Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

[ojandpizza]

Didn't know Hakeem had that in his arsenal.



I think Dirk made it his move by it being his go to move. While Hakeem certainly had it in his arsenal, he wasn't using that move the way Dirk is using it. 4th quarter, two minutes down the stretch, EVERYONE knows Dirk is going to do his one legged fadeaway. Still can't stop it. Double team coming? Does it anyway. Splash.

One of the few moves that go down as being unstoppable.

1. Kareem Sky Hook
2. Dirk leg

3. Michael Jordan doing anything while his tongue is hanging out lol

[The15thunter]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

i think it's hakeem olajuwon, and i don't feel like it's close. to me, it's clear that hakeem was a better player in pretty much every way. the only arguments shaq has in his favor are rings and his dominant stretch against, arguably, the worst collection of big men over a stretch of time the nba has ever seen.

but in terms of comparing skills or categorical analyses, hakeem will take that comparison handily.

[StraightBaylien]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal would be the pick. He was one of the best ever at holding his spot in the low post and catching the entry pass. Now, the ball is four feet from the basket and the defense has to stretch into alignments that are totally unsound. Can't front him either because that would be self-defeating. Only McHale had a wider variety of moves in the low post. Shaq puts more pressure on the defense than Hakeem does.

Hakeem was a quick-stepping face the basket center. A finesse guy. He drop-stepped into his fadeaway. Sometimes he faked the drop step. He wasn't really a low poster in the mold of McHale or Shaq. Thats a myth. Better rebounder and defender than Shaq, although he was always in foul trouble.

Did you really say that Shaq had more post moves than Hakeem?

[ojandpizza]

Did you really say that Shaq had more post moves than Hakeem?

I think he meant at the basket.. Which I would still question but Hakeem did start a large majority of his moves away from the rim or off face-ups.

[ERA]

I honestly don't care what anybody says, Hakeem is easily the better player. END OF STORY.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

i think it's hakeem olajuwon, and i don't feel like it's close. to me, it's clear that hakeem was a better player in pretty much every way. the only arguments shaq has in his favor are rings and his dominant stretch against, arguably, the worst collection of big men over a stretch of time the nba has ever seen.

but in terms of comparing skills or categorical analyses, hakeem will take that comparison handily.

Well, here's how I rate them.

Strength- Shaq 10 Hakeem 7
Speed- Shaq 5 Hakeem 9
Quickness- Shaq 7 Hakeem 10
Inside moves- Shaq 9 Hakeem 8
Face up moves- Shaq 2 Hakeem 10
Off hand- Shaq 2 Hakeem 4
Attack hoop- Shaq 8 Hakeem 7
Versatility- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Free Throws- Shaq 4 Hakeem 7
Offensive Rebounds - Shaq 6 Hakeem 6
Defensive Rebounds- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Passing- Shaq 6 Hakeem 6
Passing out of double teams- Shaq 8 Hakeem 7
Defense- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Shot Blocking- Shaq 6 Hakeem 9
Basketball IQ- Shaq 9 Hakeem 7
Clutch Performance- Shaq 7 Hakeem 9
Competitive Spirit- Shaq 9 Hakeem 10

Totals- Shaq 116 Hakeem 140

Did you really say that Shaq had more post moves than Hakeem?

Hakeem had the drop step, turnaround/fadeaway, tight spin, and jump hook.

Where to begin with Shaq's moves? Jump hook, back down, tight power spin, drop step, twister, and his semi jumper when he turned baseline.

I honestly don't care what anybody says, Hakeem is easily the better player. END OF STORY.

Hakeem was more complete, for sure. But you can't get away from that power with Shaq. That's the difference that makes all the difference.

[24]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Just wanted to add something to the discussion I think if Shaq actually gave 100% every time out his career numbers would be better. We always saw two different versions of him during his playing career.

[JJJones135]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Just wanted to add something to the discussion I think if Shaq actually gave 100% every time out his career numbers would be better. We always saw two different versions of him during his playing career.

