I grew up in Tucson as a dyed-in-the-wool UA hoops fan and remember an early season non-conference game against UH... the radio pre-game portion dealing with the day's opposition mentioned a considerably talented, yet raw and inexperienced big man from Africa named Akeem Abdul-Olajuwon... who had been playing basketball for about 2 years, PERIOD. UA went down to defeat that day by a healthy margin and young Akeem was a contributor even then. Flash-forward about 14 years and watch a physically imposing Orlando team lose 4 of 4 as soon as a 7-foot basketball virtuoso flashes into the paint and flicks in an errant shot with about .8 on the clock. There are not-so-happy memories as well... Dream taking a piledrive elbow from 'the Barishnykov of basketball', Bill Cartwright, and being bent over and stuffed, time and time again, by Shaq in the '99 playoffs. I just hope he makes the best of limited minutes this season and can still leave out of The Game a bigger man than when he came in. ------------------ It takes a lot of brains to enjoy satire, humor and wit- but none to be offended by them.
Just one moment, man that is impossible. Some of his greatest moments have been named here. The one that sticks out the most in my mind, is that while the WHOLE team was celebrating the first Championship in the city of Houston. Dream walked over the bench, sat down, and started to take it all in, talk about a man with perspective. He is the GREATEST Rocket ever to play, and one of the 5 best basketball players of all time. Hakeem, you will be missed, now go out with a bang, and have a hell of a last season. DaDakota ------------------ All you MO-FO's better stop ripping off my lines !!
I've seen him do it a handful of times, but I can't remember which games he did it in or to whom he did it too. I'm talking, of course, about the crossover . Hakeem gets the ball in the high post, steps back to get some room between his man and the basket, and busts out with a crossover dribble to take his man off the basket. It should be downright illegal for a center to have a move like that. There won't be another center for another twenty years who will do it (uh, unless Tim Duncan decides to try one ). The first time I saw it, I was like, "You have got to be kidding me." And who can forget the utter dimantling and humiliation of The Admiral. In 1993 I waited tables at Pappasito's in Austin. By then Rockets fans knew what the rest of the world would find out in 1994-1995 -- that Hakeem was so far ahead of the other centers in the league that he only merited comparison to the all-time greats. But remember back then, when we would actually have to debate people (like the blind Spurs fans I worked with at Pappasito's) who thought that Robinson was better? It was a delight to see Hakeem end the debate once and for all against the Admiral. A delight. I also liked his game winning shot in the 1994 Utah series against Felton Spencer and half the Jazz team. It's special cuz it was the Jazz. ------------------
Most of my favorite on court memories of Dream have already been posted, so I will share an of off court memory. I think the year was 1985, the year before they reached the finals against the Celtics. I was at a dance club (no I can't dance, just there to drink and mingle with the ladies ) on 1960, I forget what the name of it was, but it later was changed to Willie Nelson's. Anyway, there was a good size crowd, as it was a saturday night. In walks Dream and Allen Leavell. They announced Dream's arrival like they announce the starting lineups at the Summit/Laptop. The entire place surged towards Hakeem. He was fightened at first, but calmed down once he realized most only wanted an autograph. He stood there graciously and signed. Poor Leavell was completely ignored and grabbed a seat. I believe most of the people in the place didn't even know who he was. Dream signed for about 20 minutes and left with Allen. It made me realize how hard it must be to just go out and try to enjoy a drink and maybe a dance when you are famous. A couple of days later we went to see Hakeem's house in Champions Forest. He had a brick wall all around the property and iron gates with HO on them. We could see a basketball hoop in the driveway but that was about all you could see with the wall blocking the view. No sign of Hakeem, or anyone else for that matter. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
[/B][/QUOTE] The amazement in Shaq's face whenever he matched up with Dream. Hell yeah, Dream was hitting 17-18ft jumper time and time again while only Shaq could do was just to stand still and watch Dream's graceful Js. ------------------ Hack a Shaq you'll be winning Hack-him you'll be dreaming.
