View Full Version : Hakeem Olajuwon in the 94 Finals
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 04:18 PM
Hakeem was, along with Michael Jordan, the best combination of skill, athletic ability, agility, anticipation, and versatility I've seen play the game. He was an impact on both sides of the ball -- as known for making a key block or defensive play as he was for making an impossible shot to win the game. In other words, he had the ability to control the game with his presence.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the 94 NBA Finals. The Knicks were no match for his combination of skill, athletic ability or versatility. This series is actually a little past his physical prime. He couldn't get to the rim as easily as in past years, but you can see how he adapted his game. The Dream Shake was on full display, as well as a number of fluid spin moves and nasty fadeaway jump shots.
I also tried to show how his defensive presence altered the series. His timing and anticipation put himself in a position on the floor that bothered Ewing at all times -- even if he didn't get a block, steal or rebound. He pushed Ewing further and further away from the basket and forced the Knicks to play outside-in instead of inside-out. That cost the Knicks the series.
Another key to the series was Hakeem's willingness/ability to draw double-teams and pass to wide open teammates for easy jumpshots. I think Houston set a record for number of 3pts made in a Finals series (although this may have been eclipsed in following years...I don't know). The reason Sam Cassell, Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell received so many open 3 point shots was because Hakeem commanded so much defensive attention after it was apparent that neither Ewing or anyone else could cover him one on one. A couple of games were won because Hakeem passed to teammates who drained open jump shots to ice the game.
He was the best player in the league by a mile in 94 and he showed why in this series. He was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 27 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls and 4 blks per game on 50 fg% while being matched up against an all-star center that played inspired defense himself. Here's a look at his play in each game.
Game 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uvk0-MlUaY)
Hakeem Olajuwon
28 pts, 10-22 fgs, 10 rebs, 1 ast, 3 stls, 2 blks
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 05:06 PM
Game 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcuOlh9nDtI)
Hakeem Olajuwon
25 pts, 10-21 fgs, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls, 4 blks
bdreason
10-17-2009, 05:21 PM
He was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 27 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls and 4 blks per game on 50 fg%
Puting up that stat line against Ewing is ridiculous.
He put up similar numbers against Shaq the following season in the Finals. :eek:
imdaman99
10-17-2009, 05:47 PM
Puting up that stat line against Ewing is ridiculous.
He put up similar numbers against Shaq the following season in the Finals. :eek:
I could have sworn he put up better statline the following year. But those were higher scoring games than the way the Knicks did them. Either way, this is depressing :( :( :(
Rather post in here than the Johnny Flynn threads though :lol
redhonda76
10-17-2009, 06:00 PM
oh man, don't remind me of this. I remember how frustrated I was because Ewing just couldn't stop Hakeem. Hakeem never played this well against Ewing.
Hakeem showed up and shined in the post season. This is why Ewing and David will never be in the same status as Hakeem.
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 07:02 PM
oh man, don't remind me of this. I remember how frustrated I was because Ewing just couldn't stop Hakeem. Hakeem never played this well against Ewing.
Hakeem showed up and shined in the post season. This is why Ewing and David will never be in the same status as Hakeem.
It was even worse in the regular season. In Game 3, NBC threw up their regular season head-to-head stats -- Houston won both games with Hakeem averaging 33 pts, 17 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls and 3 blks on 53 fg%. Ewing averaged just 12 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls, 1 blk on 26 fg% :eek:
Olajuwon just had Ewing's number this year.
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 07:09 PM
I could have sworn he put up better statline the following year. But those were higher scoring games than the way the Knicks did them. Either way, this is depressing :( :( :(
Rather post in here than the Johnny Flynn threads though :lol
He may have, but New York posed a much better challenge than Orlando did -- who just laid down and died after Game 1. I think this performance was more interesting considering how every single game counted. In fact, New York came within one shot of winning it all. One game he scored 32 points, shot 14-20 fgs, had 5 blocks and the Rockets still lost. :wtf:
Killuminati90
10-17-2009, 08:44 PM
My favourite center of all time, what more can I say? i was too young to see that series live but later i saw them on video and wow...the dream was just perfect.
