Hakeem Olajuwon #/49 $224.50 2017-18 Panini Status - Factions - Blue #21 Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry, Hakeem Olajuwon [BGS 9.5 GEM MINT] $178.30 1986-87 Fleer - Stickers #9 Hakeem Olajuwon [PSA 8 NMMT] $219.00 1997-98 Fleer Ultra - Ultrabilities - Superstar #18 SS Hakeem Olajuwon 2 from $120.27 1986-87 Fleer - [Base] #82 The following year, after a lackluster regular season, Olajuwon's Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic in 4 games. The team went on to win the gold medal in Atlanta. First PSA available! Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. The 10-year veteran was simply brilliant in the Finals, contributing 29.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.86 blocks per game. All this is part of the Dream Shake. 10 watching. . He made 40 starts at right guard for the Crimson Tide and ended up first-team All-SEC in 2022. The Dream, Little Moses are nicknames for Hakeem Olajuwon. I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hakeem Olajuwon has a net worth of $300 million. He hasnt allowed a sack in over 1,500 career pass-blocking snaps and hes a mauler in the run game. After averaging 26.9 and 23.2 points in 199596 and 199697 respectively, Olajuwon's point production dipped to 16.4 in 199798. All the other sports just become obsolete. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Hakeem Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and widely considered one of the greatest centers ever. Shaq was probably one of the most, of not the most phisically gifted player in the NBA. He won rebounding titles in 1989 and 1990, averaging 13.5 and 14.0 boards, respectively. In October 2021, Olajuwon was honored as one of theleague's greatest players of all-time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team. Now, the first time when you showed that quickness, he has to react to that quickness, so you can fake baseline and go the other way with your jump hook. In 2022, the NBA renamed its Defensive Player of the Year award as The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy. Slouching doesn't add height. 11, Hakeem Olajuwon used his agility and athleticism to dominate on the court and inspire a generation", The Dream Shake/Legendary, elusive move earns place in history, "SLAM 147: Hall of Famer and low-post wizard Hakeem Olajuwon is happy to share his knowledge with today's stars", "Hakeem Olajuwon's Net Worth: How "The Dream" Built a Staggering Fortune", "How Hakeem Olajuwon tried and failed to stop the 90s sneaker killings", "Can We Have Social Justice In A Commercial Culture? Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (/laun/;[1] Yoruba:[olauw]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. Hakeem Olajuwon, in full Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, byname the Dream, (born January 21, 1963, Lagos, Nigeria), Nigerian-born American professional basketball player who led the Houston Rockets to consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) championships in 1994 and 1995. [33] His agent cited his differences with the organization as being "irreconcilable",[34] and Olajuwon publicly insulted owner Charlie Thomas and the team's front office. He felt the Rockets had cut corners at every turn, and were more concerned with the bottom line than winning. [25] This willingness to pass the ball increased his scoring, making it more difficult for opposing teams to double and triple-team him. Since making the Finals in 1986, the Rockets had made the playoffs five times, but their record in those playoff series was 15 and they were eliminated in the first round four times. . [72], In Olajuwon's college career and early years in the NBA, he was often undisciplined, talking back to officials, getting in minor fights with other players and amassing technical fouls. [25] After the Rockets lost in the first round in five games to the Jazz in 1998,[53] Drexler retired. Projected: Rounds 5-6, BONUS: Jaxon Kirkland (Sr., Washington, 6-6, 321), Kirkland is a team captain and three-time, first-team All-Pac 12 at both left tackle and guard. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Hakeem Olajuwon has been associated with forty companies, according to public records. This change also coincided with the hiring of new coach Don Chaney. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. With Robinson in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup. I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. "[65], Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996, in Houston. To paraphrase Shakespeare; a great basketball player by any other name is still a great basketball player. Here are my top 10 interior offensive linemen: 1. During the 198788 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries that would eventually end his career prematurely) was traded to the Golden State Warriors. Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HakeemTheDream1, Sep 9, 2007. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? . The two big men had similar numbers as Olajuwon averaged 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists to ONeals 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Later in his career signed a shoe endorsement deal with LA Gear, and became the face of Spalding's athletic shoe line and endorsed a sneaker that retailed in various outlets (such as Payless ShoeSource) for $34.99. 