It has to be the '95 finals when the Rockets swept Shaq and Orlando. All my friends were big Magic fans (bandwagoners) and I was the only one going for Houston. Well, I certainly had the last laugh that time. ------------------ My dream job is to be a Houston Rockets towel-boy.
Everyone has the on court memories, so I'm going to go with off the court: 1. During the '86 playoffs, that wonderful song: "Unbeatable (Dream Dream, Dr Dreedeedee Dream) He's undefeatable (Dream Dream Dr DReedeedee Dream) He's Unbelievable (Dream Dream Dr DreedeedeeDream) UNBEEEETABOO (Dream Dream Dr Dreedeedee Dream)" Simply Hilarious. My other favorite was watching him on David Letterman after the first finals. He was in New York, so he obviously was greeted with boos, but his persona was so genuinely sweet, that he left with a standing ovation. That personafies Dream. Man we are going to miss him. ------------------ How about the Houston Comets and their quest to become "Quadrepeatchicks!"
I'm late to this topic (damn you work!), but there is one moment yet to be mentioned that absolutely floored me... Game 4 or 5 against the Knicks, a Rocket shoots and misses. Ewing, Oakley, and Mason seal the lane and gather for the carom. Suddenly, from around the free throw line, a hand appears. The Knicks look befuddled as their earthbound talents can not comprehend what is taking place. Olajuwon's torso comes into view. The hand is now on the ball and Hakeem is way above the rim and the leadfooted Knicks. SLAM! One offensive rebound, two points, three disprited opponents. I jumped up and pumped my fist in the air. I knew at that moment that no matter what the Knicks did, the Rockets were going to win the Championship because Hakeem was by far the best player on the court. ------------------ "Texas remains our largest unfrozen state"
My greatest memory of Hakeem has to be in '90 when he recorded a quadruple double. The next day King David and his court refueted the fact and said that he didn't have it. Hakeem didn't protest the decision, the very next game out Hakeem made sure this one would not bet taken from him as he scored 18 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked 11 shots and gave out 10 assists, against the Milwaukee Bucks. He was and is only the 3rd player in league history to accomplish this feat. Now that's definitely WHOA!!!! ------------------
January of 1997. The defending champion Bulls are in town, but the Rockets have to go it without Charles Barkley, and Hakeem is fasting. No problem. Dream went out, got his usual god-like stats, a killer block on Jordan, and lifted us to victory against the "UnstoppaBulls"- ALL WITHOUT WATER! Talk about a player. ------------------ WE WILL WATCH THEM FALL... Next year [This message has been edited by AntiSonic (edited September 05, 2000).]
Gascon, I was at that game. First, and only time, I ever saw Jordan. Actually, Jordan scored like 10 straight points in the fourth and they pulled within two. Jordon went up for the Game winner, and Hakeem, kind of like the John Starks block in 95, came waaay out and tipped the ball when it was about a foot and a half out of Jordon's hands. The buzzer rang and the ball gently dropped to the ground, a foot shy of the rim,. I was about 14 or so. Thanks for the memory. ------------------
Hmmm , well I loved seeing Hakeem School David Robinson and Shaq for the Title , My favorite moment was in the 1995 All Star Game , As I remember correctly Shaq threw up a three pointer which caught nothing but air Everyone was laughing , the very next Play Hakeem took the Ball and just Drained a three SWISH I was like , Now thats how its done ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ... [This message has been edited by moestavern19 (edited September 05, 2000).]
