense.

[@TyroneNBAFan]

I think this is something Jordan and Kobe practiced also. This didn't really work for older MJ or Kobe throughout his career.

[@lik7953]

@@TyroneNBAFan especially kobe. If I was a coach, I would rage at the shot selection of kobe. But he made them consistently. Probably the greatest difficult shot maker of all time.

[@russianspy5007]

@@lik7953 kind of like what Zach Lavine does, except Lavine doesn’t make nearly as many

[@glo3236]

@@TyroneNBAFan Older MJ had an incredible percentage on his fadeaway shots.

[@MauricioBarragan]

Lmao

[@MindfulAttraction]

i genuinely have a hard time believing that players like hakeem, embiid, nash, duncan and all those players who started late, really did start that late. Because most of them are unbelievably skilled. I just don't believe it

[@nathanieldurfee5419]

We consider them skilled in large part because of their footwork. You know what is really, really good for training light, precise footwork? Soccer. All of the above grew up playing soccer, some very well (Nash). This is also true for the Gasols, Kobe, Chad Ochocinco from football, and many other athletes renowned for their incredible footwork. This is also part why foreign players tend to be more smooth with their footwork.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

It's a combination of talent, skill, and a more generalized athletic background. It's like video games, some people play for years extremely regularly, and are 'average' or 'above average' rank. Others start off at the same place, and then a year later they're at 'pro' rank. I can guarantee you, and they'll say it from themselves, they SUCKED compared to their peers when they started playing, despite their physical advantages. Hakeem couldn't even dunk when his first coach asked him to! It wasn't that he wasn't tall enough or couldn't jump, it's just that the motion would have been so awkward and unfamiliar for him that he couldn't do it, like he has to focus on jumping, holding the ball, then focus on something he's never done before. It's like this for every beginner at anything, shit that seems impossible and awkward at first eventually becomes natural with enough practice. Best example I can think of is Mark Eaton, who didn't start when he was 15 or 16, but 20! Then he spent his first two years playing JC ball under probably mediocre coaching where he didn't have to try, he just had like a foot size advantage over his matchup, then, at 22, he went to UCLA, and got a rude wake up call, he was useless. There's a big difference between 22 and 15/16, he was never going to learn NBA big man skills at that age, and he didn't have the speed, agility, and talent to compensate anyways. Wilt saved his career by telling him this and to focus on defense, where he could be a star killing defender and rim protector just by being a semi-aware 7'4" giant that was built like a husky football player. Oh, and part of it is just statistics. Doesn't apply to Nash, but there's just the chance of being 7 feet or taller is 0.000038%. When you consider some of these people are going to be from places that don't play basketball AT ALL, or will have giantsism that prevents them from playing sports at all, and half of them will be too old to be 'NBA age', this effectively limits the number of NBA eligible centers, based on height and age, to 1000, FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD! For big men trying to make it to the NBA, they have better odds of making it than the average public high school boy trying to make varsity. Compare that to the millions of 6 footers competing for point guard spots, and you get the picture, so if you're an athletic and strong 7 footer with long wingspan, you're not only pretty much guaranteed to make it to the NBA, you're guaranteed to be GREAT. Even bad 7 footers can make a career in China or Europe playing professionally, just because they are so rare.

[@tsalisabidanurdin4548]

That's what happen when you play football. The footwork man!

[@CrimsonUniverse22]

@@nathanieldurfee5419 Well, Duncan didn't play soccer growing up, he was a swimmer. A very talented one too. Swimming involves a lot of coordination and syncing of your body to pull off specific movements to drive yourself forward in the water. That probably helped him a lot with just body coordination and fluidity with movement.

[@Sizdothyx]

It's probably because they started that late that they became so good at it. They brought in habits and skills from other sports and employed them on the basketball court; everything is pretty much textbook, but when you say, bring in a swimmer's stroke into a defensive stance, you don't really know how to properly counter it because you're used to the go-to moves that have already been done.

[@tonylouis6072]

Hakeem is underappreciated today. He was completely amazing on both ends of the floor

[@michaelgallien4477]

I remember those back to back championships here in Houston, it was epic. Hakeem Olajuwon will forever be the best to ever play the five position.

[@urbaindelva7869]

Hakeem has always been my favorite center all time. Never saw him play, but based on what I know about him, the skills he put on display were unlike anything seen in his era. What today's bigs are supposed to be, he was the original template. Many say that the Bulls would've went 8-0 in the Finals had Jordan not retired, but Hakeem would've had something to say in '94.

[@jus3278]

There were years during the early 90s where I thought he was the best player in the game, but he didn't have the team around him. Hakeem is top 5 all time.

[@koolkai4299]

What is your Top 5 All-Time list? I have Hakeem number 4.

[@shakirrizvi7669]

Totally agreed...every group of guy friends have played the "draft game"...hakeem is ALWAYS my #1 pick...to me pound for pound HD was the best most talented player I've ever seen play

[@paulh3261]

@@koolkai4299 I have MJ, lebron, Kareem in that order. But after that I have Hakeem, Kobe, bird, Kobe, Tim Duncan and wilt chamberlain

[@koolkai4299]

@@paulh3261 Sorry for the late reply lol. I have 1. MJ 2. Kobe. 3. Lebron. 4. Hakeem 5. Kareem

[@msl5253]

@Jus The Irony Is: By the end of his 2nd season, he was considered the 2nd best player in the NBA . So, that shows us how good he was for so long, despite his teams problems (which folks from a far, would try to hold against him).

