Is Hakeem top 5 center of all time?

Question

my top 5

1. Shaq

2. Kareem

3. Wilt

4. Hakeem

5. Russell

Answer 1

Absolutely.

After Shaq, Wilt, and Kareem, there's not a center that I'd rather have than Hakeem.

He won two championships in a row in 94 and 95. In 94, he had one of the worst supporting casts in history of all the championship teams- and he still won.

In 1994, when he beat the Knicks in the Finals, he shut down Ewing, and outplayed him.

The next year in the Western Conference Finals- he completely outplayed David Robinson (the MVP that year) to the point that people were saying that Hakeem should have got the MVP that year. In the Finals he held his own against Shaq- forced Shaq into a lot of turnovers

After the series against the Rockets, Shaq, who was on the Magic at the time, said the following:

"If I can't beat you, I'll be a man and say I can't beat you. I'm not going to [cry about it] ... I'm the first guy to say that somebody is better than me. I was the first guy to say Hakeem Olajuwon beat me in the [1995] NBA finals. He killed me. He dominated me. I didn't go, 'Oh, he's traveling. They had experience. Wah-wah-wah.' I'm a man. Hakeem Olajuwon dusted my butt."

-SHAQ

Coming from Shaq, one of the greatest centers of all time- this was high praise: he also referred to Hakeem as the best center he had ever faced.

Hakeem was amazing- he had the patented "Dream Shake"- which is similar to Garnett shake move, except Hakeem would attack the basket off the move, instead of fading away.

He could run the floor like a guard, had a nice touch from outside was a phenomenal help defender (blocks, steals) and man defender- on defense Hakeem seemed to always be a step ahead of everyone.

And he always showed up in big games. He had 2 quadruple doubles in his career- mainly because he was a big man who had the quickness/agility of a smaller player while still being very strong.

So, yeah Hakeem was arguably the greatest defender all time at the center position, and one of the best offensive players too- just amazing, and definitely a Top 5 Center of all time- I have him exactly where you do, at the #4 spot.

Answer 2

You're spot on. Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is number 5 on my list.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2. Bill Russell

3. Shaquille O'neal

4. Wilt Chamberlain

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

I rank Kareem as the best center of all time, first because he is the number one leading scorer of all time in NBA history. And although he has 5 championships compared to Russell's 11, he was a more complete player, and oh don't forget that sky hook. I ranked Shaq in front of Wilt because Wilt never actually beat Russell for the championship all those years, his one and only ring came when Russell retired. But I ranked Wilt in front of Olajuwon despite winning only one ring compared to Olajuwon's two, because Wilt's 100 point game is just too hard to ignore.

Answer 3

yes.  

Answer 4

Yes for sure.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

yep...

Answer 7

I would rate him #1 because hes all the skills that a center needs, blocking, rebounding, and inside scoring. The steals are a nice addition too =D

Answer 8

Yes I would say he is.

Top 5 is (no order)

Bill Russell

Wilt Chamberlain

Hakeem Olajuwon

Shaquille O'neal

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Answer 9

OF COURSE...

LOL RUSSELL fifth?

Dude, you mean 1?

1.Russell

2. Wilt

3. Kareem

4. Shaq

5. Hakeem

Answer 10

1. Wilt Chamberlin

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

3. Hakeem Olajuwon

4. Shaquille O'Neal

5. Moses Malone

Yeah, he's definitely in my top 5.

Answer 11

I'm a Celtic's fan and Hakeem has always been one of my favorite players, wish the C's woulda had him in his prime! Top 5 of all time??? well, probably, but 5 is a very narrow field. You have Shaq in there, he's the most questionable one on your list in my opinion.....I, personally would've taken The Dream over Shaq anyday. AND as much as I love Olajawon, remember that blocks were not counted as a statistic when Russell or Wilt played. If they were, nobody would've ever come close to him ( Russell) in that regard.And Wilt would be high on that list too.  I can still see the Dream shaking and spinning around Shaq like his feet were nailed to the floor in '95, man he just was awesome in that series............The most remarkable thing about Hakeem was that he was a soccer player long before he ever touched a basketball, he had to be pushed into playing hoops........  

Answer 12

F*CK NO !!!!!!!!!! SHAQ IS NOT THE BEST !!!!!!!!!

THIS IS THE TOP 5:

1.Kareem Abdul Jabbar

2.Wilt Chamberlain

3.Bill Russell

4.Hakeem Olajuwon

5.George Mikan

shaq is in the top ten but not top 5

he is like number 6

sorry but strayed off from the question but YES HAKEEM RULES !!!!!!

BUT STILL SHAQ NOT IN TOP 5

Answer 13

You got it dude!. Hakeem the Dream is certainly top 5 Centers of all time.

Answer 14

yes yes and YES!

he only did outplay my idol David Robinson back in 95....i was 7 years old man...good times