http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5548604 Firstly, Rosen believed Hakeem was a natural PF, hence the guy asking the question and avoiding Rosen making that point anyway. I think he doesn't give Hakeem enough credit for his free throw shooting or his passing ability/court vision. But justice was served and he said Hakeem was the better player, at least he's not a total idiot. I also consider duncan to be C playing PF because of the pounding he'd get playing centre, but thats only my opinion. I'm still not forgiving Rosen for putting Dream at #6 on the alltime centre lost behind Shaq (#3)
Ok, let's get organized in this thread guys. We're gonna like Rosen in this one, right? Duncan more power than Hakeem... hmm... interesting.
Hakeem was better in everyway--but he at least got the final result right. I'll never like the bitter old man because anyone with half a brain would put Hakeem ahead of Duncan in any list; post moves, rebounding, shot-blocking, range--anything. I'd like to see duncan pick a pass from a point guard from beyond the three point line. Hell i'd like to see Ducan attempt to block a dunk. Duncan's easily a top 5 PF of all time, depending on who you ask. But he ain't no Dream.
Well DOD, you've really already done it for me, but I'll still jump on my semi-annual soapbox and throw my usual fit. For the first time in 2006 here goes... Olajuwon was never a finesse center. If you want to count his myriad moves and assess him as a ballerina, well goody goody for you and I won't disagree. But that guy was also as mean as they come after he was at at peace with God. Before that, he was a clean player until someone else wasn't, and then he was vicious. Like a Tazmanian-Devil-I-eat-your-house psychopath. I've always had a theory about the Olajuwon/Ewing/Robinson match-ups and for the most part those guys never "cheap-shotted" each other, because they weren't the typical NBA thugs, and because if Dream thought you were punking him, a broken nose or jaw was quite possible. Somehow the Moses/Dream Fonde mythology has morphed into Akeem being someone's biatch and people don't really remember the way Dream actually played. I'm glad the world remembers Dream's artistry, because we still haven't ever seen anything like it, but it infuriates me when people forget his power. But such is the Shaquillian age. Fools, all.
Its funny that he claims Olajuwon is more of a PF. I can see where he is coming from but I feel Duncan is closer to a true center than Olajuwon is to a true power forward. The whole point is meaningless. And Duncan couldnt touch Olajuwon during his short prime.
The only knock I ever had about dream is sometimes he would make moves when he could have just shot over someone or went be someone. I think thats why he had so many problems against Eaton. Eaton was just to slow to fall for any of dreams fakes.
During the Eaton era, Hakeem was more power than finesse... he added the finesse game because he knew he didn't want to get beat up down low and wear himself out the rest of his career. He'd rather use his speed advantage and wear opposing centers out 12 feet and out. But early in his career, there were few players that played with the power Hakeem did. He was an utter beast down low. He'd dunk on you, through you, over you, and have you swallow his elbows on the way down...
Why the hell isn't Dream a 'true' center? It's the only position he ever played for cryin' outloud, and he dominated at it for his entire career. From his rookie year on, Dream was one of the top centers in the league. I just don't understand this thinking. Do you have to be 7 foot + and slow to be a true center? If so, I'm not sure Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell or even David Robinson make the cut. (David Robinson was fast, the others were under 7 foot) In fact, if Shaq is the prototypical center, there have only been about five to ten players in NBA history that MIGHT qualify. Arvydas Sabonis, Gheorge Muresan, Rik Smits, Mark Eaton, Dikembe Mutumbo and Yao Ming come to mind. It's just silly.
No Comparison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duncan could never block Jordans threee point shot , nor could he block Jabars sky hook- Hakeem did both . Duncan could not destroy David Robinson at the height of his career Hakeem did!
even if you argued that duncan and dream we're equal offensively, hakeem is far and away a superior defender. it's really not even close.