[@utho8080]

Arguably the greatest 2-way player ever. He’s in my all-time starting 5.

[@kevinthomes1046]

When picking you starting 5 is it the 5 best or 5 best to make a team? Who are they?

[@tonysobon4669]

IDK about that , I think you are forgetting about Kareem , I know most people just think of his sky hook but if you compare both there stats , Kareem had about the same amount of blocks and level of defense but with a trade off of foot work vrs. that sky hook that was almost a cheat code. Kareem also played at an elite level longer. The there is also Wilt who no one really got to see play so it's hard to say with him. Overall Hakeem in an all time starting 5 is not a bad pick but there are a few others I would take over him at a PF/C position.

[@seanrc8642]

Good point. Best two-way players I can think of are MJ, Wilt and Hakeem. Giannis may get there some day …

[@seanrc8642]

@@tonysobon4669 yep, Kareem had the greater overall career and there’s certainly an argument, a strong one, for him being the better offensive player. Opponents Feared Kareem on offense. The only thing I can throw against his superior offensive stats is the eyeball test. Hakeem just looked more skilled, quicker, seemed more clutch. Opponents feared Hakeem on both offense and defense. Defensively, Hakeem has the better stats (blocks, steals, and rebounds per possession) over his career. And the eyeball test: he was much more disruptive. Opponents feared Hakeem’s defense over his career much more than they did Kareem’s. I know that Cap’s early career, especially with the Bucks was incredible statistically. And those clips of him taking on an old Wilt are great. But he got to play with sooo many greater players than the Dream did. And often Kareem was not the best player on his team. Dream was the best player on every Houston squad he played on.

[@tonysobon4669]

@@seanrc8642 Kareem played legit defense for most of his career , also to say he wasn't even the best player on his team is not really care since your talking about Magic and that was towards the end of Kareem's career and again Kareen played more productive years. Also back to the defense thing , It's hard to say one was better then the other because Hakeem was not as tall and relied on his footwork more so in a way it made his defense look better. With Kareem he was so tall and lengthy he just looked less skillful on defense but his production on defense was as good and because he played almost a decade before it's a bit harder to find highlights but his stats do not lie. I love Hakeem , I watched this video because I do but it just bothers me how much Kareem gets snubbed when it comes top these kind of topics , Hakeem does also but To me Kareem was the better overall player. prosomal awards but I do factor in MJ era where MJ won so many personal awards for a player to win any during the time he played there is a very good chance they would of had more in a different time.

[@youngreezy6859]

This series is amazing

[@TyroneNBAFan]

It's probably the GOAT NBA series. This and "Attention To Detail" from "By Any Means Basketball" are the best on KZbin.

[@back2back379]

10:14 That one-legged fadeaway, long before Dirk.

[@waff6ix]

young dirk probably used to study that same clip

[@sambeaumont395]

And Wilt did it way before then.

[@back2back379]

@@sambeaumont395 oh really? One-legged? Can you link me footage or quotes from reliable sources?

[@sambeaumont395]

@@back2back379 - Wilt Chamberlain Archive - this video shows fade-away, a lot of two foot jumps, but the one legged is in there still - obviously no where near as pretty or exaggerated as Dirks but Wilt likely would have been called for fouls if he raised his leg or kicked out like Dirk did, just like he would have had he played bully ball like Shaq. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boCcfpqEm8h6gKM

[@back2back379]

@@sambeaumont395 I didn't see any one-legged ones in there like Hakeem or Dirk, certainly not shot in a way where you could legitimately say that's where they got it from. Yes, Wilt likely would have been called for fouls if he raised his leg like that, which furthers the point that he was not doing it. Hakeem on the other hand, is noticeably raising his front leg on the one-legged fadeaway, so it's very clear that his one-legged fadeaway is a legitimate pre-cursor to Dirk's. Wilt had a nice regular fadeaway of course, but there's just a completely different balance and awkwardness when you shoot it one-legged the way Dirk and Hakeem did. Anyway, thanks for the link, although I've seen it before.

[@lorrancelewis7120]

When it comes to peaks playoff runs Hakeems beating all the dominant Centers of his era in playoff series the way he did may be the most noteworthy playoff run of all time

[@kizznillroy07]

There’s a statistic out there that ranks the difficulty of all championship runs since 1984 and the ‘95 rockets are firmly placed at number 1.

[@dusk6159]

And even without that that run and ring would be insane, and on the level of carries of Lebron and Tim Duncan, especially without Glide.

[@NothingElseMattersJM]

Shaq is way better than Hakeem

[@kizznillroy07]

@@NothingElseMattersJM even Shaq disagrees with that.

[@FuShengAlex]

@@NothingElseMattersJM at beating creampuffs

[@docjjp]

Quick shout to Horry and Bullard who weaponized that 4 out alignment with 3pt range at the PF. And I guess we're not considering '95 Clyde a star teammate for this convo, but I thought they worked well together. Hakeem's kickouts allowed Clyde to catch and shoot better than he had in POR, and Dream could clear out of the paint to let Clyde post sometimes because as a C he had range on his jumper. Clyde's drives drew defenders from the rim, and Hakeem took advantage on the glass for put backs. It's not a Stockton/Malone level synergy, but it worked well.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

That short 3pt line helped Clyde, he was already shooting better from 3 before he came to Houston. He did have some good synergy with Hakeem though, he was washed up, but still had enough gas in the tank to attack the rim and the Rockets were adept at getting him good possessions.