ShaqAttack3234
10-17-2009, 08:50 PM
Hakeem was amazing that year. I remember Anthony Mason guarding Hakeem a lot and giving him some trouble. They really played Hakeem physical and tired him out at times, but he was still just that much better.
You're 100% right about his defense on Ewing. Ewing very rarely went towards the basket. Hakeem forced him to take a lot of fadeaways and long jumpers.
Not to be forgotten though is how good Ewing was defensively. I don't think he gets enough credit for his defense. He was one of the best defensive players for years and he really made Olajuwon work hard for his points.
Yeah Hakeem was amazing that year. One of the most dominant seasons ever for any player in the entire history of the National Basketball Association. Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 27.3 ppg 11.9 rpg 3.7 bpg all while winning the MVP, DPOY and the Finals MVP in the same season. Amazing how he carried that team too that didn't even have another all star player on the roster.
Qdouble
10-17-2009, 09:36 PM
Da Realist, you are and a few others are really putting the effort to put more Olajuwon games on youtube. Thanks for that. Wish I still had all those tapes I recorded during the championship years.
Solid Snake
10-17-2009, 10:06 PM
Olajuwon is probably one of my top 3 favorite players ever. In addition to his skill, he doesn't have an ugly personality like a JR Smith, or any of these modern prima donnas.
Olajuwon is probably one of my top 3 favorite players ever. In addition to his skill, he doesn't have an ugly personality like a JR Smith, or any of these modern prima donnas.
Well to be fair, he did have a very bad temper and demeanor back in his early days in the league. Back when his name was just Akeem. But when he converted to Islam, his demeanor changed and he took his game to an entire new level. Even as a Lakers fan, I enjoyed him and like you, he was one of my favorite players ever. I mean the guy was in a league by himself in 1994 and 1995. Skills he had as a big man just left you in awe.
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 10:16 PM
Hakeem was amazing that year. I remember Anthony Mason guarding Hakeem a lot and giving him some trouble. They really played Hakeem physical and tired him out at times, but he was still just that much better.
You're 100% right about his defense on Ewing. Ewing very rarely went towards the basket. Hakeem forced him to take a lot of fadeaways and long jumpers.
Not to be forgotten though is how good Ewing was defensively. I don't think he gets enough credit for his defense. He was one of the best defensive players for years and he really made Olajuwon work hard for his points.
Ewing played great defensively. There was just not much he could do with Hakeem personally but he was the anchor for New York's great team defense. Mason played Hakeem a little better because he could body him and stay in front of him a little better than Ewing could. I assume this is because Mason was only 6'7" and was much quicker so he was more effective against Hakeem's quickness than Ewing was. Still though...Hakeem got the shots he wanted against anybody.
Ewing played with heart and determination. He set a record for blocks with 8 in one game (it may still stand) and averaged more blocks and rebounds than Hakeem did. Outstanding team defense. However, Hakeem played greater defense on Ewing than vice versa. Ewing couldn't do anything offensively. I think he had one good game, maybe 1 or 2 fair ones and 4 duds (offensively).
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 10:20 PM
Da Realist, you are and a few others are really putting the effort to put more Olajuwon games on youtube. Thanks for that. Wish I still had all those tapes I recorded during the championship years.
He's one of my favorite players. I'll post of few more of his games. I just love watching him play.
Da_Realist
10-17-2009, 10:43 PM
Game 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcuOlh9nDtI)
Check out the move Hakeem puts on Patrick at 0:40! :bowdown: Most perimeter players couldn't pull that off
juju151111
10-18-2009, 02:48 PM
Check out the move Hakeem puts on Patrick at 0:40! :bowdown: Most perimeter players couldn't pull that off
Where is todays Hakeem??? With the players being far superior today, why don't i see Centers doing crossovers like weak era Hakeem? Hakeem is just a beast. He was basically taking jumpshots all gm and still shoot 50%.
Da_Realist
10-19-2009, 11:49 AM
Game 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQkUu8-P7us)
Hakeem Olajuwon
21 pts, 8-20 fgs, 11 rebs, 7 asts, 1 stl, 7 blks
Thanks for putting the vids up :D
gasolina
10-19-2009, 05:29 PM
To be fair, Hakeem would be a power forward today at 6'10-6'11.
