I'm watching the LA game now, and Shaq is just manhandling this team. Do you recall Dream dominating like this? Also, do you think any of our championship teams would win it all today? ------------------
Dream dominated differently, whereas O'Neal goes through people, Olajuwon went around them. Plus, Dream was more dominant on the defensive end than O'Neal. But the end result was the same. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Ask David Robinson. ------------------ The Protrolls.com message boards! Protrolls.com! Don't visit my site.
Watch the second half of the 1995 Western Conference Finals Game 2 vs the Spurs...and Game 2 1994 First Round vs Portland, that would tell you all you need to know. ------------------ You can put it on the BOARD.......YESSSSSSSSS! Chicago White Sox Announcer Ken Harrelson
The 1994 championship team would have trouble, particularly with the Spurs. Those teams are very similar. The 1995 team would have a field day with today's team. I actually think the Lakers would have a better chance of beating that team then the Spurs because they are a better running team. People talk about how dominant Shaq and Kobe are, but Dream and Clyde were every bit as dominant on the offensive end, and even more so on the defensive end. But I say that the 1994 team would have beaten the Lakers and survived the Spurs to get out of the West, but the 1995 team would roll. In fact, I think that the 1994 Knicks, and the Charles Barkley-led Phoenix Suns would have won a championship nowadays. As for Dream, Dream was every bit as dominant because he beat you with quickness, and dominated on the defensive end. Shaq today vs Dream of 1995 would be a demolition job by Dream. Shaq couldn't stop his speed, and Dream would pull him away from the basket. Meanwhile Shaq would have had trouble setting up in the paint because of Dream's quick hands, and underrated power and shotblocking ability and superior stamina. ------------------ See the three, be the three. [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited May 09, 2001).]
That's a pretty bold statement considering the 1995 Shaq played Hakeem to a draw (for the most part) in the Finals. The 2001 Shaq also has a few more offensive moves than the 1995 Shaq. I think Shaq is a more dominating force on offense than Hakeem was even in his heyday, but defensively Hakeem wins hands-down - there's no comparison. In 22 years of watching the NBA, I haven't seen anyone dominate on offense like Shaq. Jordan would be close (and may be better) and Magic and Hakeem would be up there as well, but in different ways. ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now. [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 09, 2001).]
I used to think this way, until a Lakers' regular season game. The game was on the line, but Shaq couldn't get the ball. Kobe was injured. Lakers lost. The point of Hakeem being more complete, having a longer range really helps a team. He can get more touches of the ball; therefore, he outscored Shaq by 4 or 5 points a game in the series. Shaq gets more rebounds as he stays around the paint much longer. True that Shaq has a higher FG%, but so does Stockton. Afterall, basketball uses points to determine the winner, not FG%. What I am saying is, in 95 finals, they have comparable stats, but Rudy sure had an easier time designing plays with Hakeem Hakeem's play makes people "look in awe" (from Clyde); Shaq's play just reminds people of the word "dominance". While coaches like Phil Jackson or George Karl give unparallel praises to a player like Shaq, I would imagine that fellow NBA players admire Hakeem much more. At least Vlade Divac wouldn't get so pissed by Hakeem. Have anyone ever played against someone 2 sizes bigger than yourself? Don't you just get pissed by his huge body and power? Can anyone cite me a C or PF who shows admiration for Shaq? ------------------
Anyone beginning to see Ray Allen as a top 10 player? He's showing the smoothest stroke I've seen in a very long time. I want to see him match up against a real defender and see what happens before I move him up the ladder, but he's playing at a new level thus far in the playoffs. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Phi- He does have a smooth stroke! I love him offensively, but I wouldn't put him in the top 10 yet. Shaq, Kobe, KG, Duncan, Iverson, C-webb, Vince (I didn't have him in this list until recently), Payton, McGrady, & Sheed. But offensively he is nice!
A big difference between's today's Lakers and the 94 and 95 Rockets teams was the fact that Hakeem went through teams with better records and the league's best centers. Dream dominated Ewing in 94. In 95 Hakeem embarrassed Robinson, the league MVP, and outsmarted a young Shaq. Statistically Shaq and Dream played to a draw. But Dream's experience gave him the edge. Shaq admits that, as someone pointed out in another post. ------------------
Dream was more fun to watch, and had a greater variety of moves, but Shaq is putting together a Dreamlike playoff run so far. And he's carried his teams to one title and 2 finals appearances already. The only caveat is that he hasn't done it versus a premiere center, like Hakeem did. Smits, Sabonis, Vlade - he hasn't put up the numbers versus the caliber of centers that Hakeem did. Of course, there just aren't as many great centers as there were in 95, so he may never be really tested. ------------------ I'm about to boldly go where many men have gone before.
