The Case For Hakeem Olajuwon As The Greatest Player In The NBA History

[PTB Fan]

Here's my case for Hakeem Olajuwon as the GOAT. He's not usually ranked that high, but i tried my best to make a respectable case for him. Here you go.

http://www.hardcourtmayhem.com/2011/08/14/best-ever-serieswhy-hakeem-olajuwon-was-the-greatest-player-in-the-nba-history/

A comment with a critic (positive or negative) is welcomed.

[millwad]

Here's my case for Hakeem Olajuwon as the GOAT. He's not usually ranked that high, but i tried my best to make a respectable case for him. Here you go.

http://www.hardcourtmayhem.com/2011/08/14/best-ever-serieswhy-hakeem-olajuwon-was-the-greatest-player-in-the-nba-history/

A comment with a critic (positive or negative) is welcomed.

You can expect that most people on this site didn't even see Hakeem play so they will base their judgement on stats, rings and MVP's and then there are Hakeem-haters like Jlauber.

Personally I have Hakeem in my top 5 and I have him ranked as the second greatest center even with Shaq, after Kareem. Kareem, Jordan, Magic and possibly Bird are the players I have above Hakeem.

[BlackJoker23]

lol'd at the title. op is a *******.

[PTB Fan]

You can expect that most people on this site didn't even see Hakeem play so they will base their judgement on stats, rings and MVP's and then there are Hakeem-haters like Jlauber.

Personally I have Hakeem in my top 5 and I have him ranked as the second greatest center even with Shaq, after Kareem. Kareem, Jordan, Magic and possibly Bird are the players I have above Hakeem.

I feel Hakeem's underrated. He had a mix of everything. Superb all-around game, great resume, legendary peak, outplayed his competition, won the respect of his peers, dominated, was elite post up force, terrific defender etc.

That's why i wrote this argument. Hopefully you liked it.

[PTB Fan]

lol'd at the title. op is a *******.

What ever.. :rolleyes:

[ballerz]

Hakeem is underrated but i dont think he has a case for GOAT. He could only win when jordan left and It would be hard to see that he has a better case of guys like Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.

[PTB Fan]

Hakeem is underrated but i dont think he has a case for GOAT. He could only win when jordan left and It would be hard to see that he has a better case of guys like Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.

Interesting thoughts. I think he definitely has a case, but i'm going to respect your opinion. Thanks for the read and comment

[The_Yearning]

I don't see how people have Shaq in top 10 and not this guy.

2 rings as the Main MAN, all time shot blocker, most skilled center to ever play the game.

Shaq: 4 rings, played with a GOAT contender in Kobe, Wade and the refs carried his fat ass for his 4th ring. Not to mention his ring in 2002 was full of asterisks.

[millwad]

I feel Hakeem's underrated. He had a mix of everything. Superb all-around game, great resume, legendary peak, outplayed his competition, won the respect of his peers, dominated, was elite post up force, terrific defender etc.

That's why i wrote this argument. Hopefully you liked it.

Hakeem sure thing had no flaws and it's a big shame that many of his pre-championship years was wasted due having terrible teammates. And when he finally won he had worse teammates than every single top 10 guy of all-time had when they won.

Based on skills he is definitely a GOAT-candidate but as I said, crappy teammates was costly for him since he "only" won 2 championships.

[PTB Fan]

I don't see how people have Shaq in top 10 and not this guy.

2 rings as the Main MAN, all time shot blocker, most skilled center to ever play the game.

Shaq: 4 rings, played with a GOAT contender in Kobe, Wade and the refs carried his fat ass for his 4th ring. Not to mention his ring in 2002 was full of asterisks.

I consider both Shaq and Hakeem as contenders for GOAT. I'm soon going to write one article on the Diesel. Thanks for the read and comment. I definitely agree that Hakeem deserves to get ranked higher

[Big#50]

Hakeem was an easy guy to get to early in his career. He was out of position a lot on defense. He wasn't much of a passer and a bit of a black hole at times. Went for too many blocks. Even in his prime he would have a lot of games of four or five fouls. Great post game that was very effective for his era. I saw about 100 Hakeem games. I have him anywhere from 10 to 6 on my all time list.

[millwad]

Hakeem is underrated but i dont think he has a case for GOAT. He could only win when jordan left and It would be hard to see that he has a better case of guys like Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.

Jordan was back in '95 but Chicago got an old fashioned ass whoopin' by the Orlando Magic in the playoffs, the same Orlando team Hakeem and the Rockets later swept in the finals..

I have Jordan, Magic and Kareem ranked higher than Hakeem, possibly Bird as well but Russell, nooo. Russell was an amazing player but he had amazing teammates by his side and he was a crappy scorer, we are talking about a center who only made 44% of his field goal attempts and in the playoffs he only made 43% of his field goal attempts and he was a terrible FT-shooter as well.

A GOAT is supposed to be a better scorer than that, Russell had flaws in his games.

[PTB Fan]

Hakeem was an easy guy to get to early in his career. He was out of position a lot on defense. He wasn't much of a passer and a bit of a black hole at times. Went for too many blocks. Even in his prime he would have a lot of games of four or five fouls. Great post game that was very effective for his era. I saw about 100 Hakeem games. I have him anywhere from 10 to 6 on my all time list.

Thanks for the read and comment. I agree that early in his career he'd go out to block shots too much, fell for ball fakes etc but he changed and then in his peak, he destroyed nearly everyone

[Fatal9]

Prime Hakeem is as good as anyone. I suppose you could argue in that sort of roundabout way.

[Big#50]

Thanks for the read and comment. I agree that early in his career he'd go out to block shots too much, fell for ball fakes etc but he changed and then in his peak, he destroyed nearly everyone
While his offense got better in his peak, his D got worst. I guess it had something to do with taking a lot of shots on offense. Dude didn't hydrate with water for stretches during the season. ****ing amazing. Hakeem badly outplayed my favorite player of all time, but I still love his game.

[PTB Fan]

Prime Hakeem is as good as anyone. I suppose you could argue in that sort of roundabout way.

Yup. I'd say career wise, he was good as anyone too. Thanks for the read and comment. By the way, i applaud you for that video you made about his scoring skills. Outstanding

[ThaSwagg3r]

Hakeem has a case for greatest prime or peak of all-time but he has no case for the greatest player of all-time career-wise. His accomplishments are just wayyyyyy behind the other all time greats like MJ, Russell, Kareem, etc.

[millwad]

Hakeem was an easy guy to get to early in his career. He was out of position a lot on defense. He wasn't much of a passer and a bit of a black hole at times. Went for too many blocks. Even in his prime he would have a lot of games of four or five fouls. Great post game that was very effective for his era. I saw about 100 Hakeem games. I have him anywhere from 10 to 6 on my all time list.

Early in his career, as early as his 2nd year as a pro he lead the Houston Rockets all the way to the '86 finals. And they didn't have an easy road to the finals, they faced the previous year's champ, Los Angeles Lakers, the same Lakers who had 3 HOF:ers on their team (Magic, Worthy and Kareem) and Hakeem abused the Lakers in that series.

Even in the finals he played great and he lead his Rocket team all the way to game 6 vs the '86 Boston team who is by many considered to be the greatest team of all-time. Sure, young Hakeem had flaws in his game but he was way better than what you just wrote.

