Tyler Krenzin
Lantern Staff
The 37th NBA draft is now in session, and the Houston Rockets have the first overall selection. There are three clear favorites for the first overall pick: Sam Bowie from Kentucky, Michael Jordan from North Carolina and Hakeem Olajuwon from Houston, Texas.
Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and if the Rockets had to make that pick today, they would be crucified if they did not select Jordan. However, in 1984, there was only one clear No. 1. The Rockets selected the hometown hero, and the rest is history.
Olajuwon is touted as one of the best centers to ever play the game and would go on to be undoubtedly the best player in Rockets’ history.
Why do I bring this up? Well, let’s draw the similarities of Olajuwon to my favorite for the No. 1 pick this year, DeAndre Ayton.
While Olajuwon was not a highly recruited athlete coming out of Nigeria, he was noted in three categories: size, athleticism and strength.
These categories fit Ayton almost to a key. Olajuwon was listed at 7’0” coming out of college, as is Ayton. Olajuwon was listed at 255 lbs. Ayton weighs in at an even 260 lbs. The only glaring thing that stands out about Ayton, now comparatively to Olajuwon, is that Ayton has the ability to become the better long-range shooter.
In today’s NBA, the centers that can’t shoot 3-pointers are a dying breed. The game has become fast break reliant. The big bruiser centers can’t keep up in today’s game, and to have an athletic center to keep up with the fast pace of the game will become even more valuable as the game continues to evolve.
Ayton also gains since he will be entering the league young. Ayton will only be 20 when Draft Day comes around, which means a potential 20-year career. Centers have historically kept their relevance over the longevity of their career, while most NBA players are considered “old and tired” at 30 to 32. The way of playing the game for centers allows them to continue their careers into their late 30’s and early 40’s.
Nothing can be for certain when it comes to the NBA. Some teams will pick wrong, others will pick very wrong, but one thing can be said for certain: a pick used on Ayton is a pick used correctly.
