Hakeem Olajuwon becomes No. 1 overall in the 1984 NBA draft

The Houston Rockets made the decision to change their franchise 40 years ago on June 19, 1984. The Rockets held the first pick in the 1984 NBA draft and selected University of Houston prospect, Hakeem Olajuwon. He played 17 seasons for the Rockets and established himself as the greatest player in team history. He became a two-time NBA champion and a two-time Finals MVP winner.

His first NBA title came during the 1993-94 season, where he led the Rockets to a 58-24 regular season record, then the franchise’s best. Olajuwon averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 3.6 assists in 80 games. His play during the 93-94 season is considered some of the best in league history, when he also earned regular season MVP honors and his second consecutive All-Defensive Player of the Year award. ‘year.

Olajuwon became the second player in Rockets history to win the regular season MVP award. The late Moses Malone became the first in 1979. He remains the only player in Rockets history to win the honor twice, winning his second MVP trophy in 1982.

As a 12-time All-Star, Olajuwon also set the league record for most blocked shots in history with 3,830 career denials. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and is considered one of the most notable big men of all time.

The 1984 NBA Draft is arguably the most important class in league history, contested in 1996 and 2003. Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest player in history, was selected No. 3 overall. overall by the Chicago Bulls, and Charles Barkley followed as No. 5. pick of the Philadelphia 76ers. John Stockton fell to the No. 16 selection of the Utah Jazz.

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