Was Hakeem ever considered better/ greater than MJ?

[jlip]

It's common knowledge that Hakeem went #1 in that famed '84 draft, but MJ won the ROY. Hakeem's Rockets had greater team success (better cast of players obviously) from '85-'87 which included a Finals appearance in '86. That Finals appearance included a win over the defending champ, Showtime Lakers. Hakeem seemed to have, after his rookie season, taken over as the #1 option on that Rockets squad. Considering the fact that MJ didn't have that much team success during the first three seasons, does anyone know if Hakeem was considered a better player than MJ during the early stages of their careers? Were prognosticators predicting Hakeem to end up having the better career?

[Xiao Yao You]

It's common knowledge that Hakeem went #1 in that famed '84 draft, but MJ won the ROY. Hakeem's Rockets had greater team success (better cast of players obviously) from '85-'87 which included a Finals appearance in '86. That Finals appearance included a win over the defending champ, Showtime Lakers. Hakeem seemed to have, after his rookie season, taken over as the #1 option on that Rockets squad. Considering the fact that MJ didn't have that much team success during the first three seasons, does anyone know if Hakeem was considered a better player than MJ during the early stages of their careers? Were prognosticators predicting Hakeem to end up having the better career?

MJ was one of the top scorers in the league as a rookie and his team greatly improved so I'd say no.

[AngelEyes]

no

[Shepseskaf]

For the two years that Jordan wasn't playing, Hakeem was considered greater.

[Sarcastic]

For the two years that Jordan wasn't playing, Hakeem was considered greater.

Actually even then he wasn't.

[Shepseskaf]

Actually even then he wasn't.
Unable to recognize sarcasm?

[TheBigVeto]

Nope, never.

[jlip]

"Jordan had heard about Krause bragging that he'd have two titles by now if the Bulls had Akeem Olajuwan instead of Jordan."

The Jordan Rules p. 32 (http://books.google.com/books?id=zilYagKLBM0C&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=%22Jordan+had+heard+about+Krause+bragging+that+ he%27d+have+two+titles%22&source=bl&ots=hTCvAVXX59&sig=7QPomyi_BmmlwR3QjROZWr-3HIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Zkh_Uam_M4WkrgHYo4CgDg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Jordan%20had%20heard%20about%20Krause%20bragg ing%20that%20he%27d%20have%20two%20titles%22&f=false)

I wonder how much of that was just posturing from Krause.

[millwad]

"Jordan had heard about Krause bragging that he'd have two titles by now if the Bulls had Akeem Olajuwan instead of Jordan."

The Jordan Rules p. 32 (http://books.google.com/books?id=zilYagKLBM0C&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=%22Jordan+had+heard+about+Krause+bragging+that+ he%27d+have+two+titles%22&source=bl&ots=hTCvAVXX59&sig=7QPomyi_BmmlwR3QjROZWr-3HIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Zkh_Uam_M4WkrgHYo4CgDg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Jordan%20had%20heard%20about%20Krause%20bragg ing%20that%20he%27d%20have%20two%20titles%22&f=false)

I wonder how much of that was just posturing from Krause.

Who's "Olajuwan"?

[Droid101]

Unable to recognize sarcasm?
Unfortunately, there are so many trolls and idiots on this site, that you really need to clarify sarcasm.

[daj0264]

college

[Legends66NBA7]

Actually even then he wasn't.

Sarcastic.

[Legends66NBA7]

"Jordan had heard about Krause bragging that he'd have two titles by now if the Bulls had Akeem Olajuwan instead of Jordan."

The Jordan Rules p. 32 (http://books.google.com/books?id=zilYagKLBM0C&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=%22Jordan+had+heard+about+Krause+bragging+that+ he%27d+have+two+titles%22&source=bl&ots=hTCvAVXX59&sig=7QPomyi_BmmlwR3QjROZWr-3HIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Zkh_Uam_M4WkrgHYo4CgDg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Jordan%20had%20heard%20about%20Krause%20bragg ing%20that%20he%27d%20have%20two%20titles%22&f=false)

I wonder how much of that was just posturing from Krause.

