Lakers news: JR Smith goes off on Dirk Nowitzki-Hakeem Olajuwon ranks

Lakers guard JR Smith is a bit perplexed that ESPN ranked Dirk Nowitzki ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon in their top foreign-born NBA players of all-time.

Los Angeles Lakers guard JR Smith is a bit perplexed that ESPN ranked Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki ahead of Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon in their top foreign-born NBA players of all-time.

Smith shared his sentiments on Twitter, noting that he doesn't have any contempt against Nowitzki. He knows what Dirk has done throughout his career, but he expressed his belief that Olajuwon's accomplishments weigh much greater.

@SportsCenter No disrespect to Dirk but Hakeem is 2? Dirk was super dope of course when of the best to ever do it! But HAKEEM? #ImJustSaying #foreignborntop10

— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) July 20, 2020

Below is the Top 10 list which placed Dirk Nowitzki at No.1 followed by Hakeem Olajuwon at No.2:

For those curious, I tracked down the complete ESPN list from today. Official criteria: Top foreign-born NBA players of all-time.

10.) Mutombo
9.) Ginobili
8.) Parker
7.) Pau Gasol
6.) Giannis
5.) Nash
4.) Wilkins
3.) Ewing
2.) Olajuwon
1.) Nowitzki

— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 21, 2020

Several fans replied to Smith's tweet to echo the same sentiments. People pointed out how in just his second year in the league, The Dream upset the Showtime Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Olajuwon is also the only player in league history to win the Most Valuable Player award, Defensive Player of the Year, NBA title and Finals MVP in one season. Fans also noted how Olajuwon holds nearly all major Rockets franchise records.

Apart from JR Smith, Paul Pierce also noted how Olajuwon doesn't get enough credit. A few months ago, Pierce was irate that Olajuwon was excluded in a top 10 player list.

https://twitter.com/Hou5ton4L/status/1261043226993135616?s=20

From the looks of it, this will spark all sorts of discussions to carefully evaluate Olajuwon's place in history. Time and time again, critics have panned his contributions to the game. Like the new Lakers guard, many players and fans are baffled as to why the two-time champ has not been in the conversation as one of the greatest players of all time.