Olajuwon vs Duncan...

What's up people?

I was wondering who you guys consider to be a better player between these 2 legends of the game; Hakeem Olajuwon vs Tim Duncan?

I have a friend who's a big "Dream" fan and he claims Ducan ain't got nothing on him. Of course I beg to differ . I think Duncan is the best ever in his position and he's better than Olajuwon!

Your thoughts please,....

Hakeem Olajuwon
NBA champion (1994, '95); NBA Finals MVP (1994, '95); NBA MVP (1994); Defensive Player of Year (1993, '94); All-NBA First Team (1987, '88, '89, '93, '94, '97); All-NBA Second Team ('86, '90, '96); Third Team (1991, '95, '99); All-Defensive First Team ('87, '88, '90, '93, '94); 12-time All-Star; Olympic gold medalist (1996); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Tim Duncan

. NBA Champion 2005
. NBA Finals MVP 2005
? 2003 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team
? All-NBA First Team 2003
? NBA Finals MVP 2003
? Two-time Most Valuable Player (2001-02 and 2002-03)
. Named the NBA Finals MVP in 2005 (Only tying Magic and Shaq with 3 - Jordan won 6)
? Named the NBA Finals MVP in both 1999 and 2003 to become just the third player in history to earn Finals MVP honors in each of their first two trips to the Finals (joining Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan)
? Just the second player in NBA history to be named to both an All-NBA Team and an All-Defensive Team in each of his first 8 seasons (David Robinson was the first and he earned the honors in each of his first seven seasons)
? Has been named to the All-NBA First Team all 8 seasons, the first player since Larry Bird (fifth in NBA history: Baylor, Bird, Duncan, Pettit and Robertson) to be named All-NBA First Team in each of his first 8 seasons
? Has earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team each of the last five seasons after being named to the All-Defensive Second Team as a rookie in '97-98
? Named the 1999 Finals MVP
? Won the 1998 Rookie of the Year
? Named co-MVP of the 2000 All-Star Game
? Been named an All-Star five straight seasons (no game was held in 1999)
? Ranks seventh among active players in playoff career scoring average with 23.9 ppg
? Played for the USA Team in the 1999 Americas Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was selected to play for the U.S. Team in the 2000 Olympics but had to withdraw due to a knee injury
? Been named the NBA Player of the Week 15 times and the Player of the Month four times
? Leads all players in the NBA in double-doubles over the last six seasons
? Named to the All Tournament Team for the 2003 FIBA Americas Men?s Qualifying Tournament after leading the U.S. Team to the Gold Medal

As you can see the numbers don't lie

 

Duncan would get railed on by The Dream in his prime. remember when he tooled on Shaq in the finals. he was unbelievable. Hakeem, in my opinion, is in the top 20 best players ever. i think a better matchup would be Hakeem vs Chamberlain. both explosive jumpers and no one could even touch either of them

top centers ever goes:

1. Chamberlain
2. Kareem Abdul Jabar
3. Russell
4. Shaq
5. Hakeem
6. Ewing
7. The Admiral
8. you can talk about the duncans and whatnot but no oen can touch those men above

( i hope i didnt leave any big ones because i was about to leave kareem out on accident i caught it at the last second

 

Ya Hakeem Olajuwon in his prime was better then Duncan

 

Hakeem in his prime took on a much younger Shaq...

Duncan ended the Laker-Run in 03...he dominated that series and he faced Shaq in his prime!

Furthermore, the reason why The Dream managed to get those 2 rings, is because MJ decided to play some baseball!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">Furthermore, the reason why The Dream managed to get those 2 rings, is because MJ decided to play some baseball!</div>

There is no way you can say.

<u>1991-1993</u>
114-92 Houston Win
100-90 Houston Win
114-100 Chicago Win
105-102 Houston Win
110-96 Houston Win
94-83 Houston Win

Thats 5-1 during the Bulls 3-Peat

So don't give me that BS that the Bulls would have won in 94 and 95. Because as a Rockets fan I'm sick and tired of it.

 

Anyways, back on topic.

Hakeem is way better than Duncan. Hakeem was the most Dominant big man in the early 90s. He was a great scorer, with quickness and smarts. Great defense , he was a shot blocking machine. He took on a young but still dominant Shaq and an MVP type player in David Robinson.

Duncan is a great player but I really dont think he could beat Hakeem. Duncan could probably match him offensive but Hakeem would always come out on top.

