Better athlete upon entering the league - Hakeem or Chris Webber

[SHAQ32]

Title

[Ol Roy]

As Jordan said, Olajuwon was a small forward playing center.

[penbeast0]

And Webber was a 2 guard playing the 4 (and no, that's not a compliment). It's probably Hakeem for the lower body strength since court vision, the main area that Webber started out considerably better than Hakeem, isn't considered athleticism per se.

[One_and_Done]

'Who was the better athlete', whatever that means, is generally used as a distraction from who the better player was. In this case though the answer to both is clearly Hakeem.

[Tomtolbert]

Olajuwon.

Webber wasn't far behind - he had a scary combination of power and quickness. But his limited footwork, post game, and defensive awareness prevented him from being an all time great.

[Peregrine01]

I struggle to think of a single physical advantage that Webber had over Hakeem.

[SHAQ32]

I struggle to think of a single physical advantage that Webber had over Hakeem.

Agility relative to height and weight

[tsherkin]

I struggle to think of a single physical advantage that Webber had over Hakeem.

Agility relative to height and weight

That definitely wasn't an advantage for Webber over Hakeem.

[parsnips33]

'Who was the better athlete', whatever that means, is generally used as a distraction from who the better player was. In this case though the answer to both is clearly Hakeem.

What makes this a "distraction" versus just a completely different question?

[tsherkin]

What makes this a "distraction" versus just a completely different question?

Stepping away from the "distraction" element, while I can't really see an argument for Webber here, it is at least an opportunity to discuss how athletic he was early on in his career before the injuries began to take it away from him. He had a nice first step and good coordination, solid elevation. Really nice spin. He was definitely an impressive athlete.

[Harry Palmer]

Webber himself says Hakeem’s athleticism shocked him. Too many people think of Hakeem’s peak as post 30, when his athleticism had at least come down to ~ mortal levels, but the Hakeem who hit the league like a storm and threatened competitive balance before Sampson’s knee was predominantly talked about as an athletic phenomenon coupled with major intensity/competitiveness. No one ever had (or ever would) see a man that big and STRONG who could move with that much quickness, speed, agility, balance and breaks. Robinson was probably a better linear athlete, but it’s closer than most realize..pre-decline Hakeem could get UP…but in any of the other kinds of athleticism, particularly integrated and motor skills, Hakeem was in a different league. Think stronger, more explosive KG with better quickness, balance and eye-hand coordination.

[70sFan]

Webber himself says Hakeem’s athleticism shocked him. Too many people think of Hakeem’s peak as post 30, when his athleticism had at least come down to ~ mortal levels, but the Hakeem who hit the league like a storm and threatened competitive balance before Sampson’s knee was predominantly talked about as an athletic phenomenon coupled with major intensity/competitiveness. No one ever had (or ever would) see a man that big and STRONG who could move with that much quickness, speed, agility, balance and breaks. Robinson was probably a better linear athlete, but it’s closer than most realize..pre-decline Hakeem could get UP…but in any of the other kinds of athleticism, particularly integrated and motor skills, Hakeem was in a different league. Think stronger, more explosive KG with better quickness, balance and eye-hand coordination.

I always thought Hakeem and Russell are perfect physical comparison. Similar size, similar explosiveness and body control, similar versatility. Hakeem had a bit more core strength, Bill had more vertical athleticism.

[ChiTown6rings]

C Webb was never the athlete that Hakeem was.

[Ol Roy]

Webber himself says Hakeem’s athleticism shocked him. Too many people think of Hakeem’s peak as post 30, when his athleticism had at least come down to ~ mortal levels, but the Hakeem who hit the league like a storm and threatened competitive balance before Sampson’s knee was predominantly talked about as an athletic phenomenon coupled with major intensity/competitiveness. No one ever had (or ever would) see a man that big and STRONG who could move with that much quickness, speed, agility, balance and breaks. Robinson was probably a better linear athlete, but it’s closer than most realize..pre-decline Hakeem could get UP…but in any of the other kinds of athleticism, particularly integrated and motor skills, Hakeem was in a different league. Think stronger, more explosive KG with better quickness, balance and eye-hand coordination.

Exactly. People who only watch 94/95 Hakeem are really missing out.