Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

Hakeem isn't truly the number one shot-blocker of all time. He would rank fourth behind Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Nate Thurmond.

Technically we have no idea how to rank shot blockers.. Different eras and play styles have pretty much made it impossible to compare Russell to Hakeem or anyone in between in that regard.

People would say "Russell averaged 8-10 blocks per game"... That might be 100% true but he played in an era where there was 20+ more shots per team a game, and when players scored more going towards the rim or pulling up for midrange shots.. Also post play was dominant rather than perimeter play, and players as a whole (especially early in his career) weren't nearly as athletic and for the most part were shorter..

Even someone like Dwight, who has just as good of timing as any player I've watched, could be much higher up on the list if players still attacked the rim constantly, and outside shooting wasn't so dominant.. I think we would see a huge difference in him just sending him back to the 80's-90's..

I'm not going to call Russell a better shot blocker than Hakeem, or Hakeem a better shot blocker than Russell, because honestly nobody really knows for sure..


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[AlexBrady]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

I have no trouble declaring Russell the top shot-blocker ever. Quickest off the floor I've ever seen.

Russ, Wilt, and Nate's teams usually played a funnel zone which denied the pass to the corner and forced the offense into their jaws.

[ronyell]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

i was referring to seasonal final numbers... he led the league in blocks multiple times all while doing those other things.

he did not start off with a high IQ on the court but he certainly developed into one of the most intelligent ceneters ever IMO, he passed perfectly out of the post, read the defense perfectly & re-posted like a champ.

but again you guys' points feed my case of placebo, attempting to compare eras & basing opinion off of who saw more of.

calling Hakeem a glorified all around center would be a grave understatement.

people say what they say about Lebron; why... because of the amout of areas that he impacts the game no matter the circumstance... i am now understanding the grievance that people have with a "list format" because it makes it sound quantifiable & definitive so maybe i should have gone with a different spin or title but the lack of acceptance for Hakeem as a TOP tier all-time great is just insane to me. players still go to him now to learn & from ALL positions.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

But players go to him because they want to learn post moves, not because they think he's the best player to ever play the game.


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[ronyell]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

But players go to him because they want to learn post moves, not because they think he's the best player to ever play the game.


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hence i killed the "greatest ever" point as it may not have been the best phrasing to my points.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

hence i killed the "greatest ever" point as it may not have been the best phrasing to my points.

But the same applies to greatest big man as well.

Idk it's always been my opinion that you have 5 great centers and you really couldn't go wrong with any of them. Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Shaq.. Depends on preference.. AB is obviously for Russell, I think Kareem, you Hakeem.

I just think the other guys have something to add to their resume besides being just a great center.. Kareem had the best individual career, Russell the most team success, Shaq and Wilt the most dominant offensively.. Which is why I tried giving Hakeem the most complete title earlier, it wasn't me trying to downplay him in anyway. Just giving him his own niche amongst these guys.


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[TMagic]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

I really don't think there is anyway to be objective here as the thread title suggests. Lol


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[AlexBrady]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

Hakeem's turnaround jumpers were not as flashy as Shaq's powerhouse dunks. So that was one reason why he wasn't as widely celebrated.

Kareem was viewed as a freak with a freakish shot, the skyhook. Wilt Chamberlain always used to say that "Nobody roots for Goliath."

[ehh]

Re: Can anyone else objectively agree with this top 3 list.

I'm a Knicks fan and Ewing was my hero but Hakeem is my favorite center ever and I tried to model my game after him. That being said, I can't think of a single reason to put him over Jordan on an all-time list.