“Olajuwon” tag's highlights of related matches, posts & more...

Past & Present NBA Players Share Stories About Their Draft Night

NBA legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James Giannis and more share stories about the unforgettable moments and emotions from the night they were drafted. 🏆 Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams. Download now ➡ https://link.nba.com/NBAYouTube Subscribe to the NBA: https://on.nba.com/2JX5gSN Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2013 NBA Draft 0:00 Kevin Durant, 2007 Draft 1:50 Allen Iverson, 1996 Draft 4:20 Carmelo Anthony, 2003 Draft 5:50 Dwyane Wade, 2003 Draft 8:44 LeBron James, 2003 Draft 10:49 Jayson Tatum, 2007 Draft 11:38 Shaquille O’Neal, 1992 Draft 15:06 Dirk Nowitzki, 1998 Draft 16:02 Russell Westbrook, 2008 Draft 18:15 James Harden, 2009 Draft 19:42 Damian Lillard, 2012 Draft 22:03 Steve Nash, 1996 Draft 23:33 Hakeem Olajuwon, 1984 25:29 Michael Jordan, 1984 Draft 28:32 Magic Johnson, 1979 Draft 30:04 Blake Griffin, 2009 Draft 31:00 Paolo Banchero, 2022 Draft 33:21 Clyde Drexler, 1983 Draft 37:14 Joel Embiid, 2014 Draft 40:32 John Stockton, 1984 Draft 41:52 Ray Allen, 1996 Draft 45:17 Zion Williamson, 2019 Draft 47:24 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2018 Draft 49:48

2001 NBA Finals Game 2 Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers, June 8, 2001

PHI 89 LAL 98 Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal tied an NBA Finals record for most blocks in Game 2 against Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. Player of the game: Shaquille O’Neal, 28 PTS, 12-19 63FG%, 20 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL, 8 BLK In Game 2, the Lakers found themselves in another highly-contested matchup as they only held a 49-47 lead at halftime. Fortunately, they were able to distance themselves in the third quarter en route to a 98-89 win. With the Lakers able to limit Iverson to 23 points (10-of-29 shooting), O’Neal had another historical performance. Along with 28 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists, O’Neal had eight blocks. It tied a record for most in an NBA Finals game, joining Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second year in a row, thanks to his dominant averages of 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. O’Neal's MVP win was well-deserved, surpassing even two of my favorite players, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. Examining their contributions to their teams reveals: Shaquille O’Neal: 33 PPG, 57 FG%, 15.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3.4 BPG, GmSc Rating 27.4 Allen Iverson: 35.6 PPG, 41 FG%, 5.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, GmSc Rating 20.5 Kobe Bryant: 24.6 PPG, 41 FG%, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG, GmSc Rating 17.2 Dikembe Mutombo: 16.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.2 BPG, GmSc Rating 15.7 For reference, a GmSc rating of: 25+ signifies an all-time greatest performance 20+ is MVP-level 15+ is All-Star level Below 14 indicates a role-player contribution Shaquille O’Neal was such a dominant force, period. 2000 Finals (GmSc) O’Neal: 30.6 (All-Time) Miller: 17.6 (All-Star) Rose: 14.0 (Role) Croshere: 12.8 (Role) Jackson: 10.7 (Role) Bryant: 9.7 (Role) 2001 Finals (GmSc) O’Neal: 27.4 (All-Time) Iverson: 20.5 (MVP-level) Bryant: 17.2 (All-Star) 2002 Finals (GmSc) O’Neal: 30.1 (All-Time) Bryant: 20.3 (MVP-level) Kidd: 19.0 (All-Star) Game Score rating averages from all series (First Round, Semifinals, Conference Finals, and Finals), the only time that Kobe is close enough to Shaq was in the 2001 title run, but 2000 and 2002 are runaways. 2000 Game Score (GmSc) Playoff Series Shaquille 25.23 (All-time rating) Kobe 14.3 (Role-player rating) 2001 Game Score (GmSc) Playoff Series Shaquille 23.67 (MVP rating) Kobe 22.28 (MVP rating) 2002 Game Score (GmSc) Playoff Series Shaquille 22.38 (MVP rating) Kobe 17.58 (All-Star rating)

