Hakeem Olajuwon And Patrick Ewing became part of one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history. These two iconic athletes set new standards for centers in the league through their distinct skill sets and playing styles. A further similarity between "The Dream" and "Big Pat" was that they both served as the cornerstone players for their teams during their peak years—the Rockets boasted Hakeem Olajuwon, and Ewing for the New York Knicks.
Although it seemed like Olajuwon and Ewing were going to end their careers with their respective teams, they unexpectedly found themselves being traded towards the latter part of their notable tenures. In 2001, Ewing was moved to the Seattle SuperSonics, followed by Olajuwon being sent off to the Toronto Raptors. Toronto Raptors the following year.
At that moment, Father Time had been more favorable to both future Hall of Famers. Nonetheless, "Dream" firmly believed that he aged better as an athlete compared to Ewing.
The distinction between Patrick and myself lies in the fact that he has experienced severe injuries, whereas I have not encountered such incidents. Olajuwon said After linking up with the Raptors during the same offseason that the Orlando Magic brought in Ewing, Issue I've faced were related to appearance.
The Raptors were enthusiastic about Hakeem.
Before going their separate ways with the Rockets , Olajuwon faced some injuries. Although these injuries weren't severe enough to jeopardize his career, it was clear that they had significantly impacted his physical condition.
Many doubted Olajuwon’s capabilities due to his age. However, at 39 years old, “The Dream” stayed calm amidst the skepticism. Actually, the twelve-time All-Star center was eager to make considerable contributions to his new squad.
Feeling odd about not wearing a Rockets jersey, Olajuwon shared his thoughts back then. I'm here to assist in helping this team secure victory. I feel fantastic, better than I have in ages. Regardless of others' opinions on my capabilities, I remain confident. We possess both the skill and dedication, and I firmly believe in our success.
Not surprisingly, Olajuwon’s move to Toronto sparked enthusiasm among his new teammates. For Raptors All-Stars Vince Carter and Antonio Davis, having a top-tier player like Hakeem join their team is undoubtedly a good thing.
Things will improve with Antonio Davis returning to his usual position, Carter spoke about Olajuwon joining the Raptors. We've seen excellent performance from him in the center position over recent years, but adding the Dream enhances our squad. It’s clear what he brings to the table—swatting shots and defending the paint. This player has a winning record.
Having someone who has achieved everything and can show you how they got there is significant, he added.
"That speaks volumes," Davis commented on Hakeem coming to the Raptors. What I'm saying is, he has faced off against Shaquille O'Neal in the NBA Finals before. He has proven himself as the top performer at his position. He ranks among the greatest players ever. So, he’s an ideal fit for this team.
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Hakeem and Ewing's last NBA campaign
In that season, Olajuwon averaged 7.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 61 games for the Raptors. On the other hand, Ewing logged 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 65 games with the Magic .
It turned out to be their farewell run in the NBA. Both big men failed to live up to the hype of their trades and were prompted to call it a career at the end of the season.
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