Hakeem Olajuwon made history in the 1993-94 season by being the first player to be awarded MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season.
> Archive 75: Hakeem Olajuwon | 75 Stories: Hakeem Olajuwon
Throughout his 18-year career, Hakeem Olajuwon, originally from Nigeria, established himself as one of the NBA’s all-time greatest players. His physical prowess, first recognized during his time at the University of Houston, coupled with his stylish and productive gameplay – underscored by back-to-back NBA titles with the Houston Rockets – secured his spot among the elite players of the game.
During the 1993-94 season, he made history as the first player to ever receive the NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA Finals MVP awards in one season. In the subsequent season, he led the Rockets to a comeback from a sixth seed position in the playoffs, securing their second consecutive NBA crown. This victory placed Houston as the fifth NBA franchise to ever achieve back-to-back titles.
Olajuwon, the third child among six siblings, inherited fundamental values from his parents that propelled his success. His parents were middle-class and ran a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria.
With a blend of finesse and power, Hakeem Olajuwon, who was a 12-time All-NBA performer and twice Finals MVP, led the Rockets to two championship titles in the mid-1990s.
“The NBA legend has said that we were taught to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves.”
Olajuwon, a name that means “always being on top,” only started playing basketball at 15, which is considered late. His high school, the Muslim Teachers College, participated in the basketball tournament at the All-Nigeria Teachers Sports Festival in Sokoto, but Olajuwon was originally a member of the handball team. However, a classmate approached the coach and requested if Olajuwon could join the basketball team. The coach agreed, thus marking the beginning of a basketball superstar’s career.
Two years on, he registered at the University of Houston as Akeem Abdul Olajuwon. Before joining the NBA, he stopped using “Abdul” and on March 9, 1991, he officially took on the name “Hakeem”. In the words of Shakespeare, a superb basketball player, regardless of the name, remains a superb basketball player.
His athletic career initially started as a soccer goalkeeper and handball player, which eventually equipped him with the footwork and agility necessary to balance his immense strength and size in basketball. He soon rose to prominence as a dominant player at Houston. He participated in three seasons at Houston, playing a crucial role in propelling the Cougars into the Final Four each year.
Hakeem Olajuwon debuted for the Houston Rockets on Oct. 27, 1984.
In 1982, a Houston team featuring Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler reached the NCAA semifinals, but fell 68-63 to the North Carolina Tar Heels, who were led by James Worthy and Michael Jordan. The following year, the Houston Cougars, now known as “Phi Slamma Jamma” due to their impressive above-the-rim play, triumphed over an athletic Louisville team 94-81 in the semifinals, in what is considered one of the most thrilling NCAA Final Four games. However, in a shocking turn of events, the Cougars lost 54-52 to North Carolina State in the championship game, on a buzzer-beating shot, despite the latter being a heavy underdog.
During the 1983-84 season, Olajuwon had an average of 16.8 points and topped the NCAA in rebounding with 13.5 rebounds per game, blocked shots with an average of 5.6 per game, and field-goal percentage at .675. He was selected for the First Team All-America that season. However, Patrick Ewing and his team, the Georgetown Hoyas, won the championship game against Olajuwon’s Cougars with a score of 84-75.
The Rockets secured the first pick in the 1984 NBA Draft after winning a coin flip with the Portland Trail Blazers, just a year before the Draft Lottery was established. They opted to select Olajuwon. Even though Jordan, a highly talented player, was available and would later be selected third by the Chicago Bulls, the majority of the basketball world believed that choosing Olujawon as the No. 1 pick was the right decision.
A year prior, the Rockets triumphed over the Indiana Pacers in a coin toss, enabling them to draft Ralph Sampson from the University of Virginia. The unpredictable nature of a coin toss thus led to the formation of the “Twin Towers”, constituted by 7-foot Olajuwon and 7-foot-4 Sampson – a pair of nimble giants.
During his first year, Olajuwon had an average of 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds with a .538 field shooting rate, finishing behind Jordan in the Rookie of the Year vote. The Rockets’ record improved from 29-53 before Olajuwon joined to 48-34. However, they were knocked out in the first round of the 1985 NBA Playoffs by the Utah Jazz after five games.
Olajuwon held the fourth position in the league for rebounding and stood second for blocked shots with an average of 2.68 per game. His accomplishments included playing in the 1985 NBA All-Star Game and being selected for both the NBA All-Rookie Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Alongside Sampson, he became one of the first teammates since Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor in 1970 to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.
