Latest news with #HakeemOlajuwon
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
James Harden's sacrifice sets up Los Angeles Clippers' title push amidst Hakeem Olajuwon's praise
James Harden is in the L.A. Clippers now (Image via Facebook / @James Harden) As an 11-time All-Star, 2018 MVP, and multiple All-NBA pick, NBA legend James Harden is unquestionably one of the most decorated players in NBA history. However, he's never taken home a ring. Nevertheless, another NBA icon, Hakeem Olajuwon, now believes that he is a complete player. During the June 2020 celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Houston Rockets' 1994-95 championship season, he opened up regarding the player's future. James Harden's contract move and Hakeem Olajuwon's endorsement boost Los Angeles Clippers ' title hopes Despite their lackluster postseason performance, James Harden 's nine-year relationship with the Houston Rockets was unique. After scoring thirty points while dozing off, he became a formidable offensive force that wowed Hakeem Olajuwon and other franchise icons. He was a consistent contender for league MVP, winning the award in 2018. Later, Hakeem Olajuwon spoke out about the NBA player's skill and prospects. In 2020, he said: "It's very difficult to carry a team from that position, and he's proven that comfortably, reaching new heights. Look at his statistics. He's a player to the level of Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. It's something unbelievable in this era. There's no question about James' ability as a champion. I think it's just a matter of time. Any player you put with James Harden, it will work. Because James is such a complete player. He's a winner, and he knows how to win.' Meanwhile, James Harden might have gotten $50 million from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for his skills. However, he chose the early 40s over the $50 million club and agreed to a two-year, $81.5 million contract to help the franchise win this summer's free agency. As a result, the L.A. Clippers' best chance to pursue the championship may have been subtly set up. Sports Illustrated reported that according to team president Lawrence Frank: "So, without James, we can't even get Brad, because we wouldn't have use of the full MLE. So that allowed us to get Brook and Brad because of the way James structured his contract. Two, the way he's structured his contract in year two gives us flexibility that if we want to have max space, we can choose to do so." James Harden was in Philadelphia 76ers (Image via Facebook / @James Harde) The Los Angeles Clippers might not have had a chance to win a championship if James Harden hadn't dropped his salary. Now, the Western Conference is on notice and the door is wide open because of his sacrifice. Also read: Bradley Beal joins Los Angeles Clippers after Phoenix Suns buyout, signs 2-year deal with player option Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hakeem Olajuwon on what separates Michael Jordan from LeBron James: "Jordan was a far more superior player in a very, very tough league"
Hakeem Olajuwon on what separates Michael Jordan from LeBron James: "Jordan was a far more superior player in a very, very tough league" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Hakeem Olajuwon did not sugarcoat his answer when asked to weigh in on the GOAT debate during a 2015 interview. Advertisement At that time, LeBron James was dominating the league after winning two championships and making four consecutive NBA Finals appearances with the Miami Heat. Being only 29 at the time — the same age when Michael Jordan recorded his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls — people felt James could even match Jordan's six championships. But even if he did that, Olajuwon wouldn't put the two on the same level. "When people start comparing him with Jordan, then that's not a fair comparison. Jordan was a far more superior player in a very, very tough league, and very, very creative," the two-time NBA champion told CNBC's Worldwide Exchange. "That's not taking away anything from LeBron because he is a great player, but it is not a fair comparison because Jordan is a far superior player." Hakeem played against Mike and trained LeBron The Houston Rockets selected Olajuwon with the first pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. That same year, Jordan went third overall to the Bulls. Advertisement Hakeem played Michael 23 times during his NBA career, winning 13 of those matchups. Still, Jordan was great in their head-to-head games, averaging 30.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.0 steals per contest. Meanwhile, Olajuwon retired after the 2001-02 season, two years before James jumped from high school to the NBA. However, he got to see his game firsthand when the latter flew to Houston to train with him during the summer of 2011. James not only wanted to learn Olajuwon's footwork and moves but also his championship mindset. "He was so determined," the legendary big man said. "That's number one. He was always saying, 'I'm here.' That pushes me. When somebody wants it so much and is so eager … wow. I was very happy because I knew I could help him…I could see when he left the ranch, his excitement was high and he was ready. "I thought, 'He has completed his game. He feels that. He believes that." Advertisement Related: "Once it goes in, it never comes back out" - Danny Ainge explains why Kevin McHale earned the most accurate nickname in NBA history A lot has changed since then James returned better than ever. He won three NBA championships in the next five seasons and was the back-to-back league MVP in 2012 and 2013. The third of three NBA titles was won in 2016 after he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since then, James has added a fourth NBA championship to his resume, the inaugural In-Season tournament championship and MVP, plus countless records that speak to his unmatched longevity in the league. Advertisement In 2023, he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record and continues to add to his total, as he prepares to enter his 23rd season in the Association. But while James may have even surpassed Jordan in terms of career achievements, that should not change Olajuwon's GOAT pick. For all of LeBron's greatness, most people, former players especially, still share Hakeem's view. Related: "Everybody say he is the greatest of all time. I always say what criteria are you using" - George Gervin on why he questions Michael Jordan's status as the GOAT This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen feud recalled by former Rockets teammate
The post Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen feud recalled by former Rockets teammate appeared first on ClutchPoints. For years, NBA legends Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley were not on the best of terms. That was even the case when they were teammates on the Houston Rockets. Advertisement During the strike-shortened 1999 season, Pippen and Barkley were on the same team. Clyde Drexler had retired, and Pippen was brought in to fill that void. Meanwhile, Hakeem Olajuwon was still the focal point of the franchise. The hope was for Pippen and Barkley to help the Rockets regain their prominence. However, neither of them gelled, and it only lasted for one year. Now, a former teammate, Cuttino Mobley, is providing insight on the nature of their relationship, per All The Smoke Podcast. On the latest episode, Mobley recalls receiving mentorship from Pippen on how to be a pro, whereas Barkley was sometimes absent from practice. Advertisement 'Scottie was at practice at 10, Scottie was there like seven lifting. I'm in there with him just learning how to be a pro,' he said. 'What I should eat before, what I should eat afterwards. Getting shots up after practice. He taught me how to do those things. Because sometimes Dream (Olajuwon) was like on a fast, Charles may not even come to practice, and it bumped heads with Scottie because he didn't come from that. He was looking at Charles like, dog what are you doing? Like we're total opposites. Kind of like Kobe and Shaq at the time.' When host Matt Barnes asked, 'Could you feel the beef between them two?' Mobley responded: 'Yeah especially when it came to games we could win with just them. Forget all us young guys. All the young guys, just be out there. We'll win the game, but I need you and your energy to help me do this.' The tempestuous time between Pippen and Barkley on the Rockets The Rockets finished 1999 31-19 and were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Advertisement Eventually, the beef found its way into the media with Pippen and Barkley taking jabs at one another. Pippen expressed frustration about how the offense was designed for Barkley and Olajuwon. Ultimately, Pippen left Houston for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000. In a 1999 ESPN article, Pippen did say some nice things about Barkley. 'I feel bad for him,' Pippen said before his Portland Trail Blazers played Minnesota. 'I didn't want to see him end his career like that. I wanted him to go out fighting.' However, Pippen doesn't regret calling Barkley 'fat' at the height of their feud. Related: Rockets waive 6-foot-11 forward Related: Former Rockets teammate says Yao Ming had Nikola Jokic type skills but was held back
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Where is Hakeem Olajuwon now? Everything about former NBA star's life beyond basketball
Where is Hakeem Olajuwon now? Everything about former NBA star's life beyond basketball (Image Credit: Getty Images) Hakeem Olajuwon played basketball from 1984 to 2002. After retirement, Olajuwon continued his association with the game by mentoring budding talents in basketball. At present, he is one of the richest NBA players in 2025, according to Forbes. He is a 2008 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. A Nigerian in origin, Olajuwon had several accolades like 1994 and 1995 Finals MVP, and 1994 regular season MVP to his credit. He played for the Houston Rockets all his career, but moved to the Toronto Raptors just before retiring. H akeem currently lives in Houston and manages a mammoth business empire focused on the Houston Real Estate industry and other areas. Current occupation of Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Olajuwon is currently involved in diversified businesses. From fashion apparel and footwear to real estate and luxury event venues, he has made a mark everywhere. Hakeem Olajuwon built for himself a strong reputation in the Houston Real Estate industry. Olajuwon followed a credit-free way of investing in real estate. It helped him stay relevant even during the testing times. Hakeem Olajuwon has made a 100 million dollars in real estate Apart from real estate, Olajuwon ventured into fashion wear. