why dwight will never be as good as hakeem defensively

Thanks to Shaq in no small part (who changed backing your opponent down into walking over), the big centers are sort of dead due to the fact the refs don't let them get away with any of that stuff anymore, and sometimes it actually seems like they're rewarded with charges for being soft.

 

There's really no reason to continue talking about this.

None of the posters posting so far will never be as good as Hakeem defensively either. Should we talk about that too?

 

So what?

When did Dwight ever say he would be as good as Hakeem? The fact that you're even comparing them is ridiculous.

He's still the best center in the league, who cares if he makes highlight blocks, it pumps up his team. It's better then seeing players cue up to take charges all game.

 

I don't think Dwight will design designer clothes either.

 

I remember seeing a college (perhaps early pro career) highlight of Akeem jumping up & snatching the ball out of the air. Not even blocking it, just grabbing it. I always liked that.

 

All that sure, but Dream was also a student of the game and out-thought his opponents as much as out-athleticized (is that a word?) them. There's a passage in his book where he talks about hiding behind the Bulls' center until Jordan drove the lane then stepping out to block the shot after Jordan had committed. That kind of in-game thinking is beyond Howard... and really, we haven't seen a post player with anything close to that level of thinking and athleticism since Dream.

One other issue (and this fuels my anger whenever people on this board want to make an all-time all-star team and put Dream at PF), is that Dream had a philosophy on the court and he lived by it. He was a post player. He was a center. He controlled the lane on both ends. Sure, he revolutionized the position by bringing in elements from other positions, but he remained true to the center calling. I see very few post players embracing the philosophy of the position in a way that it becomes part of them. Everyone is taught guard skills these days. Everyone has fantasies about being a wing. When you see a person dedicated to the post and loving the post it is instantly recognizable. I see it occasionally in Howard, but it is not constant and he doesn't live it like Dream did.

 

This is as random as topics get here on the GARM.

 

I remember hearing dream's favorite athlete was Pele. In any case, dream's agility, quickness, along with his footwork, allowed him to cover so much space. Remember how he guarded Starks? I don't know if Dwight will ever be able to do that.

One thing is for sure, with yao being done, dwight is the last of his kind. He should join Red Nation in the quest for glory.

 

i don't think so, hakeem's blocking and keeping the ball in bounds towards teamates was an appreciated intangible back in his day. with dwight blocking shots its an interesting discussion

 

No its not close. Hakeem was better doing things as a rookie than Dwight Howard is at doing things now.

 

Hakeem is number 8 all time in steals. Put that together with being the all time leader in blocked shots and you can tell it's not even close.

Having said that, Howard should be in the talk for DPOY

 

What's with all the Dwight hate?

 

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#8 - when u keep your blocks in play, it just leads to more blocks!!

This video never gets old

 

Hey Shaq, Imma let you finish (your career as a journeyman) but:
Dream is the 4th best center of ALL TIME...



...this thread is redundant.

 

to be fair there is only one other person i know that possesses that ability.

Spoiler

 

He's always laughing.

 

Doesn't keep Dwight from being the best defensive player in the NBA

 

Hakeem used to throw it into the 3rd row when he blocked people early in his career. Dwight will go through the same progression of maturation.

 

FACT:

Hakeem's CAREER average blocks per game is 3.1...peaking at 4.6 in 1990 and 4 year average of 4.2.

Howard's single season high is 2.9.

Hakeem had more blocks per game in each of his first 12 years (>2.7 each yr), than Howard's 2.4 this year.