I don't really remember much about my favorite Hakeem memory. It was 1994, regular season, I was at the game in good seats. Rockets were close with some team,I don't remember who and Hakeem was delerious, as he always was that season. Some Rocket stole the ball and started the break. Both teams were running fast, Hakeem was slightly ahead of the rest and got a pass right on the baseline by the rockets bench about 19 feet out. Instead of completing the break and taking it to the hole, he went straight into his baseline jumper. Because the other team was close behind the opposing center(or maybe power forward) was running full speed, saw what Hakeem was doing, and lept into the air for the monster block. Hakeem, who it seemed did not see this person, released the ball super fast and swished it. Rediculous shot, should have just taken inside. This was all one fluid motion, on the break, catches and just zips it in the air abnormally fast (fading of course) and this center/forward dude trying to block it just flies out of bounds onto the ground. Hakeem just jogs away, no huge screams from the crowd...but the opposing player just sits there for a minute, gets up and stares at Hakeem from behind and says "God!! D#mn!!! " in disbelief. It just hit home, for me, how much we took Hakeem for granted and and how deleriously good he really was. ------------------
There are so many: 1. watching him just standing there smiling when they won the first championship while his teammates were jumping all around and the stadium was going nuts 2. 1995 -- beating David Robinson to the hole over and over again. the quiet determination to show that he was still the greatest center in the game 3. the quadruple-double...i know there are unofficially two of them. sooooo many more! ------------------
My three favorites... 1) Game 1 1995 NBA Finals V. Magic.. The tip in. the best part was Dream looking around afterwards not sure if he made it. 2) Game 5 against Utah 1995. Late in the 4th when the Rockets put the game away Dream had a fade-away baseline Dreamshake shot that went off the top of the glass and in. Unbelievable! 3) The entire San Antonio series 1995. Dream takes the Mermaid to school. ------------------ "I thought I defended him pretty well....."
