Hakeem is one of the most underrated players of all time. He is definitely in my top 10. Let's remember, he played against the best centers in NBA history and he played against them in their prime. He dominated Shaq and Robinson in the finals. Even Shaq during the finals says, "He's Superman and I'm Superboy." The "Dream Shake" is a god level move. Truly amazing player
Let's not forget who he played against/what he did in the mid 80's to early nineties before/after multiple drug suspensions; injuries and crazy trades ruined an Hakeem dynasty after he/they killed the Defending Champion Lakers in the 1986 WCF, and Losing to another All Time great Celtics team by 6 games in the finals. And he made that NBA final by dominating way before Jordan did in 1986. Shame!!
What made Hakeem the best post player ever IMO is the fact he did what he did against some of the best post defenders in NBA history: (Robinson, Ewing, Mutombo, Shaq)
Hakeem is the greatest center of all time period. MJ knows it. Shaq knows it, Elvin Hayes knows it, every single center in the 90's era up till now strives to play at Hakeem's level. He played in the most dominant era of basketball where centers were the toughest the NBA has ever seen. No one compares to Hakeem his legacy will reign forever.
icesco415 M'kay.......don't forget to take your pills. A center that has moves of a power forward is playing a power forward position. Genius. Glad he couldn't handle the ball like a point guard, people would swear he was point guard.
@@well.thy.one. of course you do, as a matter of fact I'm done with this Olajuwon guy, I'll see you in the comment section below your career top 10. See you there.
I'm 54 so I grew up worshiping Connie Hawkins and Dr.J. Then it bacame MJ I marveled at. I remember the first time I saw Olajuwan in college, I thought the guy was incredibly raw, yet very powerful and talented. From 92' to 96' ( his prime years, in my opinion). there was no scarier center NBA. He was just as impactful on the defensive end of the court as he was on the offensive end. I often waiver when picking my all time NBA Team by positions. I never waiver when I comes to center. For me, Dream is #1.
He became much more dangerous as the pressure increased. Shaq described smacking him hard with an elbow to try to intimidate him and Olajuwon just laughed in his face. Nothing seemed to phase him.
Everyone remembers those signature pump fakes on the #1 play, but boy, THAT crossover though? That's some serious guard skills for an NBA center. Hakeem's just too good.
It was crazy to watch this guy back when I was a teenager. He'd be handling the ball and dribble past perimeter players, then the next play he's hitting a textbook turnaround or hook near the paint. And the league at that time was in an era of elite centers and tough physical defense. I think that's what sets Olajuwon apart as the best center ever, playing about as well as any center ever has in the mid-90s despite being defended by some of the all time defensive greats when the NBA was bursting at the seams with elite centers. Who else has excelled above such elite competition and played that well in the golden age of tough, physical defense? Back then it was often the case that the best player on a team was the center, meaning he was frequently playing at this level while being matched against the best player on the opposing team. He was simultaneously unstoppable offensively against some of the best defenders in history while perpetually being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. And when it was time for the Playoffs, he just elevated his game even further.
Joel Embid 😭😭 Oh helllllll nahhhhhhh 💀😂😂 U trippin 😂😂 He’s not even the best center in the league rn. He’s nowhere near AD if you want to include AD as a center which he basically is one😂😂
Actually Giannis is the only one player at the same height who move with a better agility than Hakeem, and yes Giannis already played C some games, and even now Bud put him as C when he want to play small ball
I met Hakeem several times, he's a highly regarded old-timer in my book. He's humble, kind, and not big headed like all these players these days. He's a gentlemen before being great basketball player.
I remember meeting Akeem in 85 before the Rockets Lakers playoff game, I said Asalam Alaikum to him. He signed something for me. He was driving a brand new Benz
I started watching the NBA back in 1995 finals because of Hakeem. I was tuning my TV and stop at a NBA and I just saw that guy doing his work and it was delightful for me. That was a Sunday afternoon and since then, I never miss the NBA and my team is the Houston Rockets 🚀😃
hands down the best center of all time, the fact he stood the fuck out during the most competitive big men's era, and the only player to win a final without any other star players on the team, man was a superman in playoffs
Best Center of all time He was absolutely elite on both ends over the floor. 2 times nba champ and finals mvp, 2 times defensive player of the year Dude was unstoppable
the primary reason Hakeem is the best center to ever play is because of his level of performance against some of the best big men to ever play the game. Hakeem often outplayed hall of fame centers such as Robinson, Ewing, Mourning, and even O'neal. Hakeem was without doubt the most versatile big man having 2 of the 4 quadruple doubles ever recorded and finishing top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Kareem is great in the stats sheet but it's because he played with many greats such as magic and roberson. Hakeem took a team with no other all stars other than himself to the finals and won. That man is insane
you would not believe this guy is a 7 ft. tall when it wasn´t documented in his bio. some of his moves could cause broken ankles on the quickest point guards. incredible player.
