“That was the worst moment of my pro career” – David Robinson on losing to Hakeem Olajuwon in the 1995 WCF

“The Admiral,” David Robinson, acknowledged feeling embarrassed by Hakeem Olajuwon during the 1995 playoffs, marking the lowest point of his NBA career. Despite Robinson’s individual accomplishments, including ten All-Star selections, ten All-NBA nods, the 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year, and the 1994-95 MVP, he faced a significant team setback in the playoffs against Olajuwon.

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By the 1994-95 season’s end, Robinson had achieved remarkable personal success, winning the MVP award and leading the league in scoring, adding to his prior Defensive Player of the Year accolade. However, the pinnacle he had yet to reach was an NBA championship, and the 1995 playoffs presented a promising opportunity. Unfortunately, the Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, thwarted Robinson’s championship aspirations, leaving him to consider it the worst moment of his career.

Reflecting on this disappointment, Robinson shared his sentiments on “Undeniable with Joe Buck,” stating, “I was pretty challenged. Olajuwon was playing really, really well at that time.” He expressed the profound disappointment of falling short in a pursuit that meant so much to him, particularly when failure was so public.

“When you get embarrassed, there’s nothing you can say. I mean, he was playing amazing basketball, and I played OK, but OK is not good in the playoffs. In the playoffs, you actually have to step it up and be better, and he did that against us, and they ended up beating us in six games,” Robinson explained.

Despite Robinson’s outstanding performance that season, facing Olajuwon and the Rockets proved to be an unfortunate timing. Olajuwon dominated the series, averaging 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 56% from the floor, ultimately leading the Rockets to victory in six games.

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The defeat was a crushing blow for Robinson, who had hoped for a championship to cap off his stellar season. Reflecting on the aftermath of Game 6, Robinson revealed, “I think that was the worst moment of my pro career, when after Game 6 in Houston, going back into that locker room and hearing the announcement ‘Tickets to the NBA Finals will go on sale on Friday.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, man, this is horrible.’ And then went on to beat Orlando in the Finals.”

While Robinson eventually secured two NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 and 2003, the missed opportunity in 1995 remains a poignant moment in his career. Robinson’s legacy, though still illustrious, could have seen an even greater boost if he had claimed his first ring in that challenging year.