There is a debate in the NBA about positions in basketball, and as the sport continues to grow, how relevant they remain. As a frame of reference, positions are important in understanding the game, but a lot has changed as basketball has evolved over the decades. Positionless basketball is the name of the game in modern times, but it is far from an idea that had come up in the last few years.
LeBron James is an excellent example; the King has played as a guard, a forward, and even a center during his time in the league. No one can forget Magic Johnson either, who played center in a huge game for the Lakers in the NBA Finals and won it for them. And there is another all-time great that subscribed to the idea of basketball without positions, someone that is recognized widely as one of the greatest centers in history.
Nikola Jokic has been named MVP two seasons in a row, in large parts thanks to his versatility. And Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the pioneers of being impossible to contain in his prime on offense. The Dream had an elite game in the post, but what made him so transcendental is that he managed to work his magic even outside the paint. And there is a fantastic story behind that.
Hakeem Olajuwon Never Wanted To Just Be A Traditional Center
The traditional big man is someone that stays in the paint, receiving the ball inside on offense and guarding the bucket on defense. However, when Hakeem arrived in America at the age of 18, he didn’t want to play the same way. He explained as much in a piece for the Player’s Tribune, explaining how fascinated he was by guard play.
“I never wanted to just be a traditional center. I didn’t really have a choice. No one ever told me what a center should play like. When I first arrived in America at age 18, I had never watched an NBA game. Not even one.
“When I came from Nigeria to play college basketball in Houston, I didn’t know the name of a single NBA player, either. I first shot a basketball only a year before that, when I was 17 years old. At the time, I had the footwork of a soccer player.
“As it turned out, being naive about basketball worked in my favor. I didn’t approach basketball with any preconceptions. When my coach told me to play the center position, I didn’t know what he meant. I could name the five positions, but I couldn’t really explain the difference between a center and a small forward.
“The summer before I began college, my coaches would yell at me during practice, ‘Hakeem, you’re playing center! Just stay in the key!’ I didn’t want to stay in the key. I watched the guards and I was inspired by their creativity. The key was boring.”
Olajuwon’s bag became deep during his time in the NBA thanks to his interest in not committing to a rigid style of play. His unstoppable game and ability to do it all was the foundational pillar for the Houston Rockets, who won two championships during the 90s. And considering that Hakeem didn’t have that many legendary teammates when he won, his ability to play and adapt to different systems was a massive factor.
