https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/5/27/21271060/time-machine-all-stars-centers Hakeem likely could’ve become a passable 3-point shooter with enough commitment. Olajuwon had an excellent midrange game, with incredible touch on those turnarounds and fadeaways out of the block, and shot a crisp 50 percent between 16 feet and the arc during the 1998-99 season, his final healthy run before the wheels started to come off. Even if a contemporary Dream never stretched all the way out, though, we already know the best way to unleash him as a menace in a modern offense. You just do what Rudy Tomjanovich and Co. did in 1994 and ’95: Surround him with shooters in a four-out set, and watch as he kicked the ball out of double-teams to open cutters and perimeter marksmen, or used that absolutely lethal face-up game to decimate overmatched defenders.
I think i mentioned this in another thread, IMO the young jumping jack rim running Hakeem would be an insanely good fit for the current era, 3 point shooting be damned. Imagine him in hte Capela role, but with everything amped up and all Capela's weaknesses turned into strengths. Put it this way, if it came down to "Harden can't play with 2 non-shooters, he can only play with 1" and it was 86 Hakeem and 2019 Russ, Russ is one on the bus.
Plus, Post up Basketball is nothing but an ISO play. Dream's Jump Hook (over the left shoulder), Drop Step (going back right) & Fadeway (going Right) torture chamber post game would DOMINATE today's small ball lineups. The true bigs would be over-matched as well. He could also be a pick and pop big shooting a face-up jumpers plus he would be a lob threat. Being an all-time great at shot blocking and challenging guards on the pick & roll would make him a Defensive POY Candidate. Dream would be unbelievable in today's game.
Olajuwon even in 1986 had a good midrange game, and he was quick enough to be a point forward if needed.
don’t need an article to tell me this...he is a top 10 all-time great for a reason never forget this BS right here tho http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php?threads/could-olajuwon-play-in-todays-game.304038/
Bill Russell would have absolutely dominated in any era too. Think a 6'10 Dennis Rodman that can also score. A better Giannis.
...think Adam Sandler in Billy Madison because, that's actually what the competition was like in the early 60's.
@Ziggy @Rocket River He obviously would. It's like saying if you put a 99er in 2020 Clutchfans or OCP in New Detroit
He would be better than Antentokounmpo at everything, and everyone fawns on him, so there you have it. [edit: someone beat me to it]
Olajuwon is Joel Embiid, always healthy, during his best stretch... But considerably better. so yeah... he’d dominate this era.
