• Gilbert Arenas has reacted to Hakeem Olajuwon charging $50,000 for a workout
• Arenas slammed the NBA’s all-time leader for ripping off the current generation of players
• Arenas believes it’s Hakeem’s way of making more money, given the size of modern NBA contracts
Hakeem Olajuwon has created a mythical air about the success of his big-man camp that stars players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have previously participated in. Given the improvements in their game after that camp, many players have spent working out with Hakeem in the summer. What was disturbing to Gilbert Arenas was that Hakeem charged $50,000 per workout session.
“Nobody wants that Hakeem Olajuwon skyhook. You should be ashamed of yourself. Charging these young whippersnappers $50,000. When you came into the league in 1984, you weren’t getting $50,000 a game. You’re trying to make the money back through the youth!”
Gilbert Arenas talking about Hakeem Olajuwon charging 50k a workout, he funny asl pic.twitter.com/LMObQZ6EcN
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) September 18, 2023
Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history. Many even put him in the conversation for the greatest center ever given his success came more recently in the NBA than other all-time centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain.
He averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks for his career and is revered for having some of the greatest footwork in the history of the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Spending The Summer With Hakeem Olajuwon
Arenas made his comments in response to Giannis Antetokounmpo, revealing he has been working out with Hakeem. Giannis did so recently in a podcast appearance.
“I try to stay on my side, stay on my court, do my own thing in the offseason because I’ll compete against them… I am going to go down to Houston and work with Hakeem Olajuwon. There’s a few people I have worked with, KG, Kobe, and now Hakeem will be the third guy. I love his game, and if I can take some things, anything from the few days I’ll spend with him.”
Given Giannis’ limited post-game without driving, this could provide all the tools Giannis needs to transition into the next phase of his career. He won’t have his incredible athleticism for the rest of his career and the 28-year-old needs to start having more success with his back-to-the-basket.
Giannis averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season but saw his Bucks get eliminated in the first round despite being the best team in the league. With LeBron adjusting to his late-career physical tools, we have seen him become a very proficient post player even if he can’t drive and dunk over everyone anymore. Giannis wants a long career, and this is the natural next step.
Hakeem Olajuwon Almost Had The Perfect Season In 1994
There is a valid reason behind why NBA superstars are willing to pay so much for a session with Hakeem. Firstly, $50,000 will seem pretty insignificant, given these players are earning anywhere between $45 to $55 million annually. Secondly, Hakeem is the most relevant old center to learn from, given how well his game has aged. In his prime, there was almost nobody that could match up to Hakeem.
In 1993/94, Hakeem won everything he possibly could outside of one award. He was named the regular season MVP as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. These accomplishments led to him being named to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defense First Team. That wasn’t all, as Hakeem finished the season out by beating the New York Knicks in the Finals and winning his first title along with his first Finals MVP.
He finished third in scoring and failed to claim the scoring title. Nonetheless, that’s quite the historic haul of awards for Hakeem to have earned.
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