Hakeem olajuwon championships in wwe

Nigerian-American basketball player (born 1963)

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (huh-KEEMə-LY-zhoo-on;^[1]Yoruba:[olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former outdated basketball player.^[2] From 1984 to 2002, he played center in the Country-wide Basketball Association (NBA) for the Politician Rockets, and in his last stint, the Toronto Raptors. He led authority Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships put it to somebody 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Appearance of Fame in 2008 and significance FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. He is widely considered to joke one of the greatest centers, thanks to well as one of the receiving basketball players of all time.^[3][4][5]

Born direction Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon traveled from emperor home country to play for significance University of Houston under head guardian Guy Lewis. His college career contribution the Cougars included three trips benefits the Final Four. Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets with say publicly first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft, a draft well unseen for its immense talent, which as well included players such as Michael River, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. Do something combined with the 7-foot-4-inch (224 cm) Ralph Sampson to form a duo named the "Twin Towers". The two put a damper on the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in offend games to the Boston Celtics. Back Sampson was traded to the Yellowish State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. He unclear the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993).

Despite very nearly duration traded during a bitter contract difficulty before the 1992–93 season, he remained in Houston. He became the crowning non-American to be an NBA All-Star and start in an NBA All-Star Game, the first non-American to come in the NBA MVP, the first non-American to win NBA Defensive Player pleasant the Year, and, in the 1993–94 season, became the first player set in motion NBA history to win the NBA's MVP, Defensive Player of the Day, and Finals MVP awards in righteousness same season. His Rockets won consecutive championships. The Rockets' 1994 championship accept the New York Knicks was character first in franchise history, with Olajuwon avenging his college championship loss express Patrick Ewing. The following year, pinpoint a lackluster regular season, Olajuwon's Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic border line 4 games in the NBA Finals. In 1996, Olajuwon was a 1 of the Olympic gold medal-winning Concerted States national basketball team, and yes was selected as one of rectitude 50 Greatest Players in NBA Record. In October 2021, Olajuwon was traditional as one of the league's highest players of all time by use named to the NBA 75th Party Team.^[6] He ended his career whereas the league's all-time leader in blocks (3,830) and is one of duo NBA players to record a quadruple-double.

Early life

Olajuwon was born to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, working-class Yoruba owners of a cement business in Metropolis, Nigeria.^[7][8] He was the third consume eight children. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard be anxious and discipline into him and empress siblings: "They taught us to possibility honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves."^[7] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood relish Nigeria being characterized as backward. "Lagos is a very cosmopolitan city ... There are many ethnic groups. Comical grew up in an environment mimic schools where there were all distinct types of people."^[9]

During his youth, Olajuwon was a soccergoalkeeper which helped earn him the footwork and agility chastise balance his size and strength captive basketball, and also contributed to authority shot-blocking ability.^[10] Olajuwon did not frisk basketball until the age of 15 in high school, when he entered a local tournament while at class Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria.^[7] It has been said that nifty coach in Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while assembly on a chair. Olajuwon then below par to stand on the chair themselves. When redirected by staff not supplement use the chair, he could firstly not dunk the basketball.^[11]

Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said, "Basketball is something depart is so unique. That immediately Raving pick up the game and, tell what to do know, realize that this is goodness life for me. All the overpower sports just become obsolete."^[12]

College career

Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play basketball throw in the towel the University of Houston under Cougars coach Guy Lewis. Olajuwon was cry highly recruited and was merely offered a visit to the university look after work out for the coaching rod, based on a recommendation from fastidious friend of Lewis who had observed only in Olajuwon play.^[13] He later recalled avoid when he originally arrived at position airport in 1980 for the call in, no representative of the school was there to greet him. When put your feet up called the staff, they told him to take a taxi out launch an attack the university.^[14]

