Better Center In Their PRIME: Shaquille O'Neal vs Hakeem Olajuwan

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Comments

  • dallas' 4 eva
    dallas' 4 eva Members Posts: 11,216 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.
  • DOPEdweebz
    DOPEdweebz Members, Moderators, Writer Posts: 29,364 Regulator
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.
    ? probably remmeber Shaq being owned by Hakeem having something to do with it
  • king hassan
    king hassan Members Posts: 22,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.

    The center position was deep bruh, he was an elite one tho.
  • Shizlansky
    Shizlansky Members Posts: 35,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.
    ? probably remmeber Shaq being owned by Hakeem having something to do with it

    Shaq dominated Dream as a pup. He didn't even get to fully see Shaq in his prime.
  • dalyricalbandit
    dalyricalbandit Members, Moderators Posts: 67,918 Regulator
    Real talk nobody was stopping prime shaq he was making legends look childish
  • caddo man
    caddo man Members Posts: 22,476 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    I am a huge Shaq fan. Greatest Center ever. ? you and any argument you may come up with. I aint debating ? .
  • PanchoYoSancho
    PanchoYoSancho Members Posts: 13,177 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    Shizlansky wrote: »
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.
    ? probably remmeber Shaq being owned by Hakeem having something to do with it

    Shaq dominated Dream as a pup. He didn't even get to fully see Shaq in his prime.

    lmao @ dominated. Some people love to rewrite history to their liking. Shaq never came close to dominating Hakeem until Shaq was in his prime and Hakeem was on the tail end of his career and on his way out of the league. That's the only reason those head-to-head numbers are in favor of Shaq.
  • The Lonious Monk
    The Lonious Monk Members Posts: 26,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
    How close to their primes were they when they played in the Finals because Hakeem gave Shaq that work then.
  • PanchoYoSancho
    PanchoYoSancho Members Posts: 13,177 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    How close to their primes were they when they played in the Finals because Hakeem gave Shaq that work then.

    Shaq reached his prime in L.A., but it's funny how people like to dismiss what Hakeem did to Shaq back then cause he was still young. Shaq even lead the league in scoring the year the Magic went to the Finals. Shaq was putting up almost identical numbers in L.A. as he was in Orlando, but people love to overlook that.


    Shaq as a Magic: 27.2--12.5--2.4--2.8--0.8
    Shaq as a Laker: 27.0--11.8--3.1--2.5--0.6



    Where exactly was the drop off? Having Phil and Kobe was the difference moreso than anything.
  • caddo man
    caddo man Members Posts: 22,476 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    How close to their primes were they when they played in the Finals because Hakeem gave Shaq that work then.

    Shaq reached his prime in L.A., but it's funny how people like to dismiss what Hakeem did to Shaq back then cause he was still young. Shaq even lead the league in scoring the year the Magic went to the Finals. Shaq was putting up almost identical numbers in L.A. as he was in Orlando, but people love to overlook that.


    Shaq as a Magic: 27.2--12.5--2.4--2.8--0.8
    Shaq as a Laker: 27.0--11.8--3.1--2.5--0.6



    Where exactly was the drop off? Having Phil and Kobe was the difference moreso than anything.

    So you saying Shaq was at his prime as soon as he stepped in the building? Cool
  • PanchoYoSancho
    PanchoYoSancho Members Posts: 13,177 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    caddo man wrote: »
    How close to their primes were they when they played in the Finals because Hakeem gave Shaq that work then.

    Shaq reached his prime in L.A., but it's funny how people like to dismiss what Hakeem did to Shaq back then cause he was still young. Shaq even lead the league in scoring the year the Magic went to the Finals. Shaq was putting up almost identical numbers in L.A. as he was in Orlando, but people love to overlook that.


    Shaq as a Magic: 27.2--12.5--2.4--2.8--0.8
    Shaq as a Laker: 27.0--11.8--3.1--2.5--0.6



    Where exactly was the drop off? Having Phil and Kobe was the difference moreso than anything.

    So you saying Shaq was at his prime as soon as he stepped in the building? Cool

    Basicaly. His rookie year he was averaging 23.4/13.9. His second year 29.3/13.2. How many players in the history of the game could say they were top 3 in the league in only their 2nd year? Shaq was that.
  • DaBull
    DaBull Members Posts: 9,261 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    blu197 wrote: »
    2000-2001 Shaq would destroy Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and anyone else in their prime head to head. Even Tim Duncan and David Robinson together didn't know what to do with him

    Spurs swept the Lakers in 1999 and Duncan was injured in 2000, it wasn't until Kobe became Kobe for them to get by the Spurs in the playoffs, Spurs had nobody that could guard Kobe but Duncan/Old Robinson usually contained Shaq to an extent

    ^^^ facts !!
    cats love to act like Shaq biggest criticism wasn't him not showing up in the biggest moments ..check them stats of " PRIME shaq " in 2000 game 7 vs Portland .
    also in 2001 when the lakers was 15-1 in playoffs ...Kobe DOMINATED the Spurs .