[SCdac]

Not that I agree... but it's an interesting write up. Definitely an accomplished player. One who also lost a fair amount (numerous first round exits).

I think you could afford to consolidate the list a little bit, though.

I mean, "All-Around Game" and "Two way package" are basically the same thing... and "Low Post offense", "Post player", and "Foot work" could all probably be merged together into one solid, comprehensive paragraph... Same with "Accomplishments" and "Career Facts".

Not trying to nitpick, but, just mere writing-wise, seems like you're dissecting his game to death in a not very fluid way.

[millwad]

While his offense got better in his peak, his D got worst. I guess it had something to do with taking a lot of shots on offense. Dude didn't hydrate with water for stretches during the season. ****ing amazing. Hakeem badly outplayed my favorite player of all time, but I still love his game.

Haha, first you wrote that he was out of position alot early in his career and now suddenly he became a worse defensive player in his prime?

The guy was the Defensive Player of the Year the same year he won it all with the Rockets in '94, stop the BS...

[Big#50]

Early in his career, as early as his 2nd year as a pro he lead the Houston Rockets all the way to the '86 finals. And they didn't have an easy road to the finals, they faced the previous year's champ, Los Angeles Lakers, the same Lakers who had 3 HOF:ers on their team (Magic, Worthy and Kareem) and Hakeem abused the Lakers in that series.

Even in the finals he played great and he lead his Rocket team all the way to game 6 vs the '86 Boston team who is by many considered to be the greatest team of all-time. Sure, young Hakeem had flaws in his game but he was way better than what you just wrote.
I do not know how I said he wasn't good. All I said was my case for him not being the goat. I have him at #6 in my all time list. The year ye went to the finals he had three other scorers at over 15ppg. Sampson was a match up nightmare as well. Hakeem was great early in his career, but he also had many faults. I'll admit I didn't watch the 86 season. I started following the league towards the end of the 87 season.

[millwad]

I do not know how I said he wasn't good. All I said was my case for him not being the goat. I have him at #6 in my all time list. The year ye went to the finals he had three other scorers at over 15ppg. Sampson was a match up nightmare as well. Hakeem was great early in his career, but he also had many faults. I'll admit I didn't watch the 86 season. I started following the league towards the end of the 87 season.

If you didn't watch the '86 season you shouldn't comment it either. The Rockets lost their starting PG John Lucas who didn't even touch the floor in the playoffs. Sure, the Rockets had a talented team but Hakeem in his 2nd year was the OBVIOUS leader of that team.

And the teams they faced in the playoffs had just as much talent, if not more than the Rockets. In the WCF they faced the Lakers who had 3 HOF:ers on their team and in the finals he faced a freaking Boston Celtic team with 5 players who averaged more than 15 points per game in the playoffs. The same Celtic team had 5 HOF:ers on their roster and 4 of them were in their primes or close to their prime.

[SteveNashMVPcro]

Hakeem has a case for greatest prime or peak of all-time but he has no case for the greatest player of all-time career-wise. His accomplishments are just wayyyyyy behind the other all time greats like MJ, Russell, Kareem, etc.
this.He's top 10 for sure but he lacks rings,mvps etc. to be called the GOAT

[Harison]

Hakeem is underrated but i dont think he has a case for GOAT. He could only win when jordan left and It would be hard to see that he has a better case of guys like Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.
Hakeem's accolades dont make him GOAT, however its circumstances based. Give to Dream Showtime Lakers (Kareem's spot), Bird's Celtics (instead of McHale or Parish, or both :pimp:), etc., and watch him tear league apart. Talent, incredible drive in the Playoffs, overall impact... He had it all. Arguably the most complete center, ever.

[Big#50]

Haha, first you wrote that he was out of position alot early in his career and now suddenly he became a worse defensive player in his prime?

The guy was the Defensive Player of the Year the same year he won it all with the Rockets in '94, stop the BS...
He was at his peak defensively from 89 to 93. If you think he was better defensively from 94 to 96 you would be wrong. You know the years that everyone considers his prime. Instead of attacking other posters we should all share knowledge. I do not mind being corrected, or taught new things.Tell me he did not become an inferior defender when he won those rings.

[millwad]

He was at his peak defensively from 89 to 93. If you think he was better defensively from 94 to 96 you would be wrong. You know the years that everyone considers his prime. Instead of attacking other posters we should all share knowledge. I do not mind being corrected. Tell me he did not become an inferior defender when he won those rings.

I don't attack you, I just think you're an idiot. Sharing is one thing but claiming blatant lies without any knowledge is just silly.

Hakeem during his career got the DPOY-trophy twice, one in '93 and one in '94 and both those years he was in his prime. And both those years he was an amazing defender. Prime Hakeem was just as good as a defender as he ever was.

[SuperPippen]

Prime Hakeem is as good as anyone. I suppose you could argue in that sort of roundabout way.

I agree.

While I don't think Olajuwon has a legitimate case for GOAT, I don't think it would be a stretch to call the him the best overall combination of size, skill, and athleticism in NBA history.

[Bigsmoke]

better than MJ???

hahahahHAHAHAHhahahahahahah.

thanx. i needed that laugh

[Big#50]

I don't attack you, I just think you're an idiot. Sharing is one thing but claiming blatant lies without any knowledge is just silly.

Hakeem during his career got the DPOY-trophy twice, one in '93 and one in '94 and both those years he was in his prime. And both those years he was an amazing defender. Prime Hakeem was just as good as a defender as he ever was.
Nah, he really wasn't. 94 Hakeem focused more on his offensive game. His D took a back seat. He had a good defensive team around him in 94 and 95. I'm sure I'm not the only one that saw this. You should watch some games. It's clear as day. What blatant lies did I say? Only kids have your attitude. You must be young. You mention his 94 DPOY as proof. LOL

[RRR3]

He has no case whatsoever for being the GOAT.

[RRR3]

I don't see how people have Shaq in top 10 and not this guy.

2 rings as the Main MAN, all time shot blocker, most skilled center to ever play the game.

Shaq: 4 rings, played with a GOAT contender in Kobe, Wade and the refs carried his fat ass for his 4th ring. Not to mention his ring in 2002 was full of asterisks.
:wtf:

[millwad]

Nah, he really wasn't. 94 Hakeem focused more on his offensive game. His D took a back seat. He had a good defensive team around him in 94 and 95. I'm sure I'm not the only one that saw this. You should watch some games. It's clear as day. What blatant lies did I say? Only kids have your attitude. You must be young. You mention his 94 DPOY as proof. LOL

Stop your bullshit, you have no clue about what you're writing about. Of course the guy concentrated on his offensive game, the 2nd best scorer of that team in the playoffs was Maxwell who averaged 13.8 points per game on 37% shooting.

And still, Hakeem in '94 played amazing defense, only someone without any knowledge at all would claim otherwise. We are talking about the DPOY, I'm not making up anything, the guy got the trophy for being the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR and he sure thing lived up to it. He had amazing defensive plays through the playoffs a la the gamewinning block vs the Knicks in game 6.

And he also completely shut down Ewing in the finals in '94, Ewing only made 36% of his field goal attempts vs Hakeem and the Rockets. He also shut down Robinson in '95, maybe that's why you have no trust in trophies since Drob really didn't live up to his MVP...

