Hakeem Olajuwon's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.พ. 2012
- Hakeem Olajuwon delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2008. To learn more about Hakeem Olajuwon take a look at his official Hall of Fame bio at www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famer...
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The silence on the room shows how much respect people like Hakeem. He is so soft spoken and down to earth.
Ismail Burale You said it best!!!
Hakeem is the most humble human being I've ever met in my life!
The room is silent when any player speaks but ok....
And a killer on the court 😎😎 my favorite center of all time
Or perhaps they're sleeping lol
A 'man' worth being admired ! Take basketball completely out of the equation and Hakeem is a Hall of Famer as a member of mankind. This is a man who used lots of his own money to build hospitals and schools ! We need more men like this in the world. Thanks Hakeem for entertaining us on the court and inspiring us off the court !
+James Summerlin men/us like this are not value any more. here in north america anymore by most women today. so they don't breed with us anymore. so that's why there are not more men/us like this in the world.
James Summerlin well said
Well said, sir!
James Summerlin Well said. I grew up with Hakeem as a role model. My dad would point out the way that he carried himself, with leadership and team first characteristics. He stopped dunking the ball around 1991, which I actually hated at the time, but again my dad pointed out to me why this was more effective for his character. I got to go back in the locker room of the old Summit in 1993 and meet Hakeem. He was being yelled at by reporters and his wife asking him to leave, and yet he still took 5 minutes to sit and talk with me, and have my poster signed by the entire team. That day lives with me still, and I feel blessed to have had such an honorable human being to watch and learn from all of those years. The Rockets went in the win their first championship that season, and my dad passed away 3 years ago. There was a very special bond between he and I threw sports and why it can be such a powerful factor in becoming a real man in the world. But then again, I was blessed to be from a city with a man of Hakeem’s character and honor to learn from...
@@Jamedia66 cool story. As a kid we use to wait after games to get autographs outside the summit. Late 80's Akeem came out once (pre muslim conversion) and didn't give any autographs. He changed his character after his conversion
The Dream... The most complete center ever to play the game. The only player in league history to retire in the top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. The only player ever to win the league MVP, defensive player of the year, and finals MVP in the same season. He outplayed Ewing, Robinson, and Shaq to win his championships. From 1986 to 1997, the best big man in the league, hands-down. He's probably the one guy that Jordan is glad he didn't see in the finals.
hartsickdisciple forgot fg%
He was also drafted before Jordan but no one brings that up as a bad thing. Which it isn't and that's saying something
+Jeremy Pearce so you discriminate one of the nicest legends in the NBA because of his religion? Your opinion on anything is invalid you simpleton.
+Shemzinho I'm a Christian and Hakeem is a Muslim but I have the up most respect for this person. I watched every single game of his and he is pure class and character. I believe his religion made him stronger. He will always be a center piece to my father and my best memories...Don't even dignify Jeremy's post. He obviously doesn't know Olajuwon like we do.
Nicholas Kless Bless up bro
The Dream is underrated. His name should be brought up in the GOAT discussion, period.
Hakeem is a shy person and he is not a showing off person. Good guy with values. He made the Rockets win twice.
"my job is to hold the middle, the paint. that is my role. credits will come later." very well said from one of the best centers of all time.
Hakeem the dream. I started watching him when he was a Cougar and watched every game when he was a Rocket. Class and character. He is Muslim and for the month of Ramadan, which I think is like Nov, he was not allowed to eat before sundown...I believe. this would make most people weaker. but I saw through his faith and self sacrifice that he would become stronger. No one had the quickness, strength and shooting ability. My dad and I shared some of our best times which grew to wonderful memories watching Akeem... then Hakeem the dream. Thank you Hakeem.
That is amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Nicholas Kless ramadan is not in November, never! It’s always when the new moon is sighted
@@Tramplyfe Ramadan is a month on the Arabic calendar. The Arabic calendar is a lunar calendar has at least 354 days a year. Which is why new moon sighting is used to decide Ramadan and other months in the Arabic calendar.
When compared to the Gregorian calendar, which is a Solar calendar of 365 days, Ramadan shifts by 11 days every year. So Ramadan this year which is in April will and it will take another 33 years for the Arabic calendar to have Ramadan in April.
Shut the fuck up he’s not a muslim
@@popeyes7969 WTF is wrong with you! Chill mate. Hakeem is a Muslim. A practising to be more precise. Half of Nigeria has Muslim population. Stick with facts mate, it will keep you calm. Take care.
Hakeem was the Greatest Center.
An absolute Humble Man .
Best Center ever u mean*… Greatest Center ever is easily Kareem.
