re: Questions: Who was better, Hakeem or Shaq?

Dream

Hakeem had more natural ability than Shaq ever had, and what I mean by natural abilty is skill to score almost at will, he even was a better shot blocker then Shaq. Hakeem anticipated shots by others rose off his feet extremely fast blocking them easily. His "Dream Shake" was a thing of beauty how he would spin on people so quick for such a big guy and drop shots in with the deftess of touch for a big man.

Shaq was totally different, a straight power guy, nobody matched his power, he went over people, through people, didn't matter because he knew they could not stop him. His shot blocking when he was young was also great, but he did not leave his feet as fast as Olajuwon. and I think we all know about his shooting ability, which is why I give the edge to Hakeem.

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I meant to say that Shaq was the best center in NBA history in his prime.

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NO. Wilt was.

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The link didn't, but I did read it and was floored by the two stats that favored Hakeem over Shaq. Those are shocking stats and I would have bet against those being true.

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It's a good read for certain....also FWIW one of the first times in a while that PJ and I have agreed on something

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dukke v

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Shaq was strange - so dominant physically...yes...he is the best in that department...

But not dominant overall (as you would expect him to be because of his size.) He didn't put teams on his shoulders in spite of his points.

Russell, Kareem, Hakeem, Walton, Ewing...so many big men dominated at all levels anchoring or carrying their teams to the NCAA championship game. It's sort of glaring that Shaq couldn't dominate the college game with championships...I mean, Carmelo Anthony carried his team to the title as a freshman...that sort of defines Shaq (as dominant physically as he was)...he could disappear and never took over the game as someone his size would suggest...ala the Wilt syndrome. Shaq wasn't a winner to some degree ala Hakeem carrying those Rockets. Lakers won before and after Shaq.

Who would you want to take the final shot? Give me Hakeem everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. Hakeem had a fadeaway jumper that he could go to whenever he wanted.

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Who was better, Hakeem or Shaq?

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They are two totally different type centers. Both are top 5 though IMO

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too many people make the incorrect assumption he just used his size. shaq had an INCREDIBLY refined post game. when he was on the lakers under phil, his passing improved greatly, also.

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Exactly, people always talk about Shaq as if he was just some grunt that would back down defenders, turn around and dunk.

His game was vastly more refined than that.

Shaq didn't have a jump shot, but his post moves were pretty unbelievable, and his ability to pass out of the double team increased as his career progressed.

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"If I had to pick a center, I would take Olajuwon. That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. It leaves out a lot of people. And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can give you from that position. It's not just his scoring, not just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. People don't realize he was in the top seven in steals. He always made great decisions on the court. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him."
-Michael Jordan

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I'd also take into consideration that Hakeem wasn't exactly a guy who "demanded" the ball, whereas Shaq was. I think MJ would prefer to play with someone who would defer to him rather than a guy who would tell him to give him the fricking ball... a lot.