I've said it before and I'll say it again : 1) Those of you that say Hakeem has better moves, better skills, better range, better cooking skills, and a better backhand have to realize. It doesn't matter. Inferior skills just got Shaq back-to-back 40 pt, 20 reb games. Who cares whose skills are better? The ultimate goal of a possession on offense is to put the ball in the hole. 2) The 1995 Shaq didn't have a jump hook like the 2001 does. The 1995 Shaq wasn't the team player the 2001 Shaq is. The 1995 wasn't the monster the 2001 Shaq is. The 1995 Shaq still played Hakeem to pretty much a draw. The 2001 Shaq would offensively eclipse the 1995 Hakeem. 3) Someone said that Rudy can design more plays for Hakeem because he's so much more gifted skillwise. I don't know about you, but if I'm a coach I kinda like this play : Option 1) Pass the ball into Shaq; let him score. Option 2) We'll think of something when the need arises, i.e. when Option 1 actually fails. That's my damn play right there. Can I be classified as a genius just like Phil now? Please? You can't argue with results. Shaq is a monster. I'm eagerly awaiting the Spurs vs. Lakers matchup as that will be the championship. If anyone can slow the beast down it's the Spurs. They also have a beast of their own kind in Duncan who is capable of neutralizing Shaq's output offensively and on the boards. ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now.
Let's make sure we add this in. It's against Vlade Divac and the nigh centerless Kings and the previous series was against SOREBONEus I think I'll reserve judge until he Plays DRob I will say this. . . .Hakeem abused him BUT D-ROB IS A D*MN FINE CENTER He offers hella problems for Shaq. He is quick. He has some distance on his shot and he is long. I think we tend to underrate D-rob because of what Hakeem has done to him and the fact that T-Dunc has become the main man but He is a very good part of why the spurs are not missing a beat DA down hurts. . . but the towers are definately doing the job. Rocket River ------------------
In regular season games vs. Spurs. Shaq's performances : 13 pts (5-13) 17 rebs 36 pts (15-23) 16 rebs 22 pts (9-17) 10 rebs 7 assists 33 pts (12-23) 16 rebs The only thing that'll slow Shaq down when they meet the spurs is Kobe taking over games. Robinson can slow him down more than anybody he's faced to this point, but Shaq'll still get his numbers. Oh... and we're off-topic!! ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now. [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 09, 2001).]
A key question for this thread might be -- which team was better, the '95 Orlando team, or the current Laker team? To me, that boils down to -- who was better, the '95 Hardaway, or the Bryant of today? We know that the Horace Grant of '95 was light-years better than him now. Dennis Scott and Rick Fox -- Fox is better defensively, but Scott was quite a bit better offensively. Nick Anderson/Derek Fisher -- the regular season Nick was definitely more of a force, I'd say (the free throw thing ruined him). I don't remember who Orlando had off the bench, but LA doesn't have anyone either (although a much better Brian Shaw was also on that Orlando team). The most important question would be -- if it came down to one play, who's hands would you want the ball in, Hakeem (of '94-'95) or Shaq? The beauty of this question for Hakeem is it factors in free throw shooting, as well as a team's ability to not allow the big man to catch the ball in a comfort zone. If Shaq was forced to catch the ball outside the paint with little time remaining, would you rather him have the ball, or Hakeem?
Hakeems numbers against a much younger and much more dominant D-Robinson were much more impresive than Shaqs. After all Dream abused the league mvp like he was a secound round rookie that just realized the ball was round. And I am sorry no one could have offensively eclipsed the 94 or 95 Hakeem. Not Jordan, Kareem or even Wilt in their prime and certainly not Shaq. Todays Shaq simply would have no better luck stoping Dream than he did in 95. And Shaq may have kept the personal match up between him and Hakeem close but the Rockets did not need any more from Dream, if they would have needed more he would have produced more. The Magic on the other hand needed so much more from Shaq and he just could not deliver. Dream in his prime is still the better center between the two. ------------------
To be honest, I do feel Shaq is more dominant; but Hakeem is a better player. Although they are both centers, they have very different styles. In many situations, Hakeem is better, but I also agree with DoD that although Shaq has less weapons, his weapons are trully powerful. ------------------
"That's a pretty bold statement considering the 1995 Shaq played Hakeem to a draw (for the most part) in the Finals. " -LOL. Have you read Shaq's OWN admission that "Hakeem dusted his butt" that series?...Forget the stats, Hakeem made big plays in that series in the 4th quarter while Shaq was committing KEY turnovers. They got swept and Shaq was man enough to admit he was outplayed. -As for did Hakeem dominate like Shaquille did, people here have made a great and KEY point that Hakeem was putting up his huge games against the likes of David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Pat Ewing, 3 of the top 50 players EVER. Shaq is torching Scott Pollard and Vlade Divac, etc. I doubt Shaquille can put up 40 and 20 on David Robinson like Hakeem basically did and this even though Robinson is not the force he was in 95. -I think the key in Hakeem vs. Shaq is DEFENSE. Both are unstoppable offensive players. But Hakeem was a DOMINANT defensive player. Shaquille is merely mediocre on Defense. -So I would take Hakeem in his prime over Shaq now in a heartbeat. ------------------ Get Cato out of there...
Dream was a work of art. Shaq's all muscle & wide body. Dream was unbeatable. Shaq's ... well, unstoppable? ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Shaq dominates with power. Hakeem was more finese with a better knack for blocking shots than Shaq. Shaq is definately the better rebounder though. ------------------