@@saleemkirmani5583 I remember some famous scout saying Hakeem could've been 6ft and still have NBA level talent. The fact that he's 10+ inches taller is ridiculous. Oh yea, and official height for NBA players is just ridiculous, I mean Trae Young is 6'1" lol. I don't know why a League worth billions can't document actual height accurately, they did back in the 60's. Wilt would be listed at like 7'3" today.
they put his tip in against the magic but they don't put his block against John Starks in the 1994 NBA finals in Game 6 where John Starks was 5/8 from three. he was going for the game winner and the championship and hakeem blocked it to force a game 7. that was probably the most important play he's ever made.
@@localneo-graphic4647 yeah and he had to recover from losing his footing. That was one quick on his feet big man! Starks would have made that too. He was on another level. And his game 7 appearance never happened... just a crazy turn of events and a hard fought battle between these teams.
Ive just been learning about this guy and he's become one of my favorite players of all time. If it weren't for Jordan this man would've won an insane amount of rings
He only went to the finals three times. No Jordan in any of them. So it's not because of Jordan one bit. It's probably Ralph Sampson's injury that he wasn't able to get over the hump ti 93.
Was there any big man *ever* who could do play #2??? Can't think of any center or power forward in NBA history with such awesome footwork and body control. Hakeem was (and is) the man!!!
It's disgusting how underrated Hakeem is. I have him as the best Center ever. He would always dominate on both ends of the floor. This man would absolutely own every big in modern NBA
He didn't just play with them, he played with them at their PEAK. Well, not Robinson's peak, he was kind of old and washed up by then, but he did watch Hakeem absolutely humiliate peak Robinson.
Hakeem is my favorite center but that spot goes to bill Russell. He’s the all time leader in defensive win shares and it’s not even close. Hakeem might have been the greatest shot blocker though
There has never been a 7’ player that could make the moves Olajuwon did. So agile. The Dream Shake was unstoppable. Even Shaq said there was no way he could keep Olajuwon from scoring. He wore David Robinson and Patrick Ewing out. None of them could come close to moving like him. Jabbar and Chamberlin could score with basic sky high shots but weren’t near as much fun to watch. He had such quick hands it how he blocked so many shots. His speed developed from so many years playing soccer in his homeland Nigeria.
Kareem has scored the most points in nba history, the dunk was outlawed because of him, mastered the sky hook (the most unstoppable move in nba history ), won 6 mvps, 19 time all Star (both records), two finals mvps and 6 championships. I love hakeem but comon man. I personally think: 1. Wilt 2. Kareem 3. Hakeem
All good points, it's why of all the centers in the history of the league, I have Kareem at number #2. But I'll still take Olajuwon over Kareem. You have Hakeem at number #3, so it must not be unreasonable for someone to have him at 2 or, like me, at #1. Hakeem's post game was beautiful, he could take his offense to mid-range, & most blocks in NBA history. In a great generation of big men: Ewing, Shaq, David Robinson, Mutombo, Mourning, Hakeem was the best.
True. Hakeem was a phenomenal player. I used to have him at number 1 but I studied Wilt and was really impressed. But you're right, hakeem did face the toughest competition
At 2:27, Sam Cassel appears celebrating at the bench. At 2:30, Cassel appears in the replay asking for the ball. Bizarre editing mistake, even though I knew that Cassel was very fast and versatile. Other than that, I even cry when I see Olajuwon's videos. I just love this guy
Kris Keller Hakeem was born and raised in lagos nigeria. we grew up in the same neighborhood in surulere lagos... played soccer together as teenagers. he's footwork as a soccer player is what we did growing up.. watch Brazilians play soccer and you'd understand. mut say I love the way he implemented the move to suit his basketball prowess. FANTASTIC!
Caprinski 10 wilt was likely athletically superior and just a bigger stronger guy, but dream was far more skilled overall in the game. Passing, shooting, handling, footwork, fakes, spins etc...probably not even close. Same way hakeem handled shaq or robinson he would handle wilt.
I actually agree with D. Robinson. It's not like Robinson was slacking off defensively. Robinson is one of the best post defenders of all time. Olajuwon was just that good in the mid-90s. I don't think any center has ever played at that level against that caliber of defense (I mean against that many elite defenders and star centers, not just D. Robinson). Other centers have a lot more rings, but I've never seen a center play better than Dream did during his championship runs. Who wins league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA championship, and Finals MVP in the same year against that level of competition? Olajuwon did that in 1994. I watched him do it.