 

Hakeem was a lot more dominant and aggressive than Duncan...Hakeem was arguably the most mobile and agile big man to play the game...and everyone says how he didnt play against Jordan, well thats all nonsense...its not Dream's fault Jordan thought he could play baseball...Dream destroyed some nice centers during his time, i.e. Ewing and Robinson...There was nothing Hakeem couldnt do, besides hit 3s...Duncan has weaknesses to his game, such as free throw shooting and I still think he tends to shy away from contact during the late moments of the game...You could rely on Dream anytime, anywhere...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">Hakeem was a lot more dominant and aggressive than Duncan...Hakeem was arguably the most mobile and agile big man to play the game...and everyone says how he didnt play against Jordan, well thats all nonsense...its not Dream's fault Jordan thought he could play baseball...Dream destroyed some nice centers during his time, i.e. Ewing and Robinson...There was nothing Hakeem couldnt do, besides hit 3s...Duncan has weaknesses to his game, such as free throw shooting and I still think he tends to shy away from contact during the late moments of the game...You could rely on Dream anytime, anywhere...</div>
Well said................Dream is one of the top 3 Center of all time

 

IMO, I don't see what is so great about Duncan. He plays fundamentally sound and is smart, but he still sucks. He chokes alot too. Hey, 2 time MVP, 3 rings....

Duncan wins.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">
Duncan ended the Laker-Run in 03...he dominated that series and he faced Shaq in his prime!
</div>
LOL! Shaq wasn't in his prime in 2003,he had a nagging toe injury and his injurys just started. Shaquille was in his prime in 2000 and 2001.
Id take Olajuwon over Duncan,Tim is great but Olajuwon is better,Hakeem was able to score at will but Duncan chokes sometimes when he has to score.
I like the fact that Mr. Olajuwon started to play basketball at the age of 16,that shows how good he actually was cause in today people start at the age of 7 or something and still suck I can't imagine if he would've gone on to be a goalkeeper in the game we call football (soccer)

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOL! Shaq wasn't in his prime in 2003,he had a nagging toe injury and his injurys just started. Shaquille was in his prime in 2000 and 2001.</div>

Really? is this why he averaged 27.5 points in 03? the toe injury thing was nothing more than a lame excuse!

Tim Duncan schooled the lakers in 03...and if it weren't for that piece of trash fisher...the Spurs would have defeated the Lakers in 04 and they would have destroyed the Pistons

Simple as that!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1991-1993
114-92 Houston Win
100-90 Houston Win
114-100 Chicago Win
105-102 Houston Win
110-96 Houston Win
94-83 Houston Win

Thats 5-1 during the Bulls 3-Peat</div>

and your point is?

MJ would have taken over! The Bulls would have defeated the rockets in 5 or 6 games max. Just give the dream his points and shut down the scrubs!

Olajuwon went to the big dance 3 times...only won it twice
TD is 3 for 3 bro (3 MVP'S)

As soon as TD arrived at SA...he took over the team (D. Robinson took a backseat) now that is greatness!

Hakeem was a great defender, he won the best defensive player of the year award twice, SO what?

Pippen is the best defensive SF in history and he never one a damn award...
Duncan has made the NBA Team and an All-Defensive Team 8 times (8 straight years)

he's been named to the All-NBA First Team 8 times!!!

on the other hand olajuwon only made All-NBA 6 times and All-Defensive team 5 times!
and he played nearly 50 years

is Olajuwon considered the best in his position? NO
is Duncan considered the best PF ever? Damn right!

 

dagoods, maybe ur just a hater, or u didnt watch the Rockets enough...but our "scrubs" were Otis Thorpe (17 ppg, 8 rpg), Robert Horry (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg), Clyde Drexler (20 ppg, 5 apg, 6 rpg) and Sam Cassell (10 ppg, 4 apg)...not scrubs at all...and YES, Olajuwon is considered the best for his position...CONSIDERED...but you also have to think of all the greats that have manned the 5 spot: Shaq, Ewing, D-Robinson, Kareem, Bill Walton, Bill Russell, and I'm sure theres more I'm missing...great PFs of all time? Its a much harder list...hmmm, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley...kevin mchale...i think thats about it lol...and only mchale and duncan have rings...everyone except ewing has a ring out of the centers group...bottom line is, the center spot is a much more talented and dominant group that are plagued with championships...the 4 spot has tons of GREAT players but not really any dominant ones...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">and your point is?</div>

Bulls had a hard team beating the Rockets during their 3-peat. It may be the regular season but thats no excuse to go 1-5.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">MJ would have taken over! The Bulls would have defeated the rockets in 5 or 6 games max. Just give the dream his points and shut down the scrubs!</div>

Like I tell everyone who worships Jordan. MJ would have elevated his game and so would Olajuwon. But you cant be sure what the rest of the players would do. So you cant just asume MJ=Win.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">Olajuwon went to the big dance 3 times...only won it twice
TD is 3 for 3 bro (3 MVP'S)</div>

the 99 Spurs had a better team than the 86 Rockets. Plus the Rockets played the Great Celtics and the Spurs played a Ewing-less Knicks.

