In the 1987-88 NBA season, Hakeem Olajuwon continued to establish himself as one of the league’s premier players. Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to a 46-36 record, good for a second-place finish in the Midwest Division.

 Olajuwon’s numbers in the regular season once again were impressive, as he averaged 23.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game. He also shot 51.3% from the field and led the league in total rebounds with 1,005. For his performances throughout the season, Olajuwon was named to the All-NBA First Team and the All-Defensive First Team.

 In the playoffs, Olajuwon was once again dominant. In the first round, the Rockets faced the Dallas Mavericks, and Olajuwon averaged 33.8 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 6.0 blocks per game in the series. In Game 5, he tied his own NBA record for most blocks in a playoff game with 10.

 The Rockets then faced the Lakers in the second round, and Olajuwon continued his strong play. He averaged 26.4 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game in the series, with his standout performance coming in Game 5 when he recorded 44 points, 24 rebounds, and 6 blocks.

 Despite Olajuwon’s heroics, the Rockets fell to the Lakers in seven games, bringing an end to their season. However, Olajuwon’s performance in the playoffs once again highlighted his dominance, and he was named to the All-NBA Second Team and the All-Defensive First Team.

 In conclusion, the 1987-88 NBA season saw Hakeem Olajuwon continue to establish himself as one of the league’s elite players and dominant centers. His regular season and playoff performances were both exceptional, further cementing his status as one of the most formidable forces in the NBA. Despite the ultimate disappointment of playoff elimination, Olajuwon’s numbers and achievements during the season were impressive and earned him even more respect and admiration from the league, fans, and fellow players.