Yeah you really do have to take that into account but, Hakeem was just so efficient and it didnt matter who was guarding him his quickness and versatility would get them every time. However Shaq was pure power and a absolute MONSTER, but I would rather have Hakeem on my team bc he always has 110% effort and desire to win, Shaq had these but at times he could be lazy and just "coast" bc of his size and strength. They were both easily top 5 centers of all time.

[The15thunter]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Well, here's how I rate them.

Strength- Shaq 10 Hakeem 7
Speed- Shaq 5 Hakeem 9
Quickness- Shaq 7 Hakeem 10
Inside moves- Shaq 9 Hakeem 8
Face up moves- Shaq 2 Hakeem 10
Off hand- Shaq 2 Hakeem 4
Attack hoop- Shaq 8 Hakeem 7
Versatility- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Free Throws- Shaq 4 Hakeem 7
Offensive Rebounds - Shaq 6 Hakeem 6
Defensive Rebounds- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Passing- Shaq 6 Hakeem 6
Passing out of double teams- Shaq 8 Hakeem 7
Defense- Shaq 6 Hakeem 8
Shot Blocking- Shaq 6 Hakeem 9
Basketball IQ- Shaq 9 Hakeem 7
Clutch Performance- Shaq 7 Hakeem 9
Competitive Spirit- Shaq 9 Hakeem 10

Totals- Shaq 116 Hakeem 140



Hakeem had the drop step, turnaround/fadeaway, tight spin, and jump hook.

Where to begin with Shaq's moves? Jump hook, back down, tight power spin, drop step, twister, and his semi jumper when he turned baseline.




Hakeem was more complete, for sure. But you can't get away from that power with Shaq. That's the difference that makes all the difference.

a few points of contention...

you gave shaq a 4 at free throws? i think he might need to be a 0. he shot 53% for his career and only once went above 60%...in 19 seasons.

how is hakeem only an 8 defensively? he's 8th all-time in steals. i know stats aren't everything, but...8th all-time from the 5 spot? his combination of timing and agility was other-worldy.

and only a 9 at shot blocking? he's the all-time leader in blocked shots.

and what made you give shaq the edge in basketball iq and competitive spirit? what did you use to base it on? i don't really recall shaq ever destroying a worthy opponent, and nothing he did on an individual level can compare to the destruction of david robinson after he (wrongfully) received the mvp trophy in front of hakeem at the beginning of their series. what followed borders on obscene, nsfw type of athletic assault.

i'd be very interested to hear your thoughts, but it also looks like you ended up agreeing with my prognosis that hakeem handily wins a comparison.

[ojandpizza]

Hakeem was easily the better "all around player" but Shaq was just a flat out force. And in his case that's all it took.

It's like people here say that Magic is the greatest all around player ever, or that if you could pick one player to build a team around many people here chose Magic.. But almost nobody here will admittedly say that they think he's "better" than MJ..

I think the same applies here in a way. Nobody could stop MJ.. Nobody could stop Shaq.

[DukeC]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Hakeem was easily the better "all around player" but Shaq was just a flat out force. And in his case that's all it took.

It's like people here say that Magic is the greatest all around player ever, or that if you could pick one player to build a team around many people here chose Magic.. But almost nobody here will admittedly say that they think he's "better" than MJ..

I think the same applies here in a way. Nobody could stop MJ.. Nobody could stop Shaq.

What?

The only time people don't pick Jordan to build around is because people usually add in the caveat of "And you can't pick Jordan"

[ojandpizza]

What?

The only time people don't pick Jordan to build around is because people usually add in the caveat of "And you can't pick Jordan"

No there was a thread. And the first 8-10 people chose Magic.. I didn't agree, lots of posters didn't agree, but many people there picked Magic.

Edit: I believe you had to chose one player to build the team around: Jordan, Magic, or Bird.

