[H]Akeem Olajuwon shouted: ''We're unbeatable!'' Source: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE0D71E31F934A15756C0A960948260
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The Unbeatable Dream is performed by DJ Hurtembad and [H]Akeem "The Dream" Olajuwon Any lyrics that are sung by [H]Akeem himself will appear in parentheses: Seven foot tall with a basketball he slams like he's insane Rap-Master of the NBA, just a novice at the game Dripping with sweat & soaking wet ETONICS on his feet His name's Akeem but he's called the Dream, (And I won't accept defeat.) Unbeatable - Undefeatable - He's Unbelievable - Unbeatable From Africa Olajuwon means striving to the top Twin Tower number 34 The Dream cannot be stopped A warning to the competition throughout the NBA He's going for the MVP, (So c'mon make my day) Unbeatable - Undefeatable - He's Unbelievable - Unbeatable With ETONIC shoes & inside moves he powers to the hoop He takes a pass high above the glass for the one-hand alley-oop And you won't survive on the dribble-drive cause he'll steal it from your bands (Think you're hot? Then take a shot) and he'll slap it in the stands! Unbeatable - Undefeatable - He's Unbelievable - Unbeatable Akeem is back with shoes that match in his red white and gold And if you wanna be Number 1 then this is what I'm told Work up a sweat get soaking wet keep striving like Akeem And put ETONICS on your feet, And be just like the Dream Unbeatable - Undefeatable - He's Unbelievable - Unbeatable (Fastbreak!)
Here's a feel-good article from back in the day. Even though the author talks about the Rockets doubling Robinson, it hints at the real difference between Dream and any other center... in crunch time Olajuwon could guard anyone, be they Shaq or Wilt or Russell or Kareem one-on-one while every other center out there, including Russell, would have needed double-team help on Olajuwon. Case closed.
Thats crazy because Hakeem in his prime had no flaws while shaq in his prime had 2 flaws. Shaq:terrible free throws & couldn't shoot outside of 3ft Hakeem?? Somebody tell me Hakeem didnt score only because of his stifling defense. Shaq best year 76 steals/ 0 year over 100steals Hakeem best is 217 steals/ 11 season 100 or more steals Shaq blocks (4) 200+ season & (0) 300+season Hakeem (9) 200+ season & (3) 300+season almost 4 season If Hakeem slacked his defense to shaq level (to save energy) I know he would have been scoring 30+ plus points a game Damn Hakeem Paycheck 1985 $780,000 1986 $882,500 1987 * $1,167,583 1988 $1,452,666 1989 $1,677,666 1990 * $2,426,333 1991 $3,175,000 1992 $3,170,000 1993 $3,170,000 1994 $3,170,000 1995 $3,169,900 1996 $5,305,000 1997 $9,655,000 1998 $11,156,000 1999 $12,943,000 2000 $14,302,001 2001 $16,700,000 2002 $5,061,539
Hakeem was the most complete big man to ever play the game. He in fact redefined it in ways. No other player ever exhibited the post-up foot work he did. No other player ever had a better turn around jumper. Hakeem didn't have a weakness in his game. He could do it all. He was the perfect blend of power and finesse. His weakest stat was assists. He could shot the ball from anywhere inside the arc. He was strong and powerful. He shot a decent FT%. He was top ten in steals. Top four in blocks. Top ten in Rebs. Top ten in scoring. He was top ten in FG%. He wasn't the best defensive center ever, nor the best offensive center. But he's the most complete center ever, and I'd take Hakeem in his prime over any big man ever.
Hakeem proved he was the better center when they met in the finals. Shaq isn't even the best center in the nba right now and all the sudden he's the best ever? maybe if he put as much time into his game as he does with his freetime appearing in movies and policing the streets of Miami, than perhaps he could be as good as Hakeem was, but we all know that won't happen.
Hakeem vs. Shaq in the NBA finals ~ WINNER HAKEEM. Hakeem bested 3 of the greatest centers of all time Shaq, D. Robinson, Ewing. Who has Shaq beaten on the way to the finals?
The fact that people even try and make a debate out of this is laughable. Even Shaq says Hakeem owned him.
But people argued that the young Shaq schooled by Hakeem had not yet reached his prime. Remember Shaq also claimed himself the "MDE"...
Michael Jordan weighs in on the debate: http://www.nypost.com/sports/64670.htm Jordan: Ew not da man Patrick sags on Air's all-era team Patrick Ewing can't catch a break with old nemesis Michael Jordan. The Bulls legend, who repeatedly denied the Knick center a ring while capturing six of his own, tells SLAM magazine that Hakeem Olajuwon gets the edge in the pivot on the starting five Dream Team - including himself at shooting guard - from his era. His Airness selected Magic Johnson at the point, split small forward between Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen and Larry Bird, and chose UNC teammate James Worthy over Kevin McHale and Karl Malone at the four. And at center: "I'd go with Olajuwon, that's without a doubt," Jordan said. "I mean, I never saw Jabbar in his prime, and I love Patrick, but I would have to say the versatility of where the game was going, Olajuwon was by far the best at the center position. And even Shaq, he's the dominant center of today, but if you ask him back when he first came in, if he doesn't say Olajuwon, then he's got a little amnesia." The anniversary issue - SLAM's 100th - will be on newsstands later this week.