    Hakeem played with literal role players ...and an old Clyde
  • Shizlansky
    Shizlansky Members Posts: 35,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    DaBull wrote: »
    blu197 wrote: »
    2000-2001 Shaq would destroy Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and anyone else in their prime head to head. Even Tim Duncan and David Robinson together didn't know what to do with him

    Spurs swept the Lakers in 1999 and Duncan was injured in 2000, it wasn't until Kobe became Kobe for them to get by the Spurs in the playoffs, Spurs had nobody that could guard Kobe but Duncan/Old Robinson usually contained Shaq to an extent

    ^^^ facts !!
    cats love to act like Shaq biggest criticism wasn't him not showing up in the biggest moments ..check them stats of " PRIME shaq " in 2000 game 7 vs Portland .
    also in 2001 when the lakers was 15-1 in playoffs ...Kobe DOMINATED the Spurs .

    Hakeem played with literal role players ...and an old Clyde

    Why you bringing up Kobe like he didn't fold like lawn chair against the Pistons.

    Shaq is 4 time champion
    3 time finals MVP
    Been to finals with 3 different teams.

    And showed out every finals.

    That's why he's the greatest big man.
  • Inglewood_B
    Inglewood_B Members Posts: 12,246 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    Shizlansky wrote: »
    DaBull wrote: »
    blu197 wrote: »
    2000-2001 Shaq would destroy Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and anyone else in their prime head to head. Even Tim Duncan and David Robinson together didn't know what to do with him

    Spurs swept the Lakers in 1999 and Duncan was injured in 2000, it wasn't until Kobe became Kobe for them to get by the Spurs in the playoffs, Spurs had nobody that could guard Kobe but Duncan/Old Robinson usually contained Shaq to an extent

    ^^^ facts !!
    cats love to act like Shaq biggest criticism wasn't him not showing up in the biggest moments ..check them stats of " PRIME shaq " in 2000 game 7 vs Portland .
    also in 2001 when the lakers was 15-1 in playoffs ...Kobe DOMINATED the Spurs .

    Hakeem played with literal role players ...and an old Clyde

    Why you bringing up Kobe like he didn't fold like lawn chair against the Pistons.

    Shaq is 4 time champion
    3 time finals MVP
    Been to finals with 3 different teams.

    And showed out every finals.

    That's why he's the greatest big man.

    ? the bolded but yeah I hate how Kobe fans gotta act like what Shaq was doin didn't happen, and vice versa, for them to be great.

    Kobe my favorite player all time, but we really gotta act like sayin Shaq in his prime was greater than any big man ever, is somehow a diss to Kobe?

    I loved both those ? NH.
  • DaBull
    DaBull Members Posts: 9,261 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    why is Prime Shaq only the 3 peat years? that's kind of convenient

    in 2003 as O/P mentioned, lost to spurs (Duncan/old robinson)

    Hakeem gave him work in the finals, but he was young.....so is prime only when he was winning chips? that sound like new rules.

    it dont matter , not trying to derail thread, Prime shaq was bigger than everyone and left alot to be desired. He never won rebounding title despite being the biggest, strongest, most dominant force in the post.

    Hakeem was much more skilled and won with much less





  • Inglewood_B
    Inglewood_B Members Posts: 12,246 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    DaBull wrote: »
    why is Prime Shaq only the 3 peat years? that's kind of convenient

    in 2003 as O/P mentioned, lost to spurs (Duncan/old robinson)

    Hakeem gave him work in the finals, but he was young.....so is prime only when he was winning chips? that sound like new rules.

    it dont matter , not trying to derail thread, Prime shaq was bigger than everyone and left alot to be desired. He never won rebounding title despite being the biggest, strongest, most dominant force in the post.

    Hakeem was much more skilled and won with much less





    Why is prime Hakeem only 93-95? Pretty convenient that Michael Jordan was gone/rusty those years.

    I mean come on fam, you really wanna play that stupid game?

  • DaBull
    DaBull Members Posts: 9,261 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    the fact that 93-95 includes the year that Hakeem went to the finals as the star of his squad and defeated Shaq as the star of his team ........in a sweep pretty much answers this thread for me

    00-03 shaq faced no one close to the caliber of Dream on the big stage,
  • Shizlansky
    Shizlansky Members Posts: 35,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    Shizlansky wrote: »
    DaBull wrote: »
    blu197 wrote: »
    2000-2001 Shaq would destroy Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and anyone else in their prime head to head. Even Tim Duncan and David Robinson together didn't know what to do with him

    Spurs swept the Lakers in 1999 and Duncan was injured in 2000, it wasn't until Kobe became Kobe for them to get by the Spurs in the playoffs, Spurs had nobody that could guard Kobe but Duncan/Old Robinson usually contained Shaq to an extent

    ^^^ facts !!
    cats love to act like Shaq biggest criticism wasn't him not showing up in the biggest moments ..check them stats of " PRIME shaq " in 2000 game 7 vs Portland .
    also in 2001 when the lakers was 15-1 in playoffs ...Kobe DOMINATED the Spurs .