Thank you declan 32001 "But that guy was also as mean as they come after he was at at peace with God. Before that, he was a clean player until someone else wasn't, and then he was vicious. Like a Tazmanian-Devil-I-eat-your-house psychopath. I've always had a theory about the Olajuwon/Ewing/Robinson match-ups and for the most part those guys never "cheap-shotted" each other, because they weren't the typical NBA thugs, and because if Dream thought you were punking him, a broken nose or jaw was quite possible. Somehow the Moses/Dream Fonde mythology has morphed into Akeem being someone's biatch and people don't really remember the way Dream actually played. I'm glad the world remembers Dream's artistry, because we still haven't ever seen anything like it, but it infuriates me when people forget his power. But such is the Shaquillian age. Fools, all." Watching the '86 game 5 between the Lakers and Rockets on classic recently-I noticed how Tommy Heinsolm deferred to Akeem's power. Los Angeles feared him in the series and Olajuwon scored 30 pts before being thrown owut for fighting with Kupchak. Hakeed Olajuwon was deceptively strong and I think could play with power and no fear with anyone from 1985 to 1996. He was extremely strong in college. The man was feared for his power. Tough tough competitor
Yeah, they just say that because he was 6' 10 1/2" and fast. To me, that makes him even more amazing as a center. Wilt was 7'1"
I have no respect for Rosen when the discussion comes to the Rockets or Hakeem. The guy is deluding himself if Duncan (no disrespect) is within cooee of Hakeem's performances or athleticism. Strength? What? Since when did the NBA become an arm wrestling competition? Hakeem is a PF based on a height criterion despite the fact that he has played C for his entire career. How many games has Rosen seen Hakeem play??? Who is the all-time leading shotblocker? Who is seventh all-time in steals? Who is the only player in NBA history to get 200 blocks and 200 steals in one season? Who is one of only handful of players to get a quadruple double in a game? Who dismantled an MVP over a 6 game series?... Rosen must be from NY because he's bitter that his beloved Pat Ewing never won the 'ship.
are u serious ??? 6th all time ...wtf ???? the dude is on CRACK!!! Hakeem is not only better than Shaq (Shaq said this himself), Hakeem is the BEST OF ALL TIME.... YEAH, #1... nobody can even come close to Hakeem's abilities.. everybody on this board is mentioning his great D, but dont forget his Offense... Hakeem was a great offensive player and had 1000 effective ways to school other centers... the dude could post-up, dunk, fade-away, and yeah, hit midrange... the dude had a quadruple double once... this Rosen guy has been smelling a lot recently...
Probably Bill Russell, then Wilt and Kareem. Since they didn't keep that stat from the beginning, the record book says Olajuwon though. Shaq said Hakeem was better than him in 1995, not that he was better over the course of his career. I put Hakeem around #3 behind Wilt and Kareem and in the class of Russell, Shaq, and Moses Malone.
Seriously, what sportswriter is good enough to comment on where Hakeem ranks among the best all-time?
dude, please.. stop that "they didn't keep stats when Bill & Wilt played".. only Hakeem haters say that bull crap... it's not about stats.. it's about who wins BY HIMSELF and who puts a franchise on his back and wins a championship BY HIMSELF with a bunch of above average role players (in 94, then we got Clyde in 95).. Hakeem could do so many things that Russell and Chamberlain would never even dream of doing... he had way more dimensions in his game that them... hate it or love it , Hakeem is BY FAR THE #1 OF ALL TIME (not #1 in centers, #1 player to ever play the game in the world)... the only one who could come close to him is Moses (in the centers list) and Magic (the #2 best player of all time) .. and maybe MJ would be #3 (he was great, but sorry, lets face it, he was a ballhog)...
Is Hakeem your daddy or something? Man, I've never seen anyone take things said about a basketball player so personally. We all love Hakeem around here, but obstinately claiming he was head and shoulders above EVERY other player in the history of the NBA is homerism. He's my favorite player of all time, and I agree he's arguably the best center to ever play the game, but you can't honestly believe the things Jabbar, Chamberlain, Russell, and Jordan accomplished are one-dimensional or ball-hogging.
