Since the very beginning of his 17-season stint with the Houston Rockets , Hakeem Olajuwon has consistently averaged a double-double since his rookie season. Yet he was such a good leader that he never pointed fingers when his team failed to win a championship. This leadership quality wasn’t inborn but cultivated over time.
Following a loss in the NCAA Championship Game in 1984, the 7-foot center didn’t hesitate to blame his teammates and explain how their selfishness cost them the silverware.
Hakeem sounded off on his teammates’ selfishness
During the 1983-84 season, The Dream emerged as one of the most promising young centers, averaging 16.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. Unlike many other promising big men who excelled in either rebounding or scoring, Olajuwon demonstrated proficiency in both areas.
A prime example of his versatility was evident in the Cougars’ semifinal clash against Virginia, where he scored 12 points on 80% shooting from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.