[Mr.Kick24]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

Hakeem was easily the better player. Shaq would occasionally become a liability on defense depending on what lineups were on the floor, which never would happen to The Dream. He also was a liability if his team ever found themselves down in the 4th because of FT shooting. He had a selfish streak in Orlando and LA claiming if he dosen't get the ball he "wont protect the yard" in his words. He was physically imposing but skill wise The Dream had him beat.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Hakeem Olajuwon Vs Shaquille O'Neal

a few points of contention...

you gave shaq a 4 at free throws? i think he might need to be a 0. he shot 53% for his career and only once went above 60%...in 19 seasons.

how is hakeem only an 8 defensively? he's 8th all-time in steals. i know stats aren't everything, but...8th all-time from the 5 spot? his combination of timing and agility was other-worldy.

and only a 9 at shot blocking? he's the all-time leader in blocked shots.

and what made you give shaq the edge in basketball iq and competitive spirit? what did you use to base it on? i don't really recall shaq ever destroying a worthy opponent, and nothing he did on an individual level can compare to the destruction of david robinson after he (wrongfully) received the mvp trophy in front of hakeem at the beginning of their series. what followed borders on obscene, nsfw type of athletic assault.

i'd be very interested to hear your thoughts, but it also looks like you ended up agreeing with my prognosis that hakeem handily wins a comparison.

In order to earn a zero in the free throw category, Shaq would need to shoot under 20 percent from the line. He was a 50 percent foul shooter. Poor but not worthy of a zero.

In the defense category, I'm grading positional defense in the post. Hakeem could be overpowered in the low post by guys like Shaq. Why did he have so many steals? His incredible quickness allowed him to attack entry passes.

The only two centers who I would give a '10' to on post defense would be Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond. I admit, I'm a tough grader.

"Only a 9"? That's an excellent grade. And Hakeem isn't the all time leader in blocked shots. If blocks were counted when they played, the top three all time would be Russell, Wilt, and Nate. Those three all rate a '10' in the shot blocking category.

Shaq read the court better than Hakeem and mastered the triangle offense in little time. Hence his advantage in the IQ category.
I actually gave Hakeem a slight edge in the competitive spirit department.

I seem to recall Shaq easily brushing aside the defensive efforts of Tim Duncan. And he certainly played Hakeem on even terms.

I wasn't a big fan of David Robinson. His man to man defense was soft and highly overrated. I wasn't surprised at all when Hakeem took him apart. And when Shaq faced Robinson, he easily brushed him aside as well.

[ojandpizza]

Hakeem was easily the better player. Shaq would occasionally become a liability on defense depending on what lineups were on the floor, which never would happen to The Dream. He also was a liability if his team ever found themselves down in the 4th because of FT shooting. He had a selfish streak in Orlando and LA claiming if he dosen't get the ball he "wont protect the yard" in his words. He was physically imposing but skill wise The Dream had him beat.

Skill wise you're absolutely right. He's probably the most skilled bigman ever, maybe Duncan or Kareem too.. But Shaq is the most physically imposing ever, maybe Wilt too.

I'm not sure if the OP is wanting to know which player was better in terms of if they played one-on-one, or if he's wanting us to take their careers and determine who's the better player..

For me you have two guys who dominated about equally in two separate ways.. I don't like using rings as an argument but when I think their "level of play" is about even it sure helps Shaq's case knowing he has 4 rings and 3 finals MVPs..

As for one-on-one playing its a tough call. Neither of them can really guard one another effectively.. I would give a slight edge to Shaq probably just because while he isn't great defensively he can keep Hakeem out of position with size and quickness. And offensively there isn't really anybody who could guard Shaq alone.

I think during Hakeem's back to back rings he was arguably the best all around big man the league has ever had, and playing at a super high level.. But during Shaq's 3peat he was just an unstoppable force. And had one of the best individual seasons in league history..

It's such a tough call.. Skill or Power, take your pick.