The Rockets without Hakeem didn't have great defense, Smith was abused through the whole playoffs both in 94 and 95 in every series he played. Thorpe was a good defender but never mad any all-NBA defensive teams, Horry was decent, Maxwell was good but he was a nutcase and he never made any defensive teams. Drexler did never make any all-defensive teams either. In fact, Hakeem was the only one who made defensive teams and he was the back to back DPOY, get out of here..

[Big164]

This article is unfair to bird and mchale who whopped Samson and hakeems ass with little to no athleticism.

Bird had to run the gauntlet of Erving, mj, Isaiah, Dominique and Moses before even facing a west coast team. And he managed to win 3 rings during this grueling era.

Where are hakeems 3 rings? Why did he never face mj in any of the bulls 6 finals appearances? Hakeem is way to streaky to be the goat.

[rmt]

Greatest Player in NBA history is a title that needs a better resume than Hakeem's. How can one say he's the GOAT when others have much better resumes and similar skill?

[rodman91]

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/1232904646_Techno%20viking.gif
http://cdn.pimpmyspace.org/media/pms/c/6t/ea/r1/acid.jpg

[RRR3]

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/1232904646_Techno%20viking.gif
http://cdn.pimpmyspace.org/media/pms/c/6t/ea/r1/acid.jpg
http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/20/ROFL_MAO.jpg

[millwad]

This article is unfair to bird and mchale who whopped Samson and hakeems ass with little to no athleticism.

Bird had to run the gauntlet of Erving, mj, Isaiah, Dominique and Moses before even facing a west coast team. And he managed to win 3 rings during this grueling era.

Where are hakeems 3 rings? Why did he never face mj in any of the bulls 6 finals appearances? Hakeem is way to streaky to be the goat.

Bird was a SF and McHale was a PF, Hakeem was a center and neither of them "whopped" Hakeem ass. Hakeem who just was in his 2nd year as a pro had to deal with the Celtics who had 5 HOF:ers on their team while his co-star Sampson got abused by McHale and only averaged 14.8 points during the finals on 43% shooting.

Hakeem played a great series and he averaged 24.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. He outplayed HOF:er Robert Parish completely in the finals in his 2nd season as a pro and led his team to game 6 vs maybe the greatest team of all-time. And it should be said that it easily could have been a 7 games series since Rockets lost game 4 with only 3 points. What more do you expect from the guy? Before that in the WCF, he abused the reigning champs Lakers and led his Rocket-team to any easy 4-1 win.

And don't you think Bird had a "little" more help? Bird had Parish, McHale, Dennis Johnson, Archibald and Cedric Maxwell when he won.

Hakeem didn't even have an all-star on any of the rosters he won with, how can you even expect the guy to have as many titles as Bird when Bird had at least two PRIME HOF:ers by his side at all time when he won..

Buhu that Hakeem didn't make it to the finals the year MJ did, if that's the case, where was MJ the 3 times Hakeem reached the finals?

[KevinNYC]

Bird had at least two PRIME HOF:ers by his side at all time when he won..

Who were the two in 1981?

[Big#50]

Stop your bullshit, you have no clue about what you're writing about. Of course the guy concentrated on his offensive game, the 2nd best scorer of that team in the playoffs was Maxwell who averaged 13.8 points per game on 37% shooting.

And still, Hakeem in '94 played amazing defense, only someone without any knowledge at all would claim otherwise. We are talking about the DPOY, I'm not making up anything, the guy got the trophy for being the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR and he sure thing lived up to it. He had amazing defensive plays through the playoffs a la the gamewinning block vs the Knicks in game 6.

And he also completely shut down Ewing in the finals in '94, Ewing only made 36% of his field goal attempts vs Hakeem and the Rockets. He also shut down Robinson in '95, maybe that's why you have no trust in trophies since Drob really didn't live up to his MVP...

The Rockets without Hakeem didn't have great defense, Smith was abused through the whole playoffs both in 94 and 95 in every series he played. Thorpe was a good defender but never mad any all-NBA defensive teams, Horry was decent, Maxwell was good but he was a nutcase and he never made any defensive teams. Drexler did never make any all-defensive teams either. In fact, Hakeem was the only one who made defensive teams and he was the back to back DPOY, get out of here..
LOL I never said he shouldn't have concentrated more on offense. All I said was his D took a back seat. Was he still a great defender in 94? Of course. All I said was he wasn't better than his best years defensively from 89 to 93. Take a chill pill, kid.

[millwad]

LOL I never said he shouldn't have concentrated more on offense. All I said was his D took a back seat. Was he still a great defender in 94? Of course. All I said was he wasn't better than his best years defensively from 89 to 93. Take a chill pill, kid.

Educate yourself fool, he was just as good as a defender in '94 as any other year you mentioned.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[Big#50]

Educate yourself fool, he was just as good as a defender in '94 as any other year you mentioned.

You have no idea what you're talking about.
LOL sure ok. Hakeem was just as good defensively in 94 as he was in 90. You must have missed that season. He averaged 4.6 blocks and 2.1 steals that year. Was the league leader in defensive win shares and rating.

[millwad]

LOL sure ok. Hakeem was just as good defensively in 94 as he was in 90. You must have missed that season. He averaged 4.6 blocks and 2.1 steals that year. Was the league leader in defensive win shares and rating.

He lead the league in defensive win shares and rating from 1986-1990 and he came in 2nd place in 94 but you're the same person who claimed that he that he was out of position often when he was younger but still he's 4th on the list in his rookie season...

And by that logic based on DFS, then his defensive prime was from '86-'90, what a bummer that his DPOYS came in '93 and then again in '94..

[nycelt84]

Bird was a SF and McHale was a PF, Hakeem was a center and neither of them "whopped" Hakeem ass.

Hakeem played a great series and he averaged 24.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. He outplayed HOF:er Robert Parish completely in the finals in his 2nd season as a pro and led his team to game 6 vs maybe the greatest team of all-time. And it should be said that it easily could have been a 7 games series since Rockets lost game 4 with only 3 points. What more do you expect from the guy? Before that in the WCF, he abused the reigning champs Lakers and led his Rocket-team to any easy 4-1 win.

Buhu that Hakeem didn't make it to the finals the year MJ did, if that's the case, where was MJ the 3 times Hakeem reached the finals?

And '86 could have just easily been a sweep. Game 3 was very close and could have easily gone the Celtics way.

[Big#50]

He lead the league in defensive win shares and rating from 1986-1990 and he came in 2nd place in 94 but you're the same person who claimed that he that he was out of position often when he was younger but still he's 4th on the list in his rookie season...

And by that logic based on DFS, then his defensive prime was from '86-'90, what a bummer that his DPOYS came in '93 and then again in '94..
I'm done explaining stuff to you. When you're playing the passing lanes and try to block every shot, you're going to be out of position a lot. Dude, no player is perfect. You're acting like I'm saying he sucked on D. To me he was at his best defensively from 89 to 93. How many games did you watch from Hakeem? I lived in Texas until 91. The midwest was my favorite division. Got to watch hundreds of games.

[Zedja]

Hakeem's accolades dont make him GOAT, however its circumstances based. Give to Dream Showtime Lakers (Kareem's spot), Bird's Celtics (instead of McHale or Parish, or both :pimp:), etc., and watch him tear league apart. Talent, incredible drive in the Playoffs, overall impact... He had it all. Arguably the most complete center, ever.
This.

