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Thought it would be nice to start a Dream Appreciation Thread. Without him we would never have 2 Titles, and he was almost traded before the championship years?? Give it up Houston He and Earl are our top all time sports stars!!

I Love Hakeem like a brother. Hes a hero to everyone. He wouldnt let them build a statue of him because it hints that he immortal and its against his religon so he just put his jersey and his name. Very classy move by a very classy person.

By far my favorite player of all time--a truly unique talent and a professional in every sense of the word. I can't think of many people more deserving of a place in the hall. A global ambassador, a college standout, a world champion and gold medal winner. Revolutionized the center position, brought something new to the table.

Others may disagree, but Dream is easily in my top-10 of all time. Simply an amazing player and person.

Never a bad time to post this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBrEsNS9zKg

The most skilled ever to play the center position. He most definitely is Top 10 of all-time, and I don't see how you could argue against it.

Not to mention he represents his sport, his religion, his country, and his family with amazing grace, humility, and honor.

Isn't it nice when your sports heroes just happen to be good people?

I don't think the Rockets ever regretted for a second not taking Jordan. I Houston had half-way decent management for the 1st half of his career and Sampson stayed healthy history as we know it might have been totally different.

Oh, and is it just me, or does that block on John Starks never get old????

That and the KJ block, yeah.

Amazing player on both ends of the floor, was the prototypical dominant C that had no weaknesses. Greatest sports figure in Houston sports history, no doubt.

TMACFORMVP wrote:Amazing player on both ends of the floor, was the prototypical dominant C that had no weaknesses. Greatest sports figure in Houston sports history, no doubt.

I wouldnt say without a doubt, I still think Biggio is, but congrats to Hakeem.

A.J. wrote:

TMACFORMVP wrote:Amazing player on both ends of the floor, was the prototypical dominant C that had no weaknesses. Greatest sports figure in Houston sports history, no doubt.

I wouldnt say without a doubt, I still think Biggio is, but congrats to Hakeem.

Biggo got swept at winning a tittle, and he wasn't even in his prime, Hakeem did what no one in the city of Houston has done and that is bring championships, not 1 but 2. While also establishing himself as a top 10 player of all time, while getting more accolades and awards than Biggo has ever seen. Just sharing my fair two cents

A.J. wrote:

TMACFORMVP wrote:Amazing player on both ends of the floor, was the prototypical dominant C that had no weaknesses. Greatest sports figure in Houston sports history, no doubt.

I wouldnt say without a doubt, I still think Biggio is, but congrats to Hakeem.

I think you say Biggio because you are a baseball fan. Someone who has prob. NEVER watched baseball would not know who he is, because he was not in headlines alot. Except for the Mr. 3000 thing. But he is a great houston athlete

Hakeem in my honest opinion was the greatest center of all time. I mean, he destroyed all the top centers of his generation.

Ewing
Shaq
Robinson

Those guys couldn't handle The Dream. Makes me proud to be a Nigerian.

I'd give Hakeem the nod over Biggio any day. I like how people always talk trash about Portland's selection of Sam Bowie over Jordan, but you NEVER hear people talking about Houston selecting Olajuwon with the number one pick. It's obvious why...he was one of the greats as well.

Hakeem vs Bidge isn't even close. Craig's prime was largely defined by failure. He's arguably not even the biggest star in his own franchise's history let alone Houston sports. Take his 3000th hit for example. He got it largely by sticking around through a bunch of .260 seasons until he finally got it. He isn't in the running for best player ever at his position, he has not mvp's, and he won no titles in his career. There's just no argument to be made.

Hell, when discussing Houston athletes I would rank Carl Lewis and Nolan Ryan higher than Biggio.

I loved Olajuwon. I think he is one of the most humble SUPERSTAR athletes that the world of sports has ever seen. When we won he always made it a point to let his teammates know that they were just as important to the teams success as he was.

His game was just so beautiful to watch. He dominated games on both ends of the floor. His offense was something that the NBA had never seen for a big man his size. IMO he is the text-book definition of what a "CENTER" truly is in the game of basketball. I also believe that he is truly the GREATEST center to ever play the game, Abdul-Jabbar said the the same thing about him.

I loved MJ but Im not mad at all that we went with Hakeem.

C'mon A.J. are you kidding me? I love Biggio but Hakeem is EASILY the face of Houston sports. Thats not even debatable imo.

Name one memorable incident from Craig Biggio that was not his 3000th milestone hit. NONE.
Hakeem is, by far and large, the biggest sports icon of Houston. Just because dude was a soft-spoken gentleman who didn't enough global attention doesn't mean that his accomplishments must be watered down. Baseball is the bigger sports in this country, but Hakeem reminded all of us what it means to be a true professional and a superstar on the baskeball.

RealGM keeps talking about the Elite 6 (Russell, Wilt, Jabbar, Bird, Magic, Jordan), but they should include Hakeem into that list and call it The 7 Wonders of Basketball.

T-Mac United wrote:RealGM keeps talking about the Elite 6 (Russell, Wilt, Jabbar, Bird, Magic, Jordan), but they should include Hakeem into that list and call it The 7 Wonders of Basketball.

Well I take Russell out and call it the Ultimate 1st Team. Then I group Russell with Hakeem, Shaq, Dr J, Duncan, Robertson, and West and put them into Best Bench Ever.

Another thing about Hakeem is when you went into a game while he was in his prime you could always argue that he was the best player on the court. He gave you a sense of secuirty because of his awesomeness. Biggio never did that.

What can I say, I named my son Akeem in honor of the greatest ever in the NBA.

Yes I say greatest ever, I believe he was better than Jordan, but that's my opinion. (One I commonly cause arguments with.)

Did Jordan ever get a Quadruple double? I think not!

I think he should have been inducted earlier though, like when he was playing!

He is my all time hero, favourite Sportstar, whatever you want to call him.

My greatest regret in life, is not seeing him when he visited Australia in the 90's with the NBA Jam Session Tour. Although I did get photographs, and have a signed jersey, (My most valuable material possesion!)

Hakeem was the one who got me into basketball, He even gave me the name on the back of my graduation jumper in high school