VOTE: Hakeem Olajuwon as Mr. Basketball

by Tom Martin on Nov 3, 2009 2:53 PM CST in Discussions about Badasses Comment 15 comments

Folks, before doing anything else, read this press release. It will fill you in on what is going on:

DAPHNE, Ala. - There is less than a month remaining to help the United States Sports Academy in its efforts to name "Mr. Basketball."

Voting to name the new sculpture dedicated to basketball in the Academy's environmentally-friendly Sport Sculpture Park closes on Thanksgiving Day, 26 November 2009. Through the Academy's website at www.ussa.edu/ballots/basketball-player, people are invited to help name the player from a list of 15 legends of the game. Voters may also write in another nominee if their desired choice isn't on the list, giving the vote a "Sweet 16" flavor.

The list of players to select from includes, in alphabetical order: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Michael Jordan, George Mikan, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Bill Russell and Jerry West.

I want Hakeem Olajuwon to be sculpted. Not Yao Ming. So vote for The Dream here.

Let's be honest: Yao Ming hasn't come close to Hakeem as a player. As an international icon, yes. But not as a player, nor as an all-time great. I think we can make this happen. VOTE HAKEEM!

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So Kobe, Yao, Dirk as active players, and no Duncan? Wow. Just wow.

If the Red Nation apparatchiks start talking about a Five Year Plan, I'm out of here.

by Xiane on Nov 3, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

if the vote is over who is the “greatest” player of all time, there are (obviously) only a few currently active who could be discussed in those terms. Of the currently active players, I think only Duncan could really be said to be possibly the “greatest.”

In 2020, we’ll look back and probably say Lebron James was the greatest who ever played, but it seems a little early for that. Same goes for Chris Paul.

by Only_A_Lad on Nov 3, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as we are being “honest”…

… who here “honestly” thinks that Hakeem will beat out Michael Jordan for this?

“Honestly”, I think both Bird & Magic get more votes, too.

Now having said this, I would still vote for my man Hakeem.

But to think he has a chance to beat out all 3 of those other guys is a little far-fetched. MJ is just too popular and the whole ‘’Magic VS Bird’’ thing makes it difficult to think that Hakeem can beat all of them out.

I’d love to be wrong about that but I’m afraid I won’t be…

I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...

by steeler-hater on Nov 3, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I voted for Hakeem, but felt like voting for The Big O.

Now, if Yao can rock the China vote, it could get interesting.

If the Red Nation apparatchiks start talking about a Five Year Plan, I'm out of here.

by Xiane on Nov 3, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

weird

This is a USA basketball thing… I feel awkward voting for Hakeem since he’s not exactly from here. But f—k it, vote Hakeem! (And voting for Yao for the same reasons is even more ridiculous)

by grungedave on Nov 3, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dude,..Hakeem Olajuwon is as American as you or I. He was good enough to rep the US in the 96 olympics so he’s good enough for this.

by ismail on Nov 3, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I said I felt "awkward"

I never said he wasn’t a citizen. But I’m really confused as to why Yao is on the short list.

by grungedave on Nov 3, 2009 11:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hakeem

Is Muslim. It is against his religion to be sculpted or have any other “likeness” of him be created. That is why his sculpture outside Toyota is his jersy – not his face.

Not trying to be sassy, but I’m surprised you guys didn’t know this.

Hakeem doesn’t want to be “Mr. Basketball.”

And Hakeem > Jordan, steeler-hater (just look up who performed better in head to head mathups).

by stuartallen83 on Nov 3, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well

I’d be shocked if this wasn’t brought up within the powers that be who are leading this project.

The Dream Shake ...on Twitter.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak

by Tom Martin on Nov 3, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm well aware of this

Doesn’t mean I’m not voting for him. Who says they won’t do something similar?

www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer

by UofTOrange on Nov 3, 2009 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know all about the head-to-head match-ups…

… that’s why I wish MJ hadn’t gone to play baseball during the Rockets mid-90s title run. I KNOW those two Rocket teams would have beaten the Bulls. Those Rockets teams of the 90s always matched up very well against Chicago.

The reason MJ will probably get voted this honor is because he is considered (by most) to be the greatest basketball player who ever lived. His popularity is world-wide and (sorry to say it but) he is considered
(by most) to have been both more popular and a better ball player than Hakeem was.

That said, I would have still chosen Hakeem in that draft ahead of MJ if the Rockets had a “do-over” on that draft. I always liked Hakeem. But my personal likes don’t change the fact that MJ is who he is and is very likely to win that award. Period.

I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...

by steeler-hater on Nov 4, 2009 6:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hakeem?

Got a good point about him being muslim.. hakeem really wouldn’t want the award.

Also, you have to give it to the best… and that’s Jordan

by Musashiden46 on Nov 3, 2009 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What no Robert Horry????

I voted for Hakeem for obvious reasons but it really should go to russell, but jordan will win unfortunately

"It's who we are," Battier said. "I don't think we're going to get the love of the six foot blonde bombshell. That's what the Lakers are here for. It's alright, I like our demographic."

by DREAM34 on Nov 3, 2009 11:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

no worries

Robert Horry wins this competition if I were in charge. Even if I had to rig the final vote.

by grungedave on Nov 4, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hakeem....

all the way. not just b/c of who i am as a fan, there are alot of names of players that will go down as the best to ever play the game, and hakeem rightfully deserves to be up there. IMO opinion he is one (if not THE) the best centers to ever step on to the floor. and not pointed to anyone imparticular, but dream would stuff the s**t out of Jordan. that’s right i said it!

"Waiting for the return of the Mac"
"Let VY loose, give him the chance to play his heart out. for himself, for the titans...and for mcnair"
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by kg_2005 on Nov 4, 2009 2:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs