ESPN top playoff performance http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/040511&mp look at number 10 and number 12
I've always loved the story about Robinson. I'd heard that Hakeem said something along the lines of, "That man has my trophy." By all accounts Robinson is a nice guy, but this just makes me giddy. Also, even though the Sleepy Floyd story is about his time in G-state, since he was on the Rockets (and liked to frequent the TGIF at Westwood Mall), I'd like to ask: I thought he was called "Sleepy" because his eyelids looked kinda droopy? This article says it's b/c he'd lose focus during games... In any case, The Sports Guy always shows a little love for the Rockets. Adding two Hakeem moments to the list - classy guy. None of this explains why I was singing "Built this city on Rock and Roll" at the top of my lungs last Saturday. But an eerie coincidence nonetheless.
I think the story is fantastic and it worths posing here: 10. Hakeem's 49-25 against the Sonics (Game 6, 1987) You read that one right . . . 49 points, 25 rebounds. Maybe they lost the game (and the series), but this was the best individual performance by a center in the past 20 years. Remember, he was playing for a terrible team -- this was the year when Lloyd and Wiggins got nailed by drug suspensions and Sampson was battling knee problems. A one-man wrecking crew. 12. Hakeem simply decides to destroy David Robinson (Game 2, 1995) Kenny Smith just told this story on TNT last week. It's one of my favorites. Robinson won the MVP in '95, which was ridiculous because everyone knew Hakeem was still the best player in the league. I never understood this logic -- maybe the most egregious example happened in '93, when Barkley won the MVP when MJ was in his absolute prime. So MJ had to annihilate the Suns in the Finals -- I think he actuially left body parts and wreckage when that one was over. And to be honest, if KG and the T'Wolves survive the Kings series, Duncan will end up doing the same thing. Tim Duncan is the best player in the league. He should always win the MVP if he's healthy. Always. Always. Always. I will not argue about this. Anyway, before Game 2, they presented Robinson with his MVP award . . . and the Admiral gave a speech and thanked some of the great centers who had won the award before him. Well, he didn't mention Hakeem. Big mistake. A suddenly-motivated Hakeem exploded for 41 points and 16 boards, including 29 points in the second half. In the final two games of the series, he outscored Robinson 81-41. For the series, Hakeem averaged 35.3 points 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. You could even argue that Robinson's career was never quite the same. And it all started with that speech in Game 2. NBATV needs to show that whole game. With the speech. (Here's my favorite thing about Hakeem: In a 13-month span, he bested all three rivals from his generation in the playoffs -- Ewing, Shaq and Robinson. How many athletes could say that? In any sport?)
This isn't Rockets related, but that story about Sleepy Floyd is a must-read. Man, what an AWESOME performance. Imagine if this guy actually cared...
"He's holding my trophy." -- Hakeem Olajuwon to Kenny Smith, before game 2 of the '95 Western Conference Finals
He might not say it during a press conference but he might have said something like that to his teammates. You cant be that good without the spirit of competition and look how he exploded in that game. Remember Hakeem was a nice guy off the court but he did get his technicals in on the court.
Also does anyone know if they ever made any Hakeems best DVD's or something along those lines? Like the ones they have for MJ or something like that.
Half.com has "Hakeem the Dream" VHS 1995 and "Basketball Superstar - Hakeem Olajuwon: Dream Center" DVD 2001 - these may or may not be the same video, repackaged for DVD in 2001. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go lace up my Etonics.
bill simmons was the most readable writer on their entire staff before this..this is just the confirmation of his status.. i like his writings on his boston teams..funny stuff but yea...after reading #12, i emailed him right away to thank him for not forgetting about the Dream...Jeff Merron needs to be put out into the pastures and ..well..you know the rest...
Simmons makes a great point here: Never thought about it that way. Wow. Notice how people never tried to say Ewing or Robinson were better than Hakeem after 1995? By the way, he's exactly right about MJ's 63 point game. I watched that game at the Museum of TV and Radio a few years ago, and it wasn't at all what I expected. MJ got a lot of points at the line, and he scored a lot after regulation. It wasn't as dominant as the 35 point half against the Blazers, for example.
you need to read the original "shafting" to truly enjoy the peice http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77419 (I stewed about that all night until my hero Bill Simmons flew in...jk)
Hakeem's 49-25 against the Sonics (Game 6, 1987) You read that one right ... 49 points, 25 rebounds. Maybe they lost the game (and the series), but this was the best individual performance by a center in the past 20 years. Remember, he was playing for a terrible team -- this was the year when Lloyd and Wiggins got nailed by drug suspensions and Sampson was battling knee problems. A one-man wrecking crew. Hakeem simply decides to destroy David Robinson (Game 2, 1995) Kenny Smith just told this story on TNT last week. It's one of my favorites. Robinson won the MVP in '95, which was ridiculous because everyone knew Hakeem was still the best player in the league. I never understood this logic -- maybe the most egregious example happened in '93, when Barkley won the MVP when MJ was in his absolute prime. So MJ had to annihilate the Suns in the Finals -- I think he actually left body parts and wreckage when that one was over. And to be honest, if KG and the T'Wolves survive the Kings series, Duncan will end up doing the same thing. Tim Duncan is the best player in the league. He should always win the MVP if he's healthy. Always. Always. Always. I will not argue about this. Anyway, before Game 2, they presented Robinson with his MVP award ... and the Admiral gave a speech and thanked some of the great centers who had won the award before him. Well, he didn't mention Hakeem. Big mistake. A suddenly-motivated Hakeem exploded for 41 points and 16 boards, including 29 points in the second half. In the final two games of the series, he outscored Robinson 81-41. For the series, Hakeem averaged 35.3 points 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. You could even argue that Robinson's career was never quite the same. And it all started with that speech in Game 2. NBATV needs to show that whole game. With the speech. (Here's my favorite thing about Hakeem: In a 13-month span, he bested all three rivals from his generation in the playoffs -- Ewing, Shaq and Robinson. How many athletes could say that? In any sport?)
