There is no doubt that Hakeem Olajuwon will go down in history as one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. He has won an MVP award, NBA championships and, when he was at the peak of his game, there was no one better.

With an equal degree of clarity, there is also no doubt that the future Hall of Famer is in the twilight of his glorious career. But that doesn't mean that the Raptors acquisition of Olajuwon is a mistake by a down-and-out franchise grasping for a link to legitimacy.

It appears to be a good match between Olajuwon and the Raptors. Credit: AP Photos

Rather, it should be a happy marriage between a club who is perhaps looking for one more solid piece to push them to the top and an elder statesman who can provide the leadership and plug the gaps on a team that has spent most of its existence without a legitimate centre.

When the season tips off, Olajuwon will be the starting centre for the Raptors. Realistically though he will be a role player, but an integral role player nevertheless. This will still be Vince Carter's team, but The Dream will provide another weapon in the Toronto arsenal and will become a true low-post threat. He will also provide the wisdom and guidance of someone who has won two NBA titles.

More importantly, Olajuwon will be influential merely by his presence. Toronto already boasts two All-Stars in Carter and Antonio Davis, but the look that each had on their face when Hakeem's name was mentioned at the press conferences to announce their own signings spoke volumes about the stature that he still holds around the league.

Toronto's revamped starting lineup will now feature the Dream in the middle, Davis at his more natural power forward position and the young talented trio of Carter, Morris Peterson and Alvin Williams. When you throw in valuable reserves like Jerome Williams, Keon Clark, Chris Childs, Dell Curry and youngsters like Brian Skinner and Michael Bradley, it is clear why the Raptors will become one of the favourites in the Eastern Conference.

Coming off the best season in team history there were aspirations for some improvement. With the team's latest addition, the Raptors now have even bigger dreams.