Rockets have had a lot of players from that top 100 list play for them. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25223594-brs-top-100-nba-players-all-time-ranked
In case anyone was irked by this list and could use a healthy dose of Hakeem praise, here's a video discussing all-time NBA peaks that speaks very highly of him. And don't be turned off by the Gen Z appearance of the hosts -- they know ball. And here's a video that just came out today where they agree that the '95 title run was the most impressive ever.
Half of every game is defense. If looked at this way, the list would have to be adjusted, and Olajuwon is in the top ten no doubt
Some of the game is transition though, which only helps Dream's standing more. Dream is faster than other centers, so he has a huge advantage getting up and down the court and getting into a favorable offensive or defensive position. His baseline to baseline speed is another aspect of his game that is special for his position. All-time, maybe Wilt and Russell cover similar ground, but the game pace was slower back then. Kareem and Shaq? Fuhgeddaboudit. Dream's speed was an integral part of Rudy T's scheme where on offense you always had two and often three out so they could transition to defense easily and you had Dream who could beat his man down court. This was one reason the defense was so good on those teams.
Saw this post on Reddit about Obama's top starting five of all time and thought it belonged here. Think the actual interview is from 2024? Hard to argue with that starting five, honestly. And it's got two Rockets on it now
Hakeem is better than Duncan… ask big shot rob. Hakeem was better than Haq Hakeem was better than Kareem Hakeem was better than Yellow Curry Chicken Dont even get me started on Russell lol… most overrated player in the history of sports. Wilt played against scrubs… hakeem would have f’d him up Yeah last time time I checked, Kobe was seeking Hakeem. Hakeem better than LeCroq… Hakeem never played with another top 10 player… ever and he still won 2 ships, an mvp, and multiple dpoy:.. and finals MVPs. Even the knicks in 94 were a better team on paper and Hakeem willed tbat team. Sorry but Hakeem is just wayyyyy underrated
The argument I've always made for Dream is this: If you're in an all-timers fantasy league close game during the final 2 minutes and the ball goes into Olajuwon, the other team has to double, even when it means leaving a great player open. There's no choice. Doesn't matter if it is Shaq or Wilt or Kareem or Russell or Moses on defense. You're doubling Hakeem. On the other end, when the ball goes into the post, you can choose to not double and bet that Hakeem makes a defensive play, be it block, steal, deflection, altered shot, defensive rebound, or forced turnover. It'd be a decent bet and you wouldn't leave anyone unguarded.
Hakeem was a better overall player but Shaq was more dominant offensively. No one could stop him in the paint. No one. And he consistently put up 27-29 pts for a long time like 10 years straight
Duncan's D is pretty underrated though..... He runs the title of best PF ever, depends on how you view the PF position. I think Duncan is there because there are too many Centers at the Top.....and not many hybrid big men, that should change with guys like Duncan and Durant.
One of them played on some of the most OP teams in NBA history (not unlike the Warriors dynasty, but not to the extent of Russell's Celtics, obviously) the other had almost no help and a significantly more difficult path to the ring, which he overcame to achieve it. Jordan not only had the league skewing the rules in his favour, he had the greatest coach of all time and some of the most overpowered teams in an era where half the league would struggle to make the G-league today. The Bulls were STACKED compared to most of his rivals once he started winning, note how he didn't do **** when he was coming up in the Magic/Bird era.