Nothing he could do, go to BR and look up player stats for pretty much every HoFer or future HoFer and look at their efficiency,, then look at Hakeem's. He's the only one to IMPROVE his efficiency in the playoffs, rather than decrease. This isn''t a knock against the other greats, it's completely normal because it's playoff teams with starters playing 40+ minutes trying harder on D. Only other player to do that is Reggie Miller, who was an decent player during season who became a monster during the playoffs. Hakeem was an all-time great who elevated to GOAT status during the playoffs, seriously, his impact numbers are as good as Jordan's. Jordan himself MAINTAINED his godlike efficiency during the playoffs, which is the same as improving since he's playing against better teams in a strong East.
He did. Robinson's problem that series was not his defense on Olajuwon but his offense. He just couldnt give it on the other end. The last two games of the series I dont think he even scored 20 points. Some say that is because of the Spurs system and I dont know about that.
J.Olajuwon fue uno de los pívots más dominantes en la historia de la NBA. Ese hombre parecía como si volara y de la nada aparece por de tras y se vuelca en tu encima 💪
You know how you know Hakeem was a fukn legend? Almost all those crazy insane highlights came on Hall-of-Famers Ewing and Robinson - he was pwning their asses all day. He even embarrassed Shaq in that Finals against the Magic... says it all. He may not have put up the offense like Kareem but he is a legend and deserves all the praise that legends are afforded... Dwight Howard is not in the same ball-park; hell, he's not even playing the same sport he's so far behind.
You don't see moves like this in today's game, especially from Centers! Every ball player, should watch and observe and learn from, The DREAM!!!! Absolutely 💯 Fantastic 👏
I think when you watch these plays they are pretty good. When you realize who is guarding him in most of these clips it is unbelievable. Ewing and Robinson were 2 of the best big men to ever play the game and he is spinning around them like he's a point guard.
Drafted above Jordan, and no complains. Rightfully so, gifted from the start, MJ was pure offensive and dunks when he came into the league, Mj develop the fadeaway later on in those championship years before, Hakeem was talent from the get go.
Looking back at these clips, the thought that came to me was from the movie, The Princess Bride. When Inigo showed Westley the sword his father made, Westley looked at it and said, "I've never seen its equal." That's what I think when I see Mr. Olajuwon play.
On #1 the teammate reaction was cut and pasted from a different play. Notice how Sam Cassell is on the court and on the bench at the same time. The NBA has a habit of cutting teammate, fan, and commentator reactions from plays and then pasting them onto other plays in their highlight videos.
Man that spin and dunk off Ewing is one of the cleanest moves ever.
He took him to school pretty bad
um did you not see the #! play?! lol
Ewing probably one of the most schooled center of all time
Hakeem is so smooth man. I love that spin. Looks so natural and easy for him
So graceful and athletic. Patrick was planted..🌳
Robinson's face at #4 was like "Damn, and he's not even done with me in this top 10"
😆 😆 😆 You made my day
C. Nek lol
😂😂😂
lol
@MANCHESTER UNITED .... k. ???? your point?
NBA : What do you want to eat for dinner
Olajuwon : Ewing or Robinson, maybe twice 🤷🏼♂️
Rodzilla Shaq once cuz it was too easy to score for Hakeem😂
Shaq is dessert.
1995 Playoffs - Hakeem eat Malone, Barkley, Robinson/ Rodman and Shaq. Nobody beat that.
Hakeem is one of the most underrated players of all time. He is definitely in my top 10.
Let's remember, he played against the best centers in NBA history and he played against them in their prime. He dominated Shaq and Robinson in the finals. Even Shaq during the finals says, "He's Superman and I'm Superboy."
The "Dream Shake" is a god level move. Truly amazing player
He’s my #1
Let's not forget who he played against/what he did in the mid 80's to early nineties before/after multiple drug suspensions; injuries and crazy trades ruined an Hakeem dynasty after he/they killed the Defending Champion Lakers in the 1986 WCF, and Losing to another All Time great Celtics team by 6 games in the finals.
And he made that NBA final by dominating way before Jordan did in 1986.
Shame!!
@@msl5253 Absolute shame of ralph's injury. Oh what that team could have achieved when ralph and hakeem reached their prime
He didn't play Robinson in the finals lol
@@ToastzEnjoyer sassaaaa00
What made Hakeem the best post player ever IMO is the fact he did what he did against some of the best post defenders in NBA history: (Robinson, Ewing, Mutombo, Shaq)
True
Mourning also
Kareem, Parish, Moses Malone, Walton, Cartwright, Divac, Sabonis, Daugherty....
