New York Knicks: 5 players Willy Hernangomez should study

1. Hakeem Olajuwon

If Pau Gasol is the goal on offense, and Marc Gasol is the goal on defense, then Hakeem Olajuwon is the goal overall. Hernangomez isn’t as athletic as Olajuwon, but The Dream got by more on his fundamentals and footwork than his explosiveness.

No player has been more dominant in the post than Olajuwon, and few have ever been more prolific on the other end of the floor than the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Hernangomez plays a grounded game that relies on his footwork and creativity when working from the post. No player has more compelling game film or in-person lessons to offer in that regard than Olajuwon, who made a living out of obliterating elite defenders from the post.

Olajuwon could get up and play above the rim, but most of his work was done without leaving his feet—and that makes him the perfect player for Hernangomez to emulate.

Defensively, Hernangomez lacks the quickness that Olajuwon displayed, but he can still learn from The Dream’s fundamental polish. Olajuwon’s footwork was the foundation for his defensive success, as it enabled him to contest shots and passes, even when he couldn’t block or intercept them.

Much like Porzingis, Hernangomez has a wealth of knowledge to acquire from Olajuwon—perhaps even more so due to his style of play and position.

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Willy Hernangomez is the future of the center position for the New York Knicks, but history could be one of his greatest tools.