[@tylerjacobson8012]

The most underrated player in history. He’s without a doubt the greatest center imo. Nobody comes close imo. His post play was like art. His defense was brutal and dominate. Just an amazing player .

[@quigonkenny]

If you're talking about peaks, no one has ever or will ever have as dominant a season as Hakeem that first championship season. MVP, DPoY, Finals MVP, and carries the team to the championship literally by himself.

[@michaelulbricht9438]

Other than Wilt, Hakeem could well be the most athletic center of all time. His quickness, energy, and relentless pursuit was truly remarkable!

[@hkgcgsdhjgd]

Wilt Chamberlain was quite possibly the greatest athlete who has ever played in the NBA. It’s a shame he was a selfish egomaniac who was more concerned with padding his stats and sleeping with a lot of women than he was with winning basketball games.

[@michaelulbricht9438]

@@hkgcgsdhjgd Wilt was the greatest athlete to ever play. "Chamberlain holds 72 NBA records, 68 by himself." He's the only Center to lead the league in assists. Also, he had a field goal % of 72.7 in his last season. I could go on and on about other players saying he moved them around like they were nothing, and because of his incredible strength he couldn't utilize it at all times or he would have severely harmed many other players. Michael Jordan never would even be close to Wilt if he played when Wilt did. He wouldn't be "allowed" to dunk over players like Wilt, because if he did then he would have been flattened the next time he tried it. Jordan may be the best player of all time, but the most dominant player in any sport was Wilt. As Wilt said to Jordan, "how many rule changes have they made that favor you?" Virtually all the rule changes when Wilt played were changed to make it more difficult for him. Take care!

[@robertdonnell1542]

@@michaelulbricht9438 Thanks so much for giving Wilt the proper respect he deserves! It seems that in these days, there are those who don't have the insight to see what a phenom he was and how he changed the game beyond measure...again, thanks!!!

[@msl5253]

@@michaelulbricht9438 Love That "His quickness, energy, and relentless pursuit was truly remarkable!" So true. So, many don't eve realize the type of engine/furnace/energizer bunny/human tornado he was on the court.

[@Uebelkraehe]

Watching the 'Dream Shake' made me fall in love with basketball...

[@thekopytos4257]

How does somebody have the best post moves of all time and the best defense in the three point era. That play must be top 3 all time

[@mandodelossantos2]

I got him #1 but mixtape videos has him #3 behind Kareem and Jordan

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

Most of Hakeem's prime was wasted because the Rockets were incompetent. Poor coaching, plus some bad luck with Sampson getting injured and never being the same, some of the other guards on his team in the 80s suspended and even forced out of the league because of their drug habits. If Hakeem had the luck to be drafted in the situations of Magic, Bird or getting someone like a Pippen, Horace Grant in their prime to play with, he would have been top 3 all-time without debate. He also never played with any really good playmaking PG in his career. One that would get him easy buckets, he had to work so hard in the half-court for everything. He wasn't a mammoth like Shaq or 7'2 like Kareem. He was really just 6'10 and 250, that is the size of a lot of power-forwards. Yet the man was anchoring defenses as one of the most dominant centers ever!

[@Somm_RJ]

@@nostalgicbliss5547 did you watch the video? It's pretty hard for Hakeem to plag with another high usage player. The team must be built around him.

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

@@Somm_RJ Hakeem played with Ralph Sampson. A guy who was a 20 and 10 all star caliber PF/C. The original twin towers. Even when Hakeem was still raw in his second year in the league, he lead his team to the finals after beating the showtime Lakers. They lost to the 67 win Celtics in 6. The 1986 Celtics are considered one of the best teams ever. Hakeem could def play along a high usage player. If Hakeem played alongside Clyde Drexler in his prime, he'd have won a lot more championships.

[@Somm_RJ]

@@nostalgicbliss5547 I understand, Hakeem was my favorite player growing up. I made a reply based on your original comment. Let me answer it clearly. No, he would not be able to take Bird's or Magic's team because he is not a playmaker. If he went to the Bad Boy Pistons, probably yes. He won't need to playmake but the team would still be nicely built around him. Drexler was in his last legs when he teamed up with Hakeem. I could not see it working out if the they had prime Drexler. When Drexler came around, it was good on paper but not really. The team was built around Hakeem, they won the 1st championship without Drexler. They don't need Drexler, what they need are good role players, not a 2nd star or 3rd star. In fact, they regressed in their 2nd chanpionship, when Drexler was around.

[@khalidcarter25]

This proves that Hakeem and the 1994 and 1995 Rockets would thrive in today's nba with that type of spacing

[@MattHawkesPurdy]

The one I’ve been waiting for

[@depressedrocketsfan2880]

Yessir

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

We’ve all been waiting for it!

[@linkonedgell894]

Same

[@dawsnoshift]

Sameee

[@anirudh8665]

Facts! Hakeem is legendary

[@knoxhicks7588]

Finally people are saying this. Hakeem should be on the GOAT conversation. The league just didn't choose to promote him for some reason.

[@koolkai4299]

Because he was Muslim and an International player. Look at Giannis they disrespect him in current day media.

[@ndrocca]

Genuinely, my favourite player of all time. I wish I was alive to watch him play. He just looks so insanely fluid as both a player and athlete. I have no doubt this dude would be deadly in the NBA today. Especially since I am confident he could develop a 3 point shot in the modern era. In my opinion, no centre other than maybe early 70s Kareem was better at their peak.