Modern players would flop and cry if hit like Oakley hit him, Hakeem calmly dribbled the ball once and proceeded to dunk on Ewing.
@@slingblade8963 half those guys were áss defenders tbh, but I see your point
Hakeem is the greatest center of all time period. MJ knows it. Shaq knows it, Elvin Hayes knows it, every single center in the 90's era up till now strives to play at Hakeem's level. He played in the most dominant era of basketball where centers were the toughest the NBA has ever seen. No one compares to Hakeem his legacy will reign forever.
Wilt, bill Russell?
Good but not as good as Hakeem...
embiid!
Omkar Lewis are you serious?
@Night's King he said that Hakeem would be on his all time time and that he was the greatest center
soft touch, quick hands, nimble footwork, finnesse, high iq... simply one of the best to ever do it
Don't forget stupid athleticism
2:23 probably the most iconic NBA move ever. Because of Hakeem, pretty much every center knows this move in today's NBA.
Simply the best. The greatest center in the history.
bernard james NO. He matched up with the great C's of his era and dominated them all. Ewing, Robinson, Shaq, Mutombo, Mourning.
bernard james You get wrecked so much
bernard james Nah I always see you being pretentious in the comments and always getting put in your place lmao.
***** he was pf/c
icesco415 M'kay.......don't forget to take your pills.
A center that has moves of a power forward is playing a power forward position. Genius. Glad he couldn't handle the ball like a point guard, people would swear he was point guard.
I watched a load of Olajuwon's moves and tried them myself.
All I can say is that he makes it look easy.
I tried doing a Dream Shake in a pick-up game one time and made a fool of myself. Ball went BEHIND the backboard.
I actually can do the dream shake in game pretty well but then I miss the layup or hookshot like an idiot
Stan Van i do all his moves far better than hakeem ever could
@@well.thy.one. of course you do, as a matter of fact I'm done with this Olajuwon guy, I'll see you in the comment section below your career top 10. See you there.
Elnardo Webster dont blame u dawg
Nigeria has produced some of the NBA greatest. First Hakeem and now Giannis. Both very fierce competitors that make Nigeria proud.
U forgot Oladipo
@@oreoluwamamoyelo557olablocko
@@oreoluwamamoyelo557olaclutcho
I'm 54 so I grew up worshiping Connie Hawkins and Dr.J. Then it bacame MJ I marveled at. I remember the first time I saw Olajuwan in college, I thought the guy was incredibly raw, yet very powerful and talented. From 92' to 96' ( his prime years, in my opinion). there was no scarier center NBA. He was just as impactful on the defensive end of the court as he was on the offensive end. I often waiver when picking my all time NBA Team by positions. I never waiver when I comes to center. For me, Dream is #1.
i like how Hakeem's top plays aren't just in the regular season against lottery teams.
That's the reason why they're top plays. Dunking on David Robinson is way more impressive than dunking on Brandon Knight (cough cough DeAndre Jordan).
some of his best plays are in the nba finals were it mattered the most... impressive
He became much more dangerous as the pressure increased. Shaq described smacking him hard with an elbow to try to intimidate him and Olajuwon just laughed in his face. Nothing seemed to phase him.
MyNameIsDaneee like Lebron
@Ayan MUKHERJEE I commented that. Year ago and right now I genuinely have no idea what I meant by saying like LeBron lol
Everyone remembers those signature pump fakes on the #1 play, but boy, THAT crossover though? That's some serious guard skills for an NBA center. Hakeem's just too good.
It was crazy to watch this guy back when I was a teenager. He'd be handling the ball and dribble past perimeter players, then the next play he's hitting a textbook turnaround or hook near the paint. And the league at that time was in an era of elite centers and tough physical defense. I think that's what sets Olajuwon apart as the best center ever, playing about as well as any center ever has in the mid-90s despite being defended by some of the all time defensive greats when the NBA was bursting at the seams with elite centers. Who else has excelled above such elite competition and played that well in the golden age of tough, physical defense? Back then it was often the case that the best player on a team was the center, meaning he was frequently playing at this level while being matched against the best player on the opposing team. He was simultaneously unstoppable offensively against some of the best defenders in history while perpetually being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. And when it was time for the Playoffs, he just elevated his game even further.
that #1 play is probably the most impressive move i've ever seen in a serious basketball game.
@@helterskelter416 It would have been magical to see him go against MJ in the Finals had MJ not retired those two years.
