Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon... the most technically sound players ever. There are a ton of us basketball fans, who love this sport, who hold Hakeem Olajuwon & Michael Jordan in the highest regard because of how polished their games were, and how much they perfected the sport. There's always the long running question of "what would have happened..." had the Rockets not lost to the Lakers in 1991, missed the playoffs in 92, lost to the Sonics in 93, lost to the Sonics in 96, lost to the Jazz in 97, or lost to the Jazz in 98... COULD the Rockets have beat the Bulls? Truth is, the Rockets had ample opportunity to face Jordan in the NBA Finals, and couldn't get there.

As for this game.... Wow this game featured a plethora of NBA stars and this game produced so many highlights! The Rockets featured a roster loaded with talent including legendary jump shooter, Purvis Short. 7'4" Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson. Speedy & talented Allen Leavell. Rodney McCray who was a talented 2 way player. They also had the bucket getting legend himself, World B. Free, coming off the bench. For the Bulls, Michael Jordan still had an inferior supporting cast, but the supporting cast was improving with a young & developing Scottie Pippen & Horace Grant who was already a productive starter. It would be a while before Michael would find true consistency from his 2 sidekicks, but you saw glimpses of things to come from each teammate. Any time you get 2 legends like Michael Jordan & Hakeem Olajuwon on the same court, it's must see TV! Both Air Jordan & Hakeem The Dream Olajuwon were fierce competitors, but Michael always set himself apart from the rest through sheer will and relentless domination.

(1987-88 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
0:56 - Hakeem Olajuwon takes Artis Gilmore baseline
1:35 - Michael Jordan 1 dribble pull-up jumper
1:52 - Hakeem Olajuwon jumper over Artis Gilmore
2:09 - Allen Leavell reverse pivot fadeaway jumper over John Paxson
2:14 - Purvis Short jumper
2:34 - Michael Jordan pull up elbow jumper
3:38 - Hakeem Olajuwon post-up on Artis Gilmore
3:45 - Michael Jordan dunks on Ralph Sampson
4:20 - Michael Jordan blocks Hakeem Olajuwon
4:40 - Rookie Horace Grant reverse layup, and 1
5:19 - Hakeem Olajuwon alley-oop dunk on Artis Gilmore
6:40 - Michael Jordan blocks Purvis Short
6:48 - 7'4" Ralph Sampson leads the break like a point guard
7:00 - Ralph Sampson jumper
7:41 - Replay of Jordan's block on Purvis Short
8:17 - Ralph Sampson hook shot
8:30 - Scottie Pippen hand-off jumper
10:05 - Ralph Sampson hook shot over Brad Sellers
10:11 - Scottie Pippen bank shot
10:18 - Allen Leavell transition layup
10:35 - Hakeem Olajuwon punched teammate Robert Reid drama summary
13:14 - Ralph Sampson hook shot
13:52 - Michael Jordan transition jumper
14:10 - Michael Jordan knocks the ball away from Hakeem
14:20 - Hakeem Olajuwon dunk
14:57 - World B. Free elbow jumper
15:23 - World B. Free jumper
15:32 - Purvis Short jumper
16:08 - Scottie Pippen chase down block on World B. Free
16:43 - Ralph Sampson power dunk
19:16 - Michael Jordan steal & break away poster dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon
19:34 - Hakeem Olajuwon jumper
19:55 - Michael Jordan blocks Hakeem Olajuwon's fadeway jumper
20:10 - Slow motion replay of Michael Jordan poster dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon (Not technically ON him, but he's on the poster)
20:28 - Michael Jordan and 1 transition bucket over Purvis Short
21:13 - Michael Jordan interview
22:36 - Hakeem Olajuwon turnaround fadeaway jumper
22:42 - Michael Jordan jumper over Ralph Sampson
24:06 - Michael Jordan puts the clamps on World B. Free
24:15 - Hakeem Olajuwon elbow jumper
24:24 - Michael Jordan double crossover jumper
24:38 - World B. Free jumper
24:44 - Michael Jordan blocks World B. Free
26:26 - World B. Free steal from Scottie Pippen & transition bucket
27:26 - Ralph Sampson hook shot, and 1
27:58 - World B. Free jumper over Scottie Pippen
28:15 - Horace Grant dunk
28:33 - Jordan sets Pippen up for the dunk
29:40 - Michael Jordan jumper
31:49 - Hakeem Olajuwon jumper over Dave Corzine
33:05 - Michael Jordan baseline jumper
33:34 - Michael Jordan takes World B. Free baseline
34:12 - Michael Jordan chase down steal
37:10 - Michael Jordan clutch drive to the basket
37:55 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
37:16 - Hakeem Olajuwon clutch jumper
39:14 - Allen Leavell clutch 3 point jumper
39:34 - Michael Jordan clutch bucket over Hakeem Olajuwon
41:05 - Hakeem Olajuwon baseline jumper
41:55 - Michael Jordan clutch free throws
43:32 - Michael Jordan dagger free throws

Michael Jordan greatest games series playlist (games in chronological order here):    • Michael Jordan's Greatest 1980's Regu...  

Hope you enjoyed the show.

Twitter:   / bruceblitz   (Bruce Blitz)
Blitz Team archive videos: https://blitzsportsnetwork.com
Twitch:   / bruceblitzed