“Hakeem Olajuwon gentleman swept Magic Johnson and Kareem!”: When Rockets legend averaged over 30 points, while dancing on the iconic showtime Lakers

Nithin Joseph | 22/06/2022
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Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He showcased this greatness in 1986 when he beat the Showtime Lakers!

The 1984 NBA Draft is widely remembered as the year the Chicago Bulls selected the GOAT, Michael Jordan. However, another great was also drafted the same year, Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Houston Rockets selected The Dream with the first overall pick that year. He proved to be the right choice for the Texas-based franchise, becoming the greatest Rocket in franchise history.

In his 18 seasons in the NBA, Hakeem averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks a game. He even won two NBA Championships, an MVP, and still holds the record for most blocks in league history!

Also Read: “$100,000 to train under Hakeem Olajuwon for two weeks?” : Amare Stoudemire was ready to shell out a boatload of money for just two weeks of mentorship

He truly was an absolute legend and is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. His greatness was on display even as a sophomore when he took on the Showtime Lakers.

Hakeem Olajuwon faced Magic, Kareem, and the Showtime Lakers in his second year and he gentleman swept them

In 1986, NBA fans around the world dreamt of yet another Celtics and Lakers NBA Finals. However, these dreams were shattered by none other than The Dream himself, Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Rockets center was just in his second year as an NBA superstar when he made it to his first NBA Finals. Most surprising though was the fact that he defeated Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to get there.

Olajuwon shocked the basketball world, eliminating the Showtime Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. He averaged a monster 31 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals that series, as he gentleman swept the Lakers.

It truly was a great show of the amazing skill that Hakeem possessed. Especially considering he was going against one who many consider the greatest center of all time.

Also Read: “Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon battled while O.J. Simpson ran from the police”: A bizarre split-screen showed Game 5 of ‘94 NBA Finals and Simpson’s chase simultaneously

Post Edited By: Tonoy Sengupta
hakeem olajuwon Houston Rockets Kareem Abdul Jabbar LA Lakers Magic Johnson

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

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