Hakeem's Legacy w/o a Championship

Phoenix would've handled the Knicks in 94 but would they have beaten the Magic in 95? I'm not so sure. That's just my gut feeling though.

 

I'd say his legacy would be similar to that of Karl Malone and Charles Barkley's now. Perhaps he'd be even on a slightly lower level since he wasn't particularly marketable and frequently overlooked by non-Rockets fans during his career.

 

To be honest even with the rings he's still overlooked. I don't know how many times I hear people on TV talking about the greatest centers of all time and they hardly ever mention dream.

 

While that's true, it really doesn't bother me that much. Players who have played with/against him and people who truly know basketball have nothing but praise and respect for him.

All time greats like Walton, Shaq, Barkley, and Robinson have all labeled him one of the...if not the greatest low-post player in NBA history. Hell, I was talking with two friends a few years back, one a Lakers fan...the other a Knicks fan. Without question, both said they'd take Hakeem over Shaq and Ewing from a career perspective.

 

Even without the championships, my first born son would still be named Hakeem Olajuwon Williamson.

 

he'd still be better than that p@#sy malone.

 

Is he really named that?

 

He might have never had a commercial for Taco Bell.

 

Greatest Center Of All Time. Every player knows it,media won't admit it.

 

Believe me, I know it, I watch him his entire career. I just don't understand how his career can be downplayed by so many in the media.

 

He's not American. Simple.

 

Actually, I don't think this is very far from the truth. Yes, Ewing is from Jamaica, but most folks don't know it, and you wouldn't be able to tell hearing him speak. The fact that Hakeem spoke with a very heavy accent made him less desirable as a spokesperson, and, consequently, prevented him from winning the hearts and minds of the American public as a whole. Sad, really.

 

I think it has something to to with how humble he was. The guy never tooted his own horn. Even when he won the MVP, he insisted that the rest of the team help him lift the trophy. When is the last time you saw something like that? You'll probably never see it again either.

Also, like some others have said, he's not American. He has a heavy accent and therefore was never the most marketable player. Plus, he doesn't seek the spotlight at all. He actually shuns it. Just look at his reaction to having a statue of himself in front of TC.

Finally, I think people would still talk about him if he were more visible in the media now that he's retired. Other great players got broadcasting jobs, coaching jobs, jobs within different organizations. After he retired, he left the country and basically hasn't been heard from since.

Based on all of this, I don't think people would talk about him at all if not for the Championships. We would, because we're hardcore Rocket fans, but I doubt if your average fair-weather fan would.