At 61 years old, Hakeem Olajuwon is still leaving fans in awe with his elite footwork and basketball skills. A recent video circulating on social media, shared by former NBA player John Lucas III, showcases Olajuwon training two young players from JL3, Sebastian Williams-Adams and Shelton Henderson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qkQ9rGr5U
Dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt, Olajuwon demonstrates his legendary moves, including the famous “Dream Shake,” to help young athletes improve their game.
Olajuwon, known for his fluid and deceptive footwork, transformed the role of big men in the NBA. His Dream Shake, a series of fakes and spin moves, made him nearly unstoppable on the court. Even now, his ability to teach and perform these moves remains impressive.
Hakeem Olajuwon’s illustrious career began when the Houston Rockets selected him as the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Teaming up with Ralph Sampson, the duo, known as the “Twin Towers,” led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals. After Sampson’s departure, Olajuwon became the team’s cornerstone, leading the league in rebounds twice and blocks three times.
In the 1993-94 season, Olajuwon made history by becoming the first player to win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. He led the Rockets to two NBA championships, earning Finals MVP honors both times. His dominance on both ends of the court cemented his legacy as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
Olajuwon’s career stats are remarkable: he played 1,177 regular-season games, averaging 22.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.2 blocks per game. He holds the NBA record for blocked shots with 3,830 and is the only player to record over 3,000 blocked shots and 2,000 steals in his career.
After retiring from the NBA, Olajuwon continued to impact the basketball world, sharing his knowledge and skills with younger generations. His contributions to the game were recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. The Rockets also retired his jersey number 34 in 2002, honoring his significant impact on the franchise.
Even in retirement, Hakeem Olajuwon’s influence on the game remains profound, as he continues to inspire and mentor young players with his unparalleled footwork and basketball IQ.
Hakeem Olajuwon Didn’t Charge Giannis Antetokounmpo For Private Workout
Giannis Antetokounmpo clarified that Hakeem Olajuwon did not charge him for their private workout sessions, despite rumors suggesting otherwise. The Milwaukee Bucks star, speaking on SiriusXM Radio, expressed his admiration for Olajuwon, calling him one of the greatest and most skilled big men in NBA history.
"Greatness don't charge greatness"😂@Giannis_An34 on learning from Hakeem Olajuwon
More from @Bucks Camp https://t.co/XWDtRPHnwv pic.twitter.com/R8N5zF3T1b
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 8, 2023
Antetokounmpo mentioned that he would have been willing to pay $1 million for the opportunity to train with Olajuwon, given the immense respect he holds for the Hall of Famer. However, Olajuwon never asked for any payment. Giannis emphasized that Olajuwon’s willingness to help him improve without expecting compensation was a testament to his character and dedication to the game.
The Greek Freak pointed out that Olajuwon took time away from his personal life, including his family and other interests, to assist him in honing his skills. Antetokounmpo acknowledged that it would have been reasonable for Olajuwon to charge for his time and expertise, much like any professional service. However, he reiterated that there was no transaction involved in their arrangement.
Giannis also addressed the backlash Olajuwon received for allegedly charging high fees for training sessions. He argued that there is nothing wrong with charging for such services, drawing a parallel to paying for rides on Uber or other professional services. He clarified that while it’s fair for Olajuwon to charge others, their mutual respect and recognition of each other’s greatness made their situation unique.
Antetokounmpo’s remarks put to rest the controversy over Olajuwon’s alleged fees and highlighted the generosity and respect between two basketball greats. Olajuwon’s decision to train Giannis without charge demonstrates his commitment to mentoring the next generation of players and preserving the legacy of skilled big men in the NBA.
In the end, the fuss over Hakeem charging exorbitant fees was unfounded. Olajuwon’s gesture of offering free workouts to Giannis underscores his dedication to the sport and his respect for Antetokounmpo’s talent and achievements.
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