Houston fan here.
Drafted before Jordan and Barkley in the 1984 draft.
I don't care. Olajuwon was a beast. Best draft class IMHO.
I'm a Rocket fan too, the dumbass Rockets screwed up, they could have had Jordan and Akeem in that draft!!!
"that spin-move is a thing of beauty"!!!!!
When is the last time you seen a center move like that. Never
What about
Dikembe Mutombo?
@@eking5715 Mutombo was a great blocker, but if you compare him to Olajuwon, he was stiff as a board.
Joeeeeel Embiiid!
Joel Embid 😭😭
Oh helllllll nahhhhhhh 💀😂😂
U trippin 😂😂
He’s not even the best center in the league rn.
He’s nowhere near AD if you want to include AD as a center which he basically is one😂😂
Actually Giannis is the only one player at the same height who move with a better agility than Hakeem, and yes Giannis already played C some games, and even now Bud put him as C when he want to play small ball
I met Hakeem several times, he's a highly regarded old-timer in my book. He's humble, kind, and not big headed like all these players these days. He's a gentlemen before being great basketball player.
please don't pin arrogance on one generation. hakeem's era had just as many egos as now.
MyNameIsDaneee Honestly, maybe even more.
I remember meeting Akeem in 85 before the Rockets Lakers playoff game, I said Asalam Alaikum to him. He signed something for me. He was driving a brand new Benz
Simply bc he is muslim
I am just reading his autobiography, excellent book! He taks about those subjects as well (humbleness, etc)
I started watching the NBA back in 1995 finals because of Hakeem. I was tuning my TV and stop at a NBA and I just saw that guy doing his work and it was delightful for me. That was a Sunday afternoon and since then, I never miss the NBA and my team is the Houston Rockets 🚀😃
That was a great time to be a Rockets fan! They swept the Orlando Magic 4-0.
Hakeem The Dream Olajuwon was a phenomenon. What a player. A complete player. A basketball legend.
The Greatest Center of all time
He's the greatest all around center to ever play, bar none. NOTHING he couldn't do. You couldn't watch him awake....you had to dream.
W
embid died or something?
@@user-eo4mg6lw2i embid is nothing compared to the Dream
@@user-eo4mg6lw2i yes he died 🤡
@@user-eo4mg6lw2i please....
Olajuwon was my favorite player ever. He was fast and quick... and that foot work... Simply incredible for an under 7ft Center.
Thought he was right at 7’0”
@@ezsmith3765 he is
@@ezsmith3765He is 6'10" but has a 7'5" arm-span
@@ezsmith3765 There was a lot of embellishment in the personal stats back then.
hands down the best center of all time, the fact he stood the fuck out during the most competitive big men's era, and the only player to win a final without any other star players on the team, man was a superman in playoffs
I have been an NBA FAN since the mid 1970's, and this is the best center I have seen. Man I miss him.
So how old are you ??
@@ifeanyi5285 he’s probably around 60 now maybe little more or little less
Hakeem made Ewing look like a sack of stale rice, yo.
like a fucking statue with its feet nailed down
Ewing's knees would lock up at night just at the thought of Olajuwon coming into town.
Really crazy how he effortlessly dominated Ewing, Shaq, and Robinson. All hall of famers
I am fan of Ewing very much. Do not say Ewing like that
@@user-fu9ov6sv5v Ewing is top center of all time. But Olajuwon made him look silly
Olajuwon has elegant moves and footwork, but he can be phyaical too when needed. So much under rated in GOAT list talks.
I love the fact these are not completely offensive plays but a healthy mix of def. and off. Best center of all time!
Best Center of all time
He was absolutely elite on both ends over the floor.
2 times nba champ and finals mvp, 2 times defensive player of the year
Dude was unstoppable
Best center... Idk lol but second for sure.
Purple Cup who's first then?
+Jsalcedo23 kareem lol
Purple Cup personally i think hakeem was a better 2 way player
the primary reason Hakeem is the best center to ever play is because of his level of performance against some of the best big men to ever play the game. Hakeem often outplayed hall of fame centers such as Robinson, Ewing, Mourning, and even O'neal. Hakeem was without doubt the most versatile big man having 2 of the 4 quadruple doubles ever recorded and finishing top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Kareem is great in the stats sheet but it's because he played with many greats such as magic and roberson. Hakeem took a team with no other all stars other than himself to the finals and won. That man is insane
you would not believe this guy is a 7 ft. tall when it wasn´t documented in his bio. some of his moves could cause broken ankles on the quickest point guards. incredible player.
Actually he is 6'10" and a half.
