NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon has described the modern NBA as far more athletic and dynamic compared to the era in which he played, noting that today’s game requires players to constantly adapt.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP explained that the evolution of basketball has shifted the league towards speed, shooting, and versatility, with players now expected to impact the game in multiple ways.
“The NBA today is more athletic than when I played,” Olajuwon said. “There are more shooters, the pace is faster, and players have to adapt quickly to stay effective.”
Olajuwon highlighted how spacing and perimeter shooting have transformed the game, making it more demanding both physically and tactically.
“You see so many players who can shoot from anywhere on the floor now,” he added. “That changes how defenses work and how big men, especially, have to adjust.”
The former Houston Rockets star also singled out a few current players he enjoys watching, praising their intelligence and skill set.
“I enjoy watching players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić,” Olajuwon said. “They understand the game, read situations well, and make their teammates better.”
Olajuwon concluded by noting that while the fundamentals remain important, success in today’s NBA depends heavily on adaptability and continuous improvement.
“The game keeps evolving,” he said. “If you don’t evolve with it, you get left behind.”
