Patrick Mulrenin

Honoring The Dream
Rockets fans heading to upcoming playoff games will be greeted by a new monument before entering the Toyota Center. A 1,000-lb. bronze sculpture honoring Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the newest members of the Hall of Fame, was unveiled on Friday. The 12-foot high sculpture featuring Olajuwon's No. 34 jersey was placed on the corner of LaBranch and Polk streets, outside the main entrance of Toyota Center.

"I can not express myself," Olajuwon told Rockets.com staff writer Damien Pierce. "It's beautiful. I feel so honored that they've given me this gesture."

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander commissioned the piece for the former All-Star center nicknamed "The Dream."

"It was because of Hakeem's incredible ability, leadership, and team-first mentality that drove the Rockets to back-to-back NBA World Championships," Alexander told fans in an open letter on Rockets.com. "It's only fitting that you'll be able to see and read of his contributions and accomplishments whenever you enter Toyota Center for a Rockets game, concert or special event."

Olajuwon is the NBA's all-time leading shot-blocker and widely considered the greatest player in Rockets history. Later this year he will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Now, that's a dream come true.