https://nypost.com/2019/04/07/mitchell-robinson-never-heard-of-nba-legend-praising-his-game/amp/ HOUSTON — Mitchell Robinson doesn’t know who legendary former Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon is. That’s OK. Hakeem “The Dream” now knows Robinson, who has set the Knicks rookie record for blocked shots in a season. Robinson also has at least two blocks in 27 straight games, second-longest streak for a rookie after Manute Bol. Olajuwon, who works for the Rockets as an adviser/mentor, sat courtside for Friday’s Rockets’ blowout over the Knicks and came away swooning. “I love his game,” Olajuwon told The Post. “He has a presence in the middle. He can close down the middle with his energy, skill level, how he moves. Not too many players have that impact as a shotblocker. On the court you know he is there. Fantastic player.” When the praise was relayed to Robinson, the just-turned 21-year-old from Chalmette (La.) High, which is four hours from Houston, admitted he never heard of Olajuwon. Robinson was 4 years old when Olajuwon retired in 2002. The young teammates surrounding Robinson in the locker room razzed him for not being up on his NBA history. Olajuwon used to run a big-man camp for all NBA players to work on their post game, but no longer can do so. He can mentor only Rockets players.
I don't blame Robinson. this is a failure of the sports media and his basketball mentors and coaches.. To grow up in Houston (and the surrounding areas) and not know who Hakeem is a failure of our community. I'm saddened here on this day. Edit: Robinson grew up in Louisiana.
I'm sad to hear this. Any basketball player or fan should know about Hakeem's accomplishments. The only interesting part was that Hakeem can only mentor Rockets players.
I fixed the thread title. Apparently he didn’t grow up in Texas, and went to high school in Louisiana for a few years. Still, unbelievable for an NBA player to have never heard of a legend who played not that long ago.
The next Capela. Before beginning his professional career, he gained national coverage for withdrawing from his commitment to going to Western Kentucky University and instead dedicate the entire 2017–18 season for training on his own, being the first player to make such a decision ... He would be the first recruited draft pick to wind up not playing for any college, professional, or high school/postgraduate team throughout an entire year before entering an NBA draft, although he would still be credited as coming out of Western Kentucky by the NBA.
I can understand if it was a point guard not hearing about Olajuwon. But this is a center who was probably taught to be the focal point on defense, rather than on offense. Pretty egregious. It's like if a point guard came into this league not knowing about Stockton / Kidd / Nash or a power forward not knowing about Duncan / Malone / Garnett.
That’s just super weird. Has he heard of Karl Malone, David Robinson, etc? I’m guessing it’s Jordan and that’s it from the 90’s. Which would also be strange.
