Every NBA team’s greatest draft pick of all time
By Dre Elder
Surprise! Well, not quite. Hakeem Olajuwon was the obvious choice here. The Rockets’ franchise turned 50 this past season. They have played in the NBA Finals four times in those 50 years. Olajuwon led them to three of those Finals appearances during his Hall of Fame career. He helped deliver the franchise its only two championships in the mid-90’s. And Olajuwon was one of two players selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 Draft.
The University of Houston Cougars known as “Phi Slamma Jamma” infamously lost to NC State on a game-winning dunk in the 1983 NCAA title game. Hakeem Olajuwon returned to school and averaged 16.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game during his final year. The Houston Rockets selected the 7-foot Nigerian first overall to pair with the 7-foot-4 Ralph Sampson. And the Rockets’ won 48 games in Olajuwon’s rookie season.
Olajuwon instantly became one of the best big men in the league. He averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game each year for the first 12 years of his career. Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back titles while Jordan was striking out for the Birmingham Barons.
Hakeem Olajuwon is arguably the most skilled low-post player ever to come along. He pioneered the “Dream Shake” and taught many players how to be more effective in the post. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James credited Olajuwon for advancing their arsenals. Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, and former league MVP.