He's always been an ass to Jordan and vice versa, so I wouldn't really be surprised.

[iamgine]

In 85-86 season, Hakeem was 4th in MVP voting while MJ was injured that season.

In 92-93 season, Hakeem was above MJ in MVP voting.


So the answer is yes, Hakeem was at some point of time was considered better than MJ.

[AngelEyes]

In 85-86 season, Hakeem was 4th in MVP voting while MJ was injured that season.

In 92-93 season, Hakeem was above MJ in MVP voting.


So the answer is yes, Hakeem was at some point of time was considered better than MJ.

Being voted higher in MVP voting does not necessarily mean people believe you are a better player than someone else. Jordan was universally regarded as the greatest player in basketball in 93'.

[G-train]

He was considered better than him in the 1994/1995 season.

[Shih508]

pre-draft? that's why Hakeem was drafted before jordan :oldlol:

[iamgine]

Being voted higher in MVP voting does not necessarily mean people believe you are a better player than someone else. Jordan was universally regarded as the greatest player in basketball in 93'.
Jordan was greater but higher vote means voters chose Hakeem as better in that year's regular season.

[AngelEyes]

Jordan was greater but higher vote means voters chose Hakeem as better in that year's regular season.

No, it means the writers chose him as being "more valuable" as it pertains to their definition of value. Nobody thought he was better than Jordan, a lot of them probably just wanted to give it to someone new, hence the Barkley selection. Magic, Bird and Jordan had won the last 9 mvp's, I think the writers were tired of that.

[AngelEyes]

pre-draft? that's why Hakeem was drafted before jordan :oldlol:

Olajuwon was a big man and big men at the time were still valued more over guards. Jordan was the better all around and individual talent. There's a reason the guy was college player of the year, he was every bit as good as Olajuwon. Bobby Knight was one such person who thought Jordan was the best player coming out of college.

[iamgine]

No, it means the writers chose him as being "more valuable" as it pertains to their definition of value. Nobody thought he was better than Jordan, a lot of them probably just wanted to give it to someone new, hence the Barkley selection. Magic, Bird and Jordan had won the last 9 mvp's, I think the writers were tired of that.
Are you a mind reader now?

[AngelEyes]

Are you a mind reader now?

Who the hell thought he was better? Jordan was gaining steam in the media as being the GOAT, and you think people thought Hakeem was better? Jordan had already won 3 mvp's, 2 finals mvp's, 2 championships, and that year he won his 7th straight scoring title. His play was still the most dominant in the league.

[VIntageNOvel]

yes, Mary Jane was not better than Hakeem, but she had spidey on her team

[Odinn]

In 85-86 season, Hakeem was 4th in MVP voting while MJ was injured that season.

In 92-93 season, Hakeem was above MJ in MVP voting.


So the answer is yes, Hakeem was at some point of time was considered better than MJ.
Nash won his 2nd MVP award in 2006 over Kobe. Heck Kobe was 4th in that year's voting.

Kidd finished MVP race 2nd in 2002, over Shaq and got 32 more 1st place votes. Was Kidd a better player than Shaq in 2001-02 season.

Iverson won the MVP over Duncan&Shaq. Got more 86 1st place votes compared to Shaq. And Shaq should have won the 2001 MVP.

Your logic simply fails.

Hakeem was never better than MJ when both them were healthy. His best case was 1992-93 season but still was not enough.

[G-train]

Hakeem was never better than MJ when both them were healthy. His best case was 1992-93 season but still was not enough.

His best case is 94/95

[iamgine]

Nash won his 2nd MVP award in 2006 over Kobe. Heck Kobe was 4th in that year's voting.

Kidd finished MVP race 2nd in 2002, over Shaq and got 32 more 1st place votes. Was Kidd a better player than Shaq in 2001-02 season.

Iverson won the MVP over Duncan&Shaq. Got more 86 1st place votes compared to Shaq. And Shaq should have won the 2001 MVP.

