I asserted the supremacy of Hakeem elsewhere on this board and I was called a homer in spite of the fact that I haven't lived in Houston for 26 years and have never seen Hakeem play in person. I think Russell's greatness has been exagerated by his team's successes and the caliber of the competition. Hakeem IS THE GREATEST EVER by virtue of his being great in every important category (points, rebounds, blocks). These guys are hard to compare because the playing styles of the various eras differed. Shaq would have gotten 3 offensive fouls per game if he had played in the 60s. Russell might have been a PF in today's game. Other great ones often overlooked: Nate Thurmond, Walt Bellamy, and Bob Lanier. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
Yeah, I saw that someone called you a homer. I think many are just PO'd about Hakeem's comments lately in the Houston Chronicle. I don't think saying Hakeem is the best C ever is being a homer at all. A very strong case can be made for him. Saying Steve Francis is the best PG in the game would be a homer statement, but Hakeem has earned it. If you really think about it, Hakeem was the only Center who DOMINATED on both ends of the bball court. -I would personally rank Hakeem #2 behind Wilt. -I agree with your take on Russell. The guy averaged 12 ppg over his career and shot 43 % from the field. Barely average at best on the offensive end. He was just on a GREAT Celtics team. He could devote all his energy to Defense. -My list would be: 1)Wilt-his stats are unbelievably dominant and he had a lot of skills, not just brute physical power ala Shaq 2) Hakeem-zero weaknesses, best Def. Center Ever after Russell's era, and a plethora of lethal offensive moves. Horrible supporting cast most of his career, thus only 2 rings. Best playoff stats of any Center Ever. 3) Kareem- Sky Hook was just lethal, even moreso than Hakeem's turnaround. All time points leader, but just an average defender and was dominated at times by physical players (Moses Malone) 4) Shaq- Would easily be #1 if he was more driven and played hard all the time, but he's not and I don't think he ever will be. He'll end up with more rings than Hakeem though, thanks to Kobe Bryant ------------------ Get Cato out of there...
Ask yourself this question: how many titles would the Celtics have won if Hakeem had been a Laker? I think that the Lakers would have won at least half of the championship that the Celtics won during that great stretch. Hakeem would have provided as much statistically as Wilt. His quickness and fluidity would have tied-up Russell more than Wilt could because of his limited but powerful repetoire. For this "imaginative" reason, I assert that Hakeem is the greatest of all time. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
What is with all of the links to the Jim Rome messageboard? ------------------ "Empire" had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All "Jedi" had was a bunch of Muppets.
