Best 2-Way Big Man Of All-Time

[Thomas82]

Just curious to see who everybody thinks the best 2-way big man of all-time is. If you feel like it's somebody other than the guys named in the poll, feel free to say so.

[Ditty]

Don't let downstairs see this thread especially Kool or Thread, but it's Hakeem tbh imo

[Old School 44]

It's always hard to compare players of different eras, but I'll be the first homer to say Duncan was the best.

[BillMc]

I voted for Timmy because he was a hell of a defender as well as an offensive threat. Wilt was an underrated defender (especially in his LA days). Hakeem and our own D-Rob were both great on both ends of the floor. Also, for some reason, the modern generation has forgotten about Moses Malone. He was a hell of a player. KG too was good on O and D.

Still, Timmy gets the vote.

[Drom John]

Kareem Abdul-Jabar, career leader in offensive WS. Third in defensive WS.

[spurraider21]

tim duncan, because you brought this question up on spurstalk.com

[Solid D]

Any poll for 2-way bigs with Hakeem & Kareem on it...MUST include David Robinson. The blocks (3/game), the rebounds, the PPG the speed and agility. He was phenomenal! He and Barkley and Michael owned the IBM award (all-around performance/statistical impact to his team). Look up IBM Award and see who's picture you find.

[Leetonidas]

Probably Hakeem

[Solid D]

1. Wilt - one time.. a statistician, stopped counting blocked shots for Wilt during a game at 25
2. Hakeem
3. Kareem
4. David Robinson
5. Tim Duncan

[Sybok]

Magic. He went both ways better than anyone in history.

[letmk]

Magic. He went both ways better than anyone in history.

No way. As great as his was on offense, his defense was at best average.

[RD2191]

Magic. He went both ways better than anyone in history.
:lmao

[lmbebo]

Love me timmy and drob, but Hakeem was a monster.

[benefactor]

Dream tbh.

[RD2191]

Tim Duncan

[BoricuaCJA]

No way. As great as his was on offense, his defense was at best average.

Haha This guy not getting the joke. lol

[Skull-1]

The Admiral.

[Skull-1]

Magic. He went both ways better than anyone in history.


Gotta be an AIDS joke here somewhere...

[Skull-1]

Any poll for 2-way bigs with Hakeem & Kareem on it...MUST include David Robinson. The blocks (3/game), the rebounds, the PPG the speed and agility. He was phenomenal! He and Barkley and Michael owned the IBM award (all-around performance/statistical impact to his team). Look up IBM Award and see who's picture you find.


Yep. Totally skewed poll without David in it.

[Kidd K]

Poll is missing DRob, but yeah, I would have to say the answer is probably Hakeem. Everyone on the list is an absolute stud though.

[Spursfanfromafar]

All advanced stats rate David Robinson very very high - in Win Shares/48, PER etc and also higher than Duncan. Surprisingly, his post-season record is also very high compared even to Duncan.

That DRob was outsmarted by Hakeem has been the enduring story that seems to detract from his otherwise stupendous record.

[Arcadian]

It's impossible to compare these guys, but they are definitely the top 4.

Since TD is my favorite player, I gave him a vote.

[dunkman]

Hakeem had perhaps a higher peak (2003 Duncan was incredible too), but careerwise it got to be Duncan by now. Kareem is probably the best ever. The Admiral was the best ever center on defense, but his offensive game had some limitations. And Wilt was certainly great too, but tbh I didn't saw him play.

[sandman]

Hakeem had perhaps a higher peak (2003 Duncan was incredible too), but careerwise it got to be Duncan by now. Kareem is probably the best ever. The Admiral was the best ever center on defense, but his offensive game had some limitations. And Wilt was certainly great too, but tbh I didn't saw him play.

2-3 peak year run? Hakeem without a doubt. Sustainability? Posted in another thread that by the time TD is done with his career, only one other player will have his scoring, rebound and block stats: Kareem. And Kareem played 20 years...