[@htownblack9184]

He’s arguably the best player ever

[@keithjunior6130]

Saying it’s unclear how well Hakeem could play with another star on the Court while using footage that has Clyde Drexler(whom he won a title with btw) and or Scottie Pippen on the court is wild to me lol. I also don’t like the assumption that Hakeem would have to take the back seat or lesser role because another star would added when short of Michael Jordan it would’ve been impossible to find a player in that Era that would’ve been good enough to warrant Hakeem taking a lesser role it would’ve been the Star coming to play with Hakeem that would have to adjust their game to fit with Hakeem’s Style of play.

[@KleinpeterHank]

I agree, his versatility and skills would’ve made it so he could fit with anyone IMO. The only counter with the Clyde and Pippen example though is that none of them were quite in their primes, and then again neither was Hakeem.

[@KleyDeJong]

I think the point plays out in the tail of Hakeem's career. I think it is fair to argue that Drexler and Pippen both played secondary roles to Hakeem as the primary. Later Hakeem did not have more success when they added Barklee and then Pippen. I think in-elastic is a fair descriptor. His strengths are extreme and I agree it is fairly ludicrous to think about a player of his era joining that team and taking the primary role. However that is kind of the point. Contrast that with a player like Larry Bird. While certainly a star and a primary option, he also was able to amplify other stars with his passing and shooting. Or Lebron. Think about how his playstyle has adapted from his early days in Cleveland to his days in Miami to his championship last year in LA. Lebron is very elastic in his ability to bring in other stars (D-Wade or AD) and amplify their ceiling. Overall I don't think it is a powerful knock against Hakeem. He was an incredible player and very worthy of being in this list. But he was not perfect in all areas of which a GOAT can be great.

[@davidfebreeze428]

@@KleyDeJong drecktet and Clyde? You mean pippen and Clyde and you’re right but let’s just imagine hakeem playing in the triangle offense and for a coach who really teaches the system I think his passing would have gotten better or at least looked better just because from a post up there would be off ball screens and he can get more easy passes for someone flashing to the free throw line for a jumper plus his normal kickouts and then he’d put more focus on finding cutter maybe

[@keithjunior6130]

I think Larry Bird exist in that Steph Curry type of space of being a non-ball dominate star player which is insanely impossible to find or replicate so using them as a standard of what a star should be is a fallacy that would using the anomaly to pigeon hole a standard which is ridiculous. The reality is the overwhelming majority of star players are going to ball dominate players whether it’s a ball dominating scorer like Jordan Kobe Harden or a ball dominating facilitator like Magic Nash Bron. So expecting your star player to be infinitely elastic and malleable as to fit the needs of any type of player that may be brought into the organization is ridiculous the secondary star should be the one adjusting. Like Dwayne Wade learning to be the best Off Ball cutter in history to fit in with LeBron rarely do you ever have the one to fit like dropping KD onto GSW or Kawhi in Toronto.

[@davidfebreeze428]

@@keithjunior6130 you’re completely right on bird

[@scottwalding7766]

9:55 Ewing was stuck in concrete. Most beautiful spin move ever.

[@RighteousUncle]

I loved The Dream, but watching this makes you appreciate how special Jokic is on offense even more. However at his peak Hakeem was the best center of all time.

[@jesus360noscope2]

Oh man just shut up. Why you talking about Jokic under a video about The Dream. Meatrider.

[@SapphicTwist]

You could play both Dream and Jokic, with Jokic as your high-post ball distributor, Dream working the baseline, MJ, Curry and Leonard running off-ball...

[@trollkenobi6727]

Hakeem is better than any current center Change. My. Mind.

[@zozetamad3022]

I like Hakeem's background of playing volleyball, soccer, etc. before playing basketball. I wonder if there's still private coaches and trainers who train athletes across multiple sports instead of just focusing on one sport like we have today.

[@paulmcfadden9498]

This is so well made. I work in this industry and I am gobsmacked by how professionally this has been constructed. Take a bow mate, you deserve it.

[@morecowbell235]

Best defender of all time. He is #1 all time in blocks and #9 all time in steals . I believe he is the only non-guard in the top 10 in steals. you can be certain that his presence improved the team defense dramatically.

[@javigar133]

Had his flaws but that intensity he brought every night, agility and wizard footwork with fakes and Spinning moves, made him the most exciting centre to watch all time. Top 10

[@acctsys]

The athleticism on that jump is legendary.

[@Tony-fq5bn]

Prob the best touch around the rim I've ever seen. Just the way he flicks the wrist on that hook, incredible

[@donaldpriola1807]

He was pretty raw in the beginning, especially his handle; what isn't said enough about him is how hard he worked to improve. His name deserves its place among the greats, for sure.

[@reotseng3299]

I absolutely love this series. The production quality, detailed metrics, and holistic analysis is truely a weekly pleasure. Have you ever explained how you create these stastical visualizations? I'm interested in the graphic representation of data and I would love to see how you go about making all of this work. Thanks for the awesome videos!

[@yd856]

Lots of info on his website backpicks.com. You have to pay for most of it though.

[@nba2kclassicmatchups906]

Excellent work, excellent video. The fact that Hakeem gets less help than other superstars and has to play with mediocre rosters during his prime years makes him underrated. If somebody like the players next to Shaq/Kareem were with Hakeem, now Hakeem would be the subject of goat discussion with M. Jordan.

