Hakeem Taught LeBron & Dwight, But Only Kobe Mastered His Moves!
Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the most skilled post players in NBA history, has long been admired for his footwork and dominance in the paint. Over the years, many elite players, including LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Yao Ming, sought out the Hall of Famer to learn the art of post-play. However, according to Olajuwon himself, only one player truly mastered his moves: Kobe Bryant.
A Masterclass in Post Play
Olajuwon, a two-time NBA champion and the architect of the famed “Dream Shake,” welcomed numerous players to his Houston-based training sessions. His ability to blend finesse with power made him the perfect mentor for big men and perimeter players looking to refine their inside game.
LeBron James, known for his all-around dominance, worked with Olajuwon to improve his post game, particularly during his tenure with the Miami Heat. Dwight Howard, an athletic big man, sought to expand his offensive arsenal under Hakeem’s tutelage. Yao Ming, one of Olajuwon’s successors in Houston, also learned from him.
But among all these names, Kobe Bryant stood out.
Kobe’s Relentless Dedication to Perfection
Hakeem recalled that Kobe, known for his obsessive work ethic, approached the lessons with an intensity unmatched by anyone else. “At first, he was a little awkward because it wasn’t his natural movement,” Olajuwon said. “But by the time he was done, he was so fluid. How quickly he got it — that was unbelievable.”
Olajuwon emphasized that Kobe wasn’t just learning moves—he was breaking them down, perfecting every nuance, and integrating them into his game seamlessly. “He had growing pains; I had to remind him every now and then to ‘take it slow’ and ‘break each move down.’”
Unlike some players who trained for a short period and moved on, Kobe fully embraced the techniques, implementing them in live games at an elite level. Olajuwon noted that Bryant’s ability to absorb and execute post moves at such a high speed was what set him apart.
The Game That Proved It All
One moment particularly stood out to Olajuwon. In the 2009-10 NBA season, the Lakers played against the Houston Rockets while Hakeem was in attendance. During the game, Kobe found himself matched up against defensive specialist Shane Battier. With a swift shake in the post, Bryant spun baseline and finished off the glass in textbook fashion.
After executing the move to perfection, Kobe turned to Olajuwon and winked.
“That was something we had worked on so much,” Olajuwon said, beaming with pride. “It made me very happy to make a contribution to his game, to add to his talents, to add to his accomplishments.”
Kobe’s Influence on Others
Bryant’s commitment to mastering post moves didn’t just elevate his own game—it influenced his teammates as well. Olajuwon noticed that Lakers forward Pau Gasol, a skilled big man in his own right, had started incorporating some of the same moves into his game.
“The quick baseline spin move is one I don’t remember seeing Gasol use before,” Olajuwon observed. “And now I even see Gasol using some of the baseline moves, and I wonder, is Kobe showing him some of the moves?”
Bryant’s ability to pass down what he had learned only solidified his status as one of the game’s most relentless students and teachers.
Why Kobe Stood Apart
So why did Kobe master Olajuwon’s post game while others struggled to incorporate it at the same level?
Unparalleled Work Ethic – Bryant’s legendary “Mamba Mentality” meant he didn’t just train; he obsessed over every aspect of his game.
Attention to Detail – Unlike LeBron or Dwight, who had more physically dominant styles of play, Kobe had a finesse-driven approach that complemented Hakeem’s footwork-heavy techniques.
Game Integration – While other players trained with Olajuwon and improved, Bryant made post moves a staple of his offensive arsenal, utilizing them effectively even in high-pressure moments.
Competitive Drive – Kobe’s desire to always add layers to his game made him the perfect student. He didn’t just learn moves—he refined and innovated them.
The Ultimate Compliment
Olajuwon, who played against and trained some of the best players in history, holds Kobe in the highest regard when it comes to learning the post game.
“The best student was Kobe,” he said. “He got it the fastest and used it the most.”
For a player like Olajuwon, who values skill and precision above all else, there could be no higher praise. Bryant’s mastery of the post solidified his place among the game’s greats—not just as a scorer but as one of the most fundamentally sound players in NBA history.
Legacy of the Dream Shake
Hakeem Olajuwon’s impact on basketball extends far beyond his playing days. His teachings have influenced generations of players, but as he himself admitted, no one absorbed them like Kobe Bryant.
When you watched Kobe in the post—whether it was his impeccable footwork, his ability to create space, or his use of spin moves to shake defenders—you weren’t just watching a guard with good post skills. You were watching the embodiment of years of studying, learning, and perfecting a craft taught by one of the greatest post players of all time.
And that’s what made Kobe different.
He didn’t just borrow moves. He owned them.
