I would really just like to thank him, because he really is the single individual that turned me into a sports fanatic. I am 18 years old and I am a student a Texas Tech University. I remember being in 2nd grade when I was listening to game 7 of semi final playoffs versus Super Soninis. When Shawn Kemp was a god, and Payton was comming into his own, and Detlef Shrempf was great himeself. They had so many weapons and we just could not beat them on their home court. I was so sad when we lost in overtime. But from that moment on I became a rockets fan. The next year we started the season 15-0 and we finally lost the Heat. We had so many role players, and Hakeem dominated like nothing I had ever seen before. He was a 7 foot center, who could shoot like a small forward, who's agility was better then most point gaurds, and he had quick hands and a leaping ability to block any ones shot at any time. To me, he was the most complete center of all time. In the mid 90's (in his prime) the man had no weaknesses. Really no Weaknesses. I cant think of another player that had such a fluid game, and that could dominate a position so well. Can you remmber when he dominated the MVP "David Robinson". Then he took it to Shaq and they swept the finales. He proved the world wrong while dominating the two league leading scorers........ Thoughs were the good ole days. I am sad to say that he did not retire as a Rocket. I wish he would have quit 5 years ago becasue he kind of tarnished his reputation. I was one of the people that went with the future and forgot about him. When we got Steve, and Mobley I was one of the supporters to move in a new and young direction. I blew Hakeem off for the last 3 or 4 years....................................................................................... But last night I was watching sports center in my dorm when they said that Hakeem was going to retire from the Toronto Raptors. They put a 2 minute clip of all of his highlights of his carreer. And it brought teers to my eyes. I missed him, and him in his prime. I had forgoten how good he really was. "The Dream Shake", all of the block shots he had. The 40 points a night every other game, the two nba titles. And the famous move he pulled on Robinson in the playoffs with the ball fake, and then the easy jump hook. Or even the come from behind block shot of Kevin Johonson that nocked jhonson on his ass. So may great memories, but the best was when Hakeem and Clyde held there hands together high in the air after they had won the 2nd championship. Hakeem You will be dearly missed. You are the greatest sports icon that Houston has ver seen. Number 34 with the spalding shoes will all have a place a my heart!
We need more posts like that around here. Finally, some appreciation for what the Dream did for this franchise, and for the city of Houston.
Ya know in the mid 80s, it was #34 with the Etonic shoes. =) Did anyone remember the rap/R&B song that was made for Hakeem way back then?
I remember being in the 2nd grade and going to McDonald's, Akeem was the spokesman for Mickey D's. I will always remember the commercial where he eats some fries and says in VERY broken english "Unbeatable". To this day, my friends and I still say "Unbeatable" and laugh our heads off at how bad he sounded when he said it. You gotta love the Dream!!
My second son's name is Akeem, spelt specifically to reflect my first introduction to him. In 1983, I was new to basketball and my choice was him or Patrick. As a fellow West Indian the tendency was to go with Patrick but Akeem was too irresistable. He will be missed although I have alot of tapes of him.
Hands down, Hakeem is the greatest Rocket ever, and will always be. There should be a statue of Hakeem outside our new arena.
Personally... I think it must have really killed Jordon to watch the team that knocked him out in 6 games (Orlando) get swept by the Rockets. You know Jordon was dying to play that team. He even said it. I bet Jordon knows who the only player that anywhere near him is Olajuwon.
Funny I turned into a rocket fan that same season you did. Pretty much the same game to. I remember Kennys Smiths jumper just coming up short. That game was defintely hard to wathc. I am also a student at TTU freshamn to. sounds like youa re. Im praying that we get some rocket games up here once the season starts but ill doubt it will happen. Agreed Hakeem is the best athlete this city has ever seen. It is weird to say the least when Hakeem will make his announcement Nov 2nd against the Rocekts. Houston will be saying good bye to a legend and hopefully welcoming in another one in Yao Ming. Im defintely telling my parents to save that paper. go tech and go rockets
What more can we say about the guy. He is just incredible. Everytime I hear his name and people starts to tell their Hakeem story, it brings tears to my eyes. Hakeem Olajuwon is amazing and will definitely be missed. Hakeem will always have a place in my heart. Gob bless you
Who is this Hakeem guy you are all talking about? Was he related to Akeem Olajuwon, the greatest Rocket of all time?
Muslims say Amen too. Anyways, what should Hakeem look like in this statue? Should he be half-way into a dream shake?
Akeem Abdul Olajuwon. We hardly knew you. Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon will always be "unbeatable" to me. He epitomizes the Houston Rockets. Clutchcity. Champion. A statue would be a nice start. Thanks for the memories Dream!
