i love Hakeem and nobody will be exactly like him. but if you had to pick 1 NBA player of all time, who was closest to Hakeem as far as style of play and skill... who would be the closet?
Overall skill? I can't really think of anybody that comes close to matching what he had. Style of play? Don't think I have seen anybody like him. Maybe Yao tries to copy his style in some ways but he doesn't really come close. I guess I'd have to say a more athletic, better overall Tim Duncan but even that could be considered a stretch.
in terms of team, career, disrespect from the media, and the way he dominated the playoffs, Dirk. except he excels in offense rather than defense. KG in his prime played similar to Hakeem. as far as style of play and well-rounded game, there is nobody in the league that comes close.
No one. Maybe Ewing but not even that close. Hakeem's post moves in particular was unique. Center's nowadays are either jump shooters or all power and no finesse.
Can't believe that no one said Moses Malone. <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J4GTOO6wvVE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hasheem Thabeet (If he possessed Yao's touch, Scola's post moves, Chuck Hayes' hands, and Motumbo's timing for blocking shots).
There's no center that even comes close to what Hakeem was able to do. He really was a guard stuck in a Center's body. His footwork and speed cant be matched with ANY center...past or present. <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0GCyU0sKxqI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I think Ewing was a good match for Hakeem's skills, a hard-nosed, two-way player who could shoot, spin, rebound, defend, and block shots. It's just that Hakeem was demonstrably better than him! Ewing and Robinson are about as close as you can get, I think.
