Video: Hakeem Olajuwon Training Dwight Howard

http://www.yamahyouth.com Germs

Learn from the best, to be the best. Now you are taking good steps Dwight. Hopefully this will work out. Remember the Hakeem video where he gets teached bij Moses Malone. Teach what you know Hakeem!

unrel

patrick chewing is rolling in his grave..

RedRum

he should know these moves by know… these are basic post moves. it is ridiculous how todays players lack fundamentals. Are you kidding me? you are a center in the nba for 7 years and you don’t know a post spin? a jump hook? it will take him another 5-7 years to master those, by which time he will be old enough to get schooled by the younger cats coming around.

hammer

Hakeem had the best footwork of any center n L history. One of a kind. Dwight just doesn’t have that kind of footwork n him. Much less a dreamshake. Don’t expect much results from dwight even w/the help of quite possibly the gr8est center of all time

http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

Co-sign RedRum.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Uncle05Sam Earl

Good job, Big Dwight. Also, Hakeem sounds like Chuck Norris’ Chinese master on “An Eye For An Eye”!

http://www.twitter.com/kevinchung Kevin

Hakeem’s always gonna be my favourite player.. always tried to emulate his footwork and post up growing up, despite maxing out at 5’8 haha..

http://klatschendom.wordpress.com/ speedy

Work, work, work!!!!
I would like to see him doing that kind of stuff.
But it is like hammer said. I’m not very confident about him doing that.

http://slamonline.com Nella

Hakeem could seriously give Atlanta some minutes at center right now. You don’t see footwork like that anymore. Timmy D has footwork but not nearly as smooth or as many moves.

Agree that Dwight will never have that footwork but if he can even get 10% better that will make a big difference on the court.

park

damn..hakeem even at his age looks more fluid then dwight

80y4n

This is really plain basic post game, as if he is just starting to play center right now. He was tutored by Pat for how many? Two years? Maybe more and still he looks like he just stepped on the court for the first time. He always looked kinda stiff to me, as if he is pumped up too much, but comparing Robinsons hands to him, he is not even close and D Robinson had a complete perimeter game, as well as a plethora of post up moves. It is not that only his footwork is bad. It is that he is totally uncoordinated, with modest skill and all around basketball knowledge. And these things cant be taught. He can improve his skill a bit, but he wont be ever compared to any of the greats. Too bad as he seems to be such a nice guy and this league is ripe for taking by a skilled center.
And plz pay attention to how everything Hakeem does flows, and is done with ease, and he is around 50:P

Fat Lever

Hammer makes a good point. The reason Hakeem was so great was because he had some of the best footwork of any player in NBA history. A lot of that is instinct. And redrum is right too. In the words of Ed Lover, “c’mon son!” He’s supposed to know basic post moves at this point in his career. I wonder how many takes they had to do to show Dwight making a jump shot. And the main thing I got from that video is it seems like Hakeem is playing chess out there, setting up his opponent, thinking one move ahead. To me, Dwight seems like a checkers player.

SpaceJam

His footwork was so good b/c he played soccer growing up in Africa. He didn’t pick up bball till he was 15. He was a scoring machine. I’m always disappointed by howard’s post game or lack there of. At least he’ll be a good scoring threat now

ripslam

Love how they cut to a shot of Dwight talking right before he took a jumper.

Drew

I’ll say it again. Someone needs to sign Hakeem.

VisionofGreatness

If he can learn and develop any of the moves he learned from Hakeem, he will be even more unstoppable. Not even the Celtics big guys will be able to guard him. Now, the Magic will need to play through him. Not launch threes before he has a chance to post up. He should touch the ball every possession. Play through him and the 3s will open up for VC, Rashard, Jameer, and JJ….And Hakeem still looks like he could average 15 and 10. Especially with the lack of true centers in the league.

Robb

Hakeem’s just the most skilled center ever.

larrylegend

the dream makes it look easy!

Jdubbs

Shaq said he was the best he’d ever played against, and how he got schooled in the ’95 finals.