[@dutchmilk]

You do not get into the nba as a mediocre player. -_-

[@nba2kclassicmatchups906]

@@dutchmilk Yes, you cannot enter the nba as a mediocre player, but after entering the nba, you can look mediocre next to other players. What is there to not understand? There was not a single all-star player beside Hakeem in the '94 championship. Nowadays, in some teams, you can find more than one superstar players.

[@drift2557]

@@dutchmilk mediocre players relative to the NBA, obvious said players are still great in comparison to regular people.

[@kennyhill2678]

I still think Ewing got the sweetest turnaround jumper for a big. I love a lot of the guys that played this era.. Greatest basketball ever. Back when it was East vs West for the Allstars.

[@Mr.Memphis10]

Good content! The way how Hakeem Olajuwon dominated both sides of the floor with that height is remarkable.

[@fletchbundy]

Hakeem was ridiculously good. Those mid-90s teams are when they finally surrounded him with talent. However, if Sampson stayed healthy... Man.

[@jorgedelgado8177]

The fact that some of today’s basketball fans thinks T. Duncan was better than Olajuwon tells you how underrated Hakeem was.

[@msl5253]

@Jorge SMH. That would be super insane!!

[@K-xb2qz]

Hakeem was more athletic but I think the all around better player is Duncan. Duncan just seem more boring to some people but he affected the game just about the same way Hakeem did

[@Okcdoubleblades]

​@K-xb2qz how in what way not defense or offense you need to go look at what Robert Horry said he played with both Duncan just had a better coach & teammates go check the stats also

[@K-xb2qz]

@joceja23 Sure does 😁

[@jeffreyt4345]

This is the best KZbin series of all time. Thank you so much for the fantastic work.

[@allenlott3592]

What he didn't mention is that every year Hakeem had a different move and was the only center with at least 3 shots in his repertoire that was unstoppable you could not block him he just had to miss Olajuwon was unbelievable and unbeatable. If Houston would have got him some talent after he went in his second year to the finals against Boston then he would have had way more championships a lot of people don't bring up that fact.

[@koolkai4299]

Hakeem was Kobe Bryant in Centers body

[@msl5253]

@Allen Lott Bingo (on everything), especially on your last line about what happened after his 2nd season!!!!

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

Once Hakeem started dishing the ball back out, he became unstoppable. When HOU got guys that started knocking down 3's, they were almost unbeatable. He was the ONLY true star on those HOU teams of the 90's. He is an even better human being than a basketball player

[@patrickyoung2106]

Clyde?

[@msl5253]

@Sbrecat That went hand in hand, with Houston getting good coaching/change of philosophy (, and building good shooters around Dream) with the arrival of Rudy T.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

"They didn't run as many pick and rolls in the 90's as they do today" Then proceed to show the most PnR spamming duo in the history of basketball, lol.

[@wazza9089]

lol ikr

[@jonwhispers]

I was surprised by the statement myself, but hey I'll give him the benefit of a doubt. I know that dude watches game film like I watch youtube videos everyday so ..eh.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

@@jonwhispers Nah, he was right, Utah was the exception, now most top teams want a PnR threat and that's pretty much all most teams want out of their centers on offense.

[@t4d0W]

@@localneo-graphic4647 Exactly. In those days when someone mentions PnR the first team to come to mind is the Utah Jazz because of the Stockton-Malone duo that has been eating with that for decades in order to get to the playoffs. There weren't many other teams then running PnR at that frequency on offense.

[@youngdeezy6969]

LeBron ad

[@bigyfuzz]

Hakeem was genuinely ridiculous. I think he is way higher in the GOAT conversation than we realise

[@yuanabjelina1349]

Haven't even watched it yet, and I already liked

[@qqw743]

I've been watching ball since 1971, and Olajuwon is the best player I've ever seen. His incredible rim protection defense in a post-dominant era alone would have made him an All-Star. His unstoppable offense alone would have made him an All-Star. He. Was. Better. Than. Jordan. There, I've said it. Let the hating begin.

[@blo2706]

Wasn't better than jordan, even before the rings no one had hakeem above jordan.

[@allanhouston6759]

*Hakeem Olajuwon lost in the first Round to team whose best player was Dale Ellis.* 1996 WCSF: Sonic vs Rockets ( 4:0 ). Game 1: *Hakeem Olajuwon=6-Points, on 33%.* better than MJ ? ? what a joke.

[@blo2706]

@@allanhouston6759 where do you rank hakeem all-time?

[@allanhouston6759]

@@blo2706 Top 10.

[@blo2706]

@@allanhouston6759 you think he has an argument for top 5?

[@charles9489]

He did play with Ralph Samson, if he had another star, he would adjust.

[@louismclean6662]

Facts him and Sampson made the 86 Lakers they little b****😂🤣😂

[@dy120481]

Grew up in Houston and was 12 when they beat the Knicks in '94 so got to watch him in his prime. Obviously a little biased, but he's hands down the best center in league history to me. He played in the Golden Era of big men, had to go through ALL OF THEM over their two year title run and DOMINATED all of them. He also retired top 10 in *FIVE MAJOR STATISTICAL CATEGORIES* while no one else has done more than 2. He's also the only player in NBA history to win a championship without another current All-Star or future HOF'er on the team. He also did this without much of a left hand, which is fucking insane. Dude was an absolute one man wrecking crew.