Your logic simply fails.

Hakeem was never better than MJ when both them were healthy. His best case was 1992-93 season but still was not enough.
Umm Nash was flat out amazing in the regular season. He pretty much wreck defenses and dominated games (offensively that is).

85-86 Hakeem 4th in MVP votes. MJ was injured in only his 2nd season so why wasn't Hakeem considered better that season? :confusedshrug:

[Odinn]

Umm Nash was flat out amazing in the regular season. He pretty much wreck defenses and dominated games (offensively that is).
Nash wasn't better than Kobe. If you say otherwise, there is no point of arguing with you


85-86 Hakeem 4th in MVP votes. MJ was injured in only his 2nd season so why wasn't Hakeem considered better that season? :confusedshrug:
I doubt your reading skills.


His best case is 94/95
When I say 'healthy', I meant a full-season with playing most of it. But you're right. MJ's health in 1994-95 season wasn't bad.

[iamgine]

Nash wasn't better than Kobe. If you say otherwise, there is no point of arguing with you

:oldlol: oh opinions

[SamuraiSWISH]

Who the hell thought he was better? Jordan was gaining steam in the media as being the GOAT, and you think people thought Hakeem was better? Jordan had already won 3 mvp's, 2 finals mvp's, 2 championships, and that year he won his 7th straight scoring title. His play was still the most dominant in the league.
Pretty much exactly ... writers were tired of giving it to Jordan. Hell, the guy should've won the MVP in '89, and '90. Hakeem was by no means a better player than Jordan in '93. Hakeem wasn't even the undisputed best player in the league the years MJ wasn't there in '94 and '95. I also think MJ came 2nd in voting that season for DPOY iirc in 1993.

[Odinn]

:oldlol: oh opinions
Thanks for saving my time with your shitty response.

[iamgine]

Thanks for saving my time with your shitty response.
great opinion! :lol

[kennethgriffin]

ummmmm


1994-95


hakeem = 28/11/4 on 52%

nba finals mvp

1994-95

Jordan = 27/6/5 on 41%

bounced by a team that got swept by hakeem

[SamuraiSWISH]

1994-95

Jordan = 27/6/5 on 41%

bounced by a team that got swept by hakeem
:facepalm

That's 17 games of MJ coming out of retirement from baseball. Rusty, and working himself back into shape gradually. Less minutes too.

Here is his actual playoff numbers from '94 - '95 rounded up ... where once again he shows why he's the GOAT to ever lace them up.

32 ppg (48%) 7 rpg, 5 apg

MJ perpetually raising his numbers SIGNIFICANTLY for the more competitive, higher intensity levels of the playoffs.

[G-train]

:facepalm

That's 17 games of MJ coming out of retirement from baseball. Rusty, and working himself back into shape gradually. Less minutes too.

Here is his actual playoff numbers from '94 - '95 rounded up ... where once again he shows why he's the GOAT to ever lace them up.

32 ppg (48%) 7 rpg, 5 apg

MJ perpetually raising his numbers SIGNIFICANTLY for the more competitive, higher intensity levels of the playoffs.

There were reasons for it, but Hakeem was still better. And that's what the OP asked.

[Ancient Legend]

Hakeem wasn't, but his Rockets after b2b chips were considered possibly equal to the previous Bulls 3-peat team by some analysts.

[kennethgriffin]

:facepalm

That's 17 games of MJ coming out of retirement from baseball. Rusty, and working himself back into shape gradually. Less minutes too.

Here is his actual playoff numbers from '94 - '95 rounded up ... where once again he shows why he's the GOAT to ever lace them up.

32 ppg (48%) 7 rpg, 5 apg

MJ perpetually raising his numbers SIGNIFICANTLY for the more competitive, higher intensity levels of the playoffs.


absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence

fact remains... whether he had bad stats or no stats. he didn't have better stats and didn't do sh*t

so how could he be better than the leagues finals mvp who had better numbers. and beat the piss out of a team jordan couldnt beat

[NugzHeat3]

Yes, Hakeem was considered = or > than Jordan in years such as 1993, 1995 and 1996.

