Career Stats: Hakeem 21.8 ppg 11.10 rpg 2.5 apg 3.09 bpg NBA MVP (1994); NBA champion (1994, '95) NBA Finals MVP(1994, '95) Tim Duncan 22.5 ppg 12.2 rpg 3.1 apg 2.5 bpg NBA MVP (2002 2003) NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005) NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005) Which of these 2 players do u think is better, they have similar numbers. i think Hakeem was a more explosive scorer but Duncan is a better passer and more fundamental. its a tough choice. i think im gonna say duncan though.
Wow it is a tough choice, I came in this thread saying Hakeem the Dream, but after i see the stats I think I'm going with Duncan. But Olajuwun had a bigger impact when he firsat came into the league because he was a center and cold beat most guards down the court and like you said was more explosive. In my eyes Duncan, he puts up better numbers.
Olajuwon played against all-time greats like David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Moses Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, so of course his numbers are not as good. The power forwards of today are not as skilled as those a decade ago, and it should be noted that Duncan has always been the main option on the team. Olajuwon had teammates like Ralph Sampson, Moses Malone, Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley. The Dream is a top 5 center of all-time and while Duncan is a top 50 greatest ever, he is not on Olajuwon's level yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So please everybody just state your opinion and dont try to prove eachother wrong and put eachother down.</div> Agree. I would take Hakeem talent wise. Yes we all know that Duncan got the fundamentals down and everything, however he is too fundamentally sound and the Pistons series proved it and that's primarily the reason why I'd take Hakeem over Duncan. What was so great about Hakeem? Well not only did he have a go-to move, it was one of the most effective go-to moves in NBA history. Not to mention he also had amazing footwork, agility and was extremely quick for a man his size. And as I type this post, and really think about it, I have to say that Duncan is really somewhat overrated talent wise. When you think about great big men in the past like Hakeem, Worthy, Kareem and even this decade greats like Charles, Shaq and KG Duncan doesn't really come close talent wise if you ask me. He doesn't have good footwork, he's slow, doesn't have any flare to his game and isn't the biggest leaper around. All he really has is the basics. And if a solid frountcourt was thrown at him more often I honestly don't think he would be the player he is today. With the lack of great big men in the NBA these days, he doesn't really have competition. If there were as many great C's and PF's as there are G's, Duncan would not be a Top 5 NBA player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Olajuwon played against all-time greats like David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Moses Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, so of course his numbers are not as good. The power forwards of today are not as skilled as those a decade ago, and it should be noted that Duncan has always been the main option on the team. Olajuwon had teammates like Ralph Sampson, Moses Malone, Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley. The Dream is a top 5 center of all-time and while Duncan is a top 50 greatest ever, he is not on Olajuwon's level yet.</div> I have to agree with you..........Outside of Shaq, no center playing today can match up with the Centers of the 80's. Duncan is very good. Can't take anything away from the guy. But Hakeem was incredible. I'm not exaggerating either, the guy was beautiful to watch. First off, the dreamshake was probably the most unstoppable move in history. He'd fake the dreamshake, spin around his defender and lay it up so gracefully, it was like watching somebody on ice. I think Hakeem is top 3 alltime, as far as centers. Duncan is no slouch, but this isn't much of a comparison.
Olajuwon for me,Duncan is good but Hakeem could do everything as well or even better than Duncan+he had the best footwork for a center I've ever seen.
Like I said in the rockets board, it's Hakeem without a doubt.......Duncan is great, but Hakeem could do everything to you....you try to put a big man (like Shaq) on him and he'll face him up, spin, and hit a fadeaway jumper....you put a smaller forward on him and he'd just over power him and go with his deadly and automatic hook shot or the dream shake.......and lets not forget about the man's Defense.....does anyone remember the block on Rod Strickland or Kevin Johnson????.....Also you have to remember that the reason Hakeem's point avg. is so low is, because he played so many years towards the end of his career when he was ineffective........that point avg. should easily be 26 points at least.......I know I'm going on and on, but I've never seen a Center/PF do what Hakeem could do.
I have always said that Hakeem had the best footwork of anyone I have ever seen. Mchale and Duncan are in the same class, but a bit below Hakeem. As much as I love Timmy it pains me to say I'd take Hakeem.