Still, to pulling off those moves at that age... :rockon:
Even on the cartoon rocket years, Hakeem had a knack of doing something miraculous to win games.
Da_Realist
10-19-2009, 06:53 PM
Where is todays Hakeem??? With the players being far superior today, why don't i see Centers doing crossovers like weak era Hakeem? Hakeem is just a beast. He was basically taking jumpshots all gm and still shoot 50%.
Wait until you see game 4. Best center I ever saw play. :pimp:
Dizzle-2k7
10-20-2009, 05:22 AM
. He was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 27 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls and 4 blks per game on 50 fg%
Couldnt average a double double? :wtf:
Abraham Lincoln
10-20-2009, 05:28 AM
To be fair, Hakeem would be a power forward today at 6'10-6'11.
:roll:
When i watch this highlights,he takes A LOT of jumpers,KG kinda play like him.
Hakeem got some very nice shooting touch.
To be fair, Hakeem would be a power forward today at 6'10-6'11.
Why? He was a 5 then, why not now?
Qdouble
10-20-2009, 08:58 AM
Couldnt average a double double? :wtf:
These games were grinders, and I don't mean that in a negative way. When a good center like Ewing shoots under 40% and when Hakeem grabs less than 10 boards, you have to realize this series wasn't some nice-and-clean ball. Elbows were thrown. Tough, tough defense was played by both sides. And only real men stood up to the challenge.
If these teams were playing in the todays' era, they'd either be scaring the hell out of everyone or getting tons of foul calls a game thanks to the new "We want more offense" league.
JohnnySic
10-20-2009, 09:32 AM
Quite possibly my favorite player ever. To me, MJ and Hakeem weren't 1 and 2, they were 1A and 1B.
Da_Realist
10-20-2009, 10:09 AM
Couldnt average a double double? :wtf:
Look beyond the stats. He almost single-handily held Ewing to just above 30 fg%. :wtf: He was absolutely the best player on the floor and dictated what New York did on offense. He basically forced the New York guards to beat him because Ewing had no answers for Hakeem on defense. He could have won the MVP with just his defense.
Now, about his rebounding. Ewing took a ton of jumpshots that forced Hakeem away from the basket to contest them. I'm really not so concerned about his rebounding numbers when he had such an impact on the game both offensively and defensively.
Da_Realist
10-20-2009, 10:13 AM
When i watch this highlights,he takes A LOT of jumpers,KG kinda play like him.
Hakeem got some very nice shooting touch.
You have to understand two things.
1) In 94, Hakeem was 31 years old. He was no longer in his physical prime so he adapted his game to stay effective in the same way MJ did in his first comeback.
2) He was competing with Patrick Ewing and Anthony Mason, who both played inspired defense throughout the series. And if you watch, you'll see a number of times Hakeem was doubled, in addition.
Da_Realist
10-20-2009, 11:26 AM
Game 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biWHIfThZJ4)
Hakeem Olajuwon
32 pts, 14-20 fgs, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 5 blks
OldSchoolBBall
10-20-2009, 12:09 PM
Game 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biWHIfThZJ4)
Hakeem Olajuwon
32 pts, 14-20 fgs, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 5 blks
Amazing that a CENTER only got 4 FTA in the Finals on a night when he was on fire, especially given the level of contact in the series. Goes to show you how times have changed.
AirJordan23
10-20-2009, 04:26 PM
Wait until you see game 4. Best center I ever saw play. :pimp:
I second that.
Da_Realist
10-20-2009, 04:30 PM
I second that.
It's so close. Shaq at his best definitely has an argument. I just think the versatility of Hakeem's game puts him over the top. He could handle like a guard, post up, shoot jump shots...hook shots...fadeaways...FREE THROWS, had such great anticipation on the defensive end, great footwork, etc.
