You ever watch a seven-footer move like a ballerina? Honestly, it’s a bit unsettling at first. Most guys that size are built like oak trees—sturdy, slow, and mostly there to get in the way. But Hakeem Olajuwon was different. He didn't just play basketball; he sort of danced through it.
If you’re looking at the 1984 NBA Draft, you see the name Michael Jordan at number three. People always talk about Portland's big mistake taking Sam Bowie at number two. But nobody—literally nobody—faults the Houston Rockets for taking Hakeem at number one. Not even MJ fans. That’s how good he was.
The Soccer Secret
Hakeem didn't grow up with a Spalding in his hands. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, he was a soccer goalkeeper. That matters. It explains everything about his game. While American big men were learning how to "drop step" and "power up," Hakeem was learning how to use his feet like a middleweight boxer.
He didn't start playing basketball until he was 15. That’s late. Like, "shouldn't be a pro" late. But by the time he hit the University of Houston, he was already a force of nature. He was the anchor of "Phi Slama Jama." They were basically the most exciting team in college history, even if they didn't snag the title.
Hakeem Olajuwon and the Art of the Dream Shake
The "Dream Shake" isn't just one move. It’s a matrix. It’s a nightmare for defenders because it’s based on a jump stop that leaves the pivot foot undecided. Basically, Hakeem would catch the ball, hop, and land on both feet at once.
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Now, if you’re a defender, you’re dead.
Since he hasn't established a pivot foot yet, he can go anywhere. He’d fake left. You’d jump. He’d shimmy right. You’d reach. Then he’d fade away for a jumper that looked like it was going to hit the moon before it splashed through the net.
Breaking the Greats
Ask David Robinson about 1995. The Admiral had just won the MVP trophy. He was the best player in the league on paper. Then he met Hakeem in the Western Conference Finals.
It was a massacre.
Olajuwon didn't just beat him; he dismantled his confidence. Every fake worked. Every shimmy left Robinson looking for his car keys in the stands. Hakeem finished that series averaging 35 points per game. He was just... better.
And don't even get started on Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq was a physical monster, but in the 1995 Finals, Hakeem swept him. Shaq later said that Hakeem was the only guy he couldn't intimidate. He had "five moves and four counter-moves for a total of twenty moves." That’s from Shaq himself.
The Defensive Wall Nobody Could Climb
Most people love the offense, but Hakeem’s defense was actually the scarier part. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks with 3,830. That's a huge lead. For context, he has over 500 more blocks than Dikembe Mutombo.
But check this out: he’s also 10th all-time in steals.
Think about that. A center—a guy who is supposed to stay in the paint—is in the top ten for steals. He had the hands of a thief and the reach of a skyscraper. He could guard a point guard on the perimeter and then sprint back to swat a layup into the third row.
The 1993-94 Season: The Greatest Peak?
People argue about the "greatest season ever" all the time. Usually, they say Jordan in ’88 or LeBron in ’13. But Hakeem in 1994 has a massive claim. He did something no one else has ever done in a single year:
- NBA MVP
- Defensive Player of the Year
- NBA Champion
- Finals MVP
He’s the only one. He basically completed the video game on the hardest difficulty.
Why Today’s Stars Still Call Him
Even though he’s been retired since 2002, Hakeem’s phone never stops ringing. Kobe Bryant flew to Houston to learn from him. LeBron James went to him after that 2011 Finals disaster to find his post game. Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dwight Howard—they all paid the "tuition" to learn at the feet of the master.
Kobe was actually his best student. He took those footwork drills and applied them to a guard’s game, making himself nearly impossible to guard in his 30s. Hakeem said Kobe was the only one who truly "got it"—the one who could execute the moves naturally and perfectly.
The Misconception of Size
People think Hakeem was a giant. He was listed at 7'0", but honestly? He was probably closer to 6'10". He just played bigger because his timing was perfect. He didn't need to be 7'2" like Mutombo because he knew exactly when you were going to release the ball.
He was also one of only four players to ever record a quadruple-double. 29 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks against the Bucks in 1990. He actually almost had another one in the same month, but the league took away an assist on a stat correction.
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The Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon
Basketball has changed. Everyone wants to shoot threes now. Big men are expected to be "stretch fives" who stand in the corner. But if Hakeem played today? He’d still be the best player on the floor.
His lateral quickness means he could switch onto Steph Curry and hold his own. His footwork means he’d eat modern "small-ball" centers for breakfast. He was the prototype for the modern, mobile big man long before the term existed.
How to Play Like The Dream
If you’re a player today, you don't need to be 7 feet tall to use his stuff. It’s all about the feet.
- Master the Jump Stop: Learn to land on both feet so you can choose your pivot based on the defender's momentum.
- The Shoulder Shimmy: Use your upper body to sell the fake while your feet stay grounded.
- Patience is Power: Hakeem never rushed. He waited for the defender to commit. Once they jumped, he won.
- Two-Way Mentality: Don't just work on your jumper. If you aren't hunting for steals and blocks, you aren't playing the Hakeem way.
Hakeem Olajuwon proved that you can be the most skilled player and the hardest worker at the same time. He wasn't just a "center." He was a basketball genius who happened to be tall. Next time someone talks about the greatest of all time, make sure you mention the guy who made the world’s best defenders look like they were wearing roller skates.
Actionable Insight: To truly appreciate Olajuwon's impact, watch a full replay of Game 6 of the 1994 Finals. Pay attention to how he denies Patrick Ewing any comfort in the post while simultaneously acting as the Rockets' primary playmaker. It's a masterclass in two-way dominance that remains the gold standard for big men today.