Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 at 3:31 pm  |  65 responses

Video: Hakeem Olajuwon Training Dwight Howard

Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon still looks NBA ready. Now can he teach the games top center to be even better?

(H/T Magic Basketball)

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  • http://www.twitter.com/JoshElam JE

    I’d honestly never thought about or heard the pointer Hakeem gave about jumping before catching the ball. It’s sort of brilliant, and I’m a little pissed at every coach I’ve ever had for not teaching that one.

  • Reflex

    I don’t care what anyone says, and I’m probably speaking more from my heart than my head but Hakeem could still give your favourite centre 20+ pts on any given night, real talk

  • mike

    i think its funny how when people see dwight working on his game, they always point out “he should know that by now” , but its like. let’s face it people , he should know it by now, but he doesnt, so now he is learning. So just be patient. He has been the #1 center for the past few years, and everyone just points out his shortcomings. keep learning D12, we are all excited

  • D12FSU

    Bill Russell was never an offensive force (career average of 19pts, correct me if I’m wrong) but he is rightly considered one of the greatest centers of all time, why…because of defense. Dwight probably has peaked offensively, the only thing he can really do is work on FTs…but why do you all fail to mention that he is the most dominant defensive player in the league. Leads the L in blocks and rebounds, even FG% so what if he wont ever be a shooter….he doesnt need to be. He is much more valuable on the block, clogging the paint and opening up the outside for shooters. Also, name me a center who A) plays more games than dwight every season, and B) averages more points…you cant

  • The Philosopher

    @D12FSU:
    Actually, some of my past quotes on Dwight Howard indicate that in my opinion, Howard will go down as one of the greatest defensive players in NBA History. It was right when he won the award.
    Anyways, your last question…
    I’ll say this;
    Howard’s time is now. I’ll give him that. He is among only a handful of dominant (albeit, not completely dominant) centers since the 90′s, Shaq, and Tim Duncan.
    It is too bad that Greg Oden has not been able to stay healthy. Howard needs an aech rival.
    Bet he would get a more effective post game if he had real individual competition.
    His first few years in The League he showed promise. He had baseline hooks, and all.

  • The Philosopher

    *arch* rival

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    I saw Hakeem on Pro’s vs. Joe’s about a month or so ago…let’s just say he’s not ready to be back in the NBA. Hakeem skills are still there, but he can’t jump and he can’t guard….unless the 6′ 8″ kid he was playing against was Lebron in a Division 2 players body.

  • http://www.springbored.net letsmotor

    damnit, why do i have to be 5-9?!!

  • http://slamonline.com MVPballer

    Some of you guys are acting like Howard is there to learn these moves for the first time. It’s not about learning new moves, it’s about polishing the moves that he has right now so that he can use them in games.
    Of course he knew a jumphook and a spin. But, it’s about those little things. That’s what’s gonna make Dwight a dominant big man.

  • D12FSU

    @Philosopher, I agree with you, Dwight does put up great numbers because about 90% of teams in the L have crap centers. There used to be about 4-5 teams that could give dwight trouble cause of length, but now theres only 2 (Bos and LA). Boston has the 3 best guys to guard dwight (Shaq Perks and even jermaine) Whenever dwight goes againt any of them he only puts up like 12 and 12. But still..against some of the up and coming center like Bogut and Lopez, Dwight dominates them…..best center in the league

  • bigdoggchad

    Dwight needs to bring up his release on his jump shot and jump hook. Maybe he needs to work on his flexibility more. He is freakishly athletic but looks real stiff.

  • http://thosefishtacosarethetits.blogspot.com Boston_Blogg3r

    No killer instinct.

  • giogolo

    It’s about time D.!Embrace the game. Learn from the master. Might D..>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • TR

    Notice how Dwight always lands on one foot after turnarounds, off balance. Notice how he moves his pivot foot and travels ALL the time, even when he’s practicing moves.
    Seems like he’s also got a real problem stopping his own rotational momentum; once he’s doing a spin move, seems he doesn’t know how to stop rotating.
    Now, I like Dwight, he seems like a great guy, and is entertaining to watch play, but man, I hope he can learn to balance himself.

  • Pingback: SLAM ONLINE | » Hakeem Olajuwon Tutored Rashard Lewis in the Summer

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