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Houston Rockets: Olajuwon vs. Robinson: Reminiscing the duel of the West

By Kenneth Cline

Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon Mandatory Credit: Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT
Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon Mandatory Credit: Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT /
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Houston Rockets guard Clyde Drexler and Spurs’ guard Vinny Del Negro AFP PHOTO (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

The Aftermath

Games 3-6

The series shifted to Houston for Game 3 and while Hakeem had 43 points, the Spurs would get the edge and make it a series with a 107-102 win. They would destroy the Rockets 103-81 to even the series heading back to San Antonio. It appeared the Spurs had regained control of the series. With a now best-of-three series, it was going to take another memorable performance from Hakeem and it would happen in Game 5.

By the time Game 6 rolled around, the narrative was complete. Robinson had a great year, but you can never make a former MVP mad by having him sit and watch someone else claim his trophy. So, Hakeem did what he did best. He took advantage of the clinching game and showed everyone why he was the best player on the court.

In the end, despite the series going six games, the matchup between the MVP’s was no contest.

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Hakeem Olajuwon – 35.3 points per game, 12.3 rebounds, 4.2 blocks, and 5.0 assists per game

David Robinson – 23.8 points, 11.3 boards, 2.1 blocks, and 2.6 assists per game.

The aftermath would see Houston go on to win their second title in a row while the Admiral would wait for another chance to shine. It wouldn’t be until 1997 when the Spurs’ fortunes increased with the drafting of Tim Duncan. That moved changed their franchise forever. Robinson would win his first title and then a second one before he would retire.

As far as head to head matchups go between the two men, Robinson holds the edge with a 32-16 edge. Does that mean he was a better center than Hakeem? No! There’s an argument that most of the wins came when Duncan joined the Spurs. So to say Robinson was a better player than Hakeem seems farfetched. David Robinson was a great player and one of the all-time best players ever.

Next. Remembering Mario Elie's iconic 'Kiss of Death' clutch shot. dark

However, when it comes to basketball supremacy in the 1990s, there was one center who rode off into the sunset as a legend and that was the Dream.

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