- Ralph Sampson disagreed with Gilbert Arenas’ take on Hakeem Olajuwon working out with Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Sampson noted that the game today requires elite footwork
- Other people have also criticized Gilbert Arenas
In the NBA, we have often seen players work out with former legends to try and improve their own games. However, there is no doubt that some are critics of that practice, believing that older players have nothing to offer the superstars of today.
It was previously revealed that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be working out with Hakeem Olajuwon. Though many people thought this was a good move, Gilbert Arenas criticized the decision, suggesting that Olajuwon couldn’t really help Antetokounmpo. Many found Arenas’ comments controversial, and Olajuwon’s former teammate Ralph Sampson suggested that Arenas doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
“Gilbert, I respect his game to whatever degree, but when you try to compare that to ‘The Dream,’ Hakeem Olajuwon, big man back in the day, the skill-set and the footwork that Hakeem had, [Arenas] needs to go back and look at some more film because I don’t think he really knows what the hell he’s talking about. You gotta understand that footwork, and the game today, is all about footwork.”
“Go back and do your homework before you open your mouth”.
Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon’s former teammate, tells @JumpShot8 & @SamMitchellNBA that he disagrees with Arenas’ comments on “the Dream”. pic.twitter.com/BxRii4RIb9
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 21, 2023
It is clear that Ralph Sampson was not happy with Gilbert Arenas’ comments about Hakeem Olajuwon. There are definitely things that Giannis Antetokounmpo can learn from Hakeem Olajuwon: as of right now, Antetokounmpo relies mostly on his physicality and athleticism, and adding finesse could help him and ensure that he puts less strain on his body.
Gilbert Arenas Suggested That Hakeem Olajuwon Was Trying To Make Money Back Through Young Players
Gilbert Arenas often has a unique perspective on the happenings in the NBA, even if some might label his takes controversial. In Gilbert Arenas’ original roast of Hakeem Olajuwon for charging $50,000 for workouts, the former guard suggested that Olajuwon was charging that much to “make the money back” from younger players.
“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!”
That is certainly a wild perspective on why Hakeem Olajuwon is training with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Though money is always a factor when it comes to offering training, perhaps Olajuwon is simply trying to help Antetokounmpo get better.
Eddie Johnson Previously Explained Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Right To Work Out With Hakeem Olajuwon
Though Gilbert Arenas harshly criticized Hakeem Olajuwon for training Giannis Antetokounmpo, there are definitely good reasons for Antetokounmpo to work out with the legend. Previously, Eddie Johnson explained why Antetokounmpo was right to spend $50,000 to work out with Hakeem Olajuwon.
“Giannis in next few years once he can’t run and change direction as fast will need an antidote,” Johnson wrote on X in response to Arenas’ claims. “Hence back to basket game. Worth the 50 to get extra years at 10 mil+. Gil, if you took some point guard lessons from Stockton with your broke knees you could have gotten a few more too.”
It is definitely good to see that Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking ahead, and is already adding countermeasures for when his athleticism wanes in the future. Hopefully, Antetokounmpo can take a leap next season, and we’ll see what ends up happening in the future.
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