Tag: Hakeem Olajuwon

Sixers big man Andre Drummond doing things not seen since Hakeem Olajuwon

Philadelphia 76ers big man Andre Drummond is doing something not seen since the days of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Andre Drummond is on a veteran’s minimum deal as he tries to rebuild his value after a less than glamorous run with the Los Angeles Lakers. He did a terrific job of doing just that in Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Filling in for a resting Joel Embiid, the two-time All-Star delivered a stat line of 14 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and five steals while not turning the ball over. It was a terrific performance for Drummond given the team was so short-handed and in need of somebody to lead the way.

Drummond’s stat line was impressive on paper, but it grew even more impressive when compared to Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. Drummond is the first player since Olajuwon in 1990 to have 10-plus points, 15-plus rebounds, 5-plus assists, and 5-plus steals with no turnovers in a game.

Nobody will confuse Drummond for Olajuwon, but his start to the season has been impressive for Philadelphia. He has fully embraced his role coming off the bench and giving the team exactly what it needs to get a win.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=52336]

[lawrence-related id=53207,53204,53201]

NBA 75: See which former Houston Rockets made the historic list

Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, and Moses Malone are among former Rockets who were named to the NBA’s official list of 75 all-time greats.

Founded in 1967 in San Diego before moving to Houston in 1971, the Rockets are clearly one of the NBA’s flagship franchises. With 2,286 wins and 2,074 losses, the team’s .529 winning clip entering the 2021-22 season ranks eighth among the league’s 30 active clubs, and they are one of only 11 teams with multiple championships (1994, 1995).

As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Houston well represented by more than 10 former players on the historic NBA 75 list. The NBA 75 is the league’s official 75th anniversary team, honoring the 75 greatest players in league history as selected by a panel of media and current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives. (Because of a tie in voting, there were ultimately 76 players named.)

As far as representation by the Rockets, some are all-time franchise legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, Moses Malone, and Clyde Drexler. Others are those who simply passed through for a season, such as Russell Westbrook, Scottie Pippen, and Carmelo Anthony.

In alphabetical order, here’s a rundown of players on the NBA 75 list who played with the Rockets at some point over their distinguished playing careers. Big names with Houston ties who did not make the list included Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady, and Dikembe Mutombo.

[lawrence-related id=55944,55919]

Editor’s note: Detailed information on the Houston careers of many of these players is available in our newly released all-time Rockets roster.

Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes among initial NBA 75 list

Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, and Charles Barkley were among Tuesday’s honorees for the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.

Houston Rockets legends Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, and James Harden were among 25 names announced Tuesday by the NBA on night one of the official “NBA 75” reveal. The NBA 75 is the league’s official 75th anniversary team honoring the 75 greatest players in league history, as selected by a panel of media and current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives.

For three consecutive days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the league is announcing 25 of the NBA 75 names. ESPN will unveil 25 more players on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central, while TNT will announce the remaining 25 on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. Central.

Charles Barkley, who played with the Rockets for four seasons in the 1990s, was also on Tuesday’s list of honorees — though the vast majority of his list-worthy accomplishments came in other organizations.

Detailed information regarding the Houston careers of each legend is available in our newly released all-time Rockets roster. Tuesday’s complete list of 25 NBA greats can be viewed below.

[lawrence-related id=55008,47192]

[listicle id=55811]

NBA 75: Our all-time roster for the Houston Rockets

As the NBA honors its 75th anniversary with a list of its historical greats, we look back at the top players in Houston Rockets history.

As part of a celebration of its 75th anniversary, the NBA is releasing what it calls the NBA 75 — a list of the greatest players in league history.

With that in mind, we’re looking back at the greats over that same time period who played for the Rockets. Founded in 1967 in San Diego before moving to Houston in 1971, the Rockets are clearly one of the league’s flagship clubs. With 2,286 wins and 2,074 losses, the .529 winning clip by the Rockets ranks eighth among the league’s 30 active franchises, and they are one of only 11 teams with multiple championships (1994, 1995).

Some ground rules: Since this exercise is to determine an overall roster, this list contains position biases. For example, even though the Rockets have a long history of elite centers, a team wouldn’t be likely to carry six centers on a 15-man roster. Thus, some greats did not make the cut.

Also, this roster defers to each player’s specific contributions in Houston. In other words, even though Scottie Pippen is a Hall of Famer and an all-time NBA legend, he played just one season with the Rockets and was past his prime at that time — which makes him not a fit for an all-time Houston list. Similar logic holds true with Russell Westbrook.

Without any further delay, here’s our all-time Rockets roster, and be sure to check out our other NBA Wire sites for rival comparisons.

[lawrence-related id=30572,55008]

Where Houston Rockets rank on USA TODAY’s all-time NBA players list

Led by Hakeem Olajuwon, here’s where various Rockets ended up on USA TODAY’s newly released list of the top 75 NBA players of all-time.

Since 2021-22 is officially the NBA’s 75th season, the league office is planning to release the NBA 75, a list of the 75 greatest all-time players. The official unveiling is set to occur later this month.

With that in mind, a diverse panel arranged by USA TODAY Sports recently compiled its own list of the NBA’s top 75 legends.

