Problem was is that Hakeem played under crappy coaches like Fitch and Cheney who had no idea how to use Hakeem (not that it takes a genious to figure out). In come Rudy T who says, hmmmmm, this guy is pretty amazing, let me just pass him the ball more, and whatdoyaknow - 2 championships.
It was awesome to hear the credit given to dream. I didn't think the around the horn guys would do that. however i think putting him in the same class as majic or bird was a little over the top because those two were at their peaks for a longer amount of time.
Yao Ming is doing ok. A 37 points and 10 rebounds performance. But I saw an old 1987(not sure) playoff game re-run against Tom Chambers, Dale Ellis, and Xavier McDaniel. Hakeem Olajuwon was a monster. In the double overtime game, Hakeem had 49 points, 23 rebounds and 5 blocks. he was still known as 'Akeem.' Ralph Sampson missed a free throw that could have made it 116-115 at the end of overtime, but missed. The Rockets lost. But Hakeem is still the best Rocket to have played, in my opinion.
Hakeem's problem was simple: there was wayyyyy yoo much talent on the other teams while he was playing. There was Bird, Magic, Jordan, Barkey, and several other players who, when they wanted it, could will a team to win. At this point, the only one I see who can do that is Duncan. The dominant teams for most of Hakeem's career were full of very talented players. The lakers and Celtics and Bulls will all eventually have multiple Hall-of-fame members off of those teams. The Rockets, during the same time, only had Hakeem. Granted he later played with Barkley, Clyde and Quitten, but by then he was simply used up, as the others were also. (This is also why the Lakers won't win the title this year)