@@kanyecrazy7440 come on man what's the difference between them
@@princewu2404 best is based off of skill. Greatest is based off of awards/accomplishments
@@kanyecrazy7440 oh ok cool
Kareem easily, bullshit they played against each other 23 times in regular season which Kareem won most of them cause he had a better team they averaged about the same points Olajuwon averaging 2 more points but but doubled him rebounds and steals and blocks but in the playoffs Olajuwon killed Kareem beating 4 out of 5 games Olajuwon was a way way better defender than Kareem, He is the most talented big man and best defender ever even the God Michael Jordan was scared of him,,,, MJs word we are scared of the big Nigerian
Greatest center of all time hands down.
Bear Udyr Couldn't be more accurate.
anomaly19851 totally agree
Great player was Olajuwoun but i still think that Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabbar was overall better to have them in team.
Olajuwon could do more than them. For scoring, those guys are obviously better, but you'd want Olajuwon to pair with a guy like Jordan because Jordan's ball dominant and Olajuwon doesn't have to be. He can still block, steal, pass out, and rebound better thn almost anyone else even after taking scoring away from him.
Imagine Hakeem playing with Magic his entire career...
one of the greatest centerial of all time .. Hakeem may allah bless u bro
Hakeem , Mexico loves you ...thanks for coming over to play and show us not only the great player you are but also the great person behind the player,
I say this in all seriousness, being a half-Egyptian brotha. I want to see a Mexican-born NBA Superstar! I think it would be GREAT for the game!
@@jamalabdelbaset6635
would you settle for puerto rican?
we have two.
jj barea and carlos arroyo.
as a puerto rican i like barea a little better because he's more humble.
i'm still a bit angry at arroyo because one time he had the ball. and on the other side of the court was yao ming, waiting for him. and he ran towards yao ming, and tried to do a layup in his face.....and of course the ball ended up outside because of a HUGE block, not because of a lack of talent but of his arrogance thinking he could just score on yao ming like that....
@@sabin97 Hahaha!!! Yeah Arroyo was a cocky prick! Lol! I still remember him flipping his jersey when Puerto Rico beat the US in 04.
Best low post moves in NBA history
Eric Matterson Dream shake is a move.
Kareem is a Chief Hook Master.
Did more post work and scored more and higher FG%.
Wilt post moves
Up and under, tomahawk, hook, finger roll and fadeaway dirk style.
Finger roll master and fadeway master.
hakeem played against the best generation of centers and took em all to school. Wilt and kareem are up there but Hakeems footwork was on another level
But The coach assigned Kareem to Ralph Sampson.
So if Hakeem was so good why could he not handle a 37 to 40 year Kareem ?
Wilt came into the NBA with a passing game.
Hakeem had to develop it.
Wilt could jump higher and run the fast break with very good passes.
He degraded Kareem. Kareem was to much for Hakeem.
Wilt had the best rookie season ever.
MVP 4 times
22.9 RPG. Hakeem 11.1 RPG..
30.1 PPG. Hakeem 21.8 PPG
4.4 APG. Hakeem 2.5 APG
54% FG. Hakeem 51.2% FG
He took my favorite basketball player David Robinson 50 for a ride of his life. Hake em Olajuwon game was unbelievable .
My Hero, Greatest Center of all time💯🏀
He was the best center and the most complete. He could do everything. God bless him always
Hakeem Olajuwon is the most complete Center ever to play the game at his size. He had all the skills that any other great center had. Plus two big things : Brains and capacity to adapt in every situation. THE DREAM ROCKS !
zbanghy1986 David Robinsons is the most complete center. His presence still echoed in the SPURS culture up to this time. He win almost all the awards in the NBA. That's complete trophy.
...I've seen Olajuwon vs Robinson so many times...not only once Robinson won the matchup.
@@O_fata_simpla260how come he has a 30-12 head to head match-up record vs Hakeem then? Outside of the 95 WCF, Robinson played him closer than any other center
The Dream did it when it matterd most.
I was blessed to meet Dream when I was nine years old at a Houston Rockets practice. I imitated his dream shake.
"First of all, I would like to give thanks to God."-Hakeem Olajuwon
Greatest center of all time I have a lot of respect for this humble man
his nickname is true to its meaning "The Dream" because he was coming from Nigeria and didn't have much and came to America and learned about basketball and eventually came to be one of the most influential Centers in NBA history to being inducted into the Hall of Fame is truly remarkable and a dream come true for him
At 6'6'' I used his footwork through the course of my career when on the blocks....AND STILL use his 'dream shake' (w/ Shaqs jump hook) when forced down low. After listening to this speech I got emotional because he helped me get a college degree for free and I never actually knew it until now. WOW
Congrats! Hakeem also Inspired many other kids! At least Top 2-3 center of all time!