[@voltron37]

Hakeem is one of my all time favourite players. loved this video. also its great how you point out their flaws, even though that is uncomfortable for fans to see and usually videos don't talk about them or overly attack them. great series!

[@voltron37]

Also, the clip from Coming to America made me laugh out loud

[@bperry573]

Shaquille O’Neill will always be my favorite center. Saying that, I can say without hesitation that, Hakeem was a better player

[@coloneldusty4476]

No he wasn’t. Look at the results. Hakeem had 8 1st round exits. Shaq went a dozen years between 1st round exits. 6 in a row iirc. Hakeem was the Carmelo of centers until about 93/94. A ballhog who most didn’t want to play with .

[@FuShengAlex]

@@coloneldusty4476 the "Carmelo of Centers" made Shaq run off the court in tears after draining a 3 in his eye in the Finals

[@oldenyz3148]

Shaq would agree and so do I. Hakeem like Jordan stayed on 1 team to get it done. Shaq / Wilt were the most dominant, Hakeem / Kareem the most talented.

[@hkgcgsdhjgd]

Maybe Hakeem didn’t pass the ball because he had no one to pass it to. It’s not his fault his team lost in the first round so many times. If anything, he’s the reason the team even made it that far. A lone superstar can definitely give your team a boost, but they can only get so far without good teammates who can help carry the burden.

[@yd856]

I honestly think Hakeem had a top 3 peak of all time.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

Nah, Top 5 at the very most imo. Just including after the merger, Jordan, LeBron, Shaq, are higher, and you could definitely argue Hakeem over Curry and Duncan, so top 5 is definitely more reasonable

[@yd856]

Caruso Highlight Reel I think it’s Jordan, LeBron, Hakeem for peak.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

@@yd856 You don’t think Shaq peaked higher than Hakeem?

[@yd856]

Caruso Highlight Reel it’s really really close but at the end of the day what marginally separates it for me is that 1994 Hakeem didn’t have a co star like 2000 Shaq did.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

@@yd856 But what does that have to do with Hakeem as a player?

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

I'm really loving how your blending a bit more comedy/memes in, not too much but just a tiny bit of light relief really serves the videos well imo. Keep going dude your content is fire the subs will come.

[@Steve_643]

Handball, Volleyball, and Soccer really helped Hakeem’s Basketball game. He was the best low post player I ever seen play.

[@Eon210]

He is severely underrated imo.

[@jeuryb14]

I love this series the analysis is spot on. I wanna see a separate series. Players like Carmelo Anthony, Paul pierce, Jerry west, Kevin Durant. Also a good potential series

[@sandigunawan4947]

All of this is after the merger so jerry west is out of the way. Paul pierce won't be in this series since moses malone, ewing and Dr j aren't included

[@arthurdiserbeau1736]

Kevin Durant will be included I think. It'd be weird otherwise

[@back2back379]

There's not much to say about Carmelo, he's a good Isolation 1 on 1 volume scorer with mediocre efficiency, that's about it.

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

This is my favorite center of all time Hakeem Olajuwon all around player offense and defense skill player on top of that... Michael Jordan said it is out of his mouth he feared the Houston Rockets he would have never retired that team probably would have beat the Bulls 93/94 season the 94/95 Houston Rockets was dangerous

[@willzsportscards]

This is so well done! Hakeem is the best center I've ever seen. No one else is close. Watching since 1985, so obviously missed peak Kareem and few other guys before him who obviously are in the conversation for best ever.

[@6thsense338]

felt like i was watching someone play handball with all those one handed passes - one of my teammates also played it before basketball and has a pretty similar style. loved the breakdown

[@christopherpryor4055]

The greatest 2 way player to ever live.

[@MochrieTVHotS]

The discussion of Hakeem taking hard shots already, thus being somewhat immune to heavy defense, is very reminiscent of Kobe.

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

Also Nowitzki too

[@MindfulAttraction]

him and kevin mchale were SOOOOOO similar. It's like kobe to mj. Both had similar styles offensively and defensively.

[@glovs4188]

Mchale was as similar to hakeem defensively?

[@franciscoroca7661]

Bruh, mchale similar to hakeem defensivly? It' not even close to similar

[@localneo-graphic4647]

@@franciscoroca7661 McHale was an elite defender, one of the best in the League. Just because he wasn't GOAT status like Hakeem on that end doesn't mean he wasn't great.

[@franciscoroca7661]

@@localneo-graphic4647 Mchale: 6x all defendive team 0x DPOY 37 total defensive win shares for his carreer. He avereged 0.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game(31st all time total blocks) Hakeem: 9x all defensive team 2x DPOY 94.5 total defensive win shares for his carrer Avereged 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game (1st all time total blocks) I don't mean to disrespect Mchale, he himself was a great defensive player, but he doesen't compare with Hakeem. You said they were similar and they are so clearly not.

[@vincenthammons6705]

not really mchale needed someone to set him up in the post the dream did not, plus the dream could take you from the perminter like a guard then put himself in the post and score

[@repost9581]

Thinking Basketball intro is top. Can't be beat. Gets me hype.

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

The greatest all-around skills player center of all time... My favorite center and one of my favorite players ever...#HakeemOlajuwon

[@Bongoinc69]

Thank you for this Ben, made my day. Hakeem is my favourite player ever!

[@drewelric118]

The most graceful big of all time. I love watching Olajuwon highlights.