The panel consisted of Jeff Zillgitt, Mark Medina, Nancy Armour, Dan Wolken, Matt Eppers, Larry Starks and Larry Berger of USA TODAY; Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic; Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal; Berry Tramel of the Oklahoma City Daily Oklahoman; Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal; Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press; and former USA TODAY NBA writers J Michael and Greg Boeck.

While you will need a subscription to see the full USA TODAY list with all of the additional context, we extracted players from the list who spent time with the Rockets. Scroll down to see the Houston inclusions.

[lawrence-related id=55008]

Where Houston Rockets rank among NBA’s 75 greatest players ever

Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, James Harden, Clyde Drexler, and Tracy McGrady are among those who cracked the HoopsHype “Top 75” list.

In honor of 2021-22 being the NBA’s 75th season, the league is planning to release something they’re calling the NBA 75, which will feature an official list of the 75 greatest all-time players.

With that in mind, our friends at HoopsHype compiled their own rankings on the subject. To do so, HoopsHype recently held a team vote with the opinions of eight staff members. They removed the highest and lowest rank for each player, and awarded points 75-1 for the rest.

Here’s how it turned out, as it pertains to those players who spent time with the Houston Rockets:

No. 11: Hakeem Olajuwon
No. 15: Moses Malone
No. 25: Charles Barkley
No. 27: Scottie Pippen
No. 29: Chris Paul
No. 36: Rick Barry
No. 39: James Harden
No. 40: Elvin Hayes
No. 43: Clyde Drexler
No. 47: Russell Westbrook
No. 49: Carmelo Anthony
No. 62: Dwight Howard
No. 73: Tracy McGrady

Career summaries, top accolades, and specific vote share figures for each player are available at the HoopsHype link.

[lawrence-related id=32465,30541]

[vertical-gallery id=19567]

The best responses to viral ‘Hakeem Olajuwon challenge’ by Rockets

Kevin Porter Jr. and Robert Horry are among those wanting to accept the viral Hakeem Olajuwon challenge from the Rockets.

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the most decorated players in basketball history, with 12 All-Star berths, an MVP award, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards among his many accolades. To this day, he’s the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots.

Most importantly, “The Dream” was also a two-time champion with the Houston Rockets, earning NBA Finals MVP in 1994 and 1995.

With that dominance in mind, the Rockets’ social media team posed this fascinating hypothetical scenario to their followers:

Could you score in the paint against Olajuwon (in his prime) in 10 tries? Do it, and you earn $10 million. Fail, and you lose your phone for life. Would you take the challenge?

With this being the slowest period of the NBA’s 2021 offseason, the challenge meme quickly went viral across social media.

The vast majority of fans declined, given the extraordinarily long odds that most normal people would face in creating enough separation versus an athletic 6-foot-10 beast to even get a shot near the rim.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTkXx5HNgT5/

But those with actual NBA experience and bodies had a different assessment of the odds. Here’s what current Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. and former Houston forward Robert Horry had to say:

Porter Jr. (Instagram): Ez 💰

Horry (Instagram): Yes I will take that challenge, if I’m in my prime, too

Others among fans and media knew their limitations, but at least they had funny jokes about it.

Adi Joseph (CBS Sports): Since the Rockets were only paying “prime Dream” $3.2 million per year, I’d offer to let him split the money.

Ahmir Khalib Thompson (musician): May I have a taser in my possession?

Bryan Horowitz (media): Yes, because it would be a great way to break my phone addiction.

David Hinojosa (San Antonio Express-News): Sure. I would offer him half to tank.

Joseph Flynn (SB Nation): Most of the bums on here — myself included — couldn’t score on prime Chris Dudley

Scroll through the comments (and quote tweets on Twitter) from the team’s post on each social media account for more laughs.

[lawrence-related id=47954,30541]

https://www.facebook.com/houstonrockets/posts/10159548649872320

[vertical-gallery id=19567]

Rockets name Hakeem Olajuwon as 2021 draft lottery representative

Olajuwon was Houston’s No. 1 overall pick in 1984 and went on to become one of the most successful top selections in NBA history.

[mm-video type=video id=01f7sjb07vaqw0zyvwce playlist_id=01eqbzjn948cn167eq player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f7sjb07vaqw0zyvwce/01f7sjb07vaqw0zyvwce-1cb103611b9cdba4a8ba81162f0d8bd4.jpg]

In a draft lottery with enormous stakes, the Houston Rockets will have the greatest player in franchise history as a potential good-luck charm.

According to a team announcement, Olajuwon will represent Houston at the scene of the NBA’s June 22 draft lottery. The stakes are huge for the Rockets, who will learn that day whether their top first-round pick is in the draft’s top four (a 52.1% chance) or at No. 18 overall (47.9%), courtesy of a top-four-protected pick swap owned by Oklahoma City.

A Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion, Olajuwon is a clear symbol of the value of a high draft pick. As the No. 1 selection by Houston in 1984, “The Dream” remains far and away the best draft choice in franchise history and one of the top No. 1 picks by any team in any NBA draft.

