The teams met in their first major clash with each other in the 1994 NBA playoffs. Olajuwon was widely considered not only the best post player in the league during an era of great centers, but ever since Michael Jordan's first retirement from the NBA, the best player in the league, winning both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and his second consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 1993–94 season.
In their first significant matchup during the 1994 NBA playoffs, the teams faced off. Olajuwon was considered not only the best post player in an era dominated by exceptional centers but also the league's top performer since Michael Jordan's first retirement from the NBA. He won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and his second consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 1993–94 season.