http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/mia...nba-playoffs-greatest-individual-playoff-runs How do they have 1994 Hakeem and not 1995....?
True, though I'd argue the level of competition in the frontcourt was lower. People have said for years that big men play has dwindled away in the NBA. I agree. If that is the case, and agreed by most, don't you have to discount Duncan's career to an extent? Interesting, isn't the reverse true with regards to backcourt and wing players. Or at least, if not the reverse, it's fair to size PGs, SGs and SFs today are as good as ever? Anyway, defense is under-weighted in this analysis, and defensive rating isn't all that helpful. Shaq had a better d-rating than Hakeem in the playoff run used, but wasn't anywhere near as impactful defensively. Much fewer blocks and steals. Better rebounder, but while rebounding is awesome and needed, it is somewhat overrated from a defensive perspective. As a big, you should be judged primarily defensively with regards to your ability to anchor your team d and clog the paint, and your ability to guard your man one on one. Olajuwon did both of these things better than Shaq.
It has become harder to dominate offensively as a big man as well though. And in the finals he played Kenyon Martin and Dikembe Mutumbo who are generally regarded as fantastic defenders.
They did give Dream a 1995 nod in the honorable mentions section -- he really was better in 1994 -- our team is great in hindsight, but in 1994 Hakeem was a one man army.
The 1995 run was probably one of the best ever! 6th seed going through 3 teams with 50+ wins, the 1-3 seeds, and sweeping the Magic who beat the Bulls in the Finals.
That was because Hakeem was injured so the Rockets dropped to the 6th seed. But in 1995, Hakeem had a better team and more help than he did in 1994. Hakeem was playing with an future HOF in Clyde in 95 and in 94, he was basically a one man army that destroyed every team in his path. But I do say that 95 series against the Spurs was amazing, Hakeem really tore David Robinson apart.
