Hakeem Olajuwon is undoubtedly one of the best centers the NBA has ever had. However, that doesn’t mean he was perfect. He had his problems on and off the basketball court, which is why he was on the hot seat before the 1988-89 season kicked off.
Olajuwon became the Rockets’ main man following Ralph Sampson’s trade to the Golden State Warriors. With that, the University of Houston product needed to lead by example. This was one reason why the 7-footer wanted his teammates to keep their game at a high level.
“I think I can improve my game 20 percent this year,” the All-Star center said via UPI. “I don’t set goals. I just try to be the best I can,” he added.
Rockets fizzle
After reaching the 1986 Finals, the Rockets were unable to replicate that same success in the 1987 playoffs. They went as deep as the Western Conference semifinals but got eliminated by the Seattle Supersonics in six games.
Houston fared worse in the 1988 playoffs. The Rockets failed to advance beyond the first round, losing to the Dallas Mavericks in four games, and the team looked like it would be sentenced to mediocrity.