"I think he would have been a good 3-point shooter" - Hakeem Olajuwon's draftmate suggests "The Dream" would've been more dominant in today's era

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was on everyone's minds.

However, arriving in the league in the '80s and playing through the '90s meant that his offense primarily revolved around scoring in the paint. Although the three-point line was there, it wasn't the typical way to score back then.

Hakeem would be good

Decades later, conversations are still held about whether "The Dream," as Olajuwon was affectionately referred to, would have been even more dominant in today's focus on playing defense close to the perimeter.

Jim Petersen, who played alongside Hakeem Olajuwon during his time in Houston.

More than 20 years after Olajuwon retired from the basketball court, the NBA has transformed significantly from its heyday in the 1990s. The current game focuses on space, three-point shooting, and power forwards who can extend the attack with their shooting range.

They've shown that a center with well-rounded offense can excel in this era. Both have been named MVPs while playing with the current style of play for a center.

The starting lineup, featuring Charles Barkley and John Stockton, is arguably the most talented in NBA history. What all these players share is their significant influence on the game, and there have been many debates about whether they would have dominated as they did in today's era.

Adapting to the game

The Rockets legend's midrange shot was almost always a sure thing. Throughout his 18-year career, which ran from 1994 to 2012, he often utilized his gentle touch to get past defenders from 15-18 feet, frequently resulting in memorable moves like the "Dream Shake."

His career field-goal percentage of 51.2 percent showcases his precision. Petersen also believes, dating back to the 1984 draft, that with the current emphasis on three-point shooting, the center's mid-range accuracy could easily have been converted to a perimeter shot.

Olajuwon's legend was cemented by his exceptional two-way prowess. He secured two Defensive Player of the Year awards through his defensive prowess, and he still holds the record for the most blocked shots in NBA history with 3,830 blocks.

Petersen said.

His crowning achievement came during the 1994 and 1995 seasons when he led the Rockets to consecutive championships. In an era where big men controlled the paint, the Hall of Famer stood out for his agility and finesse, often outmaneuvering defenders with his footwork and outsmarting opponents with his timing.

He didn't take many three-pointers during his career - hardly surprising, given that most dominant players from that era focused on closer-range shots. Nonetheless, a player with his two championships would have been a handful to defend in the wider, more spread-out offenses used today. And, with the way he moved on the court and his natural instincts on the defensive end, he would likely have excelled even more at defending quicker guards playing in today's game.