[paging tinman] Akeem (1985-92) vs. Hakeem (1992-97)

Technically I cheated because he changed the spelling of his name in '91, but I think that can be overlooked.

I think Dream's career arc is sort of interesting. He started out as an very good offensive player who was just absurdly absolutely dominant on the defensive end. As he got older, he turned into an unstoppable offensive force who was still one of the top two (or at worse three) defensive centers in the game, but maybe not quite at the historic level of his early career.

Anyway, let's first take a look at the statistical breakdown:

Code:

<table>

[SIZE="3"][B]Akeem (1985-92)[/B][/SIZE]

<tr>
	<th>[B]Year[/B]</th>
<th>  </th>
	<th>[B]PPG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]RPG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]APG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]STL[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]BLK[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]FG%[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]FT%[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]PER[/B]</th>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1985-86</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>23.5</td>
	<td>11.5</td>
	<td>2.0</td>
	<td>2.0</td>
	<td>3.4</td>
	<td>52.6</td>
	<td>64.5</td>
	<td>24.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1986-87</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>23.4</td>
	<td>11.4</td>
	<td>2.9</td>
	<td>1.9</td>
	<td>3.4</td>
	<td>50.8</td>
	<td>70.2</td>
	<td>23.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1987-88</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>22.8</td>
	<td>12.1</td>
	<td>2.1</td>
	<td>2.1</td>
	<td>2.7</td>
	<td>51.4</td>
	<td>69.5</td>
	<td>23.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1988-89</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>24.8</td>
	<td>13.5</td>
	<td>1.8</td>
	<td>2.6</td>
	<td>3.4</td>
	<td>50.8</td>
	<td>69.6</td>
	<td>25.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1989-90</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>24.3</td>
	<td>14.0</td>
	<td>2.9</td>
	<td>2.1</td>
	<td>4.6</td>
	<td>50.1</td>
	<td>71.3</td>
	<td>24.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1990-91</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>21.2</td>
	<td>13.8</td>
	<td>2.3</td>
	<td>2.2</td>
	<td>3.9</td>
	<td>50.8</td>
	<td>76.9</td>
	<td>24.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1991-92</td>
<th>  </th>
	<td>21.6</td>
	<td>12.1</td>
	<td>2.2</td>
	<td>1.8</td>
	<td>4.3</td>
	<td>50.2</td>
	<td>76.6</td>
	<td>23.7</td>
</tr>
</table>
[SIZE="3"][B]Hakeem (1992-1997)[/B][/SIZE]
<table>
<tr>
	<th>[B]Year[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]PPG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]RPG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]APG[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]STL[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]BLK[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]FG%[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]FT%[/B]</th>
	<th>[B]PER[/B]</th>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1992-93</td>
	<td>26.1</td>
	<td>13.0</td>
	<td>3.5</td>
	<td>1.8</td>
	<td>4.2</td>
	<td>52.9</td>
	<td>77.9</td>
	<td>27.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1993-94</td>
	<td>27.3</td>
	<td>11.9</td>
	<td>3.6</td>
	<td>1.6</td>
	<td>3.7</td>
	<td>52.8</td>
	<td>71.6</td>
	<td>25.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1994-95</td>
	<td>27.8</td>
	<td>10.8</td>
	<td>3.5</td>
	<td>1.8</td>
	<td>3.4</td>
	<td>51.7</td>
	<td>75.6</td>
	<td>26.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1995-96</td>
	<td>26.9</td>
	<td>10.9</td>
	<td>3.6</td>
	<td>1.6</td>
	<td>3.7</td>
	<td>51.4</td>
	<td>72.4</td>
	<td>25.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td>1996-97*</td>
	<td>23.2</td>
	<td>9.2</td>
	<td>3.0</td>
	<td>1.5</td>
	<td>2.2</td>
	<td>51.0</td>
	<td>78.7</td>
	<td>22.7</td>
</tr></table>
* It should be noted that the acquisition of Charles Barkley
led to marginal decreases in Dream's scoring and rebounding numbers.

There's no question that Hakeem accomplished more in his latter years, and he took his offensive game to the next level. That said, I truly believe that the young, absurdly athletic (and hot-headed) Akeem was EASILY the most dominant defensive player the NBA has ever, and likely will ever, see. That's not to say Dream wasn't still one of the best, if not the best defensive players in his latter years, but he did have to pick his spots for when to really turn it on defensively.

So, with all that said, if given the same supporting casts, which player would you prefer to have as your #1 guy for one season: Young Akeem or Prime Hakeem?

EDIT: Also, feel free to chime in on which of Dream's seasons you think was his best.

 

One other thing I thought I'd add, once the playoffs came around Hakeem was still able to defend like a madman.