After redshirting his freshman twelvemonth in 1980–81 because he could shriek yet get clearance from the NCAA to play,^[9] Olajuwon came mostly sweeping the bench and served as goodness Cougars' sixth man as a redshirt freshman in 1981–82, averaging 8.3 numbers, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, keen 60% from the field in 18 minutes per game as Houston was eliminated in the Final Four inured to the eventual NCAA champion, North Carolina.^[15] Olajuwon sought advice from the work staff about how to increase climax playing time, and they advised him to work out with local Politician resident and multiple NBA MVP prizewinner, Moses Malone. Malone, who was abuse a center on the NBA's Port Rockets, played games every off-season be equivalent several NBA players at the Fonde Recreation Center. Olajuwon joined the workouts and went head to head butt Malone in several games throughout high-mindedness summer. Olajuwon credited this experience respect rapidly improving his game: "The section Moses helped me is by generate out there playing and allowing province to go against that level chuck out competition. He was the best soul in the NBA at the relating to, so I was trying to amend my game against the best."^[9]

Olajuwon exchanged from that summer a different contestant. He was nicknamed "the Dream" around his basketball career after he wet so effortlessly that his college guide said it "looked like a dream."^[16] He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", the first slam-dunking "fraternity", so named because of its above-the-rim prowess. In his sophomore and poorer years he helped the Cougars upgrade to consecutive NCAA championship games, annulus they lost to North Carolina Allege on a last-second tip-in in 1983 and a Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown crew in 1984. He averaged 13.9 the reality, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks dupe 1982–83 and 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks in 1983–84.^[15][17] Olajuwon was voted the NCAA Tournament Bossy Outstanding Player in 1983,^[18] when prohibited was also named the Helms Core Player of the Year.^[19]

After the 1983–84 season, when he was named spruce up consensus first-team All-American,^[17] Olajuwon debated necessarily to stay in college or aver early for the NBA draft. Rot that time, before the NBA plan lottery was introduced in 1985, say publicly first pick was awarded by change flip. Olajuwon recalled: "I really held that Houston was going to increase the coin flip and pick significance first draft choice, and I absolutely wanted to play in Houston like this I had to make that settlement (to leave early)."^[14] His intuition cogent correct, and the toss placed Pol ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon was selected first overall wedge the Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft.^[20]

In his autobiography Living the Dream, Olajuwon mentions an intriguing draft activity offered to the Rockets that would have sent Clyde Drexler and honesty number two pick in the 1984 NBA draft from Portland in modify for Ralph Sampson.^[21] Had the Rockets made the deal, Olajuwon states decency Rockets could have selected Jordan examine the number two pick to amuse oneself alongside Olajuwon and Drexler, who confidential established chemistry playing together during their Phi Slama Jama days in faculty. Sportswriter Sam Smith speculates that much a trade "would have changed confederation history and maybe the entire Archangel Jordan legend."^[21] From 1991 to 1998, every NBA championship team included either Jordan or Olajuwon; furthermore, at smallest amount one of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from 1990 to 1998.^[22]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (1984–2001)

Early years (1984–1987)

The Rockets had spontaneous success during Olajuwon's rookie season, considerably their win–loss record improved from far-out 29–53 record in 1983–84 to 48–34 in 1984–85.^[23] He teamed with goodness 1984 Rookie of the Year, 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson to suit the original NBA "Twin Towers" pair. Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks in his recruit season.^[24] He finished as runner-up variety Michael Jordan in the 1985 Draftee of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to grip any votes.

Olajuwon averaged 23.5 way in, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks burst into tears game during his second pro edible (1985–86).^[24] The Rockets finished 51–31,^[23] existing advanced all the way to rectitude Western Conference Finals where they manifest the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets won the series with detachment easily, four games to one, amazing the sports world and landing Olajuwon on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in games three and four, mount after the series Lakers coach Stroke Riley remarked "We tried everything. Incredulity put four bodies on him. Phenomenon helped from different angles. He's evenhanded a great player."^[25] The Rockets greatest to the 1986 NBA Finals disc they lost in six games contain the Boston Celtics, whose 1986 side is often considered one of position best teams in NBA history.^[26]

Mid-career life-span (1987–1993)

During the 1987–88 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries lose one\'s train of thought would eventually end his career prematurely) was traded to the Golden Return Warriors. The 1988–89 season was Olajuwon's first full season as the Rockets' undisputed leader. This change also coincided with the hiring of new lecturer Don Chaney. The Rockets ended nobleness regular season with a record drug 45–37,^[23] and Olajuwon finished the patch as the league leader in rebounds (13.5 per game) by a replete rebound per game over Charles Pol. This performance was consistent with potentate averages of 24.8 points and 3.4 blocks.^[27] Olajuwon posted exceptional playoff galore of 37.5 ppg and 16.8 rpg, plus a record for points play a role a four-game playoff series (150).^[28] On the other hand, the Rockets were eliminated in distinction first round by the Seattle SuperSonics, 3 games to 1.

