Rob Says Hakeem Is Better Than Shaq and Tim Duncan

When asked who was the best center he ever played with, Horry, who played the middle for the Crimson Tide, didn’t bat an eyelash when he declared former Houston Rockets’ great Hakeem Olajuwon as the top slotman.

“He was so talented and could do so many different things. I’d put him on top and Tim [Duncan] and Shaquille [O’Neal] can trade places for second and third.”

Horry then paused, smiled, and made sure he was clear with his intentions, “Hey, Shaq and Tim...I love you guys, okay?”

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sport ... dream.html

I disagree. I'd say Shaq > Duncan > Hakeem

I agree with him. Hakeem is no worse than the second best defensive center of all-time and arguably the greatest defensive center of all-time.

Offensively, he's also a beast. Double/triple team with David Robinson and Dennis Rodman couldn't stop him. Shaq and Horace Grant couldn't stop him. Hakeem took a team without HCA throughout the whole playoffs to the championship. I believe that was the only time that has ever happened. His FT% wasn't weak like Shaq's either.

It's hard to argue that he wasn't honestly. Dream was an absolute monster. I've never seen a big man with that many skills offensively, nor with his ability to time his jumps and block shots. Dude was nuts.

Can't really argue there.

Having seen all 3 and the other great bigs that dominated the 90s, I have to say I've never seen anyone with the moves Hakeem had. He had an astonishing array of moves he'd use to get the basket against anyone, especially his Dream Shake. And his footwork was something you'd expect from a boxer, not a NBA player. Even Pete Newell said Hakeem had the best footwork he'd seen from a big.

Hakeem could be the most complete center to play the game. I don't think we'll see a better two way center in our life time. He did it all (hell, he's in the top 10 for total steals, only C on that list).

I can't and won't give Shaq the title of the best C ever because of his unwillingness to do what it takes to sustain that level of play. He could have been the best to play the position, but "injuries," a lousy work ethic, and a ginormous ego keep prevent him from reaching that status. He's not the MDE, he's the MDFAPOT -- Most Dominant For A Period Of Time.

Tim already has the title of the best "PF" ever, but I don't think the top 3 PFs compare to the top 5 Cs. Personally I'd take Cap, Wilt, Russell, Hakeem, or Shaq before TD, Malone, or Chuck.

i have no problem putting Dream above TD and shaq. I also would not have a problem if he were to say Shaq was the best. As long as he doesn't put TD on top.

No argument here. I don't consider myself a huge Hakeem fan, but I watched enough of his games to remember him as Akeem. I'd still take Kareem over him any day of the week.

John3:16 wrote:No argument here. I don't consider myself a huge Hakeem fan, but I watched enough of his games to remember him as Akeem. I'd still take Kareem over him any day of the week.

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Robert Horry is right.

While it's hard to argue against Shaq's greatness as a player... Hakeem was a real monster. I have seen him play, and I was in awe of his ability to perform so many different moves in the post. In fact, he had -- in my opinion at least -- the best footwork of any big man in the history of the game.

I do think Kareem was a better center, and that Wilt was more dominant. But of those three... yes, I could see Hakeem coming out on top. Now, Duncan is a PF so... it might be a little unfair to compare them because great centers > great PFs.

well rob's only talking about the 3 he played with personally. it's not like he's saying dream is best center ever to play.

altho i suppose he might say that too.

shouldn't have put Duncan in the argument, Duncan isn't a center. He's a pure old school PF that can play the C at times.

Olajuwon was the most athletic center I ever saw... Abdul-Jabbar was more unstoppable because of THAT shot but Olajuwon was nimble and could go out on the perimeter to chase fast guards...probably due to his soccer influence as a child. Olajuwon made O'Neal work on defense when they met in the 1995 Finals. If it still came down to one center, I'd still take #33 also.

At his total "PEAK" Hakeem can be considered best ever but I don't recall his PEAK lasting very long, so I don't think anyone can consider him the greatest center ever overall or in general.

