Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in games three and four, and after the series Lakers coach Pat Riley remarked "We tried everything. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors. [71] Olajuwon was still recognized as one of the league's elite centers despite his strict observance of Ramadan (i.e., abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours for about a month), which occurred during the playing season throughout his career. For his NBA career, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points on 51% shooting, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.1 blocks in 1238 career games. 3 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, said Chicago would have picked legendary Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon over Jordan if they had the chance.. Thorn was general manager of the Bulls from 1978 until 1985. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard work and discipline into him and his siblings; "They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves". 3 overall pick (Jordan) accomplishing as much as they did. The Rockets were defending an 86–84 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. [65], Olajuwon, who earlier in his career signed a shoe endorsement deal with LA Gear, later became the face of Spalding's athletic shoe line and endorsed The Dream, a sneaker that retailed in various outlets (such as Payless ShoeSource) for $34.99. But, remember, nobody could have foreseen the top pick in the 1984 NBA Draft (Hakeem) and the No. [6] He is considered a Houston icon and one of the city's most beloved citizens. Career Summaries of the First 56 Final Four Most Outstanding Players, Milwaukee Bucks at Houston Rockets, March 29, 1990, Rockets return Kite to Orlando – Heart problem causes center to fail physical, Olajuwon's salary short of fair market value, Olajuwon, Rockets trade shots/Club accuses star of feigning injury, Agent: Olajuwon remains firm on leaving Rockets, One more piece of bad news comes to the Rockets, Sun's Sir Charles tips MVP crown to Hakeem, Hakeem Olajuwon: The NBA's Best In The Mid ’90s, nba.com/history player summary-Hakeem Olajuwon, "Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors Box Score, December 1, 1994", 1995 N.B.A. He is, to date, the last player from a losing side to be granted this honor. He was nicknamed "The Dream" during his basketball career after he dunked so effortlessly that his college coach said it "looked like a dream." LeBron James vs. Hakeem Olajuwon Comparison Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Hakeem Olajuwon and LeBron James that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side. His college career for the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. the official stats partner of the NBA. [9] Olajuwon did not play basketball until the age of 15 in high school, when he entered a local tournament while at the Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the regular season. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. So, it’s clear the country has come a long way since 1984 when the Houston Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon, born in Lagos, Nigeria, with the No. Olajuwon became a naturalized American citizen on April 2, 1993. 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. Olajuwon set a new career high with 26.1 points per game. [23] After the Rockets lost in the first round in five games to the Jazz in 1998,[50] Drexler retired. His Rockets won back-to-back championships against the New York Knicks (avenging his college championship loss to Patrick Ewing), and Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. Hakeem Olajuwon lit up the Admiral in Game 2 for 41 points, and then came back in Game 3 and gave him 43 points for good measure. [10], Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said: "Basketball is something that is so unique. Olajuwon ended his career in the top eleven all-time in blocks. Hakeem Olajuwon is considered one of the most dominant centers in the history of the National Basketball Association. [6] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. Do you have a sports website? On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it. It leaves out a lot of people. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. 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. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket and faked a layup. On offense, Olajuwon was famous for his deft shooting touch around the basket and his nimble footwork in the low post.

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