@@saleemkirmani5583 I remember some famous scout saying Hakeem could've been 6ft and still have NBA level talent. The fact that he's 10+ inches taller is ridiculous.
Oh yea, and official height for NBA players is just ridiculous, I mean Trae Young is 6'1" lol. I don't know why a League worth billions can't document actual height accurately, they did back in the 60's. Wilt would be listed at like 7'3" today.
That dream shake is still to this day the coolest basketball move ever.
What a skillful player he was! For someone of his size to have all those skills it is just wonderful to watch.
they put his tip in against the magic but they don't put his block against John Starks in the 1994 NBA finals in Game 6 where John Starks was 5/8 from three. he was going for the game winner and the championship and hakeem blocked it to force a game 7. that was probably the most important play he's ever made.
It was also an unreal block, he wasn't supposed to be covering Starks and had to switch and recover.
@@localneo-graphic4647 yeah and he had to recover from losing his footing. That was one quick on his feet big man! Starks would have made that too. He was on another level. And his game 7 appearance never happened... just a crazy turn of events and a hard fought battle between these teams.
@@devinlwoods Yeah, and if you watch that play, I think he got one finger on the ball, but it was enough.
Right. Not only that, but that block was (I think) inside Starks' head all through Game 7. At least it seemed to be to me.
@martyklestadt6766 Yeah, he had an uncharacteristically bad game 7. It was crazy.
I'm so happy this guy gets the recognition he deserves.
Not really he’s left out of top 10s quite often for shaq, wilt chamberlain & bill russell lol. He’s heavily underrated
Ive just been learning about this guy and he's become one of my favorite players of all time. If it weren't for Jordan this man would've won an insane amount of rings
He only went to the finals three times. No Jordan in any of them. So it's not because of Jordan one bit. It's probably Ralph Sampson's injury that he wasn't able to get over the hump ti 93.
If Jordan would have been the number one pick Hakeem could have been the ring king
The amazing footwork came from being a soccer goalie in Nigeria. And at his size, he probably protected the goal quite well.
*Football.
Soccer? Nah it's mix of football, handball and table tennis.
Was there any big man *ever* who could do play #2??? Can't think of any center or power forward in NBA history with such awesome footwork and body control. Hakeem was (and is) the man!!!
Big10 yes
My fav player of all time hands down
I love that dude!!! He created the best memories of my childhood with my family’s and friends!!
It's disgusting how underrated Hakeem is. I have him as the best Center ever. He would always dominate on both ends of the floor. This man would absolutely own every big in modern NBA
robinson disliked this
I'm pretty sure Patrick Ewing disliked this, made another account, and disliked it again.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hakeem/Kareem, Skyhook/Dream Shake, Multiple championships, you gotta love it!
The greatest center in the history. He had it all. Amazing defense and spectacular agility.
Wilt chamberlain is the best center in the history of the NBA but Hakeem is easily a top three
There is something to be said for a 7'0 guy moving with such fluidity and grace with impeccable footwork.
He was closer to 6’9-6’10
@@fjandinner3532 I understand he was about 6' 10.5"
Oh man, this spin move against Ewing was one of the best moves I've ever seen in basketball. Pure brilliance...
The one against Boston was way better
Robert Horry who played with Shaq Duncan and Olajuwon said Olajuwon is the best big man he played with
Hamza Ahmed That’s an fact.
He didn't just play with them, he played with them at their PEAK. Well, not Robinson's peak, he was kind of old and washed up by then, but he did watch Hakeem absolutely humiliate peak Robinson.
@@localneo-graphic4647 Akeem also destroyed Shaq in 95
the king of all time no doubts .. hoping we had another hakeem olajuwon to this day and also dikembe motumbo greatest center of all time
Classy assassin. He destroyed hall of famers without trash talk and taunting. Legend
he did trash talk ... look at the KG podcast on the best trashtalkers i was dying
@@mikedeek he wasn't a wanna be gangster rapper
best defender in nba history
Ivan Carsen That’s Why he’s the leader in most shots Blocked in NBA history, Deke is second after him, Yao should be in that category too!
Hakeem is my favorite center but that spot goes to bill Russell. He’s the all time leader in defensive win shares and it’s not even close. Hakeem might have been the greatest shot blocker though
Russell
What still amazes me is what he went from as a raw freshman in the Final Four against North Carolina to what he was during the '90s.
90's? he was doing the same thing in the 80's but his teams sucked
There has never been a 7’ player that could make the moves Olajuwon did. So agile. The Dream Shake was unstoppable. Even Shaq said there was no way he could keep Olajuwon from scoring. He wore David Robinson and Patrick Ewing out. None of them could come close to moving like him. Jabbar and Chamberlin could score with basic sky high shots but weren’t near as much fun to watch. He had such quick hands it how he blocked so many shots. His speed developed from so many years playing soccer in his homeland Nigeria.
So incredible! Best moves for any big man, ever!
Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest center of all time. It's not even close, I don't know why it's even debated.
COUGHKAREEMCOUGH
1. Hakeem
2. Kareem
3. Wilt
4. Bill Russell
5. Shaq
Kareem has scored the most points in nba history, the dunk was outlawed because of him, mastered the sky hook (the most unstoppable move in nba history ), won 6 mvps, 19 time all Star (both records), two finals mvps and 6 championships. I love hakeem but comon man. I personally think:
1. Wilt
2. Kareem
3. Hakeem
All good points, it's why of all the centers in the history of the league, I have Kareem at number #2. But I'll still take Olajuwon over Kareem. You have Hakeem at number #3, so it must not be unreasonable for someone to have him at 2 or, like me, at #1. Hakeem's post game was beautiful, he could take his offense to mid-range, & most blocks in NBA history. In a great generation of big men: Ewing, Shaq, David Robinson, Mutombo, Mourning, Hakeem was the best.
True. Hakeem was a phenomenal player. I used to have him at number 1 but I studied Wilt and was really impressed. But you're right, hakeem did face the toughest competition
this needs more views
Best center of his era and one of the best ever. A complete player, excellent on both ends of the floor.
At 2:27, Sam Cassel appears celebrating at the bench. At 2:30, Cassel appears in the replay asking for the ball. Bizarre editing mistake, even though I knew that Cassel was very fast and versatile. Other than that, I even cry when I see Olajuwon's videos. I just love this guy
He shitted on Ewing and Robinson
Haos CallOfLRevengeance k
+poop butt ....... well BiG TiMe on Ewing , BIG TIME , #2 was the BEST !
Hakeem left Ewing 4 1/2 feet behind him & Ewing just standing LOST.
+poop butt He shitted on Ewing, Robinson, Oneal, Mourning, Abdul-Jabbar, Mutumbo, Smits and every fool that had the audacity to try and guard him!
And shaq
Shat
Best center of all time no doubt about it
What about
Dikembe Mutombo?
@@eking5715 are you serious?
No doubt about it, Hakeem Olajuwon was the Best Center in NBA. The no. 1 move is the icing on the cake.
My personal all time starting Center
Best Center to ever play in the NBA.
amen
agree 100%
his humbleness is what sets him apart!
Kris Keller Abdul jabber Ewing Shaquille O'Neal Wilt
Kris Keller Hakeem was born and raised in lagos nigeria.
we grew up in the same neighborhood in surulere lagos...
played soccer together as teenagers.
he's footwork as a soccer player is what we did growing up..
watch Brazilians play soccer and you'd understand.
mut say I love the way he implemented the move to suit his basketball prowess. FANTASTIC!
Caprinski 10 wilt was likely athletically superior and just a bigger stronger guy, but dream was far more skilled overall in the game. Passing, shooting, handling, footwork, fakes, spins etc...probably not even close.
Same way hakeem handled shaq or robinson he would handle wilt.
The best part is that David Robinson thought he did a pretty good job guarding him
He did guard him well and that was the best you could do to 1994-1995 Hakeem.
No human stopping the Dream those 2 championship years.
I actually agree with D. Robinson. It's not like Robinson was slacking off defensively. Robinson is one of the best post defenders of all time. Olajuwon was just that good in the mid-90s. I don't think any center has ever played at that level against that caliber of defense (I mean against that many elite defenders and star centers, not just D. Robinson). Other centers have a lot more rings, but I've never seen a center play better than Dream did during his championship runs. Who wins league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA championship, and Finals MVP in the same year against that level of competition? Olajuwon did that in 1994. I watched him do it.
AKSBSU What’s scary is Olajuwon is also the best defensive center of all time to go along with all his offensive firepower
Nothing he could do, go to BR and look up player stats for pretty much every HoFer or future HoFer and look at their efficiency,, then look at Hakeem's. He's the only one to IMPROVE his efficiency in the playoffs, rather than decrease. This isn''t a knock against the other greats, it's completely normal because it's playoff teams with starters playing 40+ minutes trying harder on D. Only other player to do that is Reggie Miller, who was an decent player during season who became a monster during the playoffs. Hakeem was an all-time great who elevated to GOAT status during the playoffs, seriously, his impact numbers are as good as Jordan's. Jordan himself MAINTAINED his godlike efficiency during the playoffs, which is the same as improving since he's playing against better teams in a strong East.