Someone didn't start to play basketball until I believe until he was 15 years old and he becomes one of the best centers to play in nba, now right there that is respect👍🏽
So you calling him a Terrorist or something bad like that huh? You know not all Muslims are bad people? You sound fucking stupid man. I don't give shit what religion or what he believes in he one of greatest center of all time and a two time nba champion so yeah am going give him Credit
+Nick Garza don't talk to me like that u weasel
+Jeremy Pearce what are you going do about it? Let guess nothing
+Jeremy Pearce how am I bullying you? Your the one comment on my post? No I haven't been trolling anyone so how about you get lost and quit saying lies. Yeah I do have life actually I go to college and work so please you don't even know and you saying am trolling you?
+Nick Garza your a loser you want to run your mouth off on the Internet because in real life you're a scared little boy. your typical bully once you put in the corner you start attacking and cowering like a coward , people like you have nothing better to do in your mundane boring lives than to troll and stalk harmless law abiding citizens on TH-cam. be a man for once in your life stop bullying because it's not right you came up against someone who won't stand for it and it scares you and intimidate you so now you know how your victims of bullying feel
Hakeem is not only the greatest center in NBA history, but truly one of the most humble souls on God's green and blue planet. I love how he talks about how he did not seek greatness throughout his career, but how greatness found him. Congratulations Hakeem, your solid work ethic and your humble spirit are just two of the many reasons why you stand before the greats of all time. :-)
what god?
How true he is a man of faith and a amazing human being!
Kareem, wilt, Russell
A devout Muslim who took his religion seriously.
1 of the greatest HOF speeches ever, no pauses for applause and just so humble and grateful that it brings tears to my eyea
what a guy ..u can see how humble and down to earth he is...
Without Hakeem the Rockets would've lost to my Knicks in the 1994 NBA Finals. He kicked our asses.
+Randy H. without hakeem they wouldn't have ever been there
Captain Hook Oh most definitely!
+Captain Hook 😂😂😂😂
It's alright man, Dream kicked most everyone's asses. At least the Knicks didn't get it quite as bad as poor D Rob in 95
Mr. Jish Oh yeah! The Magic got swept correct?
One of the greatest Centers & Players of All-Time🐐
You are so right about that! All it took was a coin flip for the 1st pick at the '84 draft. When it went the Rockets way, Hakeem declared for the NBA. Dream felt very much @ home in Houston. But think about how different the NBA would be today if one or both those things dont happen.
HUMBLENESS WILL GET YOU FAR IN LIFE!!🙏🏾👍🏿🙏🏾👍🏿🙏🏾🙏🏾
Jordan chose him as a Cnter in his best of all time team. That good was he.
Why did people dislike this speech? The dream was real deal.
The most complete skilled center and probably and arguably the BEST CENTER in NBA history!
Wilt... Kareem
@@jamesjackson2117 hakeem is more skilled than them
Honestly the only player that you can look up to. So honorable and humble and respectful. His story is so unique and different from everyone else. His play style was unique from everyone and he’s the only player That I look up to.
L Bird as well.
David Robinson
You have made us proud🇬🇭
He is not Ghanaian
Very articulate and elegant speech from the big man!
A true legendary Center,one that's unguardable.
He is a great man! Humble, hard working, telented, great character! :))
The greatest, most humble basketball player I ever met!
Hakeem is the man, but as I'm scrolling down I see 8 dislikes, who the F**k could dislike this?!
jr jr Knicks fans and Magic fans lol
;D
17 dislikes now
Must be David Robinson
Best centre of all time! My Nigerian brother!
the most humble basket ball player I have ever seen !!!!!! congradulations! Hakeem Olajuwon God Bless you!!
Hakeem is one of the best role models for any athlete. He is very competitive. Beyond the court, however, he is very humble and knows where he stands in life. We need more guys like him in today's NBA.
That man is the greatest.
I love this dude! How cool was it for Drexler his college and professional team mate to welcome him into the Hall of Fame. Hakeem is a class act all around.
Best Center EVER . Best moves best fadeaway best Body Motion best Shot Quickness Fairness etc
That's why NBA players go to him for advice.
Hakeem is my coach in Birmingham, England for the city of Birmingham basketball team
X Grind Lucky...
Yh i went for a camp once lmnl your point guard go hard.... I’ll be there 2020
@@n.s2368 Hakeem still there?
@@affye3127 I believe he is. Look up "Birmingham Rockets"
Hakeem true gentleman. To me he will go down as one top 5 NBA centers of all time.
