How Muslims Cope With An Olympic Ramadan (VIDEO)

Comments

[O K Ali]

03:58 PM on 08/26/2011

It's a well documented fact that NBA Legend Hakeem Olajuwon performed better during Ramadan. Starting with the 1990-91 season, when he became more observant and changed his name, Hakeem strictly observed Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, which required him to forgo food and drink from sunrise to sunset. One of the enduring myths of his career is that his game actually improved during this time despite the fact that he played through hunger and often without drinking fluids. In 1997, for instance, he scored 32 points in a win over the Bulls in a game in which he didn't hydrate. In February 1995, he averaged 29 points per game and was named NBA Player of the Month, even though the entire month fell within Ramadan. - Deadspin

[season555]

05:05 PM on 08/26/2011

wow amazing

[guitargeorge1964]

07:56 PM on 08/26/2011

You know, my first thought when I read the headline was Olajuwan's very publicized fasting during Ramadan. When the Rockets were at their peak during that time frame, the NBA and NBC scheduled them a lot of early games on the weekend. No one who ever saw him play can ever question that Olajuwan was one of the best players to ever wear an NBA uniform. the NBA listed him on their 50 greatest players of all time, he'd be in my top 10. He was very open about his faith and one one of the best ambassadors for Islam at the time. There was something interesting though. If you watch any of his interviews he never said Allah when addressing American media, he always used the word God. When he was questioned about that he said that the name didn't matter, but he recognized that a lot of Christians got turned off by the word Allah, so he didn't use it. He never tried to force his religion on others but lived as an example of what he could accomplish.
Oh yeah, and talk about 1994? Hakeem Olajuwan won MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP. He's the only player to win all 3 in one year.

[O K Ali]

09:07 PM on 08/26/2011

Don't remind me about 94. (Knicks fan) LOL