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Hakeem Olajuwon · Excellence, for Hakeem Olajuwon, may have required a quick hitting of the “snooze button” during the first half. But, by October 27, 1984’s conclusion, both the Houston Rockets, and their in-state rival Dallas Mavericks, received a quite thrilling introduction to the one-of-a-kind talent known as “The Dream.” Unleashing every turnaround, pivot, and floater variation known to man during his NBA debut, Olajuwon’s brilliance reached borderline-unguardable levels during the game’s second half, where 22 of his team-high 24 points arrived. With the Association’s celebrated, 11-championship-winning center of the past in attendance, 1984’s No. 1 pick paid tribute, perhaps unintentionally, with outcome-altering plays that ultimately fueled Houston’s 10-point victory. Highlight among them came in the final period, in which Olajuwon joined his fellow “Twin Tower” teammate for a matching block on the same possession, setting up both a fastbreak score, and a precedent of what would soon come. Olajuwon, then “Akeem,” left behind a sparkling initial impression, tossing in 24 points (on 11-of-18 shooting), alongside nine rebounds and a block. Such dominance set up a runner-up finish in 1984-85’s Rookie of the Year race, a first-year All-Star nod, and a Mount Rushmore-like career at the “5” position over the ensuing 18-year run. · State of Mint