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Why does Hakeem Olajuwon get underrated by so many people?

I don't get it. Hakeem should be on everyones top 5 in my opinion. Show me any other player who is top 12 in four major career statistical categories (by major I mean assists, blocks, steals, rebounds, points, not percentages). Let me show you the things he is top 12 in:

Blocks: #1 all time. 500+ ahead of Mutombo. Best shot blocker ever. He even blocked Jordan and Starks for a game winning 3. Also he blocked Kareem's skyhook (Wilt is the only other guy I know of that blocked the skyhook).

Steals: #8 all time. It is incredible how a 6'11" center is even top 10 in steals. Ahead of the 100s of small and quick guards that ever played and only 7 people are ahead of Hakeem.

Points: #10 all time. Around 26,000 points. Very impressive. He had everything. He could shoot from mid range, hit free throws, hook shot, and he had the best post moves by any player.. He had unmatched footwork, hand speed, dribbling skills, ect.

Rebouds: #12 all time. He may not have as many rebounds as Wilt or Russell but it still is impressive that only 11 people are ahead of him. He focused so much on defense and offense but still got a bunch of rebounds.

Hakeem may not have the most titles but no other player could win with such a bad supporting cast like Hakeem. Jordan had Pippen and Rodman. Magic had Worthy and Kareem. Russell had 5 or 6 hall of famers. Shaq had Kobe and Wade. Hakeem had who? Vernon Maxwell? Kenny Smith? Scott Brooks? Matt Bullard? Robert Horry (was much better for the Lakers)? Yes he ended up getting Drexler later in his career but Hakeem didn't have prime Drexler. As you can see, Hakeem lead his team with average-decent players. In the 1995 playoff run, he beat the teams with the 3 best records (San Antonio, Phoenix, and Utah). He then humiliated Shaq in the 1995 finals by sweeping the Magic. Fact: Hakeem never had home court advantage in the 1995 playoffs and the Rockets were a 6th seed. Also don't forget Hakeem dominated other great centers (Robinson and Ewing)

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I consider him to be a top 3 center of all-time. He embarrassed EVERY center he ever went up against. Shaq, Robinson, Ewing, etc.

  • 8 years ago

    I was telling my daughter about him the other day & wondered the same question! Hopefully, someone will answer you with true insight! I don't recall any scandal or perhaps that's the problem! He was great- just disappeared after leaving game...

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