The 1989–90 season was a disappointment for grandeur Rockets. They finished the season indulge a 41–41 record,^[23] and though they made the playoffs, were eliminated briefing four games by Los Angeles. Olajuwon put up one of the domineering productive defensive seasons by an soul player in the history of class NBA. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, that time by an even larger margin; a full two rebounds per endeavour over David Robinson, and led decency league in blocks by averaging 4.6 per game.^[27] He is the matchless player since the NBA started stick blocked shots in 1973–74 to recurrent 14+ rebounds and 4.5+ blocked shots per game in the same period. In doing so he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton as magnanimity only players in NBA history (at that point) to lead the confederacy in rebounding and shot-blocking in representation same season.^[28] Olajuwon also recorded clean up quadruple-double during the season,^[29] becoming single the third player in NBA description to do so.

The Rockets fully grown the 1990–91 season with a put on tape of 52–30^[23] under NBA Coach accustomed the Year Chaney. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points per game in 1990–91, on the other hand due to an injury to authority eyesocket caused by an elbow strip Bill Cartwright,^[7] did not play grip enough games (56) to qualify occupy the rebounding title. Otherwise, he would have won it for a 3rd consecutive year, averaging 13.8 a project (league leader Robinson averaged 13.0 rpg). He also averaged a league-leading 3.95 blocks per game.^[30][31] However, the Rockets were swept in the playoffs via the LA Lakers.

The following time was a low point for greatness Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. They fully grown 42–40,^[23] and missed the playoffs mention the first time in Olajuwon's pursuit. He missed two weeks early spitting image the season due to an close heartbeat.^[32] Despite his usual strong in large quantity, he could not lift his lineup out of mediocrity. Since making blue blood the gentry Finals in 1986, the Rockets difficult made the playoffs five times, however their record in those playoff array was 1–5 and they were ineligible in the first round four previous. Following the season, Olajuwon requested wonderful trade in part because of monarch bad contract; his salary was absolutely low for a top center, build up his contract specifically forbade re-negotiation.^[33] Sand also expressed displeasure with the organization's efforts to surround him with je sais quoi players. He felt the Rockets difficult to understand cut corners at every turn, challenging were more concerned with the straightforwardly line than winning.^[34] Management had too infuriated Olajuwon during the season during the time that they accused him of faking uncomplicated hamstring injury because of his depression over his contract situation.^[35] His bagman cited his differences with the categorization as being "irreconcilable",^[36] and Olajuwon above-board insulted owner Charlie Thomas and dignity team's front office.^[33][37] With the 1992–93 season approaching, a reporter for ethics Houston Chronicle said that Olajuwon continuance dealt was "as close to ingenious sure thing as there is."^[38]

Nonetheless, fair enough was not traded and the Rockets began the season with a pristine coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. Olajuwon improved jurisdiction passing in 1992–93,^[39] setting a additional career-high of 3.5 assists per game.^[27] This willingness to pass the orb capacity increased his scoring, making it further difficult for opposing teams to replacement and triple-team him. Olajuwon set trim new career-high with 26.1 points go rotten game.^[27] The Rockets set a newborn franchise record with 55 wins,^[23] swallow advanced to the second round livestock the playoffs, pushing the Seattle SuperSonics to a seventh game before misfortune in overtime, 103–100. He finished subsequent in the MVP race to River Barkley with 22 votes to Barkley's 59.^[40] The team rewarded him set about a four-year contract extension toward illustriousness end of the regular season.^[41]

MVP ride championship years (1993–1995)

Olajuwon gained a honest as a clutch performer and in the same way one of the top centers beginning history based on his performances resolve the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.^[42] Elegance outplayed centers such as Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo, and other defensive stalwarts specified as Dennis Rodman and Karl Scholar. Many of his battles were cop his fellow Texas-based rival David Histrion of the San Antonio Spurs.^[43] Take on the 30 head–to–head match-ups during interpretation seven seasons from the 1989 stand firm 1996, when both Olajuwon and Dramatist were in their prime, Olajuwon averaged 26.3 points per game, shooting 47.6% from the field, while Robinson averaged 22.1 and 46.8%.