He did. Robinson's problem that series was not his defense on Olajuwon but his offense. He just couldnt give it on the other end. The last two games of the series I dont think he even scored 20 points. Some say that is because of the Spurs system and I dont know about that.
Hakeem is the best centre ever. No question.
lmao that officer at 2:29 probably thinking “should i arrest this man?”
J.Olajuwon fue uno de los pívots más dominantes en la historia de la NBA. Ese hombre parecía como si volara y de la nada aparece por de tras y se vuelca en tu encima 💪
No one has ever played the position the way he did.
Que jogador foi Halen olajuan. Que cara inteligente
If not the best center off all time, certainly the most skilled.
Hakeem was Moses Malone 2.0 a force of nature on the court just like his mentor.
The best big man ever with finesse. True talent.
Hakeeeeeem the Dream! Abdul Jabbar and Hakeem, my favourite players as a kid! Great guy
All those moves, blocks...all that talent, and many said that Hakeem was a better soccer player than he was at basketball...that is scary
Who else is watching in 2019
Almost 2020
You know how you know Hakeem was a fukn legend? Almost all those crazy insane highlights came on Hall-of-Famers Ewing and Robinson - he was pwning their asses all day. He even embarrassed Shaq in that Finals against the Magic... says it all. He may not have put up the offense like Kareem but he is a legend and deserves all the praise that legends are afforded... Dwight Howard is not in the same ball-park; hell, he's not even playing the same sport he's so far behind.
You don't see moves like this in today's game, especially from Centers! Every ball player, should watch and observe and learn from, The DREAM!!!! Absolutely 💯 Fantastic 👏
No doubt about it! Hakeem's the best among the greatest centers to have ever played the beautiful game!! His footwork was out of this world!!!
Hakeem in 1994 was the most unstoppable player in the world.
huh?
not just 94, he was great every year, watch his games in the 80's
best center ever
he was!
The one n only best bigman with great footwork
I think when you watch these plays they are pretty good. When you realize who is guarding him in most of these clips it is unbelievable. Ewing and Robinson were 2 of the best big men to ever play the game and he is spinning around them like he's a point guard.
Olajuwon looked like Jordan on that spin move dunk at 2:12 just awesome!!!! I miss 94
The pioneer of the modern offensive big … just watch Jokic and Embiid.. using the dream’s moves every night to tear the league apart
Absolutely. The center position is in good hands.
Embiid is copying Hakeem, but he is the same as Kobe to Jordan. Great but not GOAT.
7’s dunk in slow mo is crazy how patiently and quickly he moved his hand for that dunk, so smooth with it
Grossly underrated...
He makes one off the best centers in NBA history looks like amateurs omfg
Which one... Shaq, Robinson, or Ewing? Cuz he destroyed all three
bro this comment i posted 3 years ago...but looking at the titile of the video i assume its about Hakeem
The way he danced around ewing and robinson legendary
Best all around center ever.
Drafted above Jordan, and no complains. Rightfully so, gifted from the start,
MJ was pure offensive and dunks when he came into the league, Mj develop the fadeaway later on in those championship years before, Hakeem was talent from the get go.
Looking back at these clips, the thought that came to me was from the movie, The Princess Bride. When Inigo showed Westley the sword his father made, Westley looked at it and said, "I've never seen its equal." That's what I think when I see Mr. Olajuwon play.
When centers were go-to scorers, now they're athletic dummies who only dunk.
Apart from Boogie, KAT, the better Lopez, Gasol bros, Vucevic, Valanciunas and probably someone who I'm missing
+Another Useless Username bogut
The Real Traitor Bogut isn't a go-to scorer
Luis Hern Demarcus Cousins?
Another Useless Username JOKIC
One of the best center in basketball history!
Dream shake is one of the best moves and best footwork I have ever seen!
1:45 Poor Robinson
So underrated
Lot of legendary center players at 80-90. The long gone golden era of NBA.
Happy Belated Birthday to Hakeem.1-21-63.Nigeria.
Our Hall of Famer! HTOWN! "The Dream" belonged to CLUTCH CITY!
Man was by far the most skilled center of all time
On #1 the teammate reaction was cut and pasted from a different play. Notice how Sam Cassell is on the court and on the bench at the same time.
The NBA has a habit of cutting teammate, fan, and commentator reactions from plays and then pasting them onto other plays in their highlight videos.
good eye
Yea, that was from number 2.
Best C I've ever seen comprehensive set of skills!!!
“has David Robinson just bamboozeled.” 😂 great share.