Sports

Little, Brown & Co.: Boston, 1996.  First edition. Signed by Olajuwon and inscribed to his team mate Kenny Smith.  Olajuwon and Smith played together on the back-to-back champion Houston Rockets.  A stand out center, Olajuwon was a member of the 1994 US Dream Team, was selected as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Fine copy.  Dust wrapper with one inch tear to bottom rear else fine. The collaboration between Olajuwon and Smith began on a rocky note with tensions stemming from Smith giving his superstar teammate a bold warning soon after joining the Rockets: “Akeem, if you ever scream at me like you have to other point guards, I will never throw you the ball,” Smith reportedly said. Any teammate who said something like that to the legendary Olajuwon would likely have upset the reigning All-Star. But hearing it from a newly joined player was just too much. Frustrated, “The Dream” responded firmly, saying Smith would continue passing him the ball, no matter what. However, “The Jet” stood his ground, replying with a firm “no.” While this might seem like an audacious move from the former 6’3″ playmaker, Smith actually had a strategic purpose. According to Miriam Fader’s book, he believed he needed to establish his credibility and “gain Olajuwon’s respect” early in their relationship. If one trusts the reports about “The Dream” at the time, this actually seemed like the right approach. After all, the 1994 MVP had a reputation for being overly tough on point guards — a reputation that Kenny had also heard about — with many rumors circulating about Hakeem’s intense interactions with them. Some stories describe him loudly “screaming” at point guards for mistakes, even demanding coaches “take them out on the spot.”Another account mentions a heated confrontation with teammate Vernon Maxwell. Smith, in his mid-20s at the time, wanted to stop such behavior in its tracks, so he decided to make the team’s superstar aware of his boundaries early on. Sometimes, for a relationship to truly break through, it first needs to hit a rough patch — and this perfectly describes the Olajuwon-Smith partnership. This is evident because, after their initial conflict, they went on to develop a strong bond. It all began with Smith gradually making an effort to connect with the former Houston Cougar. For instance, during bus rides, he noticed the seat next to Hakeem was always empty, so he started sitting there regularly to chat with the big man. One memorable trip, the two-time blocks leader shared a heartfelt moment, saying, ‘Kenny, you know you’re the first person that sits next to me and talks to me?'” As a gesture of gratitude, Hakeem invited his new seat neighbor to break bread at his home. Smith accepted, brought his brother along, and the group enjoyed a fish dish prepared by “The Dream” himself. During that dinner, Hakeem shared his decision to recommit to Islam, and “The Jet” felt honored to be welcomed not only into his teammate’s home but also into his personal life. (Julian Eschenbach, Basketball Network, Jan 25 2025) less