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Kenny Smith explains what made Hakeem so special defensively 😍 #shorts #nba #basketball #sports

25 Jan 2023 · 1 min

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Kenny Smith breaks down Hakeem Olajuwon's defensive genius: he could guard the point guard through the center, move his feet fast enough to stay with pick-and-roll handlers, and still recover to block shots. At 6'10" with Blake Griffin athleticism, Smith says he'd be unbelievable in today's game.

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What's something that people don't know about Hakeem that made him special? He would be unbelievable in today's game because he could switch 1 to 5. He could, guy come off the pick and you got the 1, oh, he's moving his feet. And if you throw the lob, he's going back to still try to contest the lob. I have never seen a player that could double in the pick and roll, and get back to his man on the roll and still block the shot. I know you're a great defensive player, and that's why I kind of watch certain things that you do on the pick and roll, and it's very— okay, imagine if you were 6'10" and your athleticism was Blake Griffin. That was a king. Now, how many people were scoring on you? I mean, that's him. Jesus.