6'4 is the number that gets played with a lot. Hakeem Olajuwon, a 12-time All-NBA performer and 2-time Finals MVP, used finesse and power to lift the Rockets to a pair of titles in the mid-1990s. [40] He outplayed centers such as Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo, and other defensive stalwarts such as Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. Despite Olajuwons impressive performance, the leagues Most Valuable Player Award went to Robinson after he led the Spurs to the NBAs best record. Full name: Akeem Abdul Olajuwon. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played in the 'National Basketball Association' (NBA). [22] He finished as runner-up to Michael Jordan in the 1985 Rookie of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to receive any votes. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. She can't. There are durability concerns. All rights reserved. Executed with uncanny speed and power, they are still regarded as the pinnacle of "big man" footwork. $175.00. On a night when he labored with his shot and was 3-for-19 from the field, Russell Westbrook made up for all the misfires by doing a little bit of everything for the Clippers in a tightly contested . On August 2, 2001,[55] after refusing a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest of which was used by Houston to draft Botjan Nachbar at #15 in the 2002 NBA draft), with the player having a three-year contract that would give him $18 million. People don't realize he was in the top seven [in NBA history] in steals. Sometimes they kill for them. [6] He ended his career as the league's all-time leader in blocks (3,830) and is one of four NBA players to record a quadruple-double. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. Hart rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and was limited in Monday's practice before the Knicks later listed him as doubtful. "[74] "His religion dominates his life", Drexler said in 1995. 2007 Ultra SE Gold Medallion #251 Hakeem Olajuwon: $5.53: 2007 Ultra SE Season Crowns #SC6 Hakeem Olajuwon: $0.65: 2007 Ultra SE Snap Shots #SS17 Hakeem Olajuwon: $1.77: 2007 Upper Deck Artifacts #173 Hakeem Olajuwon: $1.73: 2007 Upper Deck Champions of the Court #HO Hakeem Olajuwon: $2.22: 2007 Upper Deck Chronology #38 Hakeem Olajuwon: $4.00 Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their headtohead match-up, outscoring him in every game of the series and averaging 26.9 points per game on 50% shooting, compared to Ewing's 18.9 and 36.3%. Olajuwon was the third of six children and acquired the basic values that pushed him to succeed from his parents, who were middle-class and owned a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria. With a fortune like that, Olajuwon, his wife Dalia Asafi and their four children Rahmah, Aisha, Abdullah and Abdul are set for life. Hes got about five moves, then four countermoves, said a stunned ONeal. The following season he rallied the Rockets from a sixth seed in the playoffs to their second straight NBA crown, making Houston the fifth NBA franchise ever to win back-to-back titles. In a new interview with The Athletic, Rockets beat writer Kelly Iko writes that Sengun's "eyes light up . Harris, Othello, Nolte, Claire Elaine, and Kirsch, George B. [45] He wrote his autobiography, Living the Dream, with co-author Peter Knobler in 1996. After four successful seasons with the Cavaliers, he earned his degree in economics and entered the transfer portal. In fact, when he played against the Boston. Olajuwon established himself as an unusually skilled offensive player for a big man, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. he wasnt even center untill later in his career and he was shorter than ewing,robinson,shaq. In a Life magazine story, San Antonios David Robinson seemed perplexed. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. [28][29] However, the Rockets were swept in the playoffs by the LA Lakers. Hes a grinder who has experience at right guard and left tackle (he looked much more comfortable inside). > Archive 75: Hakeem Olajuwon| 75 Stories: Hakeem Olajuwon. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (/ l a u n /; Yoruba: [olauw]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. The companies were formed over a twenty-eight year period with the most recent being incorporated two months ago in January of 2023. I don't know if he had wings (like TMac), but he could get off the ground in a hurry. [81][82] In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake. In Feet and Inches - 6 10 . Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. [14], After redshirting his freshman year in 198081 because he could not yet get clearance from the NCAA to play,[9] Olajuwon came mostly off the bench and served as the Cougars' sixth man as a redshirt freshman in 198182, averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, shooting 60% from the field in 18 minutes per game as Houston was eliminated in the Final Four by the eventual NCAA champion, North Carolina. In the next three seasons he would average 26.1 points, 27.3 points and 27.8 points, respectively. Olajuwon was noted as sometimes playing better during the month of Ramadan, and in 1995 he was named NBA Player of the Month in February, even though Ramadan began on February 1 of that year.[7][76]. The centers defensive prowess put an end to the Knicks attempt to win the series in Game 6, when he blocked John Starks potential game-tying three-point shot at the end of the game. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. After Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. We put four bodies on him. Olajuwon also became the Rockets all-time leading scorer when he passed Calvin Murphy early in the season. It will always be a big man's game if the big man plays the right way. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. "[16] He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", the first slam-dunking "fraternity", so named because of its above-the-rim prowess. Robinson, an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. "[9], During his youth, Olajuwon was a soccer goalkeeper, which helped give him the footwork and agility to balance his size and strength in basketball, and also contributed to his shot-blocking ability. Before I come down, I make my move. [31][35] With the 199293 season approaching, a reporter for the Houston Chronicle said that Olajuwon being dealt was "as close to a sure thing as there is. Defense 96. Olajuwon led the Rockets to a championship in the 1994 NBA Finals in a seven-game series against the New York Knicks, the team of one of Olajuwon's perennial rivals since his collegiate days, Patrick Ewing. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, this time by an even larger margin; a full two rebounds per game over David Robinson, and led the league in blocks by averaging 4.6 per game. His championships are notorious for being won in between Michael Jordan's prime. Olajuwon was born in Nigeria on Jan. 21, 1963. After being down 21, the Knicks took a 32 lead into Game 6. Season 3 Deck the Hall. In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. [54] After the season, Pippen was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. [7] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler with an ability to score in "face-up" situations like a perimeter player. As of the financial year of 2023, he has an estimated net worth of $230 million. [42] In Game 7, Olajuwon posted a gamehigh 25 points and 10 rebounds, which helped defeat the Knicks, bringing the first professional sports championship to Houston since the Houston Oilers won the American Football League championship in 1961. While playing among legendary competition during his career, Olajuwon emerged as one of the best players in NBA history. At the University of Houston, Olajuwon was a physical education major. In 1986-87, Sampson began to suffer from injuries and the following season he was traded to the Golden State Warriors. However, the team was swept by the Sonics in the 1996 conference semifinals. Olajuwon then tried to stand on the chair himself. Sounds like a bird! Abisola represented the West Girls in the McDonald's All-American Game and played in the WNBA. They finished the season with a 4141 record,[21] and though they made the playoffs, were eliminated in four games by Los Angeles. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. In doing so he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton as the only players in NBA history (at that point) to lead the league in rebounding and shot-blocking in the same season. But beginning in 1992-93, midway through his career, Olajuwon got even better, taking himself and the Rockets to new levels of success. Following a brilliant regular season, the Houston center also earned his second straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Age if still allive and other unique data for Hakeem Olajuwon. His impact in the city, however, did not go unrecognized. Projected: Rounds 4-7, BONUS: Sidy Sow (Sr., Eastern Michigan, 6-4, 323), Sow played handball and competed in Olympic weightlifting (110 kilos) growing up in Quebec. His maturation as a player and in his faith carried onto the floor as a team leader, offensive powerhouse and defensive stalwart. 11, Hakeem Olajuwon used his agility and athleticism to dominate on the court and inspire a generation William Guillory Feb 4, 2022 235 (Editor's note: Welcome back to The. 1998-99 Upper Deck Black Diamond - [Base] - Triple Diamond #39. For most of his career, he played for the Houston Rockets. [10], One notable Dream Shake happened in Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. December 16, 2021 12:36 pm CT. Fresh off a career night with 19 points and 11 rebounds, rookie center Alperen Sengun wants to do even more in Houston. Offense 83. The 198990 season was a disappointment for the Rockets. A fellow student approached the coach and asked if Olajuwon could play for the team. That immediately I pick up the game and, you know, realize that this is the life for me. After the 198384 season, Olajuwon debated whether to stay in college or declare early for the NBA draft. In 1983-84, Olajuwon averaged 16.8 points and led the NCAA in rebounding (13.5 rpg), blocked shots (5.6 per game) and field-goal percentage (.675). 1984-85 Star #237 PSA 7 Akeem Olajuwon True RC Rookie. But on a flight to Japan, where the Rockets played the first two games of the 1992-93 season against the Seattle SuperSonics, Olajuwon and Houston owner Charlie Thomas smoothed out their differences. In his first game with the Raptors, he scored 11 points in just 22 minutes of playing time against the Magic. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. There are small adjustments needed to sharpen his technique, but his processing, strength and athleticism are NFL-ready. 