In the following year, Olajuwon and Sampson led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals. On their path, they triumphed over the current champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, in a five-game Western Conference Finals. Across the series’ last three games, Olajuwon posted scores of 40, 35, and 30 points, leading the Rockets. The Boston Celtics, who were champions in 1981 and 1984, boasted a strong front line with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. They managed to beat the Rockets in six games.
Sampson started experiencing injuries in the 1986-87 season and was subsequently traded to the Golden State Warriors the following season. Meanwhile, Olajuwon’s performance only improved, as he emerged as one of the foremost big men in the game. He led the Rockets in 13 different statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocked shots. From 1987 to 1989, he was repeatedly selected for the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1987, 1988 and 1990. He also served as the starting center for the Western Conference All-Stars for four consecutive years from 1987 to 1990.
Olajuwon consistently ranked among the top players in the league for scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, and steals. He clinched the rebounding titles in 1989 and 1990 with an average of 13.5 and 14.0 boards, respectively. In 1989, he made history by becoming the first player to rank in the league’s top 10 for scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocked shots for two consecutive seasons. In the same year, Olajuwon scored 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, achieving the uncommon quadruple-double. He also led the league in blocked shots in the 1989-90 season with an average of 4.59 per game, and the following season with an average of 3.95 per game.
During this period, Olajuwon made a comeback from two significant injuries. In the midst of the 1990-91 season, he endured a blowout fracture of the bones surrounding the eyeball after Bill Cartwright of the Chicago Bulls elbowed him in the eye, resulting in him missing the next 25 games for the Rockets. Then, in the 1991-92 season, he sat out seven early-season games due to an episode of atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.
Even though Olajuwon was performing well, the Rockets had become mediocre since their 1986 NBA Finals appearance, failing to win a playoff series from 1988 to 1992. However, Olajuwon improved his game halfway through his career in 1992-93, which led to greater success for both him and the Rockets.
Many believed he had played his final game for Houston at the conclusion of the 1991-92 season due to stalled contract negotiations. However, during a flight to Japan for the Rockets’ first two games of the 1992-93 season against the Seattle SuperSonics, Olajuwon and the Rockets’ owner, Charlie Thomas, managed to resolve their disagreements. He went on to average 26.1 points, 27.3 points, and 27.8 points in the subsequent three seasons respectively.
The impact of contract disputes on Olajuwon’s performance in the 1991-92 season might remain uncertain. However, it was the first year in his career that he did not make the All-NBA Team or an NBA All-Defensive Team. His performance significantly improved in the 1992-93 season. It was the beginning of Coach Rudy Tomjanovich’s first complete season with the Rockets, during which he emphasized defense and urged the team to harness Olajuwon’s energy.
The veteran of eight years, who became a naturalized US citizen later in the season on April 2, 1993, performed magnificently throughout the year. He averaged 26.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 4.17 blocks, securing his position as the league’s top shot-blocker for the third time in four seasons. Crucially, he steered a Rockets team that had previously ended the year with a 42-40 record to a 55-27 mark, clinching the Midwest Division championship.
In Game 1 of the 1995 Finals, Hakeem Olajuwon came through for the Rockets in overtime.
By the end of the season, Olajuwon came in second to Charles Barkley in the NBA Most Valuable Player award voting. He also received his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year title, and regained his positions on the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
Similar to Muhammad Ali, an athlete who practiced Islam and developed the rope-a-dope strategy later in his career, Olajuwon revolutionized the game with his unique spins, fadeaway shots, and jumpers, making him nearly invincible on offense. Known as “Hakeem the Dream”, he invented a series of trademark moves that showcased his exceptional footwork and head fakes, either with his back to the basket or directly facing his opponents. These moves, which left defenders at a loss, came to be recognized as the “Dream Shake.”
In their 1995 postseason run that ended with their second NBA championship, the Houston Rockets overcame the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic. Both of these teams had excellent centers who were left confused by Olajuwon’s tactics.
In the 1995 playoffs, Hakeem Olajuwon made a stunning low-post move against David Robinson.
In a story by Life magazine, David Robinson of San Antonio appeared puzzled. “Solve Hakeem?” Robinson queried. “You can’t solve Hakeem.”
Shaquille O’Neal from Orlando experienced similar feelings after a Finals sweep. “He’s got five moves, and then four counter moves,” O’Neal said, appearing shocked. “That amounts to 20 moves in total.”
The dispute with management led to the evolution of a new Olajuwon, as it prompted him to reflect and recommit himself. His growth as a player and in his faith manifested itself on the court, where he became a team leader and a force to be reckoned with on both offense and defense.
