So since the ESPN thing about most dominant centers of all time I have had a debate going with some guys at work about why dream is better than shaq. Sometimes I feel like I am losing the battle because of the 4 rings vs 2 and shaq's brute strength. Do you guys have some facts/research to prove the haters at work that they are wrong. I point out how dream didn't play basketball until late in his career won his fist championship with no real second star won his second with an old Clyde shaq had Kobe shaq had wayde and the rest of the quasi stars shaq is mostly brute strength.
This is a much-traveled road, but, anyway: Both were great, but Hakeem's overall game makes him better. Agility vs. Power, agility wins.
The resume looks better for Shaq because of the numbers and the fact he dominated the league for a 5 year period like no player since Wilt. But Dream is highly underated in the center rankings all time because he was the greatest skilled center to ever play the game. He was the best center duing an age which there were at least 5 great center at their prime or close to their prime in the league. Dream never had the second super star to close out games like Shaq (Kobe and D Wade), Kareem (Magic), Wilt (J West) and Russell (Halvechek and Cousy). To think Portland wanted to trade their 2nd Pic in the draft for Ralf Sampson We could have had Jordan and Dream. If they shared the ball and got along how many rings could they have won.
the only reason i think dream is better is because he kept improving himself in areas where he was weak...face up jumpers, different post moves, ie. shaq improved just based on inside the paint moves and never improved on his outside game as much as dream did. he was pretty predictable but you couldn't stop him because of his strength. Dream, you just had no idea what he was going to do. More jaw dropping moments for dream than shaq
I we arguing over who's more skilled/impressive, or simply who was the most effective. To me, it's clear Shaq was a greater force on the offensive end than Hakeem. Hakeem was a greater defensive player (when talking of all time great defender, I'd argue its between Hakeem and Bill Russell).
How about the fact that Shaq is a career 50% free shooter and had to be taken out during crunch time? How about the fact that Shaq can't make a bucket outside of the lane? How about the fact that Shaq has almost zero game winners. How about the fact that Shaq has missed more games in the last three years than Hakeem has in his career. And lastly,Shaq was in Kazaam.
Dream was a better BASKETBALL PLAYER with far superior offensive/defensive skills Shaq was more dominating for a longer period based on size. He isn't that great of a player, but being a beast still gets him those 28 point seasons. It just depends on what you prefer. Shaq has nothing but size, but it's enough. Can't stand him because of that
As long as you don't ask Shaq to make free throws, or shoot from more than 10 feet from the hoop, and that's being generous. I'm shocked that someone as knowledgable as you would make a statement like this. Shaq is a great player. He is an impact player. But he needs someone to get him the ball where he needs it to generate offense. Dream had the entire package.
You think Shaq runs down Kevin Johnson after giving him a half-court head start? You think Shaq gets out and gets a finger on a Starks 3-pointer that forces a Game 7? You think Shaq could be in the Top Ten in Steals? You think Shaq could guard Dream one-on-one in crunch time like Dream guarded him? You think Dream's teammates were nervous about him going to the foul line?
Same here, if shaq where a smaller man and had the same skill set he probably wouldn't even crack an NBA roster. Dream was worlds better in terms of skill and talent. I wonder if Dream would get a lot more respect if he were as much of an attention w**** as Shaq
Does anyone else remember in the mid-90's when Taco Bell was sponsoring a one-on-one PPV Showdown between Hakeem and Shaq? It never happened but I still have a promo cup. Dream would have dominated especially at that point in time. Anyway, you could always point out that when they met the one time in the Finals, the Dream prevailed.
Dream is the greatest, but there is no need to hate on Shaq. Saying he' just big and that is all is just ridiculous. It does take skill to be that big and be well coordinated and mobile. Nobody else that big can move as quick as Shaq can. Everyone knows he dominated the paint like no other, but he also is a good passer. Sure he played with Kobe and Wade, but have they win titles without Shaq? Nope. The real outrage should be how the hell did Dwight Howard get ONE vote.
