saw this debate on Hakeem and Timmy. I would like to see your thoughts about this. http://forums.nykfp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34827
Hakeem reached a higher pinnacle, but he was not as productive as long as Duncan. Another knock against Duncan is that he never had to carry his team as much as Hakeem did. Plus Duncan didn't/doesn't play center... wait, what are we arguing again? Edit: I take that back, Duncan needs about another 2 years of decent production to outpace Hakeem. They both seemingly start to tank around year 13, then had an uptick in year 14... then fell off the face of the earth.
Reading the link, I love the argument for Duncan of "he's the best ever player at his position, Hakeem isn't". By this logic, the MVP of the NBDL is greater than, say, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
That too. The other flawed argument, of course, is the "four rings!!!" with zero context. The NBA in the 2003-through-2007 period did not have anywhere near the quantity of elite teams that it did in the 1990s. Don't see how that's even debatable.
If Hakeem and Tim Duncan ever played each other in their primes...it would be greatest footwork in a big man Hakeem vs Mr. Fundamental Duncan...Scary fun match up... Oh and just for the record, Hakeem was the best center in his generation, but he also had comparable talent that he played against night in and night out...meaning the center's he played against were world class... Tim Duncan was in an era where he didnt have anyone to challenge his status...(maybe Dirk and KG but that's about it)... Now if Hakeem embarrassed the MVP Robinson in San Antonio, Hakeem would have done the same against Duncan... Last point...its really bad comparing players of different generations who played different positions...hard to be objective...
http://bkref.com/tiny/Wrfn6 stats from rookie year to age 35 for both players. Tim has shown more consistency in his games played (less injury droughts) but has lower stats. If you take each players best years for each stat to look at their pinnacle achievements then Hakeem leaves Tim in the dust.
I know they played different positions during different eras, and of course I am a Rocket fan first and foremost, but I will forget about all of that and try to get into the spirit of the thread... Having actually watched both play and forgetting about all stats and records...I'd go with Hakeem. Hakeem was much quicker (quickest big man I've ever seen), had a much larger repertoire of post moves, and was much more dominant in his prime. I've never seen Duncan score while being (illegally) triple-teamed whereas Hakeem did it on a nightly basis during his prime.
I can't agree with this at all. The last decade, 2000-10, was the era of PFs. You can argue who "challenged his status" or whatnot, but the NBA was full of multiple PFs and several HOF PFs. Nowitzki Garnett Rasheed Webber Gasol Amare Lessors: Zach Randolph Boozer Elton Brand Bosh Plus, many defensive minded bigs who would make him work, because teams without star PFs had to at least field defensive ones. What other position was more stacked last decade that PFs?
Hakeem's best 2-3 years were better than anyone's, except maybe Magic's best 2-3 (i find it hard to gauge people like Wilt, Kareem etc because of the level of competition), even Michael's (but Michael's real greatness is that he held his top level in or about for a decade+) Duncan held his consistent greatness for a decade or so, but he never really had those magical years.
Hakeem on his Prime , Duncan on his Prime and No Supporting Cast Head to Head = Dream Hakeem vs Duncan first to 21 = Dream Back to basket and post up moves = Dream Best overall defender 1 on 1 = Dream Blocking shots = Dream Passing Ability = Both Great but advantage Dream Better Dribbler = Dream Athleticism/Speed and Quickness = Dream Blocking Ability = Dream Basketball IQ = Both Great Dunking = Dream Free Throw Shooting = Dream Mid-Range Shooting = Dream Rebounding = Duncan Durability/Staying Healthier = Duncan Better in the Clutch time = Duncan Better Flopper = Duncan Bigger Whiner = Duncan More favorable Calls = Duncan Both Great Players but the number of titles have nothing to do with head to head level. Duncan has played with a superstar level cast most of his career ( Robinson, Ginobili and Parker ).. Hakeem Played with Old and Washed Up Superstars ( Pippen and Barkley -- Drexler Helped the most on 2nd title ) You can pretty much use the same comparison between Dream vs Robinson Hakeem the better player in my opinion, but Duncan Best PF with one of the best coaches and excellent teammates/Stars and the Best GM in the business. Hakeem > Duncan Spurs 4/5? > Rockets 2
Karl Malone was better than Tim Duncan. Tim is good, but he isn't carrying and hasn't carried a team like dream did or Karl Malone. Here's the real debate: Rudy T or Popovich?