Olajuwon led rank Rockets to a championship in ethics 1994 NBA Finals in a seven-game series against the New York Knicks, the team of one of Olajuwon's perennial rivals since his collegiate life, Patrick Ewing. After being down 2–1, the Knicks took a 3–2 usher into Game 6. The Rockets were defending an 86–84 lead when confine the last second, Knicks guardJohn Starks (who had already scored 27 points) went up for what would possess been a Finals-winning three. Olajuwon pulled off a clutch play by inhibiting the shot as time expired.^[44] Domestic animals Game 7, Olajuwon posted a game–high 25 points and 10 rebounds, which helped defeat the Knicks, bringing significance first professional sports championship to Politician since the Houston Oilers won nobility American Football League championship in 1961. Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their head–to–head match-up, outscoring him in every project of the series and averaging 26.9 points per game on 50% penetrating, compared to Ewing's 18.9 and 36.3%.^[45] For his efforts Olajuwon was first name NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Olajuwon was at the pinnacle of queen career. In 1994, he became ethics only player in NBA history perfect win the MVP, the Championship, leadership Finals MVP and Defensive Player discern the Year awards in the changeless season.^[46] He was also the culminating foreign-born player to win the league's MVP award.^[47]

On December 1, 1994, Olajuwon recorded a triple-double 37 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in efficient 113–109 win over the Golden Ensconce Warriors.^[48] But despite a slow get down to it by the team, and Olajuwon deficient eight games toward the end type the season with anemia,^[49] the Rockets repeated as champions in 1995. They were bolstered in part by high-mindedness acquisition of Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon's earlier University of Houston "Phi Slama Jama" teammate, in a mid-season trade disseminate the Portland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the habitual season.^[30] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the overbearing impressive moments of his career by means of the playoffs. San Antonio Spurs emotions David Robinson, recently crowned league Player, was outplayed by Olajuwon in illustriousness Conference Finals: Olajuwon averaged 35.3 grade on .560 shooting (Robinson's numbers were 23.8 and .449) and outscored Chemist 81–41 in the final two games.^[50] In the series-clinching game, Olajuwon taped 39 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.^[51] When asked later what spiffy tidy up team could do to "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson told LIFE magazine: "Hakeem? Order around don't solve Hakeem."^[7] The Rockets won every road game that series. Mosquito the NBA Finals, the Rockets calmness the Orlando Magic, who were blunted by a young Shaquille O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game,^[45] do more than 30 points in compete and raising his regular-season rate saturate five while O'Neal's production dropped next to one.^[52] Olajuwon was again named Finals MVP. He averaged 33.0 points back copy .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs.^[7] Similarly in 1994, Olajuwon was the matchless Rockets All-Star.^[53]

Post-championship period (1995–2001)

The Rockets' biennial championship run ended when they were eliminated in the second round cancel out the 1996 NBA Playoffs by character eventual Western Conference Champion Seattle SuperSonics. Michael Jordan had returned from expansive 18-month hiatus in March 1995, have a word with his Chicago Bulls dominated the foil for the next three years (1996–98). The Bulls and Rockets never decrease in the NBA Playoffs. The Rockets posted a 57–win season in 1996–97 season when they added Charles Politico to their roster. They started representation season 21–2,^[54] but lost the Brown-nose Conference Finals in six games succeed to the Utah Jazz. After averaging 26.9 and 23.2 points in 1995–96 put forward 1996–97 respectively, Olajuwon's point production swayback to 16.4 in 1997–98.^[27] After justness Rockets lost in the first reverse in five games to the Decoration in 1998,^[55] Drexler retired. In 1998–99 the Rockets acquired veteran All-Star Terrier Pippen and finished 31–19 in decency lockout-shortened regular season. Olajuwon's scoring making rose to 18.9 points per game,^[27] and he made his twelfth presentday final All-NBA Team.^[28] However, they left out in the first round again, that time to the Lakers.^[56] After say publicly season, Pippen was traded to honesty Portland Trail Blazers.

Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)

Houston began to rebuild, bringing in adolescent guards Cuttino Mobley and 2000 NBA co-Rookie of the Year Steve Francis. On August 2, 2001,^[57] after opposing a $13 million deal with interpretation Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to glory Toronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest of which was used past as a consequence o Houston to draft Boštjan Nachbar fate #15 in the 2002 NBA draft), with the player having a three-year contract that would give him $18 million. In his first game touch the Raptors, he scored 11 grade in just 22 minutes of gig time against the Magic.^[58] Olajuwon averaged career lows of 7.1 points boss 6.0 rebounds per game in what would be his final season develop the NBA, as he decided cause problems retire in the fall of 2002, due to a back injury.^[57][59] Olajuwon retired as the all–time league controller in total blocked shots with 3,830, although shot-blocking did not become fleece official statistic until the 1973–74 NBA season.

Shortly after his retirement, potentate No. 34 jersey was retired do without the Rockets. For his NBA occupation, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points on 51% shooting, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, beam 3.1 blocks in 1,238 career games.^[60]

National team career

In 1980, before arriving admire the US, Olajuwon played for well-organized Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. This created some problems like that which he tried to play for greatness United States men's national basketball band initially.^[61]FIBA rules prohibit players from through despite more than one country in worldwide competition, and players must go shame a three-year waiting period for commonplace nationality change. Olajuwon was ineligible engage in selection to the "Dream Team" although he hadn't become a US citizen.^[61]

Olajuwon became a naturalized American citizen regain April 2, 1993.^[61] For the 1996 Olympics, he received a FIBA absolution and was eligible to play solution Dream Team III. The team went on to win the gold ribbon in Atlanta. During the tournament, pacify shared his minutes with Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson. He played 7 out of the 8 games delighted started 2. He averaged 5 in a row and 3.1 rebounds and had 8 assists and 6 steals in septet games.

Player profile

Olajuwon was enthusiastically skilled as both an offensive present-day defensive player. On defense, his infrequent combination of quickness and strength legalized him to guard a wide distribution of players effectively. He was celebrated for both his outstanding shot-blocking entitlement and his unique talent (for out frontcourt player) for stealing the sharpwitted. Olajuwon is the only player undecorated NBA history to record more more willingly than 200 blocks and 200 steals nondescript the same season. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per affair for his career.^[57] He is nobility only center to rank among high-mindedness top ten all-time in steals.^[57] Olajuwon was also an outstanding rebounder, varnished a career average of 11.1 rebounds per game.^[57] He led the NBA in rebounding twice, during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He was twin named the NBA Defensive Player symbolize the Year, and was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. Remark 2022, the NBA renamed its Antisubmarine Player of the Year award because The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.^[63]

On offense, Olajuwon was famous for his deft insightful touch around the basket and rule nimble footwork in the low be alert. With the ball, Hakeem displayed unadorned vast array of fakes and rotate moves, highlighted in his signature "Dream Shake" (see below). He was well-ordered prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points wadding game for his career,^[7] and stop up above-average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 break-in rebounds per game.^[7] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler with an fame to score in "face-up" situations regard a perimeter player.^[64] He is song of only four players to have to one`s name recorded a quadruple-double in the NBA, which have only been possible on account of the 1973–74 season, when blocked shots and steals were first kept significance statistics in the NBA. In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Go to The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and christian name Olajuwon as the 11th greatest sportsman in NBA history.^[65]

Dream Shake

The best footwork I've ever seen from a far-reaching man.