If you wonna say the Rockets 2 Rings didnt count, you gotta do the same to San Antonios 1st championship. They played a shorter season and if they had played the full season injuries could of happened or been prevented. Patrick Ewing may have never gotten hurt.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">As soon as TD arrived at SA...he took over the team (D. Robinson took a backseat) now that is greatness!</div>

Im sure Olajuwon would have done the same. Robinson realized that he was past his prime and that his Team just drafted a really good player in Duncan. A player that can lead a team.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">Hakeem was a great defender, he won the best defensive player of the year award twice, SO what?</div>

So What?? 4.17bpg in 93 and 3.71 in 94. 1.83spg in 93 and 1.6 in 94 as a Center.I really think thats DPY worthy.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">on the other hand olajuwon only made All-NBA 6 times and All-Defensive team 5 times!</div>

Hakeem played in a greater time. With great Defenders like Robinson, Mutombo, Ewing, and Rodman. So there was alot more competiton in his days.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dagoods:</div><div class="quote_post">
is Olajuwon considered the best in his position? NO
is Duncan considered the best PF ever? Damn right!</div>

There are alot more great Centers than great PowerForwards. Chamberlin, Russell, Shaq, M.Malone, Robinson, and Abdul-Jabbar are all very good.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">dagoods, maybe ur just a hater, or u didnt watch the Rockets enough...but our "scrubs" were Otis Thorpe (17 ppg, 8 rpg), Robert Horry (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg), Clyde Drexler (20 ppg, 5 apg, 6 rpg) and Sam Cassell (10 ppg, 4 apg)...not scrubs at all...and YES, Olajuwon is considered the best for his position...CONSIDERED...but you also have to think of all the greats that have manned the 5 spot: Shaq, Ewing, D-Robinson, Kareem, Bill Walton, Bill Russell, and I'm sure theres more I'm missing...great PFs of all time? Its a much harder list...hmmm, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley...kevin mchale...i think thats about it lol...and only mchale and duncan have rings...everyone except ewing has a ring out of the centers group...bottom line is, the center spot is a much more talented and dominant group that are plagued with championships...the 4 spot has tons of GREAT players but not really any dominant ones...</div>


The Bulls would have probably swept the rockets in 94, the only real threat besided Olajuwon, would have been Drexler but he joined the Rockets in 95...but the Bulls would have won it in 6!

The Knicks took you guys to a game 7 in 94, can you imagine the pounding MJ and co. would have given you?

We defeated the knicks in 93, they did not make any big changes in 94 (they had the same core of guys)...and thanks to a stupid call..they were able to get by Pip and. co.

There is no doubt in my mind if we were to add MJ to the 94 Bulls team, the bulls would have defeated the rockets!

Now, how is Olajuwon considered the best ever center? where? Not in this Cosmos!

Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain is the best Center ever!

and there were/are some pretty classy PF's as well

Sir Charles, Karl Malone, Chris Webber, K. Garnett, McHale, Pettit, Hayes, Debusschere, B. Williams, Dolph Schayes, Kemp, Connie Hawkins, Rodman, Bob McAdoo, Dirk, etc...

but guess what? Duncan is light years ahead of these clowns!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Like I tell everyone who worships Jordan. MJ would have elevated his game and so would Olajuwon. But you cant be sure what the rest of the players would do. So you cant just asume MJ=Win.</div>

Like I tell everyone who worships Hakeem. The dream is a HOF but he was only dominant for 2 seasons...whereas MJ is the best damn NBA player ever - Enough Said!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">the 99 Spurs had a better team than the 86 Rockets. Plus the Rockets played the Great Celtics and the Spurs played a Ewing-less Knicks.