3h 46m. We present them here for purely educational purposes. He was second-team All-American, first-team All-Pac 12 and received the Morris Trophy (top Pac 12 offensive lineman) in 2022. [58], In 1980, before arriving in the US, Olajuwon played for a Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. Advertisement. "[36], Nonetheless, he was not traded and the Rockets began the season with a new coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. He weighed and weighs 215 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 8.75" and a standing reach of 8 0". He's basing it on quickness, but the jump is to set him up. Defenders say 'Wow, he's quick,' but they don't know that where I'm going is predetermined. Malone, who was then a center on the NBA's Houston Rockets, played games every off-season with several NBA players at the Fonde Recreation Center. [89], On August 1, 2015, Olajuwon made a special appearance for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game. The way to give thanks is obedience to God. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is against Islamic law to pay interest. He retired after playing one season for the Toronto Raptors in 2001-02, interrupting 20 years, including his college career, of playing in the city of Houston. Olajuwon was ineligible for selection to the "Dream Team" as he hadn't become a US citizen.[59]. Anyone know his wingspan? Projected: Rounds 2-4, Wypler is a bit undersized, but hes a technician who features the necessary athleticism to become a solid starter in the right scheme that utilizes his fluid movement ability. He was also named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time, while reclaiming spots on the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Hakeem Olajuwon's retired number at the University of Houston in Hofheinz Pavilion. But this jump is the set-up for the second move, the baseline move. 1963 He finished second in the MVP race to Charles Barkley with 22 votes to Barkley's 59. Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Like my coach says, "you don't block shots with your head." KG's basketball hieght is over 7' but he doesn't want ppl to know, I guess he feels he has an advantage if players think he's under 7'. He could extend 12 feet, 5 inches from a standing position. However, the Cougars were upset 54-52 in a thrilling championship game on a shot at the buzzer by North Carolina State, an overwhelming underdog. The Bulls and Rockets never met in the NBA Playoffs. And he certainly experienced a resurgence in 1992-93. Ironically enough, Ewing was part of the class, too, providing another link between the longtime on-court rivals. Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is a name that has come to be synonymous with the NBA franchise all across the world. Thus, the fickle flips of a coin created the Twin Towers of 7-foot Olajuwon and 7-foot-4 Sampson two agile giants. [31] He also expressed displeasure with the organization's efforts to surround him with quality players. There are size and athletic restraints, but its hard to argue with his results. T-Mac was measured 6'6.25" barefoot. It's not just his scoring, not just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. He's one of the richest NBA players to play the game. Defense 86. When redirected by staff not to use the chair, Hakeem could initially not dunk the basketball. If that's true then how do you explain that Shaq is almost 4" taller than Kemp, and has a 7'7" wingspan and 9'8" standing reach (same as Yao Ming), but Kemp's highest touch is 3" more than Shaq? When he called the staff, they told him to take a taxi out to the university. He's currently listed at 7'2, has a 7'8 wingspan and a 9'7 standing reach. [28] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career during the playoffs. The versatility will serve him well in the NFL, but the athletic limitations could hold him back. Compare 0; Music. As of the financial year of 2023, he has an estimated net worth of $230 million. 34 jersey was retired by the Rockets. It's what players do on the court that matters most. Legacy. His height puts in around the right range where you're able to make a lot of acrobatic dunks. Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon 10 of 30 The most talented big man to ever play the game, Hakeem Olajuwon was nearly impossible to stop because of the wide array of post moves that he possessed. yeah that pictures his real mugshot, and barkley is legit 6'6 no shorter. He's a small forward playing center." Highlights of Hakeem Olajuwon taking the defenders off the dribble from the perimeter are truly a sight to see. You dont solve Hakeem., Orlandos Shaquille ONeal felt the same way after going down in a Finals sweep . He is an incredible player in the history of the NBA. It would accomplish one of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and make him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the opponent and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to shake off the opponent and giving him no chance to contest the shot. He dropped references to Abdul prior to entering the NBA and officially adopted Hakeem on March 9, 1991. Menu. Height: 6' 10" (208 cm) Weight: 255 lbs (116 kg) Shoe size: 16 (US)/49 (EU) Hair color: Black. Eye color: Dark Brown. The Memphis big man -- who led the league in blocks at 3.0 per game -- edges out Milwaukee's Brook Lopez and Cleveland's Evan Mobley for the honor. The Rockets ended the regular season with a record of 4537,[21] and Olajuwon finished the season as the league leader in rebounds (13.5 per game) by a full rebound per game over Charles Barkley. Medical evaluations will be paramount after he was in a serious car accident in 2019 and suffered a potentially career-threatening back injury. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Tuesday, April 18, 4:47AM. He ended up a five-year starter and two-time All-MAC left guard. Olajuwon set a new career-high with 26.1 points per game. From the Vault: Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon work out. I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention. Hakeem Olajuwon Overview. Robinson, who was voted the 1995 NBA MVP, fell for the fake and jumped to block the shot. In his rookie year, Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting .538 from the field and finished second to Jordan in Rookie of the Year balloting. And even with the addition of Barkley before the 1996-97 season, which reinvigorated the Rockets, the team lost in six games to the Jazz in the Western Conference Finals. Olajuwon was not highly recruited and was merely offered a visit to the university to work out for the coaching staff, based on a recommendation from a friend of Lewis who had seen Olajuwon play. Olajuwon ranked fourth in the league in rebounding and second in blocked shots with 2.68 per game. OLAJUWON, Hakeem Abdul (b. There are many ethnic groups. "[19] From 1991 to 1998, every NBA championship team included either Jordan or Olajuwon; furthermore, at least one of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from 1990 to 1998.[20]. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Two years later he enrolled at the University of Houston under the name of Akeem Abdul Olajuwon. Olajuwon grew up in Lagos playing mostly soccer but changed his focus to basketball at the age of 15 because of his height, then six feet, nine inches. Hakeem Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and widely considered one of the greatest centers ever. dogeblessUSA 5 yr. ago. Calvin Murphy's ability to score -- especially at the free throw line -- made him one of the league's biggest stars. He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second consecutive season and made his third straight All-Star Game appearance. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He averaged 33.0 points on .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs. During his 18-year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $110 million in salary. Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008. Olajuwon led the Rockets in 13 statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots. He landed in Ann Arbor for his sixth season, where he became a consensus All-American and earned the Rimington Award (nations top center), and Outland Trophy (nations top interior lineman) on the nations top offensive line (Joe Moore Award). 3 bids. As a No. At the ceremony, it was announced that a life-sized statue of Olajuwon would be on display at the Rockets new downtown arena, scheduled to open for the 2003-04 season. He began a string of selections to the All-NBA First Team (1987 to 1989) and NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988 and 1990), and was the starting center for the Western Conference All-Stars four years in a row (1987-90). The Rockets posted a 57win season in 199697 season when they added Charles Barkley to their roster. The Rockets were defending an 8684 lead when in the last second, Knicks guard John Starks (who had already scored 27 points) went up for what would have been a Finals-winning three. 1984-85 Star Hakeem Olajuwon #237. And when I break the fast at sunset, the taste of water is so precious.. Olajuwon suited up for Team Africa in his No. [7] It has been said that a coach in Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while standing on a chair. Hakeem Olajuwon puts a dazzling low-post move on David Robinson in the 1995 playoffs. After the Rockets won a coin flip with the Portland Trail Blazers for the first pick in the 1984 NBA Draft one year before the institution of the Draft Lottery Houston selected Olajuwon. [85][86] Olajuwon has also worked with mer Ak, Donatas Motiejnas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried. His foot size was also about 22 inches, one of the largest in the NBA. 00:00 / 00:00. And in 1989 he became the first player to finish among the leagues top 10 in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots for two straight seasons. The defender is waiting for me to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the regular season. When asked whether the league was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. We helped from different angles. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest centers, as well as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.[3][4][5]. He took an elbow in the eye from the Chicago Bulls Bill Cartwright in the middle of the 1990-91 season, suffering a blowout fracture of the bones that surround the eyeball and forcing him to miss the Rockets next 25 games. "[71], Attending college was also an important priority to Olajuwon. ", "Hakeem: For the record/'Kunta Kinte' image was way off". However, due to Olajuwons strict Muslim beliefs, the Rockets instead unveiled a bronze monument honoring Olajuwon outside the arena in 2006. Theres a long list of injuries beyond the ACL in March, but his mental and physical toughness is unimpeachable and he has starting experience at both guard positions and left tackle. How do they figure out a player's wingspan? He was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game for his career,[7] and an above-average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds per game.

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