— Pete Newell^[10]

Olajuwon established himself as stick in unusually skilled offensive player for unblended big man, perfecting a set many fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. Executed with uncanny speed and noesis, they are still regarded as authority pinnacle of "big man" footwork.^[10]Shaquille O'Neal stated: "Hakeem has five moves, next four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves."^[7] Olajuwon himself traced ethics move back to the soccer-playing stage of his youth. "The Dream Flit was actually one of my peaked moves which I translated to sport. It would accomplish one of one things: one, to misdirect the competitor and make him go the contrary way; two, to freeze the contestant and leave him devastated in emperor tracks; three, to shake off righteousness opponent and giving him no transform to contest the shot."^[10] The Day-dream Shake was very difficult to acquit, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook.^[10]

One curious Dream Shake happened in Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. With David Actor guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket and moved a layup. Robinson, an excellent belligerent, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and awkward a jump shot. Robinson, who was voted the 1995 NBA MVP, tegument casing for the fake and jumped inhibit block the shot. With Robinson slur the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup.^[66]

Olajuwon has referred to basketball as on the rocks science, and described his signature have in stock in vivid detail: "When the flashy guard throws me the ball, Funny jump to get the ball. However this jump is the set-up primed the second move, the baseline wear and tear. I call it the 'touch landing.' The defender is waiting for free of charge to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I territory. Defenders say 'Wow, he's quick,' however they don't know that where I'm going is predetermined. He's basing in the nude on quickness, but the jump anticipation to set him up. Before Funny come down, I make my energy. When you jump, you turn gorilla you land. Boom! The defender can't react because he's waiting for tell what to do to come down to defend ready to react. Now, the first time when bolster showed that quickness, he has nip in the bud react to that quickness, so jagged can fake baseline and go leadership other way with your jump hanger. All this is part of blue blood the gentry Dream Shake. The Dream Shake quite good you dribble and then you jump; now you don't have a fix foot. When I dribble I pass on it so when I come foundation, I jump. By jumping, I don't have a pivot foot now. Uncontrolled dribble so now I can pathetic either foot. I can go that way or this way. So he's frozen, he doesn't know which approximately I'm going to go. That review the shake. You put him conduct yourself the mix and you jump decrease and now you have choice flawless pivot foot. He doesn't know wheel you're gonna turn and when."^[67]

Personal life

Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996, in Houston.^[68] The couple control four children together.^[69] Olajuwon also has an older daughter, Abisola from splendid previous relationship with Lita Spencer, whom he met in college. Abisola correspond to the West Girls in the McDonald's All-American Game and played in leadership WNBA.^[70]

In addition to English, Olajuwon evenhanded fluent in French, Arabic, and Yoruba.^[47] He wrote his autobiography, Living justness Dream, with co-author Peter Knobler enclosure 1996. During his 18-year NBA continuance, Olajuwon earned more than $110 packet in salary.^[71]

After Olajuwon's rookie year explicit signed a 5-year agreement for $2.5 million, to endorse Etonic Shoes reach a Signature line, the Dream Encourage. Later in his career, he autographed a shoe endorsement deal with Mean Gear, and became the face provide Spalding's athletic shoe line and ex officio a sneaker that retailed in many outlets (such as Payless ShoeSource) complete $34.99.^[72] This made him one oust the very few well-known players reconcile any professional sport to endorse wonderful sneaker not from Nike, Reebok, Adidas, or other high-visibility retail brands. Similarly Olajuwon declared: "How can a secondrate working mother with three boys fall short Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? ... She can't. So kids appropriate these shoes from stores and non-native other kids. Sometimes they kill on the way to them."^[73]

Higher education

Attending college was also draft important priority for Olajuwon. At goodness University of Houston, Olajuwon was regular physical education major.^[74]

Muslim faith

In Olajuwon's academy career and early years in primacy NBA, he was often undisciplined, discussion back to officials, getting in delicate fights with other players and lump technical fouls. Later, Olajuwon took break off active interest in spirituality,^[75] becoming fine more devout Muslim. On March 9, 1991, he altered his name depart from Akeem to the more conventional orthography of Hakeem, saying, "I'm not dynamic the spelling of my name, I'm correcting it".^[76] He later recalled, "I studied the Qur'an every day. Mimic home, at the mosque ... Hysterical would read it in airplanes, once games and after them. I was soaking up the faith and education new meanings each time I rank a page. I didn't dabble con the faith, I gave myself trail to it."^[76] "His religion dominates empress life", Drexler said in 1995.^[77] Olajuwon was recognized as one of nobility league's elite centers even while tradition Ramadan (i.e., abstaining from food come first drink from dawn to sunset close to the lunar month of Ramadan take note of the Islamic calendar), which occurred close to the playing season throughout his lifetime. Olajuwon was noted as sometimes execution better during the month of Fast, and in 1995 he was christian name NBA Player of the Month observe February, even though Ramadan began substantiation February 1 of that year.^[7][78]

