I was browsing the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the other day and realized this could be a big year for some of the NBA's greatest big men.

Both Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon are both eligible for enshrinement and should be first-ballot Hall of Famers.

Ewing had a great career, spent mostly with the New York Knicks, and often crossed paths with Olajuwon. Ewing got the better of "The Dream" in college when Georgetown defeated "Phi Slamma Jamma" in 1984, while Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets defeated the Knicks in seven hard-fought games in 1994.

Probably the best known memory of that series is coverage moving away from Game 5 to show O.J. Simpson's "slow ride," but I digress.

Both were No. 1 overall picks in consecutive years, but I would say Olajuwon had the far better career.

In my mind, Olajuwon is the third-greatest center of all-time, behind Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocked shots with nearly 600 more than Dikembe Mutombo, and also seventh in career steals, averaging 1.75 steals per game over his career, which is remarkable for a center.

He also has one of the most effective and unique moves in the history of the league as well.

"The Dream Shake" was a nightmare for many opposing players. Just ask David Robinson, who I am sure is still remembering being embarrassed by this move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc02Z4-0w....

Then, in the 1995 Finals, he regularly schooled Shaquille O'Neal, who I feel is far overrated, on his way to winning a second straight championship.

Another incredible aspect of Hakeem's career is that Ramadan, a Muslim religious observance, occurred in just about every season. With his faith, he strictly adhered to this month-long holiday by abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours. For an athlete to be able to do this and play as well as he did (often putting up better stats during this month) is simply amazing.

Ewing certainly deserves his place in the Hall of Fame, but I seriously doubt the voters will overlook the amazing career of "The Dream" in favor of him.