[Big164]

When you say mj is the goat you are really only disrespecting 1 or 2 guys at best. Not many people average 30 per game en route to 6 rings. But when you say Hakeem is the goat it's an insult to at least a half dozen players who got better stats and more rings.

Larry has a higher scoring average
More rings in a tougher era
Beat hakeems team h2h

Awww it was hakeems 2nd year, guess what Larry did 2nd year?

Hakeem won his ring with an army of sharp shooters raining 3s: horry, Maxwell, smith, elie, cassell. Not hall of famers but they stretched the court and allowed dream to do his thing. 95 was even more ridiculous with the nerfed 3pt line. Hakeem had help.

I have Hakeem in my top 10 but definitely behind Larry. Respect.

[jlauber]

You can expect that most people on this site didn't even see Hakeem play so they will base their judgement on stats, rings and MVP's and then there are Hakeem-haters like Jlauber.

Personally I have Hakeem in my top 5 and I have him ranked as the second greatest center even with Shaq, after Kareem. Kareem, Jordan, Magic and possibly Bird are the players I have above Hakeem.

And yet, you rip Russell because he was a poor offensive player, and Chamberlain for being a "stats-padder" because he scored too much (and then will diminish Wilt's rings because he didn't lead his team's in scoring those years.) And I have no idea where you rank either...but it is obvious that they are both well down your list.

[dee-rose]

I don't really think he has a case for GOAT, but to me, he's the GOAT center. He's really the most complete player the NBA has ever seen. There isn't a thing he didn't lack, and that's why he's the only guy to win chips withour an all-star on his team. He was truly unstoppable.

[jlauber]

Hakeem was certainly one of the most skilled centers in NBA history. Only a complete idiot would suggest that he was not among the best players of all-time. Having said that, I am not going to get into these discussions on how a prime Hakeem would be in today's NBA, or in the 60's and 70's. All of that is pure speculation. We can only go by concrete evidence. He was AMONG the best players of his era, but to say he was THE best is debateable. The majority opinion at the time, and even today, would claim that Jordan was considered the better player.

There was no question, though, that he was a GREAT player. He was among the better offensive players of his era, and was considered the best defensive player for much of his career.

[magnax1]

I don't think to say he was THE best player of his era is debatable. That tile obviously goes to Jordan. Especially considering the insane playoff runs he went on in the late 80's early 90's.
I'm surprised JLauber didn't get to crazy in this thread though.

[jlauber]

I don't think to say he was THE best player of his era is debatable. That tile obviously goes to Jordan. Especially considering the insane playoff runs he went on in the late 80's early 90's.
I'm surprised JLauber didn't get to crazy in this thread though.


Virtually everyone here has read my take on where I place Hakeem on MY all-time list. And once again, there is just no reasonable way of comparing players across eras. We do KNOW that Hakeem was a GREAT player, though. And while I don't have him as THE best all-around center, he is certainly in that discussion.

In any case, it is probably a waste of time to argue just where these great players should be ranked. Most everyone has their opinions, and there is very little chance that they would change them, no matter what evidence was presented.

So, for those that want to claim Hakeem as the GOAT, or the GOAT center...they are entitled to their opinions. His overall resume is impressive, so I will just leave it at that.

[pauk]

dont also forget this......

that playoff run he averaged:
38 ppg
17 rpg
3 bpg
3 spg
2 apg
57% FG
88% FT
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7193/perplayoffs.jpg

[MiseryCityTexas]

He has no case whatsoever for being the GOAT.

All time career NBA leader in blocked shots makes him a case for being the GOAT center alone.:rockon: :rockon:

[bdreason]

Hakeem is the 2nd best player I've ever seen play the game in their prime (watching NBA since 88ish). However, he really has no case for GOAT.

[Big#50]

dont also forget this......

that playoff run he averaged:
38 ppg
17 rpg
3 bpg
3 spg
2 apg
57% FG
88% FT
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7193/perplayoffs.jpg

I do believe that was only through four games or something. Has anyone seen this series? I remember Perkins and Drug addicted Tarpley were their pf/c but who the he'll was their center? Those Mavs teams are severely underrated and forgotten. That's a whole other topic, though.

[PTB Fan]

Not that I agree... but it's an interesting write up. Definitely an accomplished player. One who also lost a fair amount (numerous first round exits).

I think you could afford to consolidate the list a little bit, though.

I mean, "All-Around Game" and "Two way package" are basically the same thing... and "Low Post offense", "Post player", and "Foot work" could all probably be merged together into one solid, comprehensive paragraph... Same with "Accomplishments" and "Career Facts".

Not trying to nitpick, but, just mere writing-wise, seems like you're dissecting his game to death in a not very fluid way.

Interesting...thanks for the read and comment. I found two way package and all-around game different though. I didn't explain well, but here it goes. Two way package is for players who were equally amazing on both sides, where's all-around game isn't.

[PTB Fan]

Hakeem has a case for greatest prime or peak of all-time but he has no case for the greatest player of all-time career-wise. His accomplishments are just wayyyyyy behind the other all time greats like MJ, Russell, Kareem, etc.

I disagree, but it's your opinion

[PTB Fan]

better than MJ???

hahahahHAHAHAHhahahahahahah.

thanx. i needed that laugh

Arguably yes, but since you don't care....

Thanks for the read and comment

[PTB Fan]

He has no case whatsoever for being the GOAT.

Thanks for the read and comment...

[PTB Fan]

This article is unfair to bird and mchale who whopped Samson and hakeems ass with little to no athleticism.

Bird had to run the gauntlet of Erving, mj, Isaiah, Dominique and Moses before even facing a west coast team. And he managed to win 3 rings during this grueling era.

Where are hakeems 3 rings? Why did he never face mj in any of the bulls 6 finals appearances? Hakeem is way to streaky to be the goat.

Thanks for the read and comment. We obviously disagree

[PTB Fan]

Greatest Player in NBA history is a title that needs a better resume than Hakeem's. How can one say he's the GOAT when others have much better resumes and similar skill?

I made a decent case for him. Thanks for the read and comment

[PTB Fan]

When you say mj is the goat you are really only disrespecting 1 or 2 guys at best. Not many people average 30 per game en route to 6 rings. But when you say Hakeem is the goat it's an insult to at least a half dozen players who got better stats and more rings.

Larry has a higher scoring average
More rings in a tougher era
Beat hakeems team h2h

Awww it was hakeems 2nd year, guess what Larry did 2nd year?

Hakeem won his ring with an army of sharp shooters raining 3s: horry, Maxwell, smith, elie, cassell. Not hall of famers but they stretched the court and allowed dream to do his thing. 95 was even more ridiculous with the nerfed 3pt line. Hakeem had help.

I have Hakeem in my top 10 but definitely behind Larry. Respect.

It's an opinion though. I have Hakeem as one of those guys who can challenge MJ as the GOAT. His case is definitely good.

[PTB Fan]

I don't really think he has a case for GOAT, but to me, he's the GOAT center. He's really the most complete player the NBA has ever seen. There isn't a thing he didn't lack, and that's why he's the only guy to win chips withour an all-star on his team. He was truly unstoppable.

