NBA: Hakeem Olajuwon Works Out With Dwight Howard & Jeremy Lin

Hakeem Olajuwon has high expectations for the Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard and point guard Jeremy Lin, both who have been working out with the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer, claiming they will a "very deadly duo."

Olajuwon joined Rockets head coach Kevin McHale and members of his coaching staff last week where they worked with Lin and Howard. This was Olajuwon's first time working with Lin and second with Howard since signing with the Rockets' front office.

"Just the little offense I saw, that combination is very deadly," Olajuwon told Houston's Fox 26. "You can see that both of them are very excited, seeing that, 'Wow, we bring the right ingredients together.'"

Olajuwon believes that Howard can learn and expand his skills set working with McHale - a Hall of Fame power forward / center who won three championships with the Boston Celtics.

"He's a good teacher," said the former Rockets center. "He's a good communicator. He's a demanding guy who knows he can win and he's a winner and that attitude carries over."

Olajuwon also believes that Lin will be an important cog in the Rockets chances to advance further into the playoffs. The Rockets went 45-37 (.549) last season, snagging the eighth seed in the Western Conference, getting knocked out in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lin admitted over the summer having trouble adjusting to the expectations that came with a new lucrative contract as well as dealing with the hype behind the "Linsanity" media phenomenon.

"To be on the right team, which he is right now, he can really help and play his role very well and be effective," said Olajuwon. "There's no pressure on him now. It's on Dwight and James (Harden). His position is crucial for the team's success and he can play that role very well."

Olajuwon, who was impressed with Lin's jumper that he has been working on during the off-season, recommended the young point guard consider adding a new element to his game that he used more often at Harvard University.

"I was told Jeremy's very, very strong," said Olajuwon. "If he's stronger than a guy, take him in the post. The post is not just for big men. The post is for anybody that can take advantage of their size. Take him down in the post."

In Aspen w/the @HoustonRockets working out w/ @DwightHoward @JLin7 Coach McHale & the coaching staff. #highaltitudes pic.twitter.com/seOkvQ5VoQ

— Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M) September 10, 2013