As expected, legendary Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon graciously accepted a request from his former coach, Rudy Tomjanovich, to formally present him at his August 2020 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tomjanovich will be jointly presented by Olajuwon and Calvin Murphy, who both are already in the Hall of Fame. Olajuwon was the best player for “Rudy T” during his coaching years, while Tomjanovich played alongside Murphy for 11 years in his playing career from 1970 until 1981.
In comments to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, Olajuwon said:
I told [Tomjanovich] I feel so honored. It’s my honor that he thought of me. As you know, our careers paralleled. We accomplished something that’s so special together. He could have chosen anybody on that team, but to choose me, I feel privileged and honored.
Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M) is thrilled Rudy Tomjanovich has asked him to be one of his presenters when Rudy is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: “I told him I feel so honored. It’s my honor that he thought of me. As you know our careers paralleled…” pic.twitter.com/p5JO3fA8hL
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 11, 2020
On sharing the honor with Murphy, Olajuwon said:
Those are two of my heroes. Close friends, teammates. To be able to share that platform with them, I feel very privileged.
Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M) on joining fellow Hall of Famer @CalvinMurphyHOF as presenters for Rudy Tomjanovich when Rudy is inducted into @Hoophall: “Those are two of my heroes. Close friends, teammates. To be able to share that platform with them, I feel very privileged.” #Rockets
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 11, 2020
In his 11-plus seasons as head coach, Tomjanovich led the Rockets to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by Houston’s two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.
Olajuwon was the NBA’s regular-season MVP in the 1993-94 campaign, and the NBA Finals MVP in both years.
“He’s the reason I’m standing up there,” Tomjanovich told Berman. “If I don’t have Hakeem, does it happen? We don’t know, probably not. He was such a big part of my life.”
Rudy Tomjanovich on Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M)agreeing to be 1 of his presenters when Rudy is inducted @Hoophall: “It’s the right way, because he’s the reason I’m standing up there.If I don’t have Hakeem,does it happen? We don’t know,probably not.He was such a big part of my life”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 11, 2020
Besides his extensive accomplishments as a coach, Tomjanovich was also a dynamic player — with averages of 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. He was a five-time All-Star at power forward over 11 NBA seasons, which were all played alongside Murphy.
“I’m gonna be like a little kid in a candy store that night, taking pictures of everything,” Murphy said about his inclusion in the induction ceremony for Tomjanovich. “Having pictures of me and Dream and Rudy together, you’re looking at the originals and the franchise together.”
[lawrence-related id=27899]
.@CalvinMurphyHOF on Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M)referring to Rudy Tomjanovich & Calvin as two of his heroes.Hakeem & Calvin will be Rudy’s presenters at his @Hoophall induction ceremony: “(laughs) That’s wonderful.1st of all u know who Olajuwon is.They call me the original Rocket..” pic.twitter.com/Ed4o1dLt06
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 11, 2020
Tomjanovich and other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 are scheduled to be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Former NBA players to be inducted will include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant.
[lawrence-related id=27817,27830]