No problem, fro. Glad to be of service. Must have been a great game, though. ------------------ Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me...you.
one right? okay. the domination of shaq. he was amazing, whenever people say shaq is great and is absolutely better than hakeem, i say hey did ya watch the 95 finals. and that picture with mj up tere, well not to take away from dream but the next play he stole and nailed a three i just remember because thats one of my favorite mj moments Hakeem-best center ever and in top 5 players
I haven't got to see much (okay hardly any) of Hakeem throughout his career, much to my dissapointment. Though there is one play that I will always remeber. Its very similar to the uncontested KJ layup the Dream swatted. Houston v Utah (only a few years ago) Byron Russell got the ball on the wing on a fast break and casually glided towards the hole to get an easy deuce. Then from nowhere POW!!! the balls sent into the stands as Hakeem swatted him from behind. Little did Byron know, Hakeem had been following him all the way down the court. I think I may still have that video clip from NBA website... ------------------ "He fouled me every single time I was over the rim ... I'm going to lift weights tomorrow and get my legs stronger so next time I play him I'll put it on his head five times." - Steve Franchise
Though I've been visiting Clutch's site daily since its first day, I never actually registered for the BBS until I saw the site's topic today. It sounds ridiculous and I know that there are thousands of things more important than professional basketball, but I would be lying if I didn't say Hakeem Olajuwon has had an impact on the course of my life. I remember an eight year old boy who first discovered basketball watching Dream and the Rockets in 1985. I was hooked. In the next year I would talk my father into putting up a basketball hoop in the front yard and would play in my first basketball league at Spring Baptist. I remember trying to immitate Dream's fade away baseline jumper evening after summer evening. In 1986, my father took a job in Saudi Arabia. The only source for news about my Rockets came from a local Arab newspaper which posted the scores two days late. Every morning during the playoffs, I would walk that half mile to the local snack bar to pick up my copy and read in the Arab News that "Hakeem drops 46 on the Sonics" or "Rockets take game 2 of the 1990 playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. ------------------
Though I've been visiting Clutch's site daily since its first day, I never actually registered for the BBS until I saw the site's topic today. It sounds ridiculous and I know that there are thousands of things more important than professional basketball, but I would be lying if I didn't say Hakeem Olajuwon has had an impact on the course of my life. I remember an eight year old boy who first discovered basketball watching Dream and the Rockets in 1985. I was hooked. In the next year I would talk my father into putting up a basketball hoop in the front yard and would play in my first basketball league at Spring Baptist. I remember trying to immitate Dream's fade away baseline jumper evening after summer evening. In 1986, my father took a job in Saudi Arabia. The only source for news about my Rockets came from a local Arab newspaper which posted the scores two days late. Every morning during the playoffs, I would walk that half mile to the local snack bar to pick up my copy and read in the Arab News that "Hakeem drops 46 on the Sonics" or "Rockets take game 2 of the 1990 playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. By the time I reached high school, I had become a capable basketball player myself and made the varsity squad. The funny thing is I had learned to play the game as a fan of Olajuwon. My game consisted not of streak shooting or powerful leaping ability, but of a series of pump fakes in the post. I particularly remember one game in which I pump faked, did a spin move and shot a short jump hook, missed, got the rebound and for no reason other than immitating the ways of my mentor, I proceeded to do one more pirouette before launching another jump hook. As I ran past my coach on the sidelines, his hands were outstretched in a shrug as if to say "What the hell was that?" Forgive him. I was playing ball in a New Jersey high school and my coach had obviously learned his post play at the school of Ewing. The year was 1993, Olajuwon was the best player in the league despite the Charles MVP, and still no one seemed to know who the Rockets were up north. I wore my Rockets hat around school and people would look at it with wonder like "Who are they?" They would find out soon enough. 