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Olajuwon, popular as 'The Dream', founded DR34M, a fashion apparel and footwear business. He personally oversaw the design and development process of the footwear line DR34M Shake Shoe. Partnering creatively with Five Fingers and Vibram, two big names in the mountaineering shoes sector, he developed his shoe line. Unmatched quality in products with a focus on user comfort placed DR34M Shake Show among the top grossers in footwear. Olajuwon founded another venture, DR34M Mansion. It provided a luxury venue for weddings and events. He used this mansion to showcase his products from his footwear and apparel line, too. The most prestigious real estate venture of Olajuwon was Palladio Development Ltd. Through this company, he invested in properties based in growing areas. He developed a large number of parking areas, garages, commercial buildings, etc., in Houston. According to the Timeless Black Legacy YouTube channel, Hakeem currently lives in a palatial Texas mansion with his wife and children. His net worth in 2025 is estimated at $300 million, placing him among the wealthiest NBA players. Hakeem Olajuwon gives back to basketball by training budding talents Apart from managing lucrative businesses, Hakeem Olajuwon provides training to basketball players who want to carve out a promising NBA career. What Is Hakeem Olajuwon Known For As A Coach? - The Basketball Xpert In 2023, reports swirled that Olajuwon charges $50,000 a week, which Gilbert Arena condemned as well. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo wrote off these speculations, saying he did not pay in any shape or form to Hakeem for private workouts or training. Though Hakeem Olajuwon never showed interest in working as a traditional coach. But he never held himself back from training budding players with exceptional talent. His well-known work was with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. According to Basketball Network's report, Hakeem took LeBron under his aegis during the 2011 summer training camp. After this camp, LeBron demonstrated a significant leap in his performance. Hakeem has also mentored Amar'e Stoudemire and Dwight Howard. Also Read: NBA: Kevin Durant surpasses Hakeem Olajuwon on all-time scoring list Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"You're like, 'How do I even respond to that?'" - Kevin Garnett thinks Hakeem Olajuwon was an underappreciated trash talker
"You're like, 'How do I even respond to that?'" - Kevin Garnett thinks Hakeem Olajuwon was an underappreciated trash talker originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kevin Garnett built up quite a reputation for being a relentless trash talker. He could jab at anyone — rookies, veterans, teammates in practice, All-Stars — on national television. It wasn't just volume or vulgarity. Advertisement Garnett weaponized psychology. He'd lock in with a scowl, a growl and an arsenal of mind games that disrupted rhythm and exposed hesitation. Yet, as one of the game's fiercest antagonists, "The Big Ticket" also had a radar for recognizing when someone could throw it right back, perhaps even in a way he hadn't seen coming. Olajuwon's trash-talking Garnett himself isn't immune to facing trash talk dished to him. He has faced his fair share of trash talkers, but surprisingly, one name that isn't mostly associated with verbal jabs stands out. "[Hakeem] Olajuwon, another motherf—r that talk s— to you," Garnett said. "Olajuwon would do s— like take his mouthpiece off and say, 'I'm a hit him with a lateral movement, he can't do anything." You're like, 'How do I even respond to that? … I don't have nothing for that." Advertisement While Garnett often raised the temperature in the room, Olajuwon cooled it down, like a chess grandmaster letting his opponent know five moves in advance how they were going to lose. The Houston Rockets legend didn't need to raise his voice to own the conversation — and that's what made it land harder By the time Garnett entered the league in 1995, Olajuwon was at the summit. Fresh off back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, the Nigerian-born center had already claimed a league MVP, two Finals MVP awards, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. In the playoffs, it thoroughly dismantled the likes of Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and Shaquille O'Neal. Garnett, a wiry 19-year-old jumping straight from high school, entered the NBA during Olajuwon's dominance. And yet, what KG remembers isn't just the footwork, the shot fakes, the blocks from the weak side. It's the monologue that accompanied them. Advertisement Related: Rick Fox reveals the best way to earn Kobe Bryant's respect: "He doesn't respect you if unless you challenge him, all the way up to fighting" Having an edge Olajuwon's name typically comes up in conversations about skill, elegance and the evolution of the big man. He retired in 2002 with over 26,000 career points and 13 All-Star appearances and remains the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots. What's often underplayed is just how cerebral and vocal he was on the court. Players like Garnett thrived on energy, noise, friction, and adrenaline. Olajuwon floated in the opposite current. His demeanor remained still, almost philosophical, even as he humiliated defenders with a flurry of pivots, pump fakes, and drop steps that felt like ballet wrapped in violence. Advertisement To Garnett, who battled against the very best for two decades, the recognition comes from admiration of Olajuwon's competitive persona. It's a nod to the underappreciated art of quiet domination because the center didn't just beat players; he narrated it. And in doing so, he entered the elite circle of trash talkers who could shake a player not with rage but with prophecy. "The Dream" played in the NBA until 2002, right about the time Garnett was starting to hit his strides as one of the most relentless trash-talkers and competitive players in the game. Related: The Undertaker recalls playing pick-up ball with Hakeem Olajuwon: "Hakeem made me look like I am Magic Johnson" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