Shaq>Hakeem>duncan. Hakeem had more skill then both. but the NBA changed the rules because of shaq.
He's a beast.

I don't really blame Horry on that one. I still have Shaq ahead of hakeem but, hakeem was no slouch.

Johnnyboy wrote:Shaq>Hakeem>duncan. Hakeem had more skill then both. but the NBA changed the rules because of shaq.
He's a beast.

i actually agree.

Hakeem cared more about defending than Shaq. Shaq was more dominant and scored more points, but he could not block shots or defend the way the Dream did. It's hard for me to say, but I would still go SHaq>Hakeem>TD. Although u could easily convince me that Hakeem is better.

Let's hear Hakeem explain his "Dream Shake":

O'Neal was a dominant force on offense but I don't believe he ever led The League in rebounding or shot blocking. Olajuwon's overall game was more rounded, a staple on All League and All Defensive Teams during his tenure. He was also DPOY TWICE and recorded only the third quadruple double in League history. He was consistent and professional about the game, his teammates. I'll take that every day of the week. Duncan should not even be in the conversation as I believe he is primarily a 4.

all that and only 6'10".

hulkst3r wrote:shouldn't have put Duncan in the argument, Duncan isn't a center. He's a pure old school PF that can play the C at times.

In my opinion, Tim Duncan is the best center to ever play PF if that makes sense. He played center at Wake Forest, but, was drafted by a team that already had a veteran hall-of-fame center. He was the #1 pick of the draft, would you have had him come off the bench or try him out in the starting lineup as part of a twin towers? Luckily for him, David Robinson was more comfortable as a jump shooter on offense, leaving the post open for Duncan. On defense, they cross-matched at times, but, Robinson usually defended opposing centers.

While, Duncan got out of playing one-on-one defense against centers for most of his career you do have to credit him for being a defensive anchor, a role usually reserved for centers, through out the years.

Yes, shoudn't compare with Duncan, and should put David Robinson instead.

"Dream" Hakeem Olajuwon was so fundamentally strong (offensively and defensively), his footwork and agility to balance his size and strength was insane.

Definitely one of the greatest centers to ever play the game alongside with Shaq, Kareem and Wilt.

JSM wrote:Can't really argue there.

Having seen all 3 and the other great bigs that dominated the 90s, I have to say I've never seen anyone with the moves Hakeem had. He had an astonishing array of moves he'd use to get the basket against anyone, especially his Dream Shake. And his footwork was something you'd expect from a boxer, not a NBA player. Even Pete Newell said Hakeem had the best footwork he'd seen from a big.

Hakeem could be the most complete center to play the game. I don't think we'll see a better two way center in our life time. He did it all (hell, he's in the top 10 for total steals, only C on that list).

I can't and won't give Shaq the title of the best C ever because of his unwillingness to do what it takes to sustain that level of play. He could have been the best to play the position, but "injuries," a lousy work ethic, and a ginormous ego keep prevent him from reaching that status. He's not the MDE, he's the MDFAPOT -- Most Dominant For A Period Of Time.

Tim already has the title of the best "PF" ever, but I don't think the top 3 PFs compare to the top 5 Cs. Personally I'd take Cap, Wilt, Russell, Hakeem, or Shaq before TD, Malone, or Chuck.

LOL Shaq dominated for longer and harder than Dream

1) Hakeem Olajuwon
2) Shaquille O'Neal
3) David Robinson
4) Patrik Ewing
5) Alonzo Mourning
6) Dikembe Mutombo

Wow, 90's era got so many scary good centers ! (How about this decade ?)

gcclaker wrote:O'Neal was a dominant force on offense but I don't believe he ever led The League in rebounding or shot blocking. Olajuwon's overall game was more rounded, a staple on All League and All Defensive Teams during his tenure. He was also DPOY TWICE and recorded only the third quadruple double in League history. He was consistent and professional about the game, his teammates. I'll take that every day of the week. Duncan should not even be in the conversation as I believe he is primarily a 4.

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