That being said if you compared their marketability and popularity. Jordan would come out on top. That CAN be compared. I wouldn't mind putting Hakeem as the GBMOAT (Greatest Big Man of All Time). But Jordan has the title of GOAT.
Duncan and Robinson are good but no doubt, Olajuwon during his best 2 years was better than either of their best.
Tim Duncan is probably the best PF ever. But even though Olajuwan is only a top-5 Center (not the top center ever), Olajuwan was better than Duncan. That just shows how much more competition the center position has had historically (notwithstanding the poor competition in recent years). Imagine if Olajuwan was considered a PF, not a C, like Duncan. Olajuwan would be considered the best PF ever hands down.
Hakeem is one of those players where you can say 'No one was better'. No one ever comes close to saying "he's the next Olajuwon". Just too many moves and natural talent. We are all lucky to be able to say we saw Hakeem play in his prime. Nobody else comes close, Lebron might have been like that but he don't have Olajuwon's heart.
its kind of sad to see this obsession to rate it. You almost get away from appreciating them truly, whether you think Olajuwon is no 1 or no 2, you are short changing someone else in calling them less great and worrying about it when there is no real measuring stick. All we can say they were just really special and great and did impact the game beyond numbers and led their teams to titles and we should appreciate it. same goes for Kobe and so on, just appreciate greatness
Horry Cow!!! Its like saying Lebron James (the current Miami Heat) is better than Michael Jordan. All you need to know about Olajuwon is THE BLOCK on Kevin Johnson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS25dibHOR0&feature=channel_video_title
Playing away from the basket is NOT the definition of a power forward. Look at Chuck Hayes and Dennis Rodman. Possessing an away from the basket game is part of a PF yes, but so is finesse and quickness. PFs are generally quicker off their feet, faster, and more mobile than Centers. Hakeem was more mobile than any other center in the league. Hakeem did develop an away from the basket game later on, but that only modes his game closer to that of a PF than a C.
No offense intended, but it irritates me when someone named "johnstarks" can't spell Olajuwon's name correctly. It's not like he wasn't in your face enough for you to learn it... :grin:
Positions in basketball are pretty abstract. Is there really a difference between PF and C? Is there really a difference between SG and SF? Not really. Even PG, the only thing that makes it a clear cut position is that a PG usually brings the ball up and initiates the offense. I can't think of another sport where the positions are as abstract as they are in basketball.
If you have a true center, there is a big difference between C and PF. These days though, there aren't that many true centers which is why confusion reigns. As for Dream being a PF, just stop it people. He was a Center. He played the position and just as importantly, he had the mentality of a Center. Thorpe never guarded Ewing or Robinson or Shaq if Dream was in the game. If you think Dream was a PF, pick up his book and read what he says about playing Center. Then go watch a bunch of games. Dream = Center.
The fact that anyone can debate Olajuwon/Duncan or even compare the two has got to be joking. Objectively speaking, there is no comparison between Hakeem and Duncan. Duncan has been consistently played to a draw/outplayed by his peers (KG w/ Minny/Amare w/ Suns) come to mind immediately. TD lost a finals MVP to Tony Longoria. TD struggled against Kenyon Martin in the finals against the Nets. Can you imagine Hakeem struggling against Kenyon Martin in a playoff series? Hakeem destroyed HOF caliber players in playoff series, whereas Duncan was effectively neutralized by the Nets. I think TD is one of the most overrated players in a historical context. I honestly don't believe that if you plug KG into SA and plug TD into Minny that things would have played out dramatically differently. He has been on stacked teams with multiple all-stars his entire career, first D. Rob, then Parker/Gino. He has never had to be his team's primary closer down the stretch (nor was he trusted to be because of his FT issues). I can argue this point ad nasuem, but suffice it to say that Duncan should never be mentioned in the same breath as Hakeem. Duncan is a great teammate/system player and winner, but in terms of individual brilliance does not enter the discussion with the Hakeems/Birds/MJs of the world.
Just saw the thread But - wow - Horry must be looking for a future as an insightful analyst or something Did he also say that Jordon was better than Mitch Richmond?
I don't think Hakeem was suited to play PF. It's why when they did the twin towers experiment with Sampson, Ralph was PF. Hakeem may have later been able to handle the duties, but his instincts and training were all Center. He was best suited to that position.
