21.8 PPG, 2.5 APG, 11.1 RPG, 51 FG%, 71 FT%
“During his 18-year career, Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon staked his claim as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Long considered a physical marvel since his days at the University of Houston, his aesthetic and productive play — highlighted by his Houston Rockets’ back-to-back NBA titles — earned him a place among the game’s best.
In 1993-94 he had a storybook season, becoming the first player to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same season. 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.
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.
“They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, believe in ourselves,” the NBA great has said.” [Read]
Warning: this video contains foul language.
I normally leave the player profiles to the fine folks at NBA.com, YouTube, and Basketball-reference.com. But I thought I’d add my two cents on this one. It’s my opinion that NO ONE (not MJ, not Bird, not Magic, not Russell, not Kareeem) has played the game at a higher level than Olajuwon did in the 1994 NBA season. Regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP. End of story.
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images)
(Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-reference.com)
July 10th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
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August 31st, 2008 at 9:52 am
The center with better skills ever.
I enjoyed all Houston Rockets finals in mid 90’s, Hakeem offered very legendary exhibitions in front of Ewing, Robinson or a young Shaq.