Bill Russell not top 3 centers of all-time

[Worm Guts]

I actually think Hakeem might have been the best of them all. <g> Hakeem flat out owned Shaq in the finals.

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I don't know about that. Houston swept the series and Hakeem put up huge numbers, but so did Shaq.

[GuyClinch]

^^^ Houston had one of the worst supporting casts for Hakeem - ever to win a championship. That's as close to a one man team as your ever going to see (yes they had Drexler and Cassell but by FINALS CHAMPION standards that roster is pretty weaksauce). Also Hakeem really did outplay Shaq. He outscored him in every single game. While Shaq's "numbers" might look decent - you have to remember he was just owning the rest of the entire league at this time.

Anyway I am just going by recollections and game tape. Hakeem LOOKED like he was the best center ever to me. And unlike Shaq I think he was CLUTCH. Shaq (and I know this won't be popular with Laker haters) relied on Kobe for those clutch baskets. The same way that KG will use PP in those situations.

He had all things you like about Russell - mobile, shot blocker, defender. With the scoring ability you like in Jabbar, Wilt, etc.

[MyInsatiableOne]

^^^ Houston had one of the worst supporting casts for Hakeem - ever to win a championship. That's as close to a one man team as your ever going to see (yes they had Drexler and Cassell but by FINALS CHAMPION standards that roster is pretty weaksauce). Also Hakeem really did outplay Shaq. He outscored him in every single game. While Shaq's "numbers" might look decent - you have to remember he was just owning the rest of the entire league at this time.

Anyway I am just going by recollections and game tape. Hakeem LOOKED like he was the best center ever to me. And unlike Shaq I think he was CLUTCH. Shaq (and I know this won't be popular with Laker haters) relied on Kobe for those clutch baskets. The same way that KG will use PP in those situations.

He had all things you like about Russell - mobile, shot blocker, defender. With the scoring ability you like in Jabbar, Wilt, etc.

Honestly, Hakeem only won the two titles because Jordan was out of the league. But he *did* demolish Shaq in that series. I still don't think he was the greatest of all time, but he's up there, no doubt.