If you wonna say the Rockets 2 Rings didnt count, you gotta do the same to San Antonios 1st championship. They played a shorter season and if they had played the full season injuries could of happened or been prevented. Patrick Ewing may have never gotten hurt.
</div>

the 99 Spurs were better than the 94 and 95 Rockets team put together!
Everyone thought Stockon and Malone were going to win in 99...but guess what? Tim Duncan had different plans!!!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Im sure Olajuwon would have done the same. Robinson realized that he was past his prime and that his Team just drafted a really good player in Duncan. A player that can lead a team.</div>

Oh really? that's nice, do you have any other fairy tells?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So What?? 4.17bpg in 93 and 3.71 in 94. 1.83spg in 93 and 1.6 in 94 as a Center.I really think thats DPY worthy.</div>

That piece of trash, ben wallace has won this award 2 or 3 times...so won it twice, even Mutombo has won this award...but none of these guys are/were better defenders than Pippen!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hakeem played in a greater time. With great Defenders like Robinson, Mutombo, Ewing, and Rodman. So there was alot more competiton in his days.</div>

Zo, Ben Wallace, Shaq, Ming...what's the difference?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There are alot more great Centers than great PowerForwards. Chamberlin, Russell, Shaq, M.Malone, Robinson, and Abdul-Jabbar are all very good.</div>

Sir Charles, Karl Malone, Chris Webber, K. Garnett, McHale, Pettit, Hayes, Debusschere, B. Williams, Dolph Schayes, Kemp, Connie Hawkins, Rodman, Bob McAdoo, Dirk, etc...

 

Bottom Line is, nobody asked MJ to play baseball. So give the Rockets credit. And if MJ was there you still cant be sure about what would of happened. You cant just guarantee things. You can always predict but you will never know for sure.

Im still not convinced that Ducan is better than Olajuwon. Duncan couldnt defend Amare. So how would he do against Hakeem?

Duncan has had more success than Hakeem but thats not the question. Its Hakeem vs Duncan. You talk about success ill take Duncan. You talk about skill ill take Hakeem.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Im still not convinced that Ducan is better than Olajuwon. Duncan couldnt defend Amare. So how would he do against Hakeem?</div>

who won the series? Duncan had his share of points!

The spurs gave amare and nash their points...but they were able to shut down the other clowns!

against the rockets...Duncan would give the dream his points no more than 30, thats for sure....but Bowen and the gang will make sure the other guys get shut down!

 

Bottom line is...Bulls would have taken a POOP on the dream and his buddies....

MJ never lost in the finals

- Enough said!

 

Ah .. Finally .. I may return to the old times, where I could write 2 pages on one topic. Though I won't now, I hope to.

First off, it's funny how the Rockets fans jump on the haters .. Woo, I love you guys.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Furthermore, the reason why The Dream managed to get those 2 rings, is because MJ decided to play some baseball!</div>

I refer you to my signature. If you don't believe it from Hakeem himself, I can sure as hell post MJ's comments [paraphrasing] "It's a good thing they'll never make it to the Finals, because I am sure we wouldn't be able to beat them." [/paraphrasing]

Back on the subject of Duncan vs. Dream, seeing all the clips of Hakeem teaching Duncan post up moves is enough proof that Hakeem in his prime would dominate Duncan. Most Centers would have 5 or 6 different post up, go-to moves, Hakeem had 5 or 6 sets of them. He dominated in the paint area, and his footwork resembled something you'd see in an Usher music video ( ). If Hakeem faked you once, he'd let you come back down, fake you again, then lay it back in.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Zo, Ben Wallace, Shaq, Ming...what's the difference?</div>


'Zo', I am assuming, is Alonzo Mouring. When Olajuwon was playing Mourning was in his prime. Nowadays, he's hobbled, not starting, and no where near his prime. When was the last time Duncan played him? Shaquille O'neal, hobbled as is, again, not really in his prime years now, even when Duncan eliminated him, he was not 100% (something with his toe, foot?). Ben Wallace does not compare to Robinson, Ewing, Mutumbo. Defensively maybe, but he's not a huge factor on offense, doesn't drop 30 on you. He wasn't in the same Conference, same Division. I can't say I am disappointed at the fact that you decided to add Yao into the mix, but please, Hakeem vs. Ming, not even funny. As tall as Yao is, Hakeem would've torched him. He isn't the defensive presence that Mutumbo is, and Mutumbo is 39 (or 80, no one really knows).

Just for you, Dagoods, since you have some love for Robinson..

The Dream Shake

Call me when Duncan pulls that off on an MVP who is the same size as him.

The first year we won our Championship, Olajuwon did not have a superstar with him. He had role-players, damn good role-players, but no Kobe, no Manu (though some of the Rockets compared to Manu). He carried that team. It was a rarity that Olajuwon didn't score atleast 20 a game.

Duncan however, Game 3 of the Finals, mustered 14 points in 38 minutes. Even in Game 2, he scored 18. Game 4 he scores 16.

As I eagerly await your response, I give you, some information on the Rockets Second Title Run.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets were the lowest-seeded team entering the playoffs ? No. 6 ? in the Western Conference to win a championship. They defeated more teams with more regular-season wins ? Utah (60), Phoenix (59), San Antonio (62) and Orlando (57) ? than any champion in league history. </div>