Clipper Brain Trust Saw Olowokandi as Its Type

Did the Clippers blow it again?

Jonathan P. Niednagel, who identifies brain types for a living, says the long-bungling franchise did not get the “next” Hakeem Olajuwon with its No. 1 selection of Pacific center Michael Olowokandi in June’s NBA draft.

Olowokandi’s brain type differs from Olajuwon’s, which is the NBA’s premier type, the same as Michael Jordan’s.

Niednagel, under exclusive contract to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks, made his evaluation of Olowokandi at NBA rookie camp in Chicago in June.

The next Olajuwon?

“No way,” Niednagel says. “He’s wired differently, both his brain and motor skills.”

Niednagel says Olowokandi can be a quality player, particularly as a shot-blocker and rebounder, but says his genetic blueprint will not allow him to duplicate Olajuwon’s vast array of touch shots, particularly in pressure situations.

“Since ENTPs [Olowokandi’s brain type] have exceptionally flexible body movements, they often have difficulty developing solid shot mechanics,” Niednagel writes in his book, “Your Key to Sports Success.”

The Clippers chose Olowokandi instead of point guard Mike Bibby, whom Niednagel says is the same brain type, ISTP, as Olajuwon and Jordan.

“He’s the real deal,” Niednagel says of Bibby, selected by Vancouver with the second pick. “He’ll be arguably one of the greatest point guards in the league.”

Fear not, Clippers.

Olowokandi might not be another Hakeem, but he does share brain types with a pretty decent former NBA center:

Bill Russell.