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His laziness guarding the P&R since about 2001 is a valid gripe, but Shaq constantly practiced his free throws when he was in LA. He was reinforcing bad form though, which is why it never showed in games.
I personally think Shaq was massively overrated and in no way can compare to Hakeem.
He underachieved throughout his career despite his magnificent accomplishments. With his size and agility, as well as skills in the game, Shaq could easily be the greatest of all time along with the Kareems and the Wilts, but he simply isn't.
OtoH, you got the reason and the results backwards. Kobe won because of Shaq. There really is no doubt that Shaq was the driving force for the 3 peat. If Shaq actually got his ass in shape, he would have add dominant seasons like that of 2001 for longer periods of his career, but he didn't. Shaq at his peak was absolutely unstoppable on offense, and when he puts his mind to it, at least above average defensively.
Kobe, at that point, was a fantastic player. Not as good as 06 Wade, and certainly not as good as 09 Kobe, but he was a worthy all-star, even all-nba player. I think these arguments should best be left at the 1 of dozens of Kobe-related threads.
Anyways, back to the topic. No, Shaq wasn't close to Hakeem, he wasn't even better than Robinson over the span of their careers. Hakeem has the #4 center of all time locked, with arguments made that he should be in the top 3. Shaq's probably somewhere between 5 and 7.
His laziness guarding the P&R since about 2001 is a valid gripe, but Shaq constantly practiced his free throws when he was in LA. He was reinforcing bad form though, which is why it never showed in games.
Whether or not Shaq underachieved doesn't change the fact Shaq giving 70% effort > Hakeem giving 100% effort.
Hakeem > Shaq
Hakeem had the total package (regular season MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Yr, all in 1 year) while Shaq only had offense because of power. The Dream had a mid range jumper, could block shots ask Rod Strickland, could post up and had the Dream Shake which is unstoppable, and could make free throws. Shaq was exposed and Hack a Shaq came into play...
Why is it the Hakeem lovers act like being better than someone because they have way more natural talent doesn't count?
If Shaq drops 40 because of his huge amount of talent that compensates for his lack of developed skills, it's no different than Hakeem dropping 40 because of his complete developed skills that make up for his lack of talent.
Hakeem owned young Shaq so bad that I just can't see him losing the battle against prime Shaq, if both were in their primes. Shaq wouldn't have a prayer of guarding him. But Hakeem could at least somewhat stand up to Shaq at the other end.
My concern about Hakeem
Couldn't win before or after Jordan. Atleast Shaq was able to defeat Jordan in a Playoff series in his career. If Jordan doesn't retire do we even speak of Hakeem or does he fall out of the elite class and more along with guys like David Robinson, Charles Barkley and so on?
Hakeem joins the Rockets in 1984
84: 1st Round
85: Lost FINALS
86: Semifinals
87: 1st Round
88: 1st Round
89: 1st Round
90: 1st Round
91: --- no playoffs ---
92: Semifinals
93: le
94: le
95: Semifinals
96: Western Conference Finals
97: 1st Round
98: 1st Round
99: ---- no playoffs ----
00: -----no playoffs ----
01: W/Raptors .... 1st Round
That's 18 seasons
3 - no playoffs
8 - Lost 1st Round
3 - Lost semifinals
1 - Lost WCF
1- Lost Finals
2 - Won Finals
Just doesn't add up IMO. Hakeem had one of the greatest 2 year stretches in 93/94 when Jordan was retired but other than that.....a pretty disappointing career. It's almost to the point where you have to consider Hakeem was overrated?
Lets be honest, if the Bulls beat the Magic that year and make the finals, Houston beats them. The Bulls even with Jordan weren't championship caliber that year. Their two best rebounders were Jordan and Pippen. As good as Jordan was he wasn't going to win with a team getting as little production from the PF and C as the 1995 Bulls got.
The Jordan arguement has no effect on Hakeem. They played in two different confrences. Hakeem didn't make it out of the Western confrence, because Jordan wasn't in the Eastern Confrence at that time.
Most overrated player of all time.
For sure. He actually under achieved given his compe ion and his talent.
you do know what happened to the team that he went to the finals with in 86, right?
He wasn't even the best player on that 1986 team so the fact injuries and drug suspensions might have killed them doesn't matter.
Anyone not playing on boston got curbstomped that year.
I do not think 70% of Shaq is better than Hakeem. BUT if we had more of the MVP SHAQ the 2000 Shaq then i would agree ...he is > Hakeem.
Hakeem not only had teh two great years that everyone gives him credit for watch NBA's greatest games for a series he he had aganst th Sonics th season BEFORE he won a le ....You guys make it seem he was only dominant his 2 le seasons ...
Shaq's MVP year is the only one that comes close to Hakeem's ...but playoff run wise ...Shaq has had some great ones ...and deserves props for raising hiiis game in teh playoffs ...
I think Shaq is simply too large to dominate a regular season and carry it over to the playoffs. Phil says in his book he let Shaq play lazy during the regular season because he knew Shaq would be there for the playoffs, that Shaq knew his body better than anyone else did and knew what he needed to do to stay fresh for April, May and June.
It would be interesting to see how Shaq would have done if he had Phoenix's training staff his entire career.
lol how was akeem not the best player on that 86 team? he led them in points, rebs, blocks, and steals in both the regular season and playoffs.
shaq is overrated as
People talk about Kobe needing Shaq, Shaq needs Kobe or Wade. He totally ed with the Sun's system
I forgot who won all 3 finals mvps during the 3peat.
Kobe was too young though, Shaq was pretty much the vocal leader of the team.
Shaq was a terrible pick and roll defender. So no. Hakeem in prime was just as good a scorer (that could hit free throws) as Shaq while being one of the best defenders at his position that ever played the game.
Fact is, Hakeem all over Shaq in the finals head to head despite Shaq having the better all around team. Shaq has the les edge but he did have Kobe who was the best perimeter player in the league at the time. Hakeem played the bulk of his career in one of the toughest eras ever. Jordan, Bird, Magic, Bad Boys etc.
Shaq gets completely overrated historically and should not be put of ahead of guys like Kareem, Dream and Wilt due to his ty defense. There are two ends on the basketball floor. Shaq could have been the Goat but he enjoyed those Donuts too much.
No he didn't. D'antoni has said multiple times incorporating Shaq into his offense was easy and that it helped the team.
Hakeem absolutely destroyed Shaq head to head before he became an old man.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/...1&p2=onealsh01
Not sure if this was mentioned, but anyone remember when they were going to have a pay per view of Shaq vs Hakeem going one on one and then it was cancelled? I can't remember why it was cancelled or if one chickened out. I was looking forward to seeing that.
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