Players turn to Olajuwon in offseason

Post #1 » by **mkwest** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:42 pm

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, who tutored James last summer before his regular season and Finals MVP season with Miami, said Saturday that New York big men Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler will work out with him in August in the Houston area and he's optimistic of Clippers forward Blake Griffin also enlisting his services.

The workout with Stoudemire and Chandler will be in late August because that's when Chandler is expected to be back after likely playing for Team USA in the Olympics. Around that time, Stoudemire is hopeful of also having a session with Griffin, who also could play in the Olympics.

Olajuwon said there was talk with Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro about bringing Griffin in last year but it didn't work out due to the NBA lockout. But Olajuwon is optimistic about being able to tutor Griffin this offseason.

"He needs it so bad because he has tremendous talent and his skills are so good," Oljuwon said. "But he can't create. So you give him opportunities and you give him ways to do that. It would be amazing what he could do with all the skills and talent (Griffin has)… You saw in the playoffs, most of his points were more opportunity baskets. With the talent he has, I know it will be easy for him to be a different player."

"It's not just the low-post game, it's working on a scoring mentality," said Olajuwon, who does the teaching although he's assisted by some workout partners. "We work on face-ups… It's not the same moves taught for every player. You look at every player and you see what their comfort level is and then you expand from that comfort level… What I like is that you see a different player the next season. I want to see an instant impact."

Chris Tomasson, Fox Sports Florida

Post #2 » by **mkwest** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:56 pm

This is exciting news. I've wanted DJ to visit the Dream for the past few years, but was also hopeful that Blake would see him as well. The fact that Olajuwon and Vinny have been in talks is promising. Blake does a lot as is, but is just barely scratching the surface of what he could be. He works hard for what he gets, but becoming a more skilled and more experienced player can make things easier on him as well as his teammates. As far as the session with Stoudemire goes, I'm a little confused by the wording. Does he want to train with Blake on their own or together with Olajuwon?

JaVale McGee will be attending the Shaquille O'neal Big Man camp this summer and is in talks to visit Hakeem (along with 3 other Nugget bigs). I wish the DJ would do the same. He said that he had planned on seeing Olajuwon last summer, but saw John Lucas instead. Perhaps his plans fell through just as Blake's supposed visit did. If you want to become a better player in this league, you need to constantly be looking for ways to improve and become a smarter basketball player. I hope he has something going for himself this offseason.

mike3 · Post #3 » by **mike3** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 12:33 am

Exciting the belief Olajuwon has in Blake if Blake goes and sees him. Now its on Blake from what that story says.. really hope he does go an see him so he can learn some things of Olajuwon. He'd be stupid if he didn't.

Post #4 » by **og15** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 6:03 am

Yea, that's really good to hear, seems like Hakeem sees a lot of potential in him, which is nice, hopefully Blake can put in the work and we see the immediate benefits. That plus an improved shot would do wonders for him.

Det the Threat · Post #5 » by **Det the Threat** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 8:00 am

I really hope Blake takes that opportunity and works with Olajuwon.
He needs a lot of work on his footwork and post moves and that could only help him.

And he should get his buddy a call and get him to train with Hakeem as well, as DJ certainly needs some help on everything on offense.

Angel strike1 · Post #6 » by **Angel strike1** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 9:31 am

drool. please do

LOJ · Post #7 » by **LOJ** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 3:08 pm

Wow, this would be absolutely great. I remember a few of us discussing this in the past, but it seemed like a pipe dream to me.

playaloc916 · Post #8 » by **playaloc916** » Sun Jul 1, 2012 11:09 pm

I really hope it happens. Blake already has a few nice post moves, but if he can learn from Olajuwon, it would just make him that much more deadly.

And don't even get me started on DJ. He should be living with him all summer, given that offensively, he's almost at the same level as when he was a rookie.