this article shows how atletic Wilt really was... . He could also run a 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, had a 50-inch vertical jump, was a Big Eight high-jump champion at Kansas, was undefeated in the shot put, but his best track event might have been the 440-yard dash.
If the Hakeem of the 90s had been able to play in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, he would have averaged 45 points, 15 boards, and 10 blocks a game. At least 6 rings, but probably more. No question, Hakeem is the greatest center in the history of the game. Shaq is probably the most dominant, but Hakeem is the best. Not that the Rockets give a sh*t!
i don't really get this divergence between dominant and greatest. either you are the greatest or you aren't not trying to rip on you but i just hear that all the time and its a big cliche. i know what people are trying to imply but its kind of silly to me because it seems to imply shaq is lacking talent-wise and is only a big oaf (sp?) who bullies everyone. if we are picking teams i take hakeem over shaq because hakeem is simply better.
I think you're combining the Wilt of the 60's with the Wilt of the 70's. He filled out considerably during his career. And saying he ran the court "alot better than Hakeem" is ridiculous. Nobody has ever run the court from the center position like Dream. Wilt might be close in terms of the top tier, but I would wager my life's future earnings that prime Hakeem would beat prime Wilt in a contest of 25 lines... And the whole defensive and offensive philiosophy of the Championship Rockets had as an assumption that Dream would be the first center down court.
Shaq was dominant because of his size, while Hakeem was dominant because of his skills, his mind-blowing skills.
Rebounding has very little to do with jumping ability. In fact, if a guy who had a 40 inch vertical tried to use it to his advantage, he'd get called for over the back about 10 times a game.
i was just wondering has dream been on sportscentury? Because i was just watching charles barkley sportscentury
There aren't really any "stories" to discuss with him. It seems like all the people on that show had controversies in the past.
Hakeem is probably in the top 10 best centers of all time. He's definitely the best to come through this area - ever. And that's saying something, considering Clyde the Glide, and Elvin Hayes. Speaking of best, the Rockets should of never gotten rid of either Cassell or Horry. Barkley was basically washed out when he got here. Cassell is still clutch. DB
DAMN. You beat me to it. Anyway, why do you even ask this question here??? OF COURSE HE WAS THE BEST EVER. He also could ride a mean bike...
Wilt was the greatest center ever. Kareem was second. The rest is a toss up with these players: Shaq, Hakeem, Moses, Russel, Walton, and Sabonis (Euro not NBA version).
Hakeem was a great, great player. And he was a complete player. But what works against him is that some of the most dominant players ever in this league played him position. As much as we all hate Shaq. He might be the best center ever. When he first played hakeem in the playoffs, he was still on the upside of his growth, and hakeem was at his peak. Later on, he was at his prime and hakeem was on his downside. But it's not about one-on-one matchups anyway. It's about how Shaq can singlehanded change the game, every game. The dominating presence he brings. In his prime, shaq was just unstoppable, most people kind of forget that since he's not as good as before. Chamberlin was also dominant in the same way Shaq was, but the league was different then. Would Hakeem have been able to put up the same stats if he played back then? Maybe... maybe not. Abdul Jabbar, Russell, Walton (maybe no because of a shorter career) and Hakeem were on the same level I thought. Then the next tier are the robinsons and ewings.
Ok. First of all, Wilt had a 50 inch vertical and ran the 40 in 2.2 seconds, and I caught a fish that was 40 ft long? I hope you understand the point. That guy no doubt was a freak, but if you look at the stats hey are claiming? Wilt was a step slower than Vick, had a could jump higher than SF? I'm guessing he should have played TE then or hell for that matter WR. Come on now lets be real. I would like to see that article and also what his sources were. Second of all I hate when Shaq is mentioned with the all time great centers. Here are 3 reasons why he's not. 1. You can't go to him at the end of the game: This guy can't shoot free throws. Not only is it not one of his strengths he flat out can't do it. Even 60% would be acceptable but 53%? Modern day centers usually shoot over 70% (Ewing Robinson Hakeem) 2. He isn't carrying his team and never has. Who did Hakeem, Ewing and Robinson have? Ewing got to the finals and lost to Hakeem with who? Oakley? Mason? Starks? And Robinson? he ran into Hakeem with who? Nobody. Hakeem won the whole thing with who Elie? Horry? Drexler? Cassell? 3. He doesn't play anybody. There are no other great centers. Yao may be one day(hopefully in the near future) but Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson all played eachother and Hakeem went up against Parish and Kareem as well. You can't compare eras really, but if you have to I don't see how you can say that Shaq was the greatest of all time, I have to go with either Wilt or Hakeem. Even though Wilt has two of the same problems as Shaq, but big men wern't expected to shoot well from the line like they are today. I never saw Wilt play so I'm willing to hold out judgement on him but I've seen Shaq play and he's got some nice moves in his arsenal but he doesn't play hard and he can't shoot FT's. Bad Shaq bad.... Mike
I have the same guys on my list, but the order goes like this... 1. Russell 2. Wilt 3. Dream 4. Jabbar 5. Shaq
