Hakeem vs. Shaq

[The15thunter]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

i don't think using numbers is a good argument to prove shaq is better than hakeem. if we go to hakeem's numbers in the playoffs in the 80's, or his long stretch of great seasons, or his unparallel defensive numbers, it'll be a long day for shaq supporters.

[bamalam]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

hakeem more skilled by far in terms of basketball skills.

shaq underrated on skills cause he was so strong he just used brute force and no offensive fouls were ever called for years and years. he just bulled his way to the basket on sheer strength. didnt have to use all his skills..

both all time great centers

i rank hakeem just ahead overall.

i enjoyed young shaq beating up on ewing lol.

[Jesus]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

I hate how people try to discredit Hakeems rings with the talk of Jordan's retirement.

As if the Rockets didnt ever beat the Bulls with Jordan on the team.

Save the what ifs and deal with reality.

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

The only guy to remotely resemble Hakeem's dream shake was a prime KG.

Hakeem is the most perfect Big Man Ive ever seen.

Its not close. Shaq has always been a underachiever on the class, and Hakeem humiliates Shaq on the defense end of the court.

The man had 3 300+ block seasons, led the league in rebounding twice, and had a season of over 200 steals.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Hakeem was the man, but if u ask me to choose one, I'm taking Shaq...sorry.

Shaq is 7'2 and during his Laker days, was like 350 of unstoppable force.

Hakeem is the most skilled big man ever, but he was actually 6'10 and about 250. Hakeem is not stopping a prime Shaq when he couldn't even stop young Shaq.

[Jesus]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Under todays rules with the restrictions of how you can turn into a player( not as liberal with the shoulder and elbow movement), i think he could do a damn good job on him. Hakeem and Mutombo both.

[ehh]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Hakeem was the man, but if u ask me to choose one, I'm taking Shaq...sorry.

Shaq is 7'2 and during his Laker days, was like 350 of unstoppable force.

Hakeem is the most skilled big man ever, but he was actually 6'10 and about 250. Hakeem is not stopping a prime Shaq when he couldn't even stop young Shaq.

Still goes both ways, at no point in his career was Shaq stopping Hakeem. And Hakeem was making life difficult because of his D for a lot of other centers in the league which Shaq wasn't. So if there's one guy in the league that Hakeem can't guard (Shaq), at least he's still a great defender against basically everyone else in the league, unlike Shaq.

With Shaq's physical gifts he should have been far and away the best defensive center of all time, he fell well short of that.

[The15thunter]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Still goes both ways, at no point in his career was Shaq stopping Hakeem. And Hakeem was making life difficult because of his D for a lot of other centers in the league which Shaq wasn't. So if there's one guy in the league that Hakeem can't guard (Shaq), at least he's still a great defender against basically everyone else in the league, unlike Shaq.

With Shaq's physical gifts he should have been far and away the best defensive center of all time, he fell well short of that.

agreed. there's no facet of being a basketball player that shaq is able to claim he's better than hakeem at. and since power and raw size are the only things he can claim, he would need to be superior on an elite level that makes hakeem's other attributes seem small in comparison, which he never was able to do.

[KG]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

The only guy to remotely resemble Hakeem's dream shake was a prime KG.

Hakeem is the most perfect Big Man Ive ever seen.

Its not close. Shaq has always been a underachiever on the class, and Hakeem humiliates Shaq on the defense end of the court.

The man had 3 300+ block seasons, led the league in rebounding twice, and had a season of over 200 steals.

He is the Ryan Reynolds of Big Men.

Just messing with your Rip since you might be gone for a while.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Hakeem and Shaq are two very different players. Olajuwon was an athletic freak. O'Neal was a powerhouse.

Olajuwon used drop steps and counters to those drops. He shot fades, hookers, face up jumpers, used spins and drives. Unstoppable. Mediocre passer.

Shaq used his mass to set up on the block and he was absolutely immovable. Used pivot spins, drop steps, hooks and many more. Even more unstoppable than Hakeem. Good passer.