I agree with this post partly. Thanks for the read and comment

[PTB Fan]

Hakeem was certainly one of the most skilled centers in NBA history. Only a complete idiot would suggest that he was not among the best players of all-time. Having said that, I am not going to get into these discussions on how a prime Hakeem would be in today's NBA, or in the 60's and 70's. All of that is pure speculation. We can only go by concrete evidence. He was AMONG the best players of his era, but to say he was THE best is debateable. The majority opinion at the time, and even today, would claim that Jordan was considered the better player.

There was no question, though, that he was a GREAT player. He was among the better offensive players of his era, and was considered the best defensive player for much of his career.

Thanks for the read and comment. I think Hakeem's case as the GOAT is solid. Not as strong as other's but he definitely has a case.

[PTB Fan]

dont also forget this......

that playoff run he averaged:
38 ppg
17 rpg
3 bpg
3 spg
2 apg
57% FG
88% FT
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7193/perplayoffs.jpg

Yeah, that was certainly amazing.

[PTB Fan]

Hakeem is the 2nd best player I've ever seen play the game in their prime (watching NBA since 88ish). However, he really has no case for GOAT.

Thanks for the read and comment

[millwad]

When you say mj is the goat you are really only disrespecting 1 or 2 guys at best. Not many people average 30 per game en route to 6 rings. But when you say Hakeem is the goat it's an insult to at least a half dozen players who got better stats and more rings.

Larry has a higher scoring average
More rings in a tougher era
Beat hakeems team h2h

Wow, for real, did Larry beat Hakeem H2H!? That must have been hard since Larry always had two HOF:ers by his side, you may know McHale and Parish..? And lets not forget Johnson.



Awww it was hakeems 2nd year, guess what Larry did 2nd year?

Bird won it at all in his 2nd year, while having 3 HOF:ers by his side and that particular year he had 2 all-stars by his side, Archibald and Parish. In all he had 3 players in playoffs who helped him big time averaging more than 15 points per game. And lets not forget that that the roleplayers were ballers too, Maxwell got the Finals MVP that year, not Bird.


Hakeem won his ring with an army of sharp shooters raining 3s: horry, Maxwell, smith, elie, cassell. Not hall of famers but they stretched the court and allowed dream to do his thing. 95 was even more ridiculous with the nerfed 3pt line. Hakeem had help.

Haha, "help" is all about how you define the word. While Bird won with Hall of Famers and all-stars Hakeem never even had an all-star when he won. Give Hakeem two prime HOF:ers and see how much he'd win...

In fact, the Rockets 2nd best scorer in the '94-playoffs was Vernon Maxwell who averaged 13.8 points on pathetic 37% shooting and now go and compare Hakeem's "help" to Larry's HOF:ers..

To even understand how much Hakeem meant to the Rockets you can go and check the games he missed from '92-'96. Rockets were 7-27 without Hakeem and you're comparing his "help" to Bird's who had 2-3 HOF:ers by his side all the time. The Rockets with Hakeem those years were contenders, without him they'd be in the lottery..

[Odinn]

Nope. Hakeem doesn't have case to be g.o.a.t. player.

Jordan-Kareem-Russell-Wilt-Magic the only ones who has realistic case for goat player.

[Big164]

Haha, "help" is all about how you define the word. While Bird won with Hall of Famers and all-stars Hakeem never even had an all-star when he won. Give Hakeem two prime HOF:ers and see how much he'd win...

To even understand how much Hakeem meant to the Rockets you can go and check the games he missed from '92-'96. Rockets were 7-27 without Hakeem and you're comparing his "help" to Bird's who had 2-3 HOF:ers by his side all the time. The Rockets with Hakeem those years were contenders, without him they'd be in the lottery..

We've already seen how Hakeem does with strong bigs and that was a loss in the finals. Hakeems 3 pt platoon is what was needed along with 1994 being the weakest year in NBA history. A closer 3 pt line and drexler sealed the deal for ring #2.


You throw around the word hof as if these guys would've been first class without larry. Put Robert parish on golden state and you'd never hear from him again. Honestly.

It was bird who made his guys hall of famers. He extended djs prime and turned mchale from a good pf to an all-star. Give Larry 7-4 Ralph Samson and 3 rings later I guarantee he'd be All time great as well.

[lakers_forever]

Olajuwon's case for G.O.A.T:

[swi7ch]

hakeem only won titles cos jordan was in retirement

therefore, jordan > hakeem

[lakers_forever]

Any claim of Olajuwon as the G.O.A.T center or player is revisionist history. When he was playing, no one dared to claim he was the greatest ever.


How is he supposed to be the best Center ever, when he was only considered the undisputed best player in the world for what? one or two years???

When he was 27,28,29, and 30 years old,when players are near (or in) their prime, he could not even make it to the ALL NBA first team and he is the best center ever??

What other top 10 player of all time failed to make the nba first team on all those ages?

[millwad]

When he was 27,28,29, and 30 years old,when players are near (or in) their prime, he could not even make it to the ALL NBA first team and he is the best center ever??


What other top 10 player of all time failed to make the nba first team on all those ages?

If you're gonna make a claim like that, check it up before so no one will make you look like an idiot, like I'm doing now..

Hakeem was ALL-NBA first team when he was 27, he was ALL-NBA 2nd team when he was 28, ALL-NBA 3rd team when he was 29 and he was ALL-NBA first team again when he was 30...

And the year after that he was the league MVP, Defensive player of the year and finals MVP and he's the only player who got all 3 of them in the same year to this date.

Why are you making up stuff?

[The_Yearning]

OP, are you making him a case for GOAT center or GOAT player?

You're an idiot if it is the latter.

As for the former, I'd say he is the best center to ever play the game.

[The_Yearning]

Nope. Hakeem doesn't have case to be g.o.a.t. player.

Jordan-Kareem-Russell-Wilt-Magic the only ones who has realistic case for goat player.

They do not.

[millwad]

We've already seen how Hakeem does with strong bigs and that was a loss in the finals.

How is it a loss when the guy dominated HALL OF FAME player Robert Parish in the finals in his 2nd year as a pro? Go and watch the finals instead of making bullshit claims when Hakeem toyed the Celtic centers in the finals.



Hakeems 3 pt platoon is what was needed along with 1994 being the weakest year in NBA history. A closer 3 pt line and drexler sealed the deal for ring #2.

Haha, again a bullshit claim. Is it the weakest year in NBA history just because Jordan didn't play? Hakeem faced Jordan's greatest competition in that season's playoffs, first he faced previous years finalists, Phoenix Suns and then he faced Utah Jazz, the same team Jordan faced twice in the finals and then he faced Jordan's toughest competition in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks.

And haha, did Drexler seal the deal for the second ring? Drexler wasn't even an all-star that year.. And was it Drexler who crushed that season's MVP, David Robinson or was it Hakeem who had the greatest domination against a MVP in the playoffs..

And how the hell did Drexler seal the deal when Hakeem averaged 13 more points in the playoffs as an average that year while crushing MVP Robinson and then outplaying Shaq in the finals..



You throw around the word hof as if these guys would've been first class without larry. Put Robert parish on golden state and you'd never hear from him again. Honestly.

Haha, they would have been. Johnson was a 5 time all-star, finals MVP and a 5 time all-NBA defensive player. McHale would have been just as good anywhere else, a guy who is considered to be in the top 10 for PF's would have been great anywhere, don't be a moron. Parish was also an amazing player, don't act like these guys where nobodies and just are famous because of Bird..



