who was better? Im going with Hakeem, looking back at his career I think he was the epitome of a center. The first player to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in 1994.
Hakeem was a better overall basketball player. If Shaq wasn't so big he wouldn't have been half the player he was. He was so big he could do whatever he wanted, and when he got Kobe, there was a guy who could score when Shaq got doubled, which is why they were so dominant. Poor Hakeem had Jordan in the league, you saw what happened when MJ retired and played baseball. Hakeem won some championships, 1 against Shaquille Oneal and the Orlando Magic in a sweep. Hakeem better over all offensive player, more of a finese game down low, and Shaq just a dominant physical force, but a better defensive player and rebounder. This is also why Hakeem was still a force later in his career, Shaq isn't even a shadow of his former self.
Holy crap. Did you just say that? Using that logic, if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. Anyways, Shaq was far more dominate. He has made every team that he's been on a great team instantly. When he played for the Magic, he made them Eastern Conference champs. When he played for the Lakers he made them World Champs several times. When he played for the Heat, he won a World Championship. When he went to Cleveland they were Eastern Conference Champs. He's the most dominate player to ever play the game. He was better than Hakeem. BTW, if Jordan wasn't a great shooter then he wouldn't have been as good as he was. :hihi:
Yeah i know, i know, don't get me wrong, if i had to choose Shaq or Hakeem in their prime, i would take Shaq 10 out of 10 times. Hakeem was just an better offensive basketball player, he shot better, he had more of a finesse game down low, and was a good defender and rebounder. Shaq was dominant because he was huge, was a really good offensive player, a great presence down low on defense.
He also had Kobe at LA. Shaq was the man but Kobe definitely helped propel them to the championships as well. Wade won the championship in Miami and Cleveland wasn't Eastern Conference champs this past year. But yeah, I def agree that Shaq was a beast and unstoppable in his prime.
I'd have to go with Hakeem. He won with less talent around him. Come on, first title his backcourt was Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell who was certified crazy (they didn't call him Mad Max for nothing!). Hakeem strapped the team on his back and carried them to two consecutive titles (second one they replaced Maxwell with Clyde Drexler, a clear upgrade). Hakeem had great skills, passing, dribbling, a plethora of shots, nobody could stop the Dream Shake when he was going. Good rebounder and defender, and all team guy. Shaq is very good, powerful, but I don't think his skills came up to Hakeem. When he won titles, the supporting cast was better, or was he Kobe's supporting cast?
olajuwon-my favorite player ever. im biased but i think he was the best nba player ever too. i think there has never been a C in their time that he would not have gotten the best of. still remember the game where he was on assist shy of a quintruple double.