Olajuwon’s arrival put the Rockets on a path toward building a frequent title contender, and that’s what Houston hopes to repeat in the 2020s if they can secure the necessary draft pick to acquire a top rookie prospect such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green.

With Olajuwon in attendance, ESPN will televise the results of the NBA’s 2021 draft lottery on Tuesday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. Central.

[lawrence-related id=49881,49777]

Wizards, Sixers compare Joel Embiid to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon

Both the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers compare Joel Embiid to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been compared to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon plenty of times in the past. The comparisons are clear as Embiid has patterned his game a bit after the Houston Rockets franchise legend with his impeccable footwork and his ability to dominate a game.

To begin the 2021 playoffs, Embiid is taking on one of Olajuwon’s former teammates in the form of Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. Brooks played for the Rockets for 2.5 seasons and he was able to see Olajuwon better than a lot of people.

Through three games in this Round 1 series, Embiid is averaging 29.3 points on 67.4% shooting and he’s also shooting 54.5% from deep and 87% from the foul line. That has Brooks reminiscing on his former teammate.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Olajuwon for almost three years, he’s doing things that I haven’t seen since then,” Brooks explained. “His seventh year in the league he’s been able to see it all now and he’s had some seen all the defenses, seen all the schemes, and he’s skilled. He’s a skilled, athletic, tough, high IQ basketball player.”

It is clear that Embiid is growing as a basketball player in terms of his IQ. He is quickly identifying double teams and he is doing an excellent job of being able to attack them correctly either as a scorer or as a passer and that is scary for the rest of the league.

“If you make a mistake, he capitalizes on it and their team does as well,” Brooks added. “Even if you don’t make a mistake, he was making shots over our guys. He was making shots over a double team last night, but like I said, I haven’t seen anybody that’s Olajuwon be able to dominate a game on both ends of the floor like he does.”

Sixers coach Doc Rivers has played with the likes of Patrick Ewing and he has battled Olajuwon in the past. He agrees with Brooks that there is some Olajuwon in Embiid’s game, but he sees more Ewing in his star big man.

[exco_embed id=”d8b9c085-4226-44f1-8495-36ad4e2aa62d”]

“I can see that,” said Rivers when asked about the Olajuwon comparison. “I can see that and Patrick Ewing. We had a chance to practice at Georgetown the other day and Patrick stayed and watched and talked and so I think Joel has a little bit of all those guys. The footwork of Hakeem and (Kevin) McHale, the fadeaway, the shooting of Ewing, he puts a lot of work into his game, and that’s what makes him such a good player.”

The Sixers will need Embiid to continue to make these strides forward as they continue with this playoff run. He has been terrific in Round 1 with the Wizards, but he will have to continue to channel Olajuwon as the postseason goes on.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=45694]

[lawrence-related id=46568,46551,46548]

Wizards, Sixers compare Joel Embiid to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon

Both the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers compare Joel Embiid to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been compared to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon plenty of times in the past. The comparisons are clear as Embiid has patterned his game a bit after the Houston Rockets franchise legend with his impeccable footwork and his ability to dominate a game.

To begin the 2021 playoffs, Embiid is taking on one of Olajuwon’s former teammates in the form of Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. Brooks played for the Rockets for 2.5 seasons and he was able to see Olajuwon better than a lot of people.

Through three games in this Round 1 series, Embiid is averaging 29.3 points on 67.4% shooting and he’s also shooting 54.5% from deep and 87% from the foul line. That has Brooks reminiscing on his former teammate.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Olajuwon for almost three years, he’s doing things that I haven’t seen since then,” Brooks explained. “His seventh year in the league he’s been able to see it all now and he’s had some seen all the defenses, seen all the schemes, and he’s skilled. He’s a skilled, athletic, tough, high IQ basketball player.”

It is clear that Embiid is growing as a basketball player in terms of his IQ. He is quickly identifying double teams and he is doing an excellent job of being able to attack them correctly either as a scorer or as a passer and that is scary for the rest of the league.

“If you make a mistake, he capitalizes on it and their team does as well,” Brooks added. “Even if you don’t make a mistake, he was making shots over our guys. He was making shots over a double team last night, but like I said, I haven’t seen anybody that’s Olajuwon be able to dominate a game on both ends of the floor like he does.”

Sixers coach Doc Rivers has played with the likes of Patrick Ewing and he has battled Olajuwon in the past. He agrees with Brooks that there is some Olajuwon in Embiid’s game, but he sees more Ewing in his star big man.

[exco_embed id=”d8b9c085-4226-44f1-8495-36ad4e2aa62d”]

“I can see that,” said Rivers when asked about the Olajuwon comparison. “I can see that and Patrick Ewing. We had a chance to practice at Georgetown the other day and Patrick stayed and watched and talked and so I think Joel has a little bit of all those guys. The footwork of Hakeem and (Kevin) McHale, the fadeaway, the shooting of Ewing, he puts a lot of work into his game, and that’s what makes him such a good player.”

The Sixers will need Embiid to continue to make these strides forward as they continue with this playoff run. He has been terrific in Round 1 with the Wizards, but he will have to continue to channel Olajuwon as the postseason goes on.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=45694]

[lawrence-related id=46568,46551,46548]