Hakeem had long arms and was a super quick and explosive leaper off the floor. Probably a five-six space rebounder which is phenomenal.

Shaq was a slow jumper off the floor for most of his career. In his prime he was a 3 space rebounder (decent) but when he gained all the weight he turned into a phone booth rebounder.

Hakeem was a great shot blocker and was determined to get a piece of the ball every time. His long arms and quick feet allowed him to be an adequate man defender and a good helper.

Shaq was always a mediocre-poor defender because he had slow feet, was foul prone and couldn't guard guys who could face and go. He could give a big bump though.

If I had to pick between the two I would take Shaq. But both were all time greats.

[badpoet]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

I'm of the opinion that Hakeem was the 3rd best center to ever play the game (behind Jabbar and Chamberlain). He was a center that could do everything. Score inside with his back to the basket, face up and either hit a 10 footer or use one of his MANY moves to burn you and get a lay up, shoot free throws, rebound on both ends, block shots, pass, steals, you name it. In his prime, he was the Jordan of centers. No weakness (couldn't shoot from the outside, but you wouldn't expect a center to)

Though he isn't statistcally as dominant, Bill Russell was a better defender and rebounder than any of them (except maybe Wilt though their stats are close), and a good, but not great, scorer. He's probably my top Center ever because he could keep Wilt (or pretty much anyone) in check, and while he wasn't called on to lead his team in scoring, he was a pretty good offensive option. And, this isn't a number of rings thing either, it's based off his skill-set and his demeanor. Though it's difficult to match up players from different eras.

I'd say it would go Russell/Wilt/Kareem/Hakeem/Shaq.

[The15thunter]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

Though he isn't statistcally as dominant, Bill Russell was a better defender and rebounder than any of them (except maybe Wilt though their stats are close), and a good, but not great, scorer. He's probably my top Center ever because he could keep Wilt (or pretty much anyone) in check, and while he wasn't called on to lead his team in scoring, he was a pretty good offensive option. And, this isn't a number of rings thing either, it's based off his skill-set and his demeanor. Though it's difficult to match up players from different eras.

I'd say it would go Russell/Wilt/Kareem/Hakeem/Shaq.

wilt and russell can not be mentioned in the same sentence in terms of defense. russell is in a league by himself, and i wouldn't really put wilt up there with hakeem, either.

[beastwork]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

i'm seeing a lot of talk about shaq's defense. you guys have to take into account how hard he worked on the offesive end. shaq was scoring 30+ points regularly. For a man of his size to put out that much effort offensively he obviously would fall short on the defensive end. not an excuse just a reality. cats acting like shaq was a slouch, like he didn't force numerous guards to settle for the tough tear drop shot just by being on the court. you can't coach size fellas.

even though Hakeem was the more skilled player I'm taking shaq all day. He was just simply a freak on the court. Also he got your team in the penalty EARLY every night because of the "hack a shaq"

[wwharton]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

i'm seeing a lot of talk about shaq's defense. you guys have to take into account how hard he worked on the offesive end. shaq was scoring 30+ points regularly. For a man of his size to put out that much effort offensively he obviously would fall short on the defensive end. not an excuse just a reality. cats acting like shaq was a slouch, like he didn't force numerous guards to settle for the tough tear drop shot just by being on the court. you can't coach size fellas.

even though Hakeem was the more skilled player I'm taking shaq all day. He was just simply a freak on the court. Also he got your team in the penalty EARLY every night because of the "hack a shaq"

I've got no problem with your choice but I don't know about some of the reasons. First, if all that offensive output means a lack of defense then I want him to do less on offense. That's just a bad excuse and a bit of a cop out. I agree that he wasn't as horrible on D as the pictures that have been painted, but the idea is compared to Hakeem, and in that regard, it's no contest who was the better defender. Also, the "hack a shaq" wouldn't exist if he could hit a damn free throw. He definitely doesn't get props for being a liability on the court late in close games, sorry.

[ehh]

Re: Hakeem vs. Shaq

He shot hookers