#5 MAVERICKS at #1 CELTICS | FULL GAME 5 HIGHLIGHTS | June 17, 2024

Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams. Download now: https://link.nba.com/NBAYouTube The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV to win the 2024 NBA Finals, 4-1. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds as Jaylen Brown added 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jaylen Brown was voted as series MVP and awarded The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. He averaged 20.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 5.0 APG across the series. With the series win, the Celtics now have 18 NBA Championships, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers and giving them the most in NBA history. Series Notables * Their most recent title prior to today came on June 17, 2008, v the Los Angeles Lakers, exactly 16 years ago to the day. * With his Game 5 performance (31 PTS, 11 AST), Jayson Tatum becomes the sixth player to score 30+ PTS and tally 10+ AST in an NBA Finals clincher, he joins: * Stephen Curry (2017 NBA Finals Game 5) * Michael Jordan (1991 NBA Finals Game 5) * James Worthy (1988 NBA Finals Game 7) * Walt Frazier (1970 NBA Finals Game 7) * Jerry West (1969 NBA Finals Game 7) * He’s the ONLY Celtic to ever have a 30+ PT and 10+ AST game in ANY NBA Finals game. * By going 16-3 during this year’s Playoffs, the Celtics have the second-best winning percentage since the best-of-seven Playoff format for all four rounds of the NBA Playoffs was adapted in 2003: * 2017 Golden State Warriors: 16-1 (.941) * 2024 Boston Celtics: 16-3 (.842) * Jayson Tatum is the 6th player (9th instance) in the Shot Clock Era (since 1954-55) to lead his team in total points, rebounds, and assists on their way to a championship, joining: * Nikola Jokic (2023) * LeBron James (2012, 2013, 2016) * Tim Duncan (2003) * Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) * Larry Bird (1984, 1986) * At 35 years and 353 days old, Joe Mazzulla is the youngest head coach since Bill Russell in 1969 (35 years, 82 days) to win an NBA championship. Russell was a player-coach this season.

#1 CELTICS at #5 MAVERICKS | FULL GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS | June 14, 2024

Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams. Download now: https://link.nba.com/NBAYouTube The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Boston Celtics, 122-84, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV and now trail in the series, 3-1. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 29 points (25 in H1), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while Kyrie Irving (21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) and Dereck Lively II (11 points, 12 rebounds +20 rating) added 32 points. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists as Sam Hauser added 14 points and 4 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points on 5-7 3PT for Dallas, all occurring in the fourth quarter. Game 5 will take place in Boston on Monday, June 17 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Game Notables Tonight’s game represents the third-largest margin of victory in an NBA Finals game: 1998 NBA Finals Game 3: 42 Points – Chicago Bulls 96, Utah Jazz 54 2008 NBA Finals Game 6: 39 Points – Boston Celtics 131, Los Angeles Lakers 92 2024 NBA Finals Game 4: 38 Points – Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84 2013 NBA Finals Game 3: 36 Points – San Antonio Spurs 113, Miami Heat 77 1978 NBA Finals Game 6: 35 Points – Washington Bullets 117, Seattle Supersonics 82 There have been EIGHT instances of 20-year-olds recording double-doubles in the NBA Finals. Dereck Lively II joins Magic Johnson as the only players to have multiple double-doubles in the NBA Finals before turning 21 years old: Magic Johnson – 5x in 1980 NBA Finals Dereck Lively II – 2x in 2024 NBA Finals Darryl Dawkins – 1x in 1977 NBA Finals Dereck Lively II is the only ROOKIE to have a +/- rating of +20 in a NBA Finals game in the PXP era (since the 1998 NBA Finals). With 25 PTS in the first half, Luka Doncic (25y 107d) becomes the third youngest player to score 25 or more in the first half of an NBA Finals game. The only players younger: Hakeem Olajuwon (23y 125d): May 26, 1986: HOU at BOS Kyrie Irving (25y 78d): June 9, 2017: CLE v GSW He's only the SECOND PLAYER to score 25+ in H1 of a Finals game WITHOUT making a 3PT (Tim Duncan - 2013 NBA Finals Game 6)

Luka Doncic (29 PTS) & Kyrie Irving (21 PTS) Keep Mavericks' Season Alive! 👀| June 14, 2024

Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams. Download now: https://link.nba.com/NBAYouTube The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Boston Celtics, 122-84, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV and now trail in the series, 3-1. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 29 points (25 in H1), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while Kyrie Irving (21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) and Dereck Lively II (11 points, 12 rebounds +20 rating) added 32 points. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists as Sam Hauser added 14 points and 4 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points on 5-7 3PT for Dallas, all occurring in the fourth quarter. Game 5 will take place in Boston on Monday, June 17 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Game Notables Tonight’s game represents the third-largest margin of victory in an NBA Finals game: 1998 NBA Finals Game 3: 42 Points – Chicago Bulls 96, Utah Jazz 54 2008 NBA Finals Game 6: 39 Points – Boston Celtics 131, Los Angeles Lakers 92 2024 NBA Finals Game 4: 38 Points – Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84 2013 NBA Finals Game 3: 36 Points – San Antonio Spurs 113, Miami Heat 77 1978 NBA Finals Game 6: 35 Points – Washington Bullets 117, Seattle Supersonics 82 There have been EIGHT instances of 20-year-olds recording double-doubles in the NBA Finals. Dereck Lively II joins Magic Johnson as the only players to have multiple double-doubles in the NBA Finals before turning 21 years old: Magic Johnson – 5x in 1980 NBA Finals Dereck Lively II – 2x in 2024 NBA Finals Darryl Dawkins – 1x in 1977 NBA Finals Dereck Lively II is the only ROOKIE to have a +/- rating of +20 in a NBA Finals game in the PXP era (since the 1998 NBA Finals). With 25 PTS in the first half, Luka Doncic (25y 107d) becomes the third youngest player to score 25 or more in the first half of an NBA Finals game. The only players younger: Hakeem Olajuwon (23y 125d): May 26, 1986: HOU at BOS Kyrie Irving (25y 78d): June 9, 2017: CLE v GSW He's only the SECOND PLAYER to score 25+ in H1 of a Finals game WITHOUT making a 3PT (Tim Duncan - 2013 NBA Finals Game 6)

#5 MAVERICKS at #1 CELTICS | FULL GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS | June 6, 2024

Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams. Download now: https://link.nba.com/NBAYouTube The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 107-89, in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV to take a 1-0 series lead. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 22 points and 6 rebounds while Kristaps Porzingis (20 points (8-13 FG), 6 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (16 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) totaled 36 points. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 30 points and 10 rebounds while P.J. Washington (14 points, 8 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) totaled 26 points. In tonight’s game, the Celtics have 7 players with 2 or more 3PT FGs made. It marks the most players by an individual team with multiple 3PT FGs made in an NBA Finals game. Five teams have had 6 players with multiple 3PT FGs made previously, most recently the Miami Heat last year, on June 4, 2023, v Denver. Kristaps Porzingis scored 18 points in the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals after having not played in both the Conf. Semifinals and Conf. Finals. It is the most points by a player in Game 1 of The Finals after having missed the previous two rounds since the league transitioned to a 16-team format in 1984. Previously, the most points by a player who fit these qualifiers was 7 points, by Andre Iguodala (GSW v BOS on June 2, 2022). Luka Doncic is just the 10th player to have a 30-point double-double in their NBA Finals debut. He’s the first to do so since Tim Duncan had 33 points and 16 rebounds in the 1999 NBA Finals on June 16, 1999. 1. 33/16 reb Tim Duncan 06/16/1999 SA NY 2. 36/12 ast Michael Jordan 06/02/1991 CHI LAL 3. 33/12 reb Hakeem Olajuwon 05/26/1986 HOU @BOS 4. 31/17 reb Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 04/21/1971 MIL BAL 5. 37/16 reb Willis Reed 04/24/1970 NYK LAL 6. 30/10 reb Wali Jones 04/14/1967 PHI SF 7. 32/10 reb Hal Greer 04/14/1967 PHI SF 8. 34/11 reb Elgin Baylor 04/04/1959 MIN @BOS 9. 37/14 reb Bob Pettit 03/30/1957 STL @BOS *Jordan did it with AST in 1991, all others did so with REB.

"Shaquille O'Neal on Standing Among the NBA's 75 Greatest: A Humbling Experience" #shorts

In a recent episode of "Inside the NBA," Shaquille O'Neal shared his emotions about being included in the NBA's 75 Greatest Players list. Shaq expressed deep gratitude and awe at the opportunity to stand alongside legendary figures such as Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Magic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Michael Jordan. He described the experience as incredibly humbling and inspiring, highlighting how much these icons influenced his career and his appreciation for being recognized among them.

Hakeem THE DREAM Olajuwon