Me and my friends were having a discussion on Hakeem Olajuwon and players throughout NBA history. They had the nerve to say that Hakeem was through and could do no more good in the league. Then when I told them that Hakeem was not only one of the top 50 players of all time but one of the top 5 centers to ever play they said he was no where close to deserving either honor. This is what p'd me off. I mean even if you hate the Rockets or like some other team how can you deny Hakeem this??? He WAS the dominant center in the league from the early 80's to the mid 90's and he can still play a very good game as shown the past two games and this is why several teams are after him. I'm trying to cool down but it's not easy when dumba**es say a man shouldn't have something that not only he deserves but has earned throughout his career in the NBA. ------------------ Arkansas' Biggest Rocket Fan!
I'd say more like top 3 all time. It's obvious your friends are either too young or too ignorant to realize how good Hakeem actually was. Think it's time to get some new friends after those dumbass remarks. ------------------ Hakeem, Hasaw, Haconquered.
Lil Pun, Take it easy. People are allowed to be dumb, aren't they? Dream's absolutely not in top 3 ... Dream is the BEST! ------------------
I'm gonna take a guess that these "friends" of yours (how can they be friends and disrespect Hakeem like that!) don't really know anything about basketball. I can see where someone would say that Dream is not in the top 3 centers ever (although that is wrong, he is the best, or maybe no. 2), but to say that he's not one of the 50 best of all time is just stupid and preposterous. Hakeem is probably in the top 10 players ever without much doubt, and I'd put him in the top 3 all time. ------------------ consultant, n.: Someone who knowns 101 ways to make love, but can't get a date.
Lil Pun, did you bring up the all-time leading shotblocker in NBA history thing? I can't imagine they would argue with that. ------------------
Ask your friends what centers they would rate above Hakeem. Currently, one could argue that Chamberlain, Russell and Abdul-Jabbar were the top 3 (in no particular order). The next tier would include Hakeem, Mikan, Robinson, Shaq, Walton and Nate Thurmond (I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody). It would be hard to put Hakeem into that top 3, but he seems to clearly be head and shoulders in at #4. In another 5 years Shaq will move up if he continues to play at his current level and wins another championship. Battles I would have liked to see - Hakeem vs. Russell and Shaq vs. Wilt. ------------------
Not to be contary or anything, but I'm not even sure if Hakeem is the greatest center in the history of the Rockets. The Rockets have been blessed with three great centers, Hakeem, Moses, and Elvin Hayes. I think that it would be worth it for you to look at the history section at Clutchcity.net. Take a look at their numbers. Now Hakeem played for the Rockets longer than Moses or Elvin, but boy did those two players put up some good years with the team. I would agree with you that Hakeem is the greatest center of his generation. But saying that Hakeem is the greatest center of all-time might be a bit of an overstatement.
Its a Tod sighting....wow. But, to be quite to the contrary Tod, Elvin was more a power foward, actually I believe he was a power foward. I believe (without checking) Hayes stood 6'9". Even in his days, that did not make a center in the NBA. You could argue for Moses, but Big Mo, scored points in a league that gave up more points, saw very little atheleticism (as compared to the 90s and up) and really wasnt the defensive presence that Hakeem is and was. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
True, but can you say that Hakeem is not the most well rounded center to ever play the game? I mean he ranks high up on the all time steals list and no center is even close. ------------------ "The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century." -Dan Quayle