It was bird who made his guys hall of famers. He extended djs prime and turned mchale from a good pf to an all-star. Give Larry 7-4 Ralph Samson and 3 rings later I guarantee he'd be All time great as well.

Yeah, sure Ralph would have won 3 rings with Larry.. Sampson had 3 good NBA season's in total and Hakeem only had him by his side for 2 years of those 3 years. After that he was injured and junk and later traded. Yeah, I'd like to see how Larry would have won 3 rings while playing with Sampson for two years..

And yeah, one of the greatest defensive players of all-time, Dennis Johnson would have been nothing without Bird in his last years. McHale, who's that? And Robert Parish would never be a good player without Bird, haha..

[lakers_forever]

If you're gonna make a claim like that, check it up before so no one will make you look like an idiot, like I'm doing now..

Hakeem was ALL-NBA first team when he was 27, he was ALL-NBA 2nd team when he was 28, ALL-NBA 3rd team when he was 29 and he was ALL-NBA first team again when he was 30...

And the year after that he was the league MVP, Defensive player of the year and finals MVP and he's the only player who got all 3 of them in the same year to this date.

Why are you making up stuff?

Are you mad? I said he wasn't ALL NBA FIRST TEAM in those years. I only was wrong in adding one year he actually was.

He could not make the All NBA FIRST TEAM for 3 straight years in his prime. 1990, 1991 and 1992, when he was 27, 28 and 29. Which other players who have a case for G.O.A.T failed to do that as well? Bill Russell does not count, since he won the MVP and did not make the first team.

[millwad]

Are you mad? I said he wasn't ALL NBA FIRST TEAM in those years. I only was wrong in adding one year he actually was.

He could not make the All NBA FIRST TEAM for 3 straight years in his prime. 1990, 1991 and 1992, when he was 27, 28 and 29. Which other players who have a case for G.O.A.T failed to do that as well? Bill Russell does not count, since he won the MVP and did not make the first team.


Stupid argument, so just because he wasn't a 3 time straight ALL-NBA those year you mentioned he is suddenly not a GOAT candidate? He was a freaking 3 time straight ALL-NBA player player just one year earlier than what you liked to count on. He was ALL-NBA first team in 87,88 and 89...

And lets not forget that Hakeem during his career had to battle out Kareem, Moses Malone, Ewing, Robinson and Shaq for ALL-NBA nomination. So 5 of the top 10 centers ever competed with Hakeem over his career for ALL-NBA nominations..

And I don't even have Hakeem as the GOAT, I have MJ, Kareem and Magic ahead of him and I have Hakeem and Shaq at the same place on my all-time list but you are straight stupid.

[Big#50]

If Jordan does not retire, Hakeem is just like Malone and Barkley. He owes his legacy to Jordan retiring.

[lakers_forever]

And I don't even have Hakeem as the GOAT, I have MJ, Kareem and Magic ahead of him and I have Hakeem and Shaq at the same place on my all-time list but you are straight stupid.

Man, I did not post about your parents, I wrote about some basketball player you probably don't even know personaly. Why are you so mad? :lol

There are no arguments for Olajuwon to be ranked as a greater player in history than MJ, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Russell and Wilt. None.

And not making the first team for 3 straight years means that he was not even far from the centers of your own era, let alone of all time. And to say that he has a case to be considered the greatest player ever? I repeat, revisionist history. No sane unbiased person claimed we were seeing the best player ever in Olajuwon, when he was playing. Hell, I don't recall anyone even saying he was the best center ever. Revisionism, pure and simple.

[millwad]

If Jordan does not retire, Hakeem is just like Malone and Barkley. He owes his legacy to Jordan retiring.

I will not try to analyze the '94 season with MJ in it but it's a fact that Hakeem is the only player who faced prime Jordan and didn't have a loosing record, if that would be enough to beat Jordan, who knows..

In '95 Jordan was in it and his Chicago team wasn't good enough to beat Orlando, the same Orlando team got swept by Hakeem and the Rockets, get out of here, you fool.

[millwad]

Man, I did not post about your parents, I wrote about some basketball player you probably don't even know personaly. Why are you so mad? :lol

It's not the fact you disagree with me, it's the fact that you make up false crap. Couldn't care less if it someone had any other opionion about Olajuwon..




And not making the first team for 3 straight years means that he was not even far from the centers of your own era, let alone of all time. And to say that he has a case to be considered the greatest player ever? I repeat, revisionist history. No sane unbiased person claimed we were seeing the best player ever in Olajuwon, when he was playing. Hell, I don't recall anyone even saying he was the best center ever. Revisionism, pure and simple.

Again, he made the first team for 3 straight years, in 87, 88 and 89, that's three straight years, idiot. I don't think he is the greatest of all-time, I have never said he's the greatest of all-time. I have MJ, Kareem, Magic ahead of him and I have him tied with Shaq.

[D-Wade316]

lol @ dickwad, and PTB fan

[millwad]

lol @ dickwad, and PTB fan

Seriously, you're junk.
You have never ever even replied to anything I've written with a good or insightful comment. It's always "lol" or "read what Jlaubers wrote". Instead of being Jlauber's buttyboy and even calling me "Dickwad" just because your biggest idol Jlauber does, do something yourself and don't be someone's tail and buttyboy.

You're pathetic. Are you now going to wait for Jlauber to save your lame ass as always ?

[D-Wade316]

Haha! Dickwad sending me a message that I was that guy. LOL!

[The Iron Fist]

Heres the case for Dreams candidacy,

http://rand10.net/uploads/images/static/blog_cdcase.jpg

[LJJ]

And lets not forget that Hakeem during his career had to battle out Kareem, Moses Malone, Ewing, Robinson and Shaq for ALL-NBA nomination. So 5 of the top 10 centers ever competed with Hakeem over his career for ALL-NBA nominations..

Nonsense. He is talking about 90-91-92

KAJ was out of the league at that point. Malone had a short prime and was never in All-NBA teams past '87. Shaq was not in the league at that point.

So he was competing with Robinson and Ewing for those years.

[Odinn]

Nope. Hakeem doesn't have case to be g.o.a.t. player.

Jordan-Kareem-Russell-Wilt-Magic the only ones who has realistic case for goat player.
They do not.
Acting like Jordan is the clear-cut goat;
:facepalm

[Lebron23]

He's the most skilled player in NBA History.

[millwad]

Nonsense. He is talking about 90-91-92

KAJ was out of the league at that point. Malone had a short prime and was never in All-NBA teams past '87. Shaq was not in the league at that point.

So he was competing with Robinson and Ewing for those years.

What's your freaking point, he wasn't ALL-NBA those 3 years the guy mentioned but he was ALL-NBA 3 straigh years just one year earlier than that. He clearly choose those 3 years as Hakeem's prime just to make a silly point when in fact his true prime was '93, '94 and '95. From '93-'95 he was a 1-time MVP, 2 time ALL-NBA first team player, two time Finals MVP, 2 time DPOY and he was clearly the best center in the NBA those 3 years. He was All-NBA third team in 95 after MVP Robinson and finals candidate Shaq and Robinson he abused like no other MVP has been abused in league history and Shaq he outplayed and led his Rocket team to an easy 4-0 win in the finals.

Hakeem battled HOF-centers his whole career for those ALL-NBA nominations, no other center faced that many guys who are in the top 10 among centers like Hakeem did.

