Best Known For: 18 Seasons of NBA Dominance as Center for the Houston RocketsJohn Stockton. Charles Barkley. Michael Jordan.
Hakeem Olajuwon was selected ahead of all of them in 1984 - arguably the greatest draft in NBA history. And I hate to say it, because Jordan is probably the greatest basketball player to ever step foot on a basketball court, but even knowing what I know now, I don't think I would have drafted it any differently. Hakeem was that special.
He was a 7-footer that moved better than most guards. He is the only player in NBA history to record 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. In fact, when he retired, he was #1 all time in blocked shots and #8 in steals. For a Center, that's nothing short of mind boggling. Most great defensive players are known for either shot blocking or steals. Rarely both. Especially a center.
And then there was his offense. Adept at dribbling, good at shooting, but most importantly - and most famously - possessing some of the best foot work ever to grace the NBA's hardwood. With the exception of maybe Kareem's sky hook, the Dream Shake may very well have been the most unguardable move in NBA history. And during his prime, Hakeem was just that: unguardable. Wilt was dominant, sure. There's no arguing that. The man scored 100 points in a single game. But unguardable? I think Bill Russell would have something to say about that. And, with the exception of those epic battles with Russell, Wilt was often a 7 foot 2 inch giant, playing against 6'8" white guys. Hakeem was not only brilliant, but he was brilliant during perhaps the greatest period of talent at the center position in the history of the league. He played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O'Neal. And he flourished.
Hakeem famously became one of only four (three at the time) players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double. Sure, triple-doubles are a dime a dozen. But a quad? That's truly remarkable. If you don't understand why, here's a quote that sums it up perfectly:
The reason why [a quadruple-double] is such a hard thing to accomplish is because it requires a player to be completely dominant on both ends of the court without being too selfish—so he can get the assists—and without fouling out trying to block every shot or grab every rebound. A lot of guys can get the points, rebounds and assists, but it's the defensive stuff that messes everybody up. You have to love defense to get a quadruple-double. There's no way around it. -Nate Thurmond
But what most people don't realize is, that even though Hakeem dropped the illustrious quadruple-double on March 29, 1990 (18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 blocks) he actually had a far more impressive one just 26 days earlier (29 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 blocks) which was made ineligible after the NBA stripped him of one assist once they reviewed the game tape. Can you imagine if he'd gotten 2 in one month? Amazing.
Sure, he may have gone through a bit of selfish stretch during the late 80's and early 90's. But his teams were so terrible, that he was still the best chance for 2 points, regardless of whether or not he was double or triple teamed. If that's the only knock against him, then it's a forgivable one, especially when you consider how unselfish he was once he had a good team surrounding him.
If one thing sums up my love of Hakeem it is this: He is the only player in NBA history to win Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player, and Finals MVP in the same season. He was dominant offensively. Dominant defensively. And he was a winner. Now he is my number 23 Man Crush.
Proof of Awesomeness:
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