    Hakeem played with literal role players ...and an old Clyde

    Why you bringing up Kobe like he didn't fold like lawn chair against the Pistons.

    Shaq is 4 time champion
    3 time finals MVP
    Been to finals with 3 different teams.

    And showed out every finals.

    That's why he's the greatest big man.

    ? the bolded but yeah I hate how Kobe fans gotta act like what Shaq was doin didn't happen, and vice versa, for them to be great.

    Kobe my favorite player all time, but we really gotta act like sayin Shaq in his prime was greater than any big man ever, is somehow a diss to Kobe?

    I loved both those ? NH.

    I only brought it up because he tried to tear down Shaq by saying Kobe carried him
  • Shizlansky
    Shizlansky Members Posts: 35,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    DaBull wrote: »
    the fact that 93-95 includes the year that Hakeem went to the finals as the star of his squad and defeated Shaq as the star of his team ........in a sweep pretty much answers this thread for me

    00-03 shaq faced no one close to the caliber of Dream on the big stage,

    Shaq lost more finals than Dream been too and still has more rings.
  • DaBull
    DaBull Members Posts: 9,261 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    the question wasnt who had the more successful career

    so who has more rings is irrelevant

    reading is fundamental

    its who had the better 3 year stretch


    the Center who swept a finals series vs Shaq during the years mentioned would get my vote...logic is power
  • blu197
    blu197 Members Posts: 6,785 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shizlansky wrote: »
    DaBull wrote: »
    the fact that 93-95 includes the year that Hakeem went to the finals as the star of his squad and defeated Shaq as the star of his team ........in a sweep pretty much answers this thread for me

    00-03 shaq faced no one close to the caliber of Dream on the big stage,

    Shaq lost more finals than Dream been too and still has more rings.

    This dont make sense, Dream went to 3 Finals and Shaq lost 2 Finals
  • blu197
    blu197 Members Posts: 6,785 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2016
    DaBull wrote: »
    the fact that 93-95 includes the year that Hakeem went to the finals as the star of his squad and defeated Shaq as the star of his team ........in a sweep pretty much answers this thread for me

    00-03 shaq faced no one close to the caliber of Dream on the big stage,

    Dream 95 Title may be the hardest chip ever won..

    Rockets were the 7th seed
    Played Stockton/Malone Jazz in round 1, Barkley Suns round 2, MVP David Robinson Spurs round 3 and Shaq Magic squad in the Finals... (But Dream didn't do it dolo this year, Cylde/Elie was major and they probly goin home in G7 or G5 against the Suns w/o him)
  • KNiGHTS
    KNiGHTS Members Posts: 4,435 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Shaq Diesel 01-03
    Don't feel like looking it up, but these Finals that Shaq got "owned" in ... didn't he average about the same amount of points as Dream? The only difference maker came down to everyone else. I love the Dream's footwork, but keep it real with yourselves: Shaq's Prime didn't officially end until he went to the Heat. He came in in his prime. If I averaged his rookie numbers right now, I'd get a max deal with LeBron/Michael Jordan clauses. (No Crusts on the Bread, or I can opt out, etc.)

    He came in a 7'2'' 305 pound Center running the floor with handles, throwing passes, foot work, blocking shots, grabbing boards, and getting steals. His squad lost those Finals games and not by much. The dude was Steph Curry in the post where teams "shut him down" if he dropped 27 instead of 40 ... off dunks.

    Devil's Advocate is one thing. Insanity is another.
  • its....JOHN B
    its....JOHN B Members Posts: 19,830 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    The fact that Shaq is losing right now is ? depressing. You IC ? first pick Iverson >>>> Wade which is at least a debate, but bruh Dream >>> Shaq?!?!! ? nonsense this revisionist Dream history needs to stop, he wasn't even considered the best center in the league most of his career as good as he was.

    who was?
  • PanchoYoSancho
    PanchoYoSancho Members Posts: 13,177 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hakeem the Dream 93-95
    DaBull wrote: »
    why is Prime Shaq only the 3 peat years? that's kind of convenient

    in 2003 as O/P mentioned, lost to spurs (Duncan/old robinson)

    Hakeem gave him work in the finals, but he was young.....so is prime only when he was winning chips? that sound like new rules.

    it dont matter , not trying to derail thread, Prime shaq was bigger than everyone and left alot to be desired. He never won rebounding title despite being the biggest, strongest, most dominant force in the post.

    Hakeem was much more skilled and won with much less





    Why is prime Hakeem only 93-95? Pretty convenient that Michael Jordan was gone/rusty those years.

    I mean come on fam, you really wanna play that stupid game?
    Don't even get me started on Jordan being "rusty" during those 95 playoffs. He was putting up the same numbers in the 95 playoffs as he was during the 2nd 3Peat. They just lost.


    Hakeem outplayed Patrick Ewing, David Robinson (league MVP) and Shaq in or near their primes en route to back to back rings. What great Centers did Shaq have to go thru during that 3Peat?