Jason Burdette I'd say top 3, with Kareem and Wilt
He's a top five overall player of all time Bro
Top 5 34
@@marktorres6255 exactly
@@waipareil eh.. Kareem mostly only dominated when he had help from his HOF teammates. Thanks to guys like Oscar and Magic...they elevated his game and his "eliteness". His stats got bolstered further due to his longevity.
Hakeem had few all-stars and few healthy, elite teammates throughout his entire career. He was always the best player on his team. Don't get me wrong.. Kareem was an all-time talent at the Center but he's not close to top 5 center or goat conversations.
My favorite player ever. So glad he was able to do great things as a rocket.
HAKEEM COULD VERY WELL BE THE BEST CENTER WHO EVER PLAYED....IVE NEVER SEEN A CENTER WITH THE FOOTWORK, FINESSE, AND SHOOTING ABILITY LIKE THE DREAM.....HIS TRADEMARK 10 FOOT BASELINE FADE AWAY TURNAROUND SHOT, WILL LIVE IN MY HEART FOREVER....RARELY DID HE EVER MISS THAT SHOT...THE DREAM WAS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLE MEN THAT IVE EVER SEEN....I FOLLOWED HIS WHOLE CAREER, AND I CANNOT REMEMBER HIM EVER GETTING UPSET OR OUTSIDE OF HIS HUMBLE CHARACTER...NOT ONLY WAS THE DREAM ONE OF THE TOP THREE BEST CENTERS OF ALL TIME, IF NOT THE BEST, HE ALSO WAS A HUMBLE PEACEFUL KIND RESPECTFUL CLASSY AND DIGNIFIED MAN.....I CANT FORGET A GREAT GENTLEMAN AND SPORTSMANSHIP PROFESSIONAL......THANKS DREAM FOR ALL THAT U GAVE US....ALSO THANK U FOR BEING ONE OF THE PIONEERS WHO HELPED TO BRING AFRICAN SPORTS PLAYERS TO AMERICA, SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SUCCESS, AND GO BACK AND HELP MOTHER AFRICA...........OAKLAND CALIFORNIA......
Joe Johnson he's definitely the most skilled center ever
Antbeast23 YES INDEED...THX FOR COMMENTING
sexy 2
stop shouting pls
Other than the guy who scored 100 pts in a game
Love Olajuwon, as a table tennis player I feel we are finally getting the recognition that we deserve.
I remember when watching the NBA with my dad. Hakeem was his favorite player. I miss those days.
Hey man great times for sure
The Dream indeed you are Sir Hakeem Olajuwon- Gentle Giant and among the finest from Nigeria.
So humble and a heart of gratitude. huge respect Mr Olajuwon.
Seems like really humble guy.
Jason Burdette he is. Notice the silence. Everyone respected him and still respects him.
Much respect to Olajuwon (the best center I've ever seen play)...
...but, the next time I find myself struggling to fall asleep I'll be coming back to this speech.
If you want to stay awake, listen to Mutombo's speech. It will give you daymares.
I was scrolling the comments to see if I was the only one....
You’re pathetic
Hakeem is an awesome humble person that appreciates everything he has accomplished A great Human being!
absolutely one of the best centers ever......
I love Shaq,but Dream is #1
There is a guy who scored 100 pts in a game
@@jamesjackson2117 in an Era where all his competition was like 6’4” white guys and him(Wilt) being a 7 footer.
@@kanyecrazy7440 he cant control his birthday .....btw Babe Ruth is considered the best baseball player....when alllll the players were little white guys....they don't hold it against him
@@jamesjackson2117 i feel u guess u right. But all im saying is if we took 1962 Wilt Chamberlain and time traveled him in to 2021 he would not still be grabbing 30-50 rebounds a game and dropping 40+ points every single night.
may allah bless y brother. we feel how honest and modest y are! may allah bless your parents y are every muslims dream mr dream hakim
such a class act..and of course an unbelievable basketball player
Damn it feels good to be from Houston. Not only was he a legendary player he is a great person. It's very cool to see him walking around Robertson Stadium during University of Houston football games like a normal dude.
Because he's so humble, people often forget about him which is why he is extremely underrated. However despite his humbleness, he's probaly also the best center to watch
My favorite NBA player of all time!
My fav player of all time! Tnx you man, for your greatness!
Olajuwon brought that "umpff" to the game of basketball. I remember watching him play while I was pregnant with both of my children, hoping that I would not go into early labor!
I’m in tears!!
At the last game in Hofheinz, last year, they had the court full of cougar basketball alumni and they passed the ball down the line, through the decades... At the other end of the court Clyde 'The Glide' Drexler passed the ball to Hakeem 'The Dream' Olajuwon and he dunked...I actually cried. I can't believe I got to see him dunk... I'm still speechless. Aselamu Alejkum brother!
