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Hakeem Olajuwon
Position: Center
Hakeem Olajuwon was included to the roll of legendary big men when Kareem AbdulJabbar left in 1989. Big men have ruled the NBA since its inception in 1949. George Mikan, the best great center, towered on the league during its adolescence.
Defensive genius Bill Russell followed in 1956, yearly after Mikan retired, and Wilt Chamberlain joined him few years later. As soon as the RussWilt axis collapsed in 1969, Kareem AbdulJabbar arrived to carry the tradition forward.
With all the different greats, Akeem Olajuwon took some of the most unusual way to stardom. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and didn't begin playing basketball until age 15. But because easy as 123, they got a basketball scholarship out of your University of Houston, led the Cougars to three consecutive Final Four appearances, and went first overall in your 1984 NBA draft ahead of Michael Jordan.
In first 12 seasons together with the Houston Rockets, he averaged at the least 20 points and 10 rebounds each season, won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1994, and reached the pinnacle of his profession with backtoback championships in 1994 and 1995. (During the trip, he added an H, becoming Hakeem Olajuwon in 1991.)
In the game, Olajuwon's signature took over as fadeaway カシオ 腕時計 (http://fruitbomenkwekerij.nl/cs3.html) jump shot, delivered on the heels to a spin move. This sequence is recognized as the "Dream Shake" (Hakeem's nickname was "The Dream") and was unstoppable. "It's a legendary shot, http://fruitbomenkwekerij.nl/aj8.html (http://fruitbomenkwekerij.nl/aj8.html) a Hall of Fame shot," said Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
Olajuwon also employed jump hooks and straightaway jump shots, together with his share of points converting offensive rebounds. His shooting eye improved ultimately too: After making 55 percent of his free throws going to school, he grew suitable 75percent shooter in later seasons.
Remarkably agile at 7'9'', 255 pounds, he ranks the greatest rebounders ever, and he's the only real player to square inside the NBA's alltime top throughout blocked shots and steals. Believe it or not, Hakeem broke AbdulJabbar's record for career blocks in April 1996.
He to become January 21, 1963, to Salaam and Abike Olajuwon, who owned a cement business in Lagos. Soccer and handball were the sports that first attracted young Akeem. He soon started playing basketball in 1978 and competed aided by the Nigerian team at the AllAfrican Games in 1980. He totaled eight points and three rebounds. He averaged 13.3 points for a collegian while attempting less than 10 shots per game, using 19831984 he led the nation in rebounding (13.5 per game), blocked shots (5.6), and fieldgoal percentage (.675). During his first season within the NBA, scoring opportunities multiplied and topped 20 points per game.
In the his pro career, Olajuwon was combined with 7'4'' Ralph Sampson in a "Twin Towers" alignment. The Rockets reached the NBA Finals in 1986, losing to Boston, before injuries to Sampson grounded the franchise. Houston won merely one playoff series yet another five seasons.
In 1992, management entertained trade offers for Olajuwon. He stayed, Tomjanovich took over as coach, and shortly the Rockets soared again, streaking on the championship in 1994 after beating the fresh York Knicks within the Finals. Olajuwon has become the first player ever to win the totally normal season MVP, Defensive Player of year Award, and NBA Finals MVP during the same season.
Midway from the pick up, the Rockets acquired Clyde Drexler, Hakeem's former college teammate, and rolled at their second consecutive title, sweeping the Orlando Magic inside Finals. Olajuwon finished second in the league in scoring and blocked shots, eighth in rebounding, and ninth in steals, then averaged 33.0 points per game on the playoffs.
Even Michael Jordan, who had returned in to the Chicago Bulls late that year, agreed that Hakeem was crowned best player on the globe. With Jordan's comeback taking full effect in 19951996, Houston would aren't able to win another title as well as settle for the NBA Finals.
Injuries slowed Olajuwon within the past three seasons of his career, though the big man retired in 2002 value consideration among the list of five best centers in NBA history.
For extra about the greatest basketball players of them all, visit:Great Basketball PlayersGreat Basketball GuardsGreat Basketball ForwardsGreat Basketball CentersGreat Basketball Coaches
Hakeem Olajuwon's Greatest Game
Hakeem Olajuwon had one of many highest scoring averages in NBA playoff history, at 25.9 points per game. In 1988 versus Dallas, he set a playoff record for scoring within the fourgame series with 150 points. In your 1995 playoffs, he averaged 33.0 points.
Yet Olajuwon's greatest postseason effort might have occurred May 14, 1987, whilst scored 49 points with Seattle SuperSonics in Game 6 with the Western Conference http://fruitbomenkwekerij.nl/nb10.html (http://fruitbomenkwekerij.nl/nb10.html) semifinals. In that , contest, he set personal playoff highs for minutes (53), field goals (19), and offensive rebounds (11). Olajuwon grabbed 25 total boards, although Seattle won the sport in doubleovertime 128125.