1995 Sweep Repeat: The Dream’s Reign

The 1995 NBA Finals pitted Houston against young Orlando. A year earlier Houston had edged Orlando in seven; this time they gave no chance — a 4-0 sweep.

Hakeem Olajuwon utterly outplayed the younger Shaquille O’Neal. He averaged 32.8 points, 11.5 boards, 5.5 assists and 2 blocks, carving the Magic’s interior with dream shakes. He scored 31 with 9 assists in Game 1 and 35 in Game 4 to clinch. Olajuwon was the clear second Finals MVP.

Notably, Houston was only the West’s 6th seed yet won it all on the road — among the lowest-seeded champions ever. The repeat proved 1994 was no fluke; the Dream era had truly arrived.

When a center wins with skill, not brawn, you know post play peaked.

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