1994, my senior year of high school and the Rockets have jumped out to a 13-0 start with game 14 coming against the home team New York Knicks. It was sweet watching Dream toast New York as a Rockets fan in New Jersey. As we all know, that year would prove to be sweeter still as, in the final minutes of game 7 of the 1994 NBA finals, Dream draws a double team, passes the ball to Vernon for the title clinching three pointer against these same Knicks. Dream was MVP, champion, and finally world-renown athlete. The Rockets and Dream have always been neglected by the media and now the media was forced to take notice. There were some good role players on that 1994 Rockets team, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY THE DREAM THAT WON THAT TITLE. Without him, the Rockets are in the lottery that season. For an encore, Dream leads the Rockets on one of the most improbable playoff runs ever in 1995 defeating the Jazz, Suns, Spurs, and Magic to repeat. I spent that playoff run at home in Saudi Arabia and remember a tired household of Rockets fanatics waking up at 2am every night to catch each nail-biting, heart stopping moment of that playoffs. There was game 2 of the Jazz series when Hakeem combined with Clyde for 83 points to top the Jazz. There was game five of that same series as Hakeem lead the Rockets back from 12 down in the fourth quarter to get Houston back to the second round. There was Hakeem's jump hook in the lane in game 5 that extended the Rockets series against the Suns in game 5. There was the defining moment of Hakeem's career as he put on a highlights display against MVP David Robinson and Dennis Rodman in the Spurs series. By the time the finals arrived, it was known that the Magic had the better record, but there could be no doubt in anybody's mind who the better team was. After a game one thriller won by the Rockets, Houston never looked back as they capped off an impressive playoff run by sweeping the Magic. There was no doubt that Dream had renewed his membership as the best player in the world. I've done a poor job of cinematically describing what Hakeem Olajuwon has meant to me as a fan of basketball and great heroes. Hakeem Olajuwon is the reason I'm a Rockets fan, the reason I'm a basketball fan, the reason I picked up a basketball in a state dominated by football, the reason I will surely feel an emptiness when the 2001-2002 Rockets take the floor. Hakeem is the best symbol the city of Houston could ever have hoped for and an inspiration to generations of Houstonians world wide. Long live the Dream. ------------------
Impossible! I used that line to describe Hakeem countless times. And I use that line now to describe the impossible task of picking a single favorite moment. The first one I thought of when I read this thread was the game that Almu described. I know all the stats were unbelievable (and if anyone can post exactly what they were, I would greatly appreciate it.) But what I got from that game was the iron will to win, to fight with every last ounce of strength within him to see his team to victory. And after it was over (a double overtime loss) I knew right then that it was only a matter of time. I knew, after living in this area all my life, after countless years of watching the Astros and the Oilers lose, I knew that this was the man that would bring Houston a championship. He had that "special something" it takes to reach the pinnacle of your profession. And it is that "special something" that I remember most of Hakeem Olajuwon. I and I saw it for the first time that night. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware.
There's no scarcity of great plays to pick from Hakeem's career. What's been scarce are moments of visible joy. The early Hakeem was sulky and petulant. The late Hakeem was impassive and businesslike, even after astonishing everyone with an impossible block or basket. That's why I'll always remember him swishing that three-pointer at the end of Game 4 against Orlando. It's the kind of thing you'd expect Charles Barkley to do in an episode of gleeful self-indulgence. Surely the boring, expressionless Olajuwon would never do such a thing. But with the most improbable championship in NBA history safely tucked away, in that one unguarded moment, The Great Olajuwon hoisted the ball and tossed it through the twine in a gesture of pure celebratory delight. You earned that moment, Dream. I'll never forget it.
These are gonna sound really pathetic relative to the other memories on here. But one of my favorite Rocket/Hakeem moments was after the title won against the Knicks. I was about 12 at the time, and was in Arkansas camping with my family.. I'd been forced to go to bed after listening to about 3 quarters of the game on the radio with horrible reception. I got up the next morning at about 6 and asked Dad who won, and he just stood there for awhile and then told me, and I just yelled... and subsequently got yelled at for making so much noise early in the morning, but it was so great, and I knew Hakeem had EVERYTHING to do with that title. My other best memory of him is one of the two Rockets games I saw live. They were playing the Timberwolves (a kid on my basketball team was Isaiah Rider's cousin and he got us all tickets). Michael Williams (I think) had picked a ball and was flying down the court for an easy layup. Hakeem came roaring up behind him and literally pulled him down from behind with only touching the ball.. I mean, he grabbed it and shoved it to the floor. Williams was lying on his back wondering what hit him. ------------------ "I don't want to join a club that accepts people like me as members."