But it depends whether you're asking if it was ever a consensus opinion, an opinion shared by the majority of people or a rather small vocal group of people?

In that case, I will say the Hakeem backers were mostly in the minority.

1995 was the only year where I would say Hakeem had the majority over Jordan and he was considered the best player in basketball largely due to what he had achieved over the past two seasons and questions regarding whether Jordan could ever return to his pre-retirement form.

As for 1993 and 1996, here are a few quotes that give assurance to the belief that Hakeem was considered equal or better than Jordan by some people:

1993:

Palm Beach Post - Dec 9, 1993
Many think Olajuwon was the best player in the league, before Michael Jordan retired. Detroit Pistons coach Don Chaney, who coached the Rockets from 1988-89 and 1991- 92, said Olajuwon is, ``a better player than he's ever been. He's doing it all. That team is average without him.''
^South Florida sportswriter saying this.

"Hakeem is as good as anyone in the entire league right now," says Sacramento coach Garry St. Jean.

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1120399


Nobody in the league dominates the game on both ends of the floor like Hakeem," says Sacramento King center-forward Wayman Tisdale. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1137516/index.htm

"He has played so well all year long," Portland coach Rick Adelman said. "He's just doing everything for them. He's very unselfish and just having a phenomenal year.

"People are noticing him more now only because they're winning. He's always been one of the best, if not the best in the league," Adelman said.

How good is Olajuwon?

"Lets put it this way," Adelman said. There's nobody better. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e45TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=doYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6489,5012919&dq=rockets+streak+by+blazers&hl=en

^Coming from the coach that saw Jordan destroy his team in the finals in 1992.


Dallas Morning News - Mar 14, 1993
"I think it's between him and Charles Barkley for MVP,' Miami center Rony Seikaly said. "I'd have to flip a coin. Hakeem is as good as anybody.



But this season, he stormed back to become the N.B.A.'s most dominating player. Look up and down the Rockets' roster: there's no reason, outside of Hakeem, for Houston to have won its division. http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-nba-s-mvp-problem-four-won-t-go-into-one.html?pagewanted=2&src=

[QUOTE] Ellensburg Daily Record

[Force]

I watched Akeem his whole career. Lol at comparing to MJ. I'll say this, I can't think of one player in NBA history who had their reputation grow after retirement than Akeem. Not sure why that is. He was a really good player and very unique, moved well on defense for sure. I hated that he took so many bad shots though, his FG percent was always low because he shot so many long jumpers, he sort of had this sideways fadeaway. It astonishes me that people try to throw his name in the top 10 all time.

No doubt he was a rare player, only 6'9 and played center with dazzling creative moves, but he wasn't nearly as good as you would think by hearing what people say about him these days.

I think his legend has grown partly because he didn't even play basketball until he was a teenager, so it's a safe assumption that he could have been better than he was.

People always point to the sweep of the magic and try to say he was greater than Shaq. Seriously this is one of the dumbest things that get repeated on this board so much. Watch that serious and see how Shaq got tripled on nearly every touch and how Akeem hardly drew double teams. I promise y'all I watched him from the start I'm one of the older guys on this board. He was a great player but his legend has grown out of control these days. He wasn't as big of a headache on the offensive end as people would like to make you think. Is he greater than a prime Yao? Yes overall, but Yao is easily better offensively and more dominant than Akeem was on offense. Akeem's gift was how different he was than other players.

[jlip]

Yes, Hakeem was considered = or > than Jordan in years such as 1993, 1995 and 1996.

But it depends whether you're asking if it was ever a consensus opinion, an opinion shared by the majority of people or a rather small vocal group of people?

In that case, I will say the Hakeem backers were mostly in the minority.

1995 was the only year where I would say Hakeem had the majority over Jordan and he was considered the best player in basketball largely due to what he had achieved over the past two seasons and questions regarding whether Jordan could ever return to his pre-retirement form.