Edit: TD has also been relevant in the championship picture consistently over his career, unlike others who coat-tailed or only were contenders for a few years.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

2-way players. That doesn't sound right and the guys in the NBA Forum would be cracking jokes left and right about 2-way player. I guess they swing on both sides of the fence.

[chazley]

It's a travesty Bill Russell isn't on this list. If I had to pick from this list, it is Kareem. Probably the most underrated player in NBA history and he was absolutely unstoppable.

[TD 21]

It's Duncan. To my (vast) knowledge, there's never been another big man who did so many things well, from the obvious to the obscure, such as leading a break, passing off the dribble, etc.

Abdul-Jabbar was the greatest scorer (considering Chamberlain's competition, or lack thereof) and most accomplished (considering Russell's competition or lack thereof), though.

I'm not surprised with all the support for Olajuwon though. I can't figure out who's more beloved/overrated by Spurs fans, him or Nowitzki.

[superbigtime]

I voted for Tim. Other choices were 2 Lakers and a Rocket. Easy.

[Skull-1]

At their peak, Robinson would waste Tim. Not even a debatable point.

[Horse]

Don't let downstairs see this thread especially Kool or Thread, but it's Hakeem tbh imo

He was amazing for a while but Duncan has been amazing his whole career.

[Horse]

Gotta show some love for Drob I mean how many other players can say they lead the league in scoring and won defensive player of the year in their career.

[Rummpd]

Big fan of Duncan but Hakeem or Kareem take this one but all three damm good all around

[Michael Jordan.]

He was amazing for a while but Duncan has been amazing his whole career.
Hakeem's entire career isn't too shabby. Plus he faced better competition.

[playbonner15]

Hakeem's entire career isn't too shabby. Plus he faced better competition.
Yeah The Dream faced against Rodman, Robinson, Malone, Ewing etc

[Michael Jordan.]

Yeah The Dream faced against Rodman, Robinson, Malone, Ewing etc
Bird, McHale, Parish, Kareem, Worthy, Magic....

[SupremeGuy]

Wilt, Lew, and Timmy would have mouth-raped the Dream all day, err-day, tbh.

[Michael Jordan.]

Wilt, Lew, and Timmy would have mouth-raped the Dream all day, err-day, tbh.
No.

[spurraider21]

:lol rocketfan and spurfan debating Hakeem v Timmy... how predictable

[Michael Jordan.]

:lol rocketfan and spurfan debating Hakeem v Timmy... how predictable
This thread was destined for it :lol

[spurraider21]

This thread was destined for it :lol
argue it in the NBA forum. there spurs forum is where we homers unite tbh :lol

[Cry Havoc]

Hakeem would be my pick. He was legitimately a guard in a PF's body that was so talented he could play the 5. If you haven't seen peak Hakeem (or Jabbar for that matter), this thread is a waste tbh.

Duncan and Kareem are right there but I think Duncan is probably the best defensive anchor in NBA history. Any 4 players + Duncan is going to be a good defense. That says a lot about his ability to make up for the shortcomings of his teammates.

[spurraider21]

does jabbar really fit into the elite 2-way discussion?

[Thomas82]

It's a travesty Bill Russell isn't on this list. If I had to pick from this list, it is Kareem. Probably the most underrated player in NBA history and he was absolutely unstoppable.



Bill Russell had some limitations on offense....career shooting percentage of 44% and he averaged around 16 points a game.

[chazley]

Bill Russell had some limitations on offense....career shooting percentage of 44% and he averaged around 16 points a game.

A fair point, but the guy won 11 championships as the best player on each team. To not include him on a list of four people who the best two-way big man of alltime is a travesty.

[Thomas82]

A fair point, but the guy won 11 championships as the best player on each team. To not include him on a list of four people who the best two-way big man of alltime is a travesty.

I get your point too, but a 2-way big man is not just a specialist on one end of the court like Russell was, but has an all around game and skilled on both ends of the court.

[Skull-1]

I get your point too, but a 2-way big man is not just a specialist on one end of the court like Russell was, but has an all around game and skilled on both ends of the court.


Which means The Admiral must be included in the discussion.

[gospursgojas]

I don't consider any stats of Tall black men vs short white guys.