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Reading: Robert Horry Says Michael Jordan Only Feared Hakeem Olajuwon: “I’m Scared Of The Big African”
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Robert Horry Says Michael Jordan Only Feared Hakeem Olajuwon: “I’m Scared Of The Big African”

Robert Horry Says Michael Jordan Only Feared Hakeem Olajuwon: “I’m Scared Of The Big African”

Robert Horry has said that Michael Jordan used to fear Hakeem Olajuwon.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Aug 14, 2023
3 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

• Robert Horry once said that Michael Jordan feared Hakeem Olajuwon 

• Olajuwon was drafted No. 1 in the 1984 Draft and Jordan went No. 3 in the same draft

• Hakeem’s Rockets are the only team to win titles during the Jordan era from 1991 to 1998

The 1984 NBA Draft is often considered the greatest draft of all time. Not only does it feature the greatest player of all time in, Michael Jordan, but it also features the likes of John Stockton, Charles Barkley, and the No. 1 overall pick, Hakeem Olajuwon.

Olajuwon is one of the greatest big men of all time and is considered to be arguably the greatest defender in NBA history. Hakeem’s former teammate Robert Horry claimed that if you asked Jordan who is the one player he feared, he’d name Hakeem.

(Starts at 2:47)  

“If you ask Michael Jordan what one guy he ever feared, it was Hakeem Olajuwon. He used to say ‘I’m scared of the big African’.” 

Hakeem is the only player that could be drafted ahead of Jordan and people say it wasn’t a bad pick. Ultimately, he brought the only two NBA championships the city of Houston has ever seen in the middle of the Jordan era, winning the 1994 and 1995 titles, and having some of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history.


Michael Jordan Didn’t Get The Better Of Hakeem Olajuwon

Regardless of any purported fear MJ had for Hakeem, he didn’t let it show on the court. In his career, he averaged 30.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 3.0 steals in 23 games against Hakeem. Surprisingly, Jordan comes out short in that battle as Hakeem won 13 games to MJ’s 10. 

Hakeem had the winning record and solid numbers to prove his impact on the court, averaging 21.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks. Unfortunately, they never met in the NBA Playoffs. Hakeem’s Rockets won the title the year MJ went to play baseball and went back-to-back after MJ lost to Shaquille O’Neal’s Orlando Magic, a team the Rockets swept in the Finals.

MJ can rest easy knowing his career turned out the way he wanted, even though Hakeem was drafted ahead of him. Similarly, Hakeem may not be 6-0 in the Finals, but he had one of the greatest careers in NBA history nonetheless. 

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TAGGED:Hakeem OlajuwonMichael Jordan
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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