Hakeem was so sick, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

But you guys saying he could play now, come on. He’s way to old to play in the league now.

Natron05

I’m glad Dwight took a page from Kobe’s book and went to Hakeem. However Kobe has the footwork and discipline to really apply this and read what his defender is doing, while Dwight will get better because of this training for sure, just imagine if you put Kobe’s brain in to Dwights body. I could see Kobe asking questions, and really picking Hakeem’s brain, while Dwight I could see just doing what he is told over and over again.

JTaylor21

Dubbs is right I love Hakeem more than any other Big in league history except KG but old dude would struggle to defend the paint and run the floor in today’s league. Stay retired Keem and enjoy your life as Africa’s Royal Prince of Zamunda.

http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

“He is master Splinter, I am Donatello!” Nah, I think Dwight is more Michelangelo…

Natron05

Realistically, you are going to tell me that even now you would rather have big Z than hakeem? No way…I agree he is old, but did you not watch this video? You don’t think he could log in 10 – 15 effective minutes if he wanted to? For sure he could. At the end of the day, basketball is basketball. You can teach size, and you tell me the last time you saw a more skilled basketball player with that kind of size down low.

Natron05

I mean you can’t teach size.

t-sizzle

there’s something really wrong with dwight, way too stiff.. besides that the main thing i got from this video is dwight isn’t very effective in his movements. his movements (spins and stuff included) are very often too big and not straight and fast and to the point, like how hakeem does it. plus his separation fadeaway jumpshot is so slow because he hangs in the air before releasing. he needs to release that ball faster to make that move unblockable. maaan, he’s got a lot of work to put in!

t-sizzle

i meant efficient.. dude needs to work our less and do some feet exercises or something

t-sizzle

he woulda been a poor man’s mutombo in the 90′s

D12FSU

i know its preseason, and it was against a still very stiff yao, but Dwight looked solid last night. He wasnt hesitant with his moves, he caught the ball and did his thing. Ususally he waits 2-3 seconds to evaluate the situation, pump fake a jump shot. But last night he pulled the trigger quickly on 2 jumpers, both went in, which forced yao to start to respect the outside shot…which dwight took advantage by pump faking and going strong to the basket…..cant wait for the season to start

guytoofly

it’s sad that so many bigmen today lack a reliable 15 foot jumper, and that 15 years ago leaving a center open would often be an easy two points.

Mitya

Would you please stop hating? Hakeem could play now? C’mon man, playing in an actual competitive game on the highest possible level is very different from breaking down a spin move in slo mo in an empty gym. And it’s not like Dwight’s never done any of this, but he’s being tutored by one of the greats, so of course, he won’t say “oh, sure, I know this!” – he’ll pay attention and try to pick up those little nuances. Shaq never spun too much, and he’ll be in HOF. So will Dwight, especially if he wins a couple of chips by the time he’s done.

Natron05

Dwight will be in the HOF even if he doesn’t win a championship. I don’t think anyone doubts he is and will be the one of the more dominating centers ever, I just think his lack of focus and seriousness will ensure he never reaches his full potential, which is one of the best big men ever in the history of basketball.

http://sdklff.com Jukai

Of course Hakeem could play now
but why would he want to?
Does he really want to play 15 minutes a game?
Would he really want to be dunked on by Russell Westbrook when he knows in his mind, in his heyday, he’d send that guy on his ass?
Does he really want to blow dunks cause he doesn’t have the jump?
I mean, Hakeem knew when to quit

http://sdklff.com Jukai

Mitya: Shaq actually spun a lot, I mean, that was actually one of his go-to post moves… so… yeah….

http://www.kb24.com The Seed

I told yall that the Magic will have the best record in the East and Dwight working with Hakeem will make him even better. I don’t care if it basic post moves, that can get Dwight 6 to 10 more points a game. BOOK IT!!!

The Philosopher

Great video. Again.
There was a point in the video where one could almost read Howard’s body language. Like he knows that this aspect of the game is never going to be a strength for him.
Dream looked like he noticed the same thing, but kept it moving.
Last year I, along with others have repeatedly stated that Howard has already peaked offensively.
He may show a little improvement.
It would behoove him, because once those springs go…

Fat Lever

Hahahaha, at Shaq not spinning a lot. How old are some of these kids on here?

http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

Dwight has had some good post moves and other things in his arsenal, hes just been too uncomfortable to use them in games. Last season, in the game at lal, dwight hit a couple patented tim duncan bank shots. Hopefully, he will feel more comfortable using that and quick post moves, he can do it. And I think he will.

JTaylor21

If all those years of working with Ewing doesn’t help him improve what makes people think that this will help. YES Ewing had an all-time great post game so don’t try to act like dude was a stiff out there. Howard on the other hand spends too much time in the weight room instead of working on moves because he’s TOO rigid out there and will never try this moves consistently in games.

http://www.slamonline.com J

4 years late..

hangtime Hec

Teaching and playing are two different things JTaylor21. Being a great player doesn’t necessarily mean your going to be a great teacher. Yes Ewing had a great post game, but does he have the gift of teaching? Doesn’t seem so. Hakeem on the other hand looks like he does.

http://slamonline.com tealish

@Redrum -yep

Pip11

1. Nice house, nice gym…I would love to have a gym in my house and be able to work out whenever.

2. Horrible shirt on Dwight.

3. Hakeem still looks sharp!

4. To be fair, I think Dwight knows those basic post moves; Hakeem was trying to show him the little nuances, like spin as you land and not wait, that elbow on elbow on spin, etc.

Lan

Dwight said there are bigger guys in the league?

http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

That was really fun to watch. Dwight looked pretty good, Hakeem even better. Post play is like a whole different game in basketball. It’s a thing of beauty, like two guys playing chess on the block. Seriously. Just f*cking awesome seeing a big man who can work the post these days. Al Jefferson, Yao Ming, Gasol, Timmy D. Hopefully Dwight this season.

http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

I like how both Hakeem and Patrick Ewing have taught Yao Ming and Dwight Howard. Awesome.

RedRum

I am really impressed by Hakeem! Are you freaking kidding me? how old is he?? Look how fluid and quick he is performing those moves! Now about DH.. lets all put it in our minds that he will never be an offensive force. The guy lacks fundamental skills and footwork. These are things it takes years to hone, and most of the times are part of the natural talent of a player. As someone said, Dream’s footwork comes from soccer, the way you put the defender is your back and have to trick him on the way you are going to go. Oh, Shaq had plenty of footwork, Dwight is nowhere near Shaqs natural ability and court awareness. I don’t hate the guy, but it took him too long to get serious post training. and to be fair… I find this thing getting training from older post players a bit ridiculous… Did Shaq and Duncan (the two best post players the last 15 years) ask for help from anyone? Don’t think so…

http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2010/10/video-kobe-i’d-beat-lebron-1-on-1/ Poetic Justice

@Jukai … 15 mins a game for Hakeem if he played now, in his current state? … judging by his silky sweet moves he’s still got it. He’d be the best center in the whole damn league! … I’m joking so put away the guns before you shoot me down, but Hakeem look really good.

http://Slamonline.com Caboose

It’s clear that Hakeem’s influence is rubbing off on Dwight based on the preseason performance Dwight just showed.

hendry

its not that dwight dont know these moves, even rookies know these moves. its just that hakeem is teaching the ins n outs of using them in the post.

Ronald

Of course there are bigger guys in the league. Dude is only 6’10″ right? Of course it helps that he has long ass arms and can basically fly. I love how low hakeem gets on his spins. So much power. I’m also suprised at Dwight’s jumper. It’s not bad, he just has to fix his release a bit (higher and quicker) and I’m glad he’s actually using it in games now. Aren’t many offensively dominant big guys who don’t have a semblance of a jumper (except for Shaq).

Video: Hakeem Olajuwon Training Dwight Howard

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