ugh, the way you talk about pau gasol has made me realize arguing with you would be completely pointless. gasol was the best player in the finals on the lakers 2010 championship team.
And he was trash the first time they met the Celtics in the finals. Yes, he has had some good series but at the same time plenty of dud ones. Also, the way I talk about him? I quoted/showed others talking about him. Maybe you should argue with Phil/Kobe/Magic and several other NBA players? Anyways, the main point being he would have been completely outmatched by Hakeem had they ever met in the playoffs. At the same time, if someone like Pau Gasol has outplayed you in a series, you automatically take a hit on my list All-time greats. I am not taking Duncan out of my list because I still love his game, respect his achievements, and he is a definate all-time great BUT things like these definitely hurt him when comparing him to other great big men in the history of the game. Gasol outplays Jabbar in a playoff series Gasol outplays Shaq in a playoff series Gasol outplays Wilt in a playoff series See how ridiculous the above sound?
Also Duncan averaged 20.2 and 17.4 boards a game against Pau. Pau averaged 13.2 and 9.8. I wouldn't call that Pau Gasol really outplaying Tim Duncan. Duncan had a 19,15,10 triple double in one of the games.
Also the problem in the first finals series was Pau barely even got the ball. 2 years later he ripped up the Celtics despite Kobe's random hero ball.
TD is all-class... I'll trade anybody in Rockets roster past and present (yeah, even my favorite post player Olajuwon) to get a younger clone of his.
This makes no sense to me. The guy who lead the Rockets to the first championship the city of Houston had would be traded by you? Olajuwon grew into one of the classiest players the NBA ever had. The guy turned down millions if not tens of millions for Nike shoe deal. Olajuwon wouldn't do it when Nike refused to make his shoe cheap enough teens wouldn't have to rob them from others, or steal to buy his shoes. He wanted them to affordable. Olajuwon sacrificed millions to make that moral and class decision. He didn't advertise that decision. He did advertise his new shoes that were available $35. Jordans at the time cost $125. So Hakeem was also wearing $35 shoes as the best center in the NBA. That was awesome. I'm taking anything away from Duncan. I like him just fine. I'd just never trade away Dream after all he did for this city and the Rockets.
Kinda' typical of him/his career though. The Big "Fundamental" finished with FIVE points in the last 29 minutes of the game - and ZERO in the fourth quarter and overtime. Where was he at crunch time? As always, excellent numbers (although he had ZERO assists or BLOCKS and just one steal). But, he didn't dominate or even effect the game down the stretch or at crunch time enough to win the game. ONE play - a block, a steal, a pass or even a bucket, and SA wins that game. Great, great player. No Dream though.
If you switch Hakeem and Duncan's teams and eras Hakeem would have 5-6 rings easy or even more. Duncan had no competition the way Dream had.
*laugh* FAIL On pace yeah. But then he disappears in the second half. Typical. This is not the first time he has done this either. Games like today are the reason I will always take Hakeem over Duncan. Hakeem would have dominated late in the game on defense and offense. I cant ever imagine anyone taking Hakeem out late in a playoff game. History lesson for all you young ones: The reason Pops took Duncan out in a Game 6 of the Finals was that he wanted to cover the 3 point line better. He didnt trust Duncan to be quick enough to help out on the perimeter. Surely Pops knows his player and his limitation. Guess who covered the perimeter in Game 6 of the 1994 Finals and got a key block? Hakeem got a last second block on Starks that would have ended the Rockets hope for a ring. Another ability that Duncan does not have that Hakeem had. Quickness on the perimeter as a defender.
Hakeem is definitely a top 6 center, and I don't have a doubt he is better than Duncan. Having said that, the blocks leader thing is bunk. It is based on the fact that blocks were not kept as a stat for many seasons in the NBA. Kareem would certainly have more blocks than Hakeem. If people who saw them play most of their games are to be believed, Wilt and Russell would be WAY out ahead of the Dream. Certainly he was a good shot blocker, but as far as I am concerned, all time leader in blocks is tainted.
Obviously you can't compare that far back but you sure can compare to his contemporaries, Duncan, Shaq, Robinson, Ewing, Mutombo, Mourning, etc.
This is a reason I don't even join the discussion on the Rocket/Laker big man argument thread. NONE of the big men always discussed in the greatest ever arguments... with the POSSIBLE exception of Russell (and no, not Robinson either) makes that play against Starks. It was executed so well Dream was off balance... still recovered to make that block.
I love the "that's my award" quote before he raped and pillaged the Admiral. If he had a huge ego and was less generous with the ball his stats could have been significantly higher. No one said the word "team" during interviews more than he did. Even accepted the MVP on behalf of the team. Best C during the golden era of C's. Sorry Duncan...
Someone should do a poll on an NBA message board and see what the results are...the only thing is that participants need to be age 30 or older...that's the only way people would truly understand the greatness of the Dream.
