As Houston and dominant center Yao Ming come to town tomorrow, another dominant center comes to mind. Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest players of all time and anchored the Rockets for 17 seasons and put up some absurd statistics while donning a Rockets uniform. Hakeem was one of four players to record a quadruple double (double digits in four of the five major statistical categories of points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals) with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 blocks on March 29, 1990 against Milwaukee.
In addition to his quadruple double, Hakeem had 13 other triple doubles, 9 of which he totaled double digit blocks. The only Maverick to ever post a triple double with points, rebounds and blocks? Shawn Bradley, who had 22 points, 22 rebounds and 13 blocks against Portland on April 7, 1998 is the lone Maverick to achieve the feat. Hakeem's prowess as a prolific shot-blocker is unrivaled, and to this day he is the all-time leader in the category with 3,830 blocks.
Meanwhile, despite Yao's present dominance, his career high in blocks is only eight, so he still has a ways to go before even sniffing at Hakeem's defensive dominance.
The career high of any current Maverick is eight blocks in one game, which Erick Dampier had when he played for Golden State in 2002. Dirk's career high is 7.
-Scooter Hendon, Hoops Nerd
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