Hakeem Olajuwon or Tim Duncan

[Reservoirdawgs]

Who would you consider the better player/leader/winner, Hakeem Olajuwon or Tim Duncan? Meaning, who gives you the better chance of winning a championship?

And after Duncan's horrible showing last night (5 Points, 1-9 fg, 3-6 ft, 3 reb, 37 min) has Olajuwon ever had as bad of a playoff performance as Duncan did?

[Baller 24]

The thing about the Dream was he didn't have talent around him after Ralph Sampson left up until 1992-1997. Plus the fact that when Dream was playing he was playing in one of the hardest era's of basketball. Duncan has the rings, and has won more, considering the fact that the Spurs have the best record since Duncan arrived in the NBA, I believe its like a 70% winning percentage. But just because of that you can't say that Hakeem wasn't a leader. If prime Hakeem was playing today he would be hands down the best defensive player in the game, and is widely regarded as that. In terms of what a player can offer, I think Hakeem brings more to the table, like agility, athleticism, great offensive skills, etc. Because Duncan's game is just simple, nothing fancy about it, its just a simple style of play, that has worked for the Spurs for the past 10yrs.

[Ronaldo/dinho]

This no contest..Duncan can dream of touching the greatness of Hakeem.

[Reservoirdawgs]

I was 7 and 8 when the Rockets won their two championships so I never saw any of these players play. However, I'm looking at the stats of the 1993-95 Rockets and they do not seem like they are horrible by any means. Three other players scored in double digit figures in 1994, and then in 1995 the Rockets added a 21/7/4 Clyde Drexler, so his supporting cast aren't bad at all.

From what I've read, Olajuwon was the more athletic and probably better skilled NBA player...Duncan just straight up won (plus he had one more MVP, one more Finals MVP, two more championships, etc).

[Basileus777]

I think Hakeem was the better player, he just didn't have the supporting casts Duncan had for most of his career.

[Joseph17]

Hakeem was better in almost every aspect of the game.

[kooldude]

I can see how Duncan is the more fundamental player but Hakeem has to be more skilled because his freakish athleticism allows him to do certain things that Duncan can't even dream of.

Hakeem ftw. He beat one of the best Showtime Lakers and almost beat the best Bird Celtics team.

[shawngoat23]

Three other players scored in double digit figures in 1994, and then in 1995 the Rockets added a 21/7/4 Clyde Drexler, so his supporting cast aren't bad at all.

One could easily say the same about the 2002-03 Spurs, in which Duncan had little help. But a 20-year-old Parker, a 24-year-old Stephen Jackson, and a 28-year-old Malik Rose all contributed double digit points, and he also had an old David Robinson and a young Manu Ginobili. If I applied the same argument you did, I could make the case that his supporting cast was quite good.

[HarlemHeat37]

Dream was better in his prime and had a slightly better career..Hakeem's the most underrated player in NBA history IMO..

[Reservoirdawgs]

-= original quote snipped =-



One could easily say the same about the 2002-03 Spurs, in which Duncan had little help. But a 20-year-old Parker, a 24-year-old Stephen Jackson, and a 28-year-old Malik Rose all contributed double digit points, and he also had an old David Robinson and a young Manu Ginobili. If I applied the same argument you did, I could make the case that his supporting cast was quite good.

Fair enough, so does that mean we can throw out the supporting cast argument? They have both won with weak supporting casts and good supporting casts. Olajuwon is the more athletic and skilled player, while Duncan is more fundamental and a proven winner.

[ITK9]

hakeem, but by a small margin imo.

[#1KnicksFan]

wow, this is ALOT closer than some people are believing.

rofl at 11-3 for Hakeem.

I still go with the Dream though. Not quite as steady as Duncan, less rings, less MVP's, smaller prime, but a more dynamic player who was more dominant in an era with more big men competition.

[Baller 24]

I wouldn't say smaller prime, the guy was playing amazing from 1984-1998.

[Prop]

wow, this is ALOT closer than some people are believing.

rofl at 11-3 for Hakeem.

I still go with the Dream though. Not quite as steady as Duncan, less rings, less MVP's, smaller prime, but a more dynamic player who was more dominant in an era with more big men competition.

[shawngoat23]

wow, this is ALOT closer than some people are believing.

rofl at 11-3 for Hakeem.

I still go with the Dream though.

It just seems to be the case that most people agree that Hakeem is slightly better than Duncan. In terms of skill set, Hakeem does everything Duncan can do, arguably a bit better; he was certainly more athletic; and he matches Duncan's greatest asset, being able to will an inferior team to the championship. Granted, Duncan has done it more times, which is quite a significant item on his resume, but for various reasons, I don't think this alone offsets Hakeem's other advantages.

[Original Baller]

this comparison is an insult to Hakeem

just cause Duncan been the luckiest player ever with his supporting cast doesn't compare him to a legend

Duncan is barely better than KG.

[#1KnicksFan]

People hold Hakeem up on a pedestal here.

Granted the guy is a top 15 player of all time without a doubt, but some people actually rank the guy above Larry Freakin Legend Bird.

I have no problem saying he's a top 5 Center of all time, but Jesus, I mean..........Duncan's no slouch either.

[Texas Longhorns]

I'd take Dream by a small amount.

[halfHAVOC]

keem'

[penbeast0]

Dream was better in his prime and had a slightly better career..Hakeem's the most underrated player in NBA history IMO..

not on these boards where there are people who rate him above Shaq, Russell, Wilt, and Kareem! Great player, 5th best big man of all time in my book, but far closer in career achievement to the likes of Shaq, DRobinson, Moses (and Duncan) than to Russell, Wilt, Kareem.