[Odinn]

What's your freaking point, he wasn't ALL-NBA those 3 years the guy mentioned but he was ALL-NBA 3 straigh years just one year earlier than that. He clearly choose those 3 years as Hakeem's prime just to make a silly point when in fact his true prime was '93, '94 and '95. From '93-'95 he was a 1-time MVP, 2 time ALL-NBA first team player, two time Finals MVP, 2 time DPOY and he was clearly the best center in the NBA those 3 years. He was All-NBA third team in 95 after MVP Robinson and finals candidate Shaq and Robinson he abused like no other MVP has been abused in league history and Shaq he outplayed and led his Rocket team to an easy 4-0 win in the finals.

Hakeem battled HOF-centers his whole career for those ALL-NBA nominations, no other center faced that many guys who are in the top 10 among centers like Hakeem did.
Shaq abused by Hakeem in '95 Finals?:facepalm

[millwad]

Shaq abused by Hakeem in '95 Finals?:facepalm

Can you read?
Is "outplayed" and "abused" the same word in your dictionary?

[Odinn]

Can you read?
Is "outplayed" and "abused" the same word in your dictionary?
The only thing you're right about something.

Hakeem didn't outplay Shaq.

Game1;
Shaq 26/16/9/3/0.625fg
Hakeem 31/6/7/4/0.500fg

Game2;
Shaq 33/12/7/0.545fg
Hakeem 34/11/2/4/0.467fg

Game3;
Shaq 28/10/6/3/0.647fg
Hakeem 31/14/7/0.467fg

Game4;
Shaq 25/12/3/4/0.579fg
Hakeem 35/15/6/0.500fg

Series;
Shaq 28.0/12.5/6.3/2.5/0.595fg/32.3eff
Hakeem 32.8/11.5/5.5/2.0/0.483fg/34.0eff

Hakeem's supporting cast outperformed Shaq's suppoting cast badly.

[millwad]

The only thing you're right about something.

Hakeem didn't outplay Shaq.

Game1;
Shaq 26/16/9/3/0.625fg
Hakeem 31/6/7/4/0.500fg

Game2;
Shaq 33/12/7/0.545fg
Hakeem 34/11/2/4/0.467fg

Game3;
Shaq 28/10/6/3/0.647fg
Hakeem 31/14/7/0.467fg

Game4;
Shaq 25/12/3/4/0.579fg
Hakeem 35/15/6/0.500fg

Series;
Shaq 28.0/12.5/6.3/2.5/0.595fg/32.3eff
Hakeem 32.8/11.5/5.5/2.0/0.483fg/34.0eff

Hakeem's supporting cast outperformed Shaq's suppoting cast badly.

First of all, stats ain't everything. I bet you even haven't watched the actual games, mr boxscore lover.

"If I can't beat you, I'll be a man and say I can't beat you. I'm not going to [cry about it] ... I'm the first guy to say that somebody is better than me. I was the first guy to say Hakeem Olajuwon beat me in the [1995] NBA finals. He killed me. He dominated me. I didn't go, 'Oh, he's traveling. They had experience. Wah-wah-wah.' I'm a man. Hakeem Olajuwon dusted my butt." - Shaquille O'neal

In game one Shaquille played just as good as, if not better even though Hakeem was better in the OT and sealed the deal for the Rockets with his gamewinning tip-in.

In game two Hakeem had Shaq in the first half and he scored big for the Rockets who at the half had a big 22 point lead, Shaq's point's came when Hakeem and the Rockets already had a great lead.

Game 3 was a close one but again Olajuwon played at his best when he had to and making clutch plays at the end. Shaq didn't come through in the end of the games in this series and he had a big problem with turn overs, he averaged more than 5 turn overs per game compared to Olajuwon's 2.5 per game.

And game 4 was Hakeem's, he had 35 points on 50% shooting, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to end the series.

Shaquille definitely had a great series and between Ewing, Robinson and himself he played Hakeem the best during the Rockets back-to-back titles. And yes, Shaq got outplayed, even the guy himself will tell you that and this is a topic that has been discussed earlier and a strong majority of the posters agree that Shaq got outplayed, even the Shaq-fans..: http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145959

[Big#50]

2000 Shaq would annihilate Hakeem. I don't care what anyone says. Guy has one monster series against a player known to crumble under pressure, and all of a sudden he is candidate for goat. ****ing joke. The dude was a black hole for most of his career. Played in an era that allowed centers to foul, and he was still always in foul trouble. He wasn't a team player for most of his career. Any good big man would have outplayed DROB under those circumstances. That series against DROB is the reason why we all have to read this bs about him being the best center, most skilled player ever. His post game wouldn't fare so well in this era. Slow as **** moves. He looked smooth because he was being guarded by ****ing stiffs.

[stephanieg]

Dunno why people are arguing about media awards. Derrick Rose won MVP last year. LeBron came 2nd in DPOY once.

The only major weakness I saw in Hakeem was that he was way too much in love with that baseline fade away. Fool's gold when it was going in. He was also a bit undersized, at least compared to guys like Kareem and Shaq. It obviously wasn't that big a burden, but it was a limitation.

He was on garbage teams for most of his prime. Lost to one of the most stacked teams ever in the finals, won 2 with one of the most shoe string rosters ever just as his prime was ending (and that was damned lucky). Imagine if he had Pippen and Horace Grant? Or if every ref and media writer was fawning all over him.

I just wish that '97 team went to the finals. Would've been a way more entertaining series, what with all the revenge storylines.

[wally_world]

Probably not the GOAT, but The Dream would be my pick for a franchise building block among all other great players. He is probably the most complete NBA player.

[millwad]

2000 Shaq would annihilate Hakeem. I don't care what anyone says. Guy has one monster series against a player known to crumble under pressure, and all of a sudden he is candidate for goat. ****ing joke. The dude was a black hole for most of his career. Played in an era that allowed centers to foul, and he was still always in foul trouble. He wasn't a team player for most of his career. Any good big man would have outplayed DROB under those circumstances. That series against DROB is the reason why we all have to read this bs about him being the best center, most skilled player ever. His post game wouldn't fare so well in this era. Slow as **** moves. He looked smooth because he was being guarded by ****ing stiffs.

One monster series? The guy lead one of the worst teams in 1994 without any all-star and with Maxwell as the 2nd best scorer of the team in the playoffs who averaged 13.8 points on 37% shooting...

In '94 he was the MVP, DPOY and the FINALS MVP, something only accomplished by Hakeem Olajuwon in league history. He crushed Ewing in the finals, he totally trashed MVP Robinson and outplayed Shaq during his back-to-backs and neither of the years he didn't have any all-stars (Clyde was not an all-star in '95). He faced 3 of of the top 10 centers during his back-to backs.

And in '86, in only his 2nd year as a pro he led his Houston Rockets to the finals by beating the previous years champs and dominating the Laker bigs big time and he also dominated the Celtic centers in the finals but the Rockets did finally loose in game 6 against one of the greatest teams of all-time.

Haha, wouldn't his post moves fare well in this era? And was he guarded by stiff? You do realize that the era of today has the worst sample of centers? If Robinson, Ewing, Shaq, Jabbar, Mutombo etc had trouble guarding him, do you think that the likes of Joel Anthony, Chris Kaman and Tyson Chandler would have an easy time guarding him?

And now you only prove you didn't see the guy play, calling him and his moves slow is a joke. The guy was one of the fastest and quickest big guys of all-time..

And his greatness is not only because of one series, moron. He is number 1 in recorded blocks, 8 in steals (only center in the top 40), 9 in scoring, 11 in rebounds. He is the only player to win MVP, DPOY and Finals MVP in one year and he also has another DPOY. He is also the center with the highest point per game average in the playoffs of all-time.

And Hakeem being a black hole most of his career? In the top 10 among centers he's only after Russell and Wilt in total amount of assists and he and Shaq share the same assist number average so that must make Shaq a black hole as well?

And no, I don't consider Hakeem as the GOAT, but prime Hakeem was just as good as any other play of all-time, he was nothing but amazing. Hakeem was a GOAT talent though and it's a shame he had many of his years as pro wasted while playing on shitty teams.

[Big#50]

One monster series? The guy lead one of the worst teams in 1994 without any all-star and with Maxwell as the 2nd best scorer of the team in the playoffs who averaged 13.8 points on 37% shooting...

In '94 he was the MVP, DPOY and the FINALS MVP, something only accomplished by Hakeem Olajuwon in league history. He crushed Ewing in the finals, he totally trashed MVP Robinson and outplayed Shaq during his back-to-backs and neither of the years he didn't have any all-stars (Clyde was not an all-star in '95). He faced 3 of of the top 10 centers during his back-to backs.

And in '86, in only his 2nd year as a pro he led his Houston Rockets to the finals by beating the previous years champs and dominating the Laker bigs big time and he also dominated the Celtic centers in the finals but the Rockets did finally loose in game 6 against one of the greatest teams of all-time.

Haha, wouldn't his post moves fare well in this era? And was he guarded by stiff? You do realize that the era of today has the worst sample of centers? If Robinson, Ewing, Shaq, Jabbar, Mutombo etc had trouble guarding him, do you think that the likes of Joel Anthony, Chris Kaman and Tyson Chandler would have an easy time guarding him?

And now you only prove you didn't see the guy play, calling him and his moves slow is a joke. The guy was one of the fastest and quickest big guys of all-time..

And his greatness is not only because of one series, moron. He is number 1 in recorded blocks, 8 in steals (only center in the top 40), 9 in scoring, 11 in rebounds. He is the only player to win MVP, DPOY and Finals MVP in one year and he also has another DPOY. He is also the center with the highest point per game average in the playoffs of all-time.

And Hakeem being a black hole most of his career? In the top 10 among centers he's only after Russell and Wilt in total amount of assists and he and Shaq share the same assist number average so that must make Shaq a black hole as well?

And no, I don't consider Hakeem as the GOAT, but prime Hakeem was just as good as any other play of al l-time, he was nothing but amazing. Hakeem was a GOAT talent though and it's a shame he had many of his years as pro wasted while playing on shitty teams.
Slow moves. I didn't say he was slow. Robinson was robotic as ****. Ewing had lost his mobility and was out of his athletic prime. Shaq was young as hell. 2000 Shaq pummels Hakeem. The 94 Rockets had the best all around team in the league. Name a better team in 94. His stats are impressive. Different era , different pace. The year he won the triple crown, he was gifted the DPOY. Pippen was the best defender in the NBA that year. Highest scoring average means nothing. He wasn't a guy that could create for others. He wasn't a great passer off the double team. Specially early in his career. Even in his prime he was average. He would try some stupid ass passes.
i have a feeling you never saw him play. You're looking at youtube and stats. GFOH ****ing **** gobbler.

[MiseryCityTexas]

it's a shame he had many of his years as pro wasted while playing on shitty teams.


lmao. Hakem's many years were on shitty teams? didn't him and Ralph Sampson knock the Showtime Lakers out of the play-off in the 80s????:oldlol: and It not Hakeem's fault that his teammates decided to smoke crack and end their careers prematurely.

["Jesus"]

Greatest, most complete centre to ever play the game. Player? No.

[millwad]

Slow moves. I didn't say he was slow. Robinson was robotic as ****. Ewing had lost his mobility and was out of his athletic prime. Shaq was young as hell. 2000 Shaq pummels Hakeem. The 94 Rockets had the best all around team in the league. Name a better team in 94. His stats are impressive. Different era , different pace. The year he won the triple crown, he was gifted the DPOY. Pippen was the best defender in the NBA that year. Highest scoring average means nothing. He wasn't a guy that could create for others. He wasn't a great passer off the double team. Specially early in his career. Even in his prime he was average. He would try some stupid ass passes.
i have a feeling you never saw him play. You're looking at youtube and stats. GFOH ****ing **** gobbler.

Haha, you're the guy who called his moves slow and that he was guarded by stiffs and you question if I've seen the game when you're the obvious troll.

Ok, so Robinson was robotic as hell, Ewing wasn't in his prime and Shaq was young as hell, Hakeem was a black hole, he had the best teammates, he didn't deserve his DPOY, his moves were slow as hell and he couldn't create for others...

Haha, get real, idiot.

And talking about competition and of all players you mention Shaq, you do realize that Shaq in 2000 played against old ass Sabonis, old Divac, Smits in his last season and Dale Davis..

Yeah, the Rockets was the best all-round team, they were really great, right.. Without Hakeem from 1992-1996 the Rockets had a 7-27 record, straight to the lottery without Hakeem..

And if you'd actually watch the games from his back-to-backs you'd never make a claim that he couldn't create for others and in the top 10 list among centers he collected third most assists after Russell and Wilt. And his assist per game average is equal to Shaq's so if Hakeem's a black hole then Shaq is a black hole as well by your logic..

Sure Pippen was the best defender in '94, Hakeem shut down everyone and he held Ewing's FG% down big time in the finals, and by defensive rating the Rockets were listed at 2nd place in the league and he was 2nd in the league regarding blocks.

I really have a feeling that you're either butthurt over something or you "saw" the games, not saw, but "saw".. Your claims are pathetic.

[millwad]

The 94 Rockets had the best all around team in the league. Name a better team in 94. .

Of course they were the best team, they won it all, HELLO!?
Now remove Hakeem and you have a terrible team, a team that without Hakeem had a 7-27 record from 1992-1996..

Plenty of teams would be better off than the Rockets in 1994 and 1995 if you'd remove the best player of each team.

[bizil]

If I was picking a C for my team, I would pick the Dream. Why? Cause he's ready for any kind of action. Offensively, he could give it to u all literally other than a three pointer. Defensively, arguably the greatest Center of all time and capable of defending multiple positions. Hakeem aged like a fine wine. He came in the L as a freak athlete and grew into a player so refined and skilled.

But Dream doesn't have a case for GOAT of all time. I feel only 6 guys have a claim and that's MJ, Kareem, Wilt, Magic, Bird, and Russell. Hakeem in my book is just as good if not better than all the big men I listed. But a GOAT List factors numbers, talent, solo accolades, team accolades, and longevity being great. So these are the things that pull the other guys ahead of Hakeem. But frankly in terms of big men, I have a hard time believing that ANYBODY was better than prime Hakeem. Shaq and Wilt are the most dominant. But I feel Hakeem and Kareem are on another level in terms of skill. And Hakeem had the physical strength and athletic ability to overpower as well.

[RagingBull33]

Regardless of your argument, you write as if you're writing an eighth grade research paper on the Dream.