As salaamu alaikum Hakeem O
THE BEST, THE DREAM
Hakeem was greatest Center of all time.
And just great guy
Hakeem, Sabonis, Wilt...best centers ever. Thank u god for these players! amen
He's so humble... such a class act, this man. The DR34M
The Dream was THE TRUTH!!!
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
great men I convert to islam after hakim give the holy Quran as gift wow great holy book and I thank Allah for using hakim to get me to the straight path islam much loooooove brother hakim
Shit religion 🤣
Olofmeister Due to your numerous scholarly studies, I’m sure you’re convinced.
Alhamdulillah
Mohammed was A pedophile
Nice story
No center in the past, present and I say future will ever match the low post moves, the inside paint moves, and the outside shooting ability not to mention the block shots of the Dream. Plus he played in the what I think was the greatest era of talent in NBA history or today 1984-1995
+itillbeme1 jahlil okafur
+Guy Thomas LOL cmon now.. Okafur?
+Guy Thomas Hakeem was already an all star by his rookie season. Okafor still needs time to develop.
+AgentJ2007 To be fair, Olajuwon played 3 years in college, while Okafor only had one.
Trey B. Cartwright To also be fair, Olajuwon didnt start playing basketball until he was 15.
My favorite center of all time, best example you could have for a center.
My man, the dream! Most talented center ever
Best C of all time.
Wonderful basketball player and an eloquent speaker.
Love the silence in the room. Can't get more respect than that. My favorite center of all time. Perfect example of a true center. Today's big men need to mentored by him.
Not only one of the top 10 greatest ever, but one of the greatest tutors of the game.
Greatest of all time
A class act!! The best of all time
Class act all the way.
1994-1995 NBA back to back World champion clutch city
When Jordan was away
@@jamesjackson2117 You’re acting like he’d beat him.
One of the most humble pro player, if not the most humble of all times. Allah bless you my brother!
Hakeem Olajuwon was a BEAST at Offense and a BEAST at Defense.
All around great player and a great person.
m.A., bro! Proud of you.
I'm a Knicks fan, and I LOVED Patrick Ewing who is an absolute LEGEND!
With that said, Hakeem Olajuwon is, without a doubt, the GREATEST center I've ever seen, and in my opinion the best center to ever play the game. He did EVERYTHING well. No other center was as well rounded as Hakeem. I'm lucky man. I grew up in the GREATEST era in NBA history from 1984-1999.
The Dream. Man what a center. Loved watching him play.
Greatest Center of all time.
Thank you for the inspiration athletically and Spiritually. I admire your gentle & soft spoken nature, and that pump fake and footwork in the key. Love and respect to you, your Family, and your Homeland, Nigeria. 🙏♥️ God's Blessings, Kyle
Everyone saying he only won rings coz MJ retired. Firstly, MJ played the second half of the Rocket's 2nd championship season, lost to the Magic who the Dream then SWEPT. MJ with another 25-35 games under his belt that year is unlikely to have changed the result. Lastly, the Rockets are the only team to have a winning regular season record vs the Bulls from 92-96. Shame they never met in the championship series.
Bec Boone Now that would have truly been a Finals for the ages. The two greatest players in the ‘90s squaring off would have been a joy to watch.
MJ never won anything without pippen and only beat the celtics after birds back went out how come people don't mention that
@@MrDasilva8383 The same reason why you didn't mention that Bird won with 3+ Hall of Fame teammates while all Jordan had was Pippen.
Ralph Simpson MJ was surrounded by three point spot up shooters dumb ass and also had rodman
@@rss83073SFBayArea Pippen is rated by many as top 20 of all time. He's underrated because MJ got all the spotlight. When MJ retired he won all star MVP and came in third for league MVP, which Hakeem ended up winning. Kerr leads the NBA in all time 3 point percentage. Rodman was the best rebounder/defender.
Can we take a moment to recognize the Lagos state coach Ganiu who taught Hakeem how to play basketball the way Tyson's coach taught him boxing? Standing ovation please!!!
Th DREAM SHAKE: Legendary!
the GREATEST ALL AROUND BIG MAN EVER!
So wonderful a speech.... The Dream -Akeem Olajuwon.
I knew you back then in Rowe Park with Coach Guinne 'Ganiu'.
🐐 and my all time favorite player! Thanks for all the great memories,Dream!
what a player!
Great player and such a class act.
Olajuwon is one of the great centers of all time.
Greatest center no doubt about it
So proud of this man. Absolute legend. Wish I could meet him someday.