HAKEEM OLAJUWON Feature-IT WAS ALL A DREAM

Dream On.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

(To The Lyrics of 'Juicy' By The Notorious B.I.G.)

Get a grip player!

Yeah, this article is dedicated to all the coaches that told Akeem he'd never amount to nothing. To all the people that lived above the playgrounds that he was hustling in front of that called on him when he was just trying to make some shots to feed his talent. And all people of the world in the struggle. You know what I'm saying?

Uh-huh! It's all good baby bay-bee!

Verse One

It was all a dream. I used to read SLAM magazine. Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson running the floor like a limousine. Hanging posters on my wall. Every gameday Michael, Mr. Magic, Larry Bird. I let my Converse rock 'til my ankle pop. Smoking opponents and courts, sipping on Gatorade. Way back, when I had the red and black Rocket top. With the cap to match. Remember Rocket duels, the shake, the shake. You never thought that Basketball would take it this far. Now Hakeem in the limelight because he plays tight. Time to get paid, stand tall forever in memory like the World Trade. Born player, the definition of a winner. Remember when he used to eat Shaquille for dinner? Peace to Rob Horry, 'The Jet' Kenny, Charles Barkley. Sam Cassell, 'Clutch City'. He's blowing up like you thought he would. Call the hall, same corridor same fame. It's all good.

You know very well who he is. Nobody could hold him down, reach for the rafters. You had a goal, so many 'cause you're the only one who gave Clutch City good and plenty.

Verse Two

He made the change from a common ballplayer. To up close and personal with Ralph Sampson. And he's far from cheap, he smokes squads with his team all day. Spread love, it's the Texan way. The Moet and cigarillo keep his victory. Critics used to diss him. Now they writing articles 'cause they miss him. He never thought it could happen, this ballin' stuff. He was too used to keeping goals and soccer stuff. Now defenders played him close like butter played toast. From the Texas Triangle down to the East Coast. Centers near Queens, road trips for weeks. Sold out seats to watch Dream Shake peak. Playing' ball without fear. Putting down 5 karats worth of Michael Jordan's ear. Quarters, games, seasons by the playoff pool. Considered a fool the way he took everyone to high school. Stereotypes of a international ball player misunderstood. And it's still all good.

Verse Three

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis. When you play on NBA 2K, man you couldn't picture this. 50 inch screen, money red, leather ball. Got two rings, a MVP with a Olympic gold. Contract about two mill flat. No need to worry, his agent handles that. And his whole team is lounging. Celebrating every day, no more public hounding. Thinking back on his one-dorm shack. Now his mom watches him play with a 34 on her back. And she loves to show him off, of course. Smiles every time his face is up in Sports Illustrated. He used to fuss when the scouting report dissed him. Miami Heat, wonder why Portland missed him. Playoff losses were the worst days. Now he sips champagne on victory. Uh, damn right he liked the career he lived. 'Cause he went from rookie to legend. And it's all...

(It's all good)

...and if you don't know, now you know!

Representing H-Town in the house, Toyota Center, Lone Star. Yeah that's right!