The Golden Age of Basketball

[1992-1993 season, I arrived in Miami.

It was very difficult for me, as I had been in Houston for 12 years.

It was like my second hometown.

My college and my basketball career both started there.

Leaving was not an easy decision, but it wasn't entirely my choice.

The Houston Rockets, after evaluation, felt that I could no longer lead the team to a breakthrough.

They lost faith in me and in winning a championship.

Especially not believing that I could defeat the Trail Blazers and Ah Gan.

I needed a team that was willing to trust me.

I suffered too much unjust treatment and criticism in Houston.

"Ball hog," "team wrecker," these were all biased remarks.

Given the circumstances, a mutual parting was the best option.

Everyone was shocked when the trade happened.

Fans in Houston hated me, thinking I betrayed the city.

I received some threatening calls, but there were also those who supported and encouraged me.

Coach Lewis said he believed it was a player's freedom to choose where to play.

I did not betray Houston.

And the Heat warmly welcomed my arrival.

Everything in Miami was great—the sea, the palm trees, the wonderful weather.

Of course, the best part was that here was a group truly striving for a championship.

I joined them, quickly becoming one of their own.

The enthusiasm of Miami fans was overwhelming.

Just like their team name, extremely fiery.

The most exciting aspect for me was teaming up with Drexler.

It felt like we were back in college, fighting together as Cougars.

He already had three rings, but he still needed to prove himself.

Prove that he could win a championship after leaving Portland.

Pat Riley is a strict and charismatic coach.

He also has multiple championship rings and desperately needs to prove himself.

He had glorious years with the Lakers, but since 1985 he hadn't won a championship.

He built everything here in Miami.

During training camp, Riley told me, "You're the last seaman, Hakeem, the most important one."

Yes, we were setting sail.

Riley clearly told me that I would be the team's first core, the absolute core.

All our tactics would start with getting the ball to the big guy inside, getting it to me.

Everything right starts here.

Any big guy that needs double or triple-teaming should be the first choice.

We also have other tactics and collaborations.

But when these tactics fail, the ball will return to the big guy's hands.

I knew my responsibility was significant, but I liked this arrangement.

I could take on such a task.

This summer, I made unprecedented improvements.

I didn't participate in the Olympics; I underwent very systematic training.

I improved my muscle mass, increased strength and explosiveness, and healed injuries.

I felt great, extremely great.

The Miami Heat roster was also exceptionally excellent.

Every position had outstanding players and matched very well with me.

At the power forward, we had Anthony Mason, who was as wide as a door.

During training, he often confronted me in the low post.

He could cause me trouble; his defense was excellent.

At small forward, we had Cliff Robinson, who was as tall as me.

But he was very versatile, could shoot threes, and penetrate.

At shooting guard, we had Clyde, the best shooting guard in the Eastern Conference.

Yes, in my view, he was better than Jordan.

Clyde had surgery over the summer and missed some games.

But we still had Steve Smith.

His post-up game was as good as mine, a skilled isolation player.

At point guard, John Starks, who was like a bulldog.

Very aggressive.

On the first day of training camp, he tried to dunk over me.

I used continuous blocks to show him who the boss of this team was.

I quickly established my core position with the Heat.

Not relying on threats, toughness, or bossing around behind the coach's back.

The key is to become the second-in-command of the public, earning everyone's respect.

Train hard, be self-disciplined, and take on the most responsibility in games.

Take care of your teammates, respect every staff member around you.

From this season on, I stopped fighting.

In my younger days, I got into many fights, nearly every game I'd clash with someone.

Faith changed me; I viewed games with a brand-new mindset.

The TV often airs the NBA-Fantastic program.

The show includes some detail-focused shots, giving viewers more insight into the NBA.

In the footage, you see some players grabbing rebounds or dunking powerfully over opponents, then yelling trash talk at them.

Or stepping over opponents who have fallen.

I think this is a low-grade mentality.

The players doing these actions entered the League feeling insecure.

I experienced that mentality, seeing everyone as a threat.

Not playing for victory and enjoyment, but for showing off.

Now, I don't do that; I let the game speak for itself.

Not with what you say or the blows you deliver.

Even the strongest boxer in the League never throws a punch proactively.

What should truly intimidate opponents is your technique, your style of play.

For example, if you excel at blocking, you'll make everyone entering the three-second zone suffer.

So, when opponents try to shoot over you, they'll think, "This guy blocks every time, I have to be careful."

They'll adjust their shooting arc higher, which will lower their accuracy.