As for 1993 and 1996, here are a few quotes that give assurance to the belief that Hakeem was considered equal or better than Jordan by some people:

1993:

^South Florida sportswriter saying this.

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1120399

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1137516/index.htm
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e45TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=doYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6489,5012919&dq=rockets+streak+by+blazers&hl=en

^Coming from the coach that saw Jordan destroy his team in the finals in 1992.



http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-nba-s-mvp-problem-four-won-t-go-into-one.html?pagewanted=2&src=

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19931211&id=glpUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=644DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3983,4767629

Keep in mind the Olajuwon support is even more impressive in context because of a few reasons:

- Hakeem had a fairly low reputation coming into the 1992-93 season. He had 0 MVP votes in 1992 and didn't crack the All-NBA third team with Houston missing the playoffs. This was a period where he critical of the Rockets for not surrounding him with the right pieces, was feuding with the management and had been accused of a faking a hamstring injury as a means of a contract ploy. This impacted his reputation in the 1992-93 season because it takes awhile for you to rebuild yourself in the eyes of fans, media, the league ect especially considering how little exposure he had this year compared to somebody like Jordan or Barkley. Houston only had 1 nationally televised game this year so people weren't getting to see Hakeem play much unless he was coming to town.
- Jordan was already established as the best player in the game being a back to back MVP, finals MVP and champ. There's no reason for somebody to come out and say said player is Jordan unless proven otherwise because Jordan is already at the top so for someone to say Hakeem is = or > is even more impressive.
- Hakeem was actually voted the MVP of the league by coach's in 1993 as well.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-04-27/sports/9304270069_1_pacers-coach-bob-hill-knicks-coach-pat-riley-sidney-lowe

Moving on to 1996, as I said earlier, coming into this season, Hakeem had established himself as the consensus best in the game but Jordan would reclaim that title during the year but Hakeem still had people going for him based on what he had achieved in the last two playoff runs. Here's a best player in the league poll conducted by USA Today and answered by coaches, players, trainers ect from April 1996 after the season was over that still shows Hakeem getting support over Jordan albeit it's a minority:

Note: Even though it says, 301 ballots were returned, I believe that's for the overall survey as they had quite a few other categories as well such as dirtiest player, toughest arena, favorite to win the title ect. In this particular poll, it's sample size of 193 people (you can add up all the player votes) but its good enough to base a conclusion on. Also, keep in mind, more than 25 people could've thought Hakeem was better than Jordan since we don't know who these voters voted as the second best player. This is just a best player survey, it's certainly possible the people who voted Pippen over Jordan or Shaq over Jordan might've gone with Hakeem over Jordan as well.

I can give you a few other opinions as well but it's always better to have a larger sample of people to base a conclusion off of than a single person account since you'll obviously find one or two guys saying outlandish things.

:cheers:

[KOBE143]

Jordan was considered better because his team was better but if Hakeem was in Jordan team, I think no one will choose MJ over Hakeem.. Sometimes its the team that makes the players looks good just like some heat player..

[Psileas]

Pretty much exactly ... writers were tired of giving it to Jordan. Hell, the guy should've won the MVP in '89, and '90. Hakeem was by no means a better player than Jordan in '93. Hakeem wasn't even the undisputed best player in the league the years MJ wasn't there in '94 and '95. I also think MJ came 2nd in voting that season for DPOY iirc in 1993.

I'd like to see the case for any other player.
After the 1994 season was over, Hakeem was seen as pretty convincingly the best. He didn't end up high in the MVP race for the 1995 season (partially due to the expectations for his team having become so high, although the Rockets definitely overachieved in 1994), but the 1995 playoffs exposed any voter who ripped him. By the end the '95 playoffs were over, any mention apart from Hakeem as the best player in the world was seen as a joke, and I'm talking on behalf of the European media, as well, and the European media were even more Jordan-centered than American media, when it came to the NBA.

And, yes, Jordan came 2nd in '93, along with Robinson, each winning 9 first place votes...to Hakeem's 73.