[@dawsnoshift]

For context, Hakeem Olajuwon’s floor is a hall of famer, Joel Embidd. Hakeem is the greatest big man ever and if you really look at it it’s not close.

[@benjaminan1183]

Duncan isn't too far away.

[@dawsnoshift]

@@benjaminan1183 correct, but I’m talking about 7 footers, centers

[@billpap.9669]

He's the most SKILLED center of all time. He's not the best though. Kareem's accomplishments are just too many to pass up on.

[@user-le9ou9ed9z]

@@billpap.9669 hakeem schooled Kareem whenever they played eachother imagine hakeem playing with magic

[@Cardiaccat98]

@@user-le9ou9ed9z Kareem was beginning to be on the decline by the time Olajuwon was drafted to the Rockets. Yes Kareem was still one of the better centers in the 80s at the tail end of his career, but it was still a far cry from the Kareem that won 6 MVPs

[@Mastabuilda212]

Hakeem is top 10 in steals and blocks. I'm glad this video pointed out just how fucking great he was at stealing entry passes and flicks, which were the majority of his steals. Earned this subscription for sure

[@bjnt92281]

Jordan himself said that Bulls wouldn't have had an answer for Olajuwon. The Rockets matched up extremely well against Chicago back then.

[@veracity5977]

Last time I clicked this fast was when my mom came into the room

[@johnw6236]

Anonymous browser gang ✊🏽

[@LazerIsHere]

IMO: he has the best prime in NBA history Think about it, he’s the only player to win every award in 1 season, while single handedly winning the championship for a pretty weak Houston team. Not to mention the incredibly strong west as the time.

[@akbarssecretlover]

My favourite centre of all time and imo the most skilled centre of all time. Just amazing to watch. Mesmerizing.

[@TheBucksftw]

Awesome videos as usual. Always been a big fan of Hakeem and never realized part of his limitations on offense due to his passing skills. He is such a force offensively in the post it was hard to imagine how he could improve, but you highlighted that well. Also just so nasty on defense. Both sides of the ball were dominated by him.

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

He was a limited passer/playmaker like Kawhi. His mentality on offense was to score as quick as possible with all those crafty moves. I think this is where starting to play basketball as late as he did hurt him a bit. But he was still very good at passing out of the post, especially by 1993.

[@TheBucksftw]

@@nostalgicbliss5547 Yeah that's a good point. I read his book and he mentions that he really started to trust his teammates around that time and in return it brought the Rockets great success

[@msl5253]

@@TheBucksftw Remember, he made the finals his 2nd year when Ralph was still good, with no legit point guard. He lost to an All Time Great team in the finals, after beating an All Time Great team in the Western Conference semi-finals. He should have won early with Sampson, who he did pass to a lot. So, there's no question he couldn't win with another great, especially after he did it with Clyde in 95. SMH

[@TheNamesDitto]

I still believe he repeats even if MJ doesn't retire. Those Hakeem teams were utter mismatches against the Bulls.

[@ChrisM07]

The Bulls knew how to slow down low post players that powered their way in the paint, would've been a different story with the Rockets.

[@swpdisciple]

Such a great center that combined surprising assets: finesse, power, footwork and high motor

[@msl5253]

@Swpdicipie Yes. Super High Motor, along with the other things you mentioned.

[@codymousseau979]

All time favourite player. Already know its gonna be an insanely good video

[@playboi_icardi]

No bigman moved like that before Hakeem. It's mind-blowing how smooth troszkę moves are. He would have been thriving in todays league.

[@1951RKP]

It wasn’t a sport he grew up with or even knew much about until his mid teens. But his unique skills developed by playing soccer and volleyball definitely gave him a superior edge that most basketball players didn’t have. He was great fun to watch and most definitely one of the best centers to play the game. To use a NFL term for defensive players he had to be one of the best closers on defense ever for a big man. Unreal how fast he could react and block shots. Guess that explains why he is the all time leader in blocked shots. He wasn’t the height of Wilt Chamberlain, Shaq or Kareem but his athletic skills were superior and made up for his like of height. I don’t watch the NBA these days because of the political attitudes of today’s players. I loved the sport back in these days and do miss watching sometimes. I don’t even know who’s in the playoffs this year and don’t even care enough to look it up. This was a really good video.

[@MultiJlife]

underrated and disrespected when ranked amongst the pantheon of all time greats. At his peak, he was the greatest center of all time. Kareem just had a better career due to his longevity and collegiate accolades. Lovely analysis.

[@Midnight_Contender]

That's BS, KAJ, Russell and Wilt all were better centers. Shaq was more dominant and had a better prime in 98-01 than Keem. You wrote "great analysis" and didn't use any of it in your opinion. Ignoring metrics isn't gonna prove your point.

[@MultiJlife]

@@Midnight_Contender Shaq also had kobe and arguably the goat coach in phil. Russell played with HOF's (Havlicek, Cousy, Sharman, and Sam Jones) , Wilt played with HOF's (Jerry West, Goodrich, Greer, Cunningham, Elgin Baylor, Thurmond, Guy Rodgers, Tom Gola, Chet Walker.) , and kareem HOF players were (magic, oscar, worthy, McAdoo, wilkes). Wilt, KAJ , Russell also played in era were there was only 8 teams while the dream played in the gold rush of elite bigs and was the best during his prime. Dream is also arguably the greatest defensive player of all time and he's also the only big that is top 15 in 4 majors statistical categories ( blocks, rebs, steals, points). Hakeem only all star teammate was drexler and he only made all nba 3rd team once with dream, in 95. Hakeem is also the only player in nba history to win DPOY, MVP, Finals MVP in the same season (93-94). In 93-94, here is the list of ALL NBA players he went up against that year: (malone, Stockton 1st team), (Barkley, Kelvin Johnson 2nd team). in 94-95, he went up against the MVP, robinson (1st all nba), (malone, stockton, 1st team), (Barkley, 2nd team), and (shaq 2 team). In an era were the best players were bigs, hakeem dominated the best.

