The 8 Greatest Rockets in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

2. Hakeem Olajuwon- 23.9

Although Hakeem Olajuwon started playing basketball later in life, he became one of the most dominant big men of his era. This is impressive, considering the bigs that played at the time (i.e. David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal).

Olajuwon is also universally viewed as one of the game's best defenders, as he ranks first in blocked shots and ranks in the top five in steals. He remains the only player to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, NBA Finals MVP, and a championship in the same year.

The Dream was a clutch player who always rose to the occasion, irrespective of the circumstances.

And although many have tried to downplay his championships, due to the abrupt retirement of Michael Jordan, that doesn't quite check out, because Jordan's Chicago Bulls weren't able to get past the Orlando Magic, a team the Rockets swept in the Finals, with Jordan on the floor. 

Not to mention Jordan and the Bulls' fear of him.

But even Olajuwon's biggest detractors would admit that he's one of the most skilled players in league history. It's still being proven despite him not suiting up for over two decades, as many of the league's best players have trained with him, in hopes of learning a thing or two from him.

This includes the late great Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo more recently. 

All told, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.7 steals, and 51.2 percent from the field.