The change was clear when the Rockets made it to the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals. But they lost a challenging Game 7 in overtime, with a score of 103-100, against the Seattle SuperSonics. This team was spearheaded by Gary Payton and a young, dynamic Shawn Kemp.
In 1993-94, Olajuwon reached the height of success by winning both the league and NBA Finals MVP awards, leading Houston to its first NBA championship. After an exceptional regular season, the Houston center also bagged his second consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
After a tough seven-game series, the Rockets emerged victorious over the New York Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, to win the title. The center’s defensive skill was instrumental in thwarting the Knicks’ hopes to clinch the series in Game 6, as he blocked a possible game-tying three-pointer from John Starks in the final moments. The veteran player, with ten years of experience, shone brightly in the finals, averaging 29.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.86 blocks per game.
Rewatch the best plays of Hakeem Olajuwon from the 1993-94 season.
During the 1994-95 season, Olajuwon achieved a personal best of 27.8 points per game, accompanied by 10.8 rebounds per game. Even with this stellar performance, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award was given to Robinson, who guided the Spurs to the top record in the league. In the early part of that season, Olajuwon surpassed Calvin Murphy to become the all-time leading scorer for the Rockets. In February of that season, Olajuwon was teamed up again with his college teammate Drexler, who was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Otis Thorpe.
The Rockets had a rough end to their season as they tried to adapt to Drexler’s presence, finishing as the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Despite this, Drexler excelled in the playoffs and Olajuwon posted impressive stats, averaging 33.0 points with a .531 field goal percentage, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.81 blocks per game. This led Houston to their second straight championship. In the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Olajuwon outperformed Robinson, averaging 35.3 points to Robinson’s 25.5.
In the NBA Finals, the Houston team squared off against the Magic and their exceptional young center, O’Neal. Both big men posted comparable stats, with Olajuwon averaging 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, slightly edging out O’Neal’s 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Despite the close competition, the Rockets dominated the series, becoming the fifth NBA team to secure consecutive titles. Olajuwon’s outstanding performance earned him his second straight NBA Finals MVP award.
Olajuwon feels that his religious faith was a driving force behind his successful career. He observes Ramadan, a practice of Islam that involves fasting, during the NBA season. He would rise before sunrise to consume exactly seven dates, the conventional food for breaking the Muslim fast, along with a gallon of water. Afterward, he would pray for strength and refrain from consuming any food or liquid until the sun went down.
Take a look at some of the top plays and moments from Hakeem Olajuwon’s 18-year NBA career.
He would gasp for water during an afternoon game, yet he wouldn’t consume even a drop. Nevertheless, he would claim, “I feel incredibly energetic, explosive. And the moment I break my fast at sunset, the taste of water becomes incredibly precious.”
His exceptional dedication and performance placed him among the most notable winners in recent history, alongside the likes of Jordan, Bird, Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas.
Olajuwon continued his top-notch performance for two seasons after securing the championships. Yet, the team faced a defeat by the Sonics in the 1996 conference semifinals. Despite Barkley joining the team prior to the 1996-97 season, rejuvenating the Rockets, they were defeated by the Jazz in six games during the Western Conference Finals.
Starting from the 1997-98 season, Olajuwon’s play time was limited due to injuries, allowing him to participate in only 47 games in that year. He managed to return to almost a full schedule in the subsequent 1998-99 lockout season. However, his performance began to decline, resulting in him playing just two additional years in Houston with an average of fewer than 12.0 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Olajuwon concluded his career after a single season with the Toronto Raptors in 2001-02, thereby breaking a 20-year streak, inclusive of his college career, of playing in Houston.
Rewind: Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon’s Workout Session
However, his influence on the city was acknowledged. At the time of his retirement, the Rockets’ all-time leader in numerous categories like points, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots (with a record 3,830 in the NBA) had his jersey No. 34 retired on November 9, 2002. During the ceremony, it was declared that a life-size statue of Olajuwon would be showcased at the Rockets’ new downtown arena, due to open for the 2003-04 season.
However, respecting Olajuwon’s firm Muslim beliefs, the Rockets decided to honor him in 2006 by unveiling a bronze monument outside the arena. Two years afterward, he was granted another distinction: being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Interestingly, Ewing, his longtime on-court rival, was also part of this induction class, further linking the two competitors.
After he retired, Olajuwon utilized numerous NBA offseasons to coach emerging stars of the league like Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Amar’e Stoudemire and others on how to enhance their post footwork.
Olajuwon briefly returned to the basketball court in 2015, participating in the NBA Africa Game. Wearing his No. 34 Rockets jersey, he played for Team Africa and executed a turn-around jumper that thrilled the current NBA stars playing for both Team Africa and Team World.