Even when he wasn't shooting that well, he was such a presence on the defensive side of the ball that he was a factor every single night. What Shaq was able to do is amazing, but here in the 94 Finals, Hakeem put an hall-of-famer on LOCK (just above 30 fg% and basically intimating him from taking it inside). Hakeem's the best 5 I've seen play.
chocolatethunder
10-20-2009, 04:32 PM
Well to be fair, he did have a very bad temper and demeanor back in his early days in the league. Back when his name was just Akeem. But when he converted to Islam, his demeanor changed and he took his game to an entire new level. Even as a Lakers fan, I enjoyed him and like you, he was one of my favorite players ever. I mean the guy was in a league by himself in 1994 and 1995. Skills he had as a big man just left you in awe.
He was born a Muslim he didn't convert to anything. He just became a more devout Muslim when he corrected the spelling of his name.
Lebron23
10-20-2009, 05:24 PM
He's the most skilled NBA Center that I have ever seen.
Showtime
10-20-2009, 05:52 PM
Amazing that a CENTER only got 4 FTA in the Finals on a night when he was on fire, especially given the level of contact in the series. Goes to show you how times have changed.
And that despite people's perception of him, he tended to take mid range jumpers more than do dirty work down low.
HighFlyer23
10-20-2009, 05:57 PM
hakeem dropped some sick stat lines
Da_Realist
10-22-2009, 11:10 AM
Game 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO7u1_Qv7yI)
Hakeem Olajuwon
27 pts, 12-21 fgs, 8 rebs, 1 ast, 3 stls, 2 blks
Qdouble
10-23-2009, 06:29 AM
Da_Realist, thanks again for the upload. Do you have any of Hakeem's regular season games from 93-96? I'm looking for the one where he juked the hell out of Ronny Seikaly (maybe the 95 season) and hit the game winning shot over him.
Da_Realist
10-23-2009, 09:43 AM
Da_Realist, thanks again for the upload. Do you have any of Hakeem's regular season games from 93-96? I'm looking for the one where he juked the hell out of Ronny Seikaly (maybe the 95 season) and hit the game winning shot over him.
I doubt it. I mostly only collected playoff games (especially Finals games -- I think I have every finals game through various means from 84 - 98, and at least one or two from 80 - 98 and 00 - 05). Unfortunately, I didn't save a lot of regular season games, and the ones I do have were collected exclusively afterwards (i.e. NBA TV or from online sellers).
ElPigto
10-23-2009, 11:42 AM
I love Olajuwon. Brought beauty to the game of basketball.
Da_Realist
10-24-2009, 02:32 PM
Game 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22fqwSwa8I8)
Hakeem Olajuwon
30 pts, 11-21 fgs, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 1 stl, 4 blks
Da_Realist
10-25-2009, 10:27 AM
Game 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9ZjRl14ck)
Hakeem Olajuwon
25 pts, 10-25 fgs, 10 rebs, 7 asts, 1 stl, 3 blks
Lebron23
10-26-2009, 06:32 AM
Thanks for uploading these Videos.
All Net
10-26-2009, 07:09 AM
Thanks for uploading those videos.
ArbitraryWater
07-08-2015, 12:53 PM
^^
http://i.gyazo.com/5efde314b0bbe9c9ee5a5c4c08820f18.png
:biggums: :roll: :roll:
riseagainst
07-08-2015, 12:57 PM
removed
:(
K Xerxes
07-08-2015, 01:04 PM
With Shaq, EASILY the best big men I've ever seen play. Even better than Duncan.
redrich2000
07-08-2015, 10:19 PM
It was a super tight series which could very easily have gone the other way. Classic example of how the victors get to write the history, I slightly less bad shooting streak by Starks in game 7 and people would be writing identical threads about Ewing.
Not taking away from Hakeem or his performance in that series. But don't forget how close it was.
Round Mound
07-08-2015, 11:21 PM
The Most Skilled Center I Ever Saw Live During The 90s
Fallen Angel
07-08-2015, 11:39 PM
The Most Skilled Center I Ever Saw Live During The 90s
He's the most skilled center ever. No player has been able to match his fluidity in the post and have been able to showcase countermoves to his countermoves.
People want to talk about unguardable players, Hakeem is up there on that list.
Round Mound
07-08-2015, 11:42 PM
He's the most skilled center ever. No player has been able to match his fluidity in the post and have been able to showcase countermoves to his countermoves.
People want to talk about unguardable players, Hakeem is up there on that list.
True
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