They are on two entire different levels. Hakeem is the greatest all around center of all time. It's not fair to Yao to compare him to Hakeem. Thats like Comparing Jordan to Cuttino right now. On one hand, one player is the greatest guard of all time, and on the other hand you have a good player.
How do you compare Hakeem, a top 10-player of all-time to Yao, a guy who just began his career? I've watched Akeem since his 1st day in America. He had better physicality than Yao. He jumped higher, quicker, ran faster, had better lateral movement, better footwork. Hakeem had more moves and a better shot than Yao. He shot a better percentage partly because he knew it was very difficult to block his shots. Yao missed a lot of give-me because he feared getting blocked, he had to shoot quicker than he normally does. Hakeem grabbed more rebounds because he jumped quicker ... Hakeem had accomplished far more than Yao. Will Yao become as good a player or better? Hard to say. Physically, maybe never. Yao will get stronger with training, with age. His game will get better with practice and experience but he most likely will never be as quick as Hakeem. What does Yao have that Hakeem didn't? 7'-5, 300lbs (in time Yao might be stronger), court vision, passing skill and I dare say BB I.Q. (For those who want to argue this last point, trace back to the last play of the NC State-Houston game 20 yrs ago). Hakeem had one of the best 1 on 1 game in history but he never was much of one that makes people around him better. (save the occasion kick-outs from the post). Yao is. If you use him right (like Jabbar) and put him in a right system (one similar to Walton's Trailblazers) he will take this team far and everyone will shine with him, more so than the supporting players who played with Hakeem. Yao won't be at his best if you put him in a wrong system. One that requires him to bully the other players the whole game, to play a physical game like Shaq. He will probably have a good career, but not a great one.
that wasnt the question. the question was whos better. We answered the question Hakeem is better(by a mile). So no ifs, ands or buts about it.
Why start so many silly polls recently? First, Francis and Mobley choose one, next Hakeen or Yao, come on, everbody with least conscious know the result. Francis and Hakeem, do I need to remind us the answer?
WOW!!! A duo of Hakkem and Francis!!!!!!!! That would be better than Kobe and Shaq!!!! That would simply be totly out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is hilarious no question it is Hakeem Olajuwon. We know what we have in dream. A top 10 player ever. Probaly the best all around center in the history of the game. The best athlete in this city's history. Yao we know we got a good player. He 's certainly not a bust. But there is no way that anybody can say w/ full confidence that Yao will be a top 10 player of all time.
I would pick Yao over Hakeem if I have the #1 pick. The reason is very simple. Yao will bring more money to me. Many people have said that Yao would be the next "Jordan" or next "Tiger Woods." Nobody said that Yao would be the next "Hakeem." Marketibility and international popularity. Most GMs or owners will pick Yao over Hakeem based on these two factors. Just like most coaches and fans will pick Hakeem based on the talent.
This is a silly question. We know exactly what Hakeem's potential was now and we know virtually nothing about the type of player Yao will be. This thread's just another opportunity for Yao bashing sprinkled with the occasional Hakeem bashing. I'm just glad we didn't have to choose.
Actually Hakeem was more marketable. Remember "Soft" vs "Crunchy" Anyways the goal of any basketball owner is to win a title, not get the most marketable player(which still is Dream).
Who said Yao was going to be the next Jordon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some people were saying Yao ming could be the next Dream on the radio, and the guy was like your freakin crazy!!!!!!!!!!
He was feared even by Shaq Hakeem is a great player. But to say that he was feared by SHAQ is a little outageous. Shaq-Daddy fears No ONE in the NBA or this planet. I voted for yao just because he brings others elements into the game. WHAT can I say! I LOVE yao.
What other elements does he bring?? 2 Championships like Dream??? How can you pic yao over dream!!!!!!!! Its Dream. one of the 10 best players ever.
Is it a coincidence that Houston won them championships during and after Jordan's retirement? Houston won when Jordand left and won when he was out of shape. You guys can thank Jordan for handing the championships over. If he hadnt retire, Houston would not have seen DAYLIGHT! thats the TRUTH!
You need to check the stats buddy. Hakeem and his Rockets always played the Bulls with Jordan well (they had a winning record in regular season games).
Stupid poll. I voted for Yao. There's 2 reasons: After knowing what I know now, I would pick Yao because: 1. Yao started playing basketball really young unlike Hakeem who only starts to play when he came to US (I think he started when he's 18 years old or 19, can't remember). Yao got good coaching that help in his development, that being said, Yao is far more advance in terms of skills & understanding of the game than Hakeem when he's just a rookie. Because of that, Yao is getting a head start earlier than Hakeem, which could translate to better career when he's all done. 2. Yao has enormous potential and marketing appeal. Even when back in the glory days of Rocket basketball (Dream won two titles), Houston Rockets are relatively unknown organization. Yao brings international exposure quickly and generates tons of positive appeal globally for the Rox. Just all of sudden, Rox gained millions more fans & supporters. I don't even want to mention the marketing value. I can come up with lots of more reasons.