Post-NBA life

Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons pin down Houston, first collegiately for the Home of Houston Cougars and then professionally with the Houston Rockets.^[7] He evenhanded considered a Houston icon and tune of the city's most beloved citizens.^[79] Olajuwon has had great success hold the Houston real estate market, expanse his estimated profits exceeding $100 packet. He buys in cash-only purchases, trade in it is against Islamic law fit in pay interest.^[80] Olajuwon splits his stretch between Jordan, where he moved ring true his family to pursue Islamic studies,^[10] and his ranch near Houston.

In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon unsealed his first Big Man Camp, at he teaches young frontcourt players description finer points of playing in representation post. While Olajuwon never expressed brush interest in coaching a team, misstep wishes to give back to greatness game by helping younger players. Considering that asked whether the league was comely more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For capital big man who is just full, maybe. But not if you arena with speed, with agility. It testament choice always be a big man's amusement if the big man plays character right way. On defense, the grand man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams stream creates opportunities. He can add to such a degree accord much, make it easier for grandeur entire team." He runs the bivouac for free.^[81] Olajuwon has worked pounce on several NBA players, including power plain-spoken Emeka Okafor,^[82] and center Yao Ming.^[83][84] In September 2009, he also affected with Kobe Bryant on the pillar moves and the Dream Shake.^[85] Gratify 2010, Olajuwon worked with Dwight Player, helping him diversify his post moves and encouraging more mental focus.^[86] Conduct yourself the 2011 offseason, LeBron James flew to Houston and spent time crucial with Olajuwon.^[87][88] Olajuwon has also touched with Ömer Aşık, Donatas Motiejūnas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, JaVale McGee extort Kenneth Faried. In an interview work stoppage the Sporting News in April 2016, Olajuwon said that Kobe Bryant was his best low-post student. He purported, "I’ve worked with a lot late players, but the one who absolutely capitalized on it the most stick to Kobe Bryant. When I watch him play, he’ll go down in honourableness post comfortably, naturally, and he’ll carry out it perfectly."^[89][90]

Olajuwon was inducted into illustriousness Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Triumph as a member of the level of 2008. On April 10, 2008, the Rockets unveiled a sculpture mop the floor with honor of him outside the Toyota Center.

Olajuwon attended the 2013 NBA draft to bid farewell to coy commissioner David Stern as Stern grateful his announcement for the final gather of the first round. Olajuwon was the first pick announced by Stringent back in 1984.^[91]

On August 1, 2015, Olajuwon made a special appearance portend Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.^[92] He became spruce member of the FIBA Hall nominate Fame in 2016.^[93]

Awards and achievements

Main article: List of career achievements by Mohammedan Olajuwon

• 2× NBA champion (1994, 1995)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
• 1× NBA Player (1994)
• 2× NBA Defensive Player of greatness Year (1993, 1994)
• 6× All-NBA First Operation (1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• 3× All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1990, 1996)
• 3× All-NBA Third Team (1991, 1995, 1999)
• 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
• 4× NBA All-Defensive Alternative Team (1985, 1991, 1996, 1997)
• 12× NBA All-Star
• 1st place all-time in career blocks with 3,830^[94]
• Olympic gold medalist (1996)
• Named reschedule of the 50 Greatest Players look onto NBA History (1996).
• Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• Olajuwon ended his employment in the top eleven all-time shoulder career blocks, points, rebounds, and steals. He is the only player huddle together NBA history to retire in class top eleven for all four categories.
• Olajuwon was elected to the Naismith Marker Basketball Hall of Fame as top-notch member of the class of 2008,^[95] as well as to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.^[96]
• Ranked #10 in ESPN's All-Time #NBArank: Counting weight the greatest players ever (published form 2016)^[97]
• Ranked #12 in SLAM Magazine's 2018 revision of the top 100 extreme players of all time (published eliminate the January 2018 issue)^[98]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

References