[@Midnight_Contender]

@@MultiJlife This is why you should look into advanced stats and metrics, instead of telling me who he played with and whom against. You just can't compare that. Do you consider Dirk as the GOAT because he won the title in the era of LeBron, Kobe, Duncan, Durant, Wade, Cp3, Nash, Garnett, Gasol, Howard etc.? No, because he wasn't the best player of his era. Hakeem wasn't as well, Jordan, Magic & Larry were better, that's why they belong to Top10 all time and he doesn't. He was elite, but not the best. He has a case to be the best defensive player of all time (top3 no doubt), but his offensive impact never reached goat levels. He is a top5 all time center and a top15 all time player, that's all. You can't say someone is the best for winning dpoy&MVP, Giannis did it just last June. Finals MVP? Igoudala did it. Look into advanced metrics or just watch the film you're commenting, he was not close to all time greatest. Give credit where it's due.

[@ryanr20091]

@@Midnight_Contender well you cant compare hakeem to jordan bird and magic as they all play different positions from hakeem .

[@Midnight_Contender]

@@ryanr20091 omg you really said that? Of course you can compare them and you can see the outcome in the movies about them. Same yt channel. Don't be absurd.

[@Plague_Doc22]

Might be the most skilled player ever. Just could do it all as a player.

[@anthonyneptune6001]

Thank you. I been trying to tell people that Hakeem is the greatest center of all time. Though I admit I go back and forth about him and Shaq sometimes. Top 5 player overall for me.

[@keepingitrealestate3357]

Not sure if was mentioned - Hakeem Olajuwon had TWO of the ALL-TIME 5 Quadruple Doubles THREE WEEKS Apart!!

[@russellst.martin4255]

Remember when the Heat refused to trade Rony Seikaly, Grant Long and Harold Minor for perhaps the best international player ever?

[@yd856]

Hakeem is a top 5 player of all time.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

Interesting... care to elaborate. Because I have: Jordan LeBron Kareem Russell Duncan

[@yd856]

Caruso Highlight Reel I would put him over Duncan. Duncan definitely has the longevity but I value peak slightly over longevity and Hakeem’s peak is miles better.

[@Ry3nel]

@@carusohighlightreel4275 You don't have Magic in your top 5?

[@yd856]

Rynel probably because of longevity, if Magic had 3 more seasons like 1991 he’d be top 5.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

@@Ry3nel No, I don’t. I have him firmly at 6 however. His peak honestly isn’t a high as a lot of top 10 quality players, and he doesn’t have amazing longevity, but overall his impact is just too much to ignore. Just outside top 5 for me.

[@karolnowak4686]

Top 10 All Times in my opinion Top 5 All times and the best Center Ever played in the NBA

[@justsomeaussiebloke7060]

Why doesn't a major network higher this guy? Best basketball content out there.

[@ArtietheArchon]

Hakeem played with two other "greats" before he got old; Ralph Sampson and Clyde Drexler. Went to the finals in his second year with the former, won a championship with the latter. I wouldn't hold any doubts about his ability to play next to other stars.

[@msl5253]

@Artie Yeah. That was kinda weird (about playing with other high line players). And he could always pass, especially when he was already into his offensive move, which only natural passers/ball players can do. He did it during his first few years. However, he didn't do it often, presumably cause he didn't trust his teammates; he had the green light; the Rockets had poorer shooters, and/or he could beat the double to quadruple team so fast (especially when he was younger) it didn't matter. LOL PS: Yes, I saw Hakeem pass the ball a lot to Ralph, many times giving up the shot. And obviously, Clyde loves him (even now after all these years). So, there's no issue there as well.

[@bluescat59]

If Michael’s Bulls would have made the Finals in 95 instead of losing to Orlando, (swept by Hou) MJ would have been 6-1 in Finals.

[@benw7367]

While I agree with your premise that he likely would have lost and would be looked at more negatively, I just feel that it's crazy that someone getting further in a tournament would be worse than them losing in the previous round.

[@bluescat59]

@@benw7367 it would not be! The point is everyone worships MJ and claims he never lost a Finals. While true, one must be there to lose it. And denying that he played in ‘95 is revisionist history , and not fair to the legitimate champs. MJ would not have won 8 in a row because he missed two seasons is patently false. He did not miss two seasons

[@wizard1687]

Possibly, but it's also possible that if Nick Anderson didn't brick 4 free throws at the end of game 1 of the 95 finals, Olajuwon may have only won one championship

[@benw7367]

@@bluescat59 fully agree. Its people not wanting to give others their due. Its basically boiled down to that argument cause most of the others have fizzled out

[@acpliego]

@@benw7367 exactly, it’s just absurd that losing in the finals is consider a bad thing. Just don’t get it.

[@c.jarmstrong3111]

Hakim is the GOAT in my opinion. Greatest interior defender of all time and one of the greatest scorers ever. That Bulls team was just too good