[chosen_wun]

ummmmm


1994-95


hakeem = 28/11/4 on 52%

nba finals mvp

1994-95

Jordan = 27/6/5 on 41%

bounced by a team that got swept by hakeem

Jordan shot 41% in the finals:biggums:

[jzek]

No

Hakeem couldn't even get into the Finals pre-Jordan retirement and post-retirement. The only times Hakeem got into the Finals was...surprise, surprise... when Jordan was MIA from the NBA. I think he was very lucky Jordan was not in the NBA during those two years otherwise he probably wouldn't have won any title.

[jzek]

bounced by a team that got swept by hakeem



You do realize Jordan just came back from a TWO YEAR RETIREMENT MIDWAY THROUGH THAT SEASON, right? Wanna know what happened in the following year?:

* nba title
* 72-10 record in the regular season
* 15-3 record in the playoffs
* all-star mvp, regular season mvp, and finals mvp in jordan
* jordan's 30.4 ppg led the league (was 3rd in steals at 2.2)
* jordan was named to the 1st team all nba team
* jordan was named to the 1st team all defensive team


Oh, and that team that bounced Jordan in the playoffs... the team you're referring to (ORL)? Jordan swept them the following year as payback.

Notice the difference between coming back midway through a season after two years off from the game and a full season? Makes you appreciate more why Jordan is considered by many as the GOAT.

[KOBE143]

No

Hakeem couldn't even get into the Finals pre-Jordan retirement and post-retirement. The only times Hakeem got into the Finals was...surprise, surprise... when Jordan was MIA from the NBA. I think he was very lucky Jordan was not in the NBA during those two years otherwise he probably wouldn't have won any title.
Bullshit.. :facepalm

Compare Jordan team to Hakeem team.. MJ teams wins hands down.. The most stacked team in the 90s and probably one of the most stacked team of all time.. Hakeem best teammate was Sam Cassel the Alien while Jordan was ****ing Pippen, GOAT perimeter defensive player and a top 3 player in the 90s.. Give Hakeem a Pippen and Hakeem would had won all the championship in the 90s..

[jlip]

Does anyone have any reports on their early years, especially '85-'87 when Hakeem enjoyed more team success?

[Psileas]

No

Hakeem couldn't even get into the Finals pre-Jordan retirement and post-retirement. The only times Hakeem got into the Finals was...surprise, surprise... when Jordan was MIA from the NBA. I think he was very lucky Jordan was not in the NBA during those two years otherwise he probably wouldn't have won any title.

Because if Jordan was playing, that would somehow prevent Hakeem's Western team from reaching the Finals?

[jlip]

No

Hakeem couldn't even get into the Finals pre-Jordan retirement and post-retirement. The only times Hakeem got into the Finals was...surprise, surprise... when Jordan was MIA from the NBA. I think he was very lucky Jordan was not in the NBA during those two years otherwise he probably wouldn't have won any title.

:facepalm
Did you even read the OP? Hakeem got to the Finals in '86. Also, Hakeem played in the West. Jordan's presence playing in the East would have absolutely NO impact on whether Hakeem made it to the Finals. Playing in two completely different conferences meant that Jordan could not possible affect whether Hakeem made it to the Finals or not.

[jzek]

Jesus Christ, I made a simply typo about Hakeem not reaching the Finals and that's all you idiots could write about!

What I meant was Hakeem not winning the title if he had reached the Finals against Jordan! NOT Hakeem unable to reach the Finals even though he plays in the other conference! Common sense, people. :facepalm Obviously I know Hakeem plays in the WC and Jordan in the EC so they are not matching up against each other untilt he Finals...

[NugzHeat3]

Does anyone have any reports on their early years, especially '85-'87 when Hakeem enjoyed more team success?
I read a lot about Hakeem during those years and he was never talked about as better than Jordan but more so as the center of the future/best big man in the league especially during the 1986 playoffs where the WCF was viewed as the passing of the torch and the 1987 season. He got a lot of praise for his play in the 1987 playoffs as well especially the series vs Seattle but he was considered a notch below Bird, Magic and Jordan.

There was a lot of debate/comparisons between them as rookies in regards to the rookie of the year award (they even split rookies of the month) but the case for Hakeem was usually based on what he had done for the team (Rockets record improved to a greater extent than Chicago) than his outright superiority to Jordan.

Here's a great read in regards to the ROY battle where several players chip in with their opinions on the two: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7lVeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3mANAAAAIBAJ&pg=6798,4070511&dq=olajuwon+jordan+rookie+of+the+year&hl=en

You'll see most of the players praise both but tend to give Jordan the edge because of his ability to do more.

It's a bit different in case you're comparing them in regards to building/starting a team but that obviously doesn't indicate who the better player is due to the philosophy of taking the great big men over the guard especially considering that Olajuwon in 1987 had shared superior team success.

It's Michael Jordan, 6 feet 6, vs. Akeem Olajuwon, 6-11. A regular David against Goliath.

David is naturally more popular. More fans around the NBA pay to see Jordan's soaring and hang gliding than Olajuwon's turnaround jumper and relentless inside game.

David may be the one you pay to see, but if you're starting a team, Goliath is the one you put your money on.

Back in November, when Ray Patterson was pleased to announce an eight-year extension of Olajuwon's contract, he made the claim that Akeem the Dream is the most valuable property in basketball.

When Mark Newman of the Fort Worth Star Telegram recently polled several other general managers around the league, he found unanimous support for Patterson's evaluation.

Said Donnie Walsh, who runs the Indiana Pacers: "If you talk to every GM in this league, he'll go with Olajuwon."

Denver GM Vince Boryla said, "It's not even a choice. In this game you can get a big guy and four bellhops to win a championship."
chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1987_449528

This is akin to David Robinson being chosen over Jordan and Magic to start a team in a GM poll in 1990 but those two were considered superior players than him.

[jlip]

Thanks NugzHeat! Great posts. :cheers:

[K Xerxes]

No

Hakeem couldn't even get into the Finals pre-Jordan retirement and post-retirement. The only times Hakeem got into the Finals was...surprise, surprise... when Jordan was MIA from the NBA. I think he was very lucky Jordan was not in the NBA during those two years otherwise he probably wouldn't have won any title.


The Rockets themselves would have loved to have proven everybody wrong.

"There should be no doubt or label of fluke on our championships," said Hakeem Olajuwon. "As for Michael Jordan, a lot of people don't know and never looked up our matchups with Chicago during that time. If you check the records, you'll see that we beat them on a consistent basis when Michael was playing and winning his first three championships.

"(Vernon) Maxwell guarded Michael and gave him problems. In '95, we would have had Mario Elie on him. They didn't have anyone who could contain me. Chicago was never a problem for us. We always looked forward to playing them. A lot of people don't realize that."

The Rockets, in fact, had a 5-1 record vs. Jordan and the Bulls from 1991 through 1993, the span of Chicago's first "three-peat."

After a loss on his home floor at Chicago Stadium in 1993, Jordan said, "We have no answer for the big guy. It's a good thing they won't ever make it to the (NBA) Finals, because I don't think we could beat them."

Just sayin'.

[JellyBean]

It's common knowledge that Hakeem went #1 in that famed '84 draft, but MJ won the ROY. Hakeem's Rockets had greater team success (better cast of players obviously) from '85-'87 which included a Finals appearance in '86. That Finals appearance included a win over the defending champ, Showtime Lakers. Hakeem seemed to have, after his rookie season, taken over as the #1 option on that Rockets squad. Considering the fact that MJ didn't have that much team success during the first three seasons, does anyone know if Hakeem was considered a better player than MJ during the early stages of their careers? Were prognosticators predicting Hakeem to end up having the better career?

No. Hakeem was never considered a better player than MJ during their early stages of their careers. As for the second question, were the prognosticators predicting Hakeem to have a better career, I would say no again.

[bdreason]

Once the NBA global marketing campaign kicked in, people were already ranking MJ over Magic and Bird. :oldlol: