Lebron vs Hakeem
by ismail on May 5, 2009 8:18 AM CDT
39 comments
I recently read an article talking about how the Cavs were very similiar to the 94 Rockets, both teams had the best player in the league and good support players. That got me to thinking, obviously its not easy to compare players across positions,...but who would you rather start a team with, Lebron or Hakeem? They couldn't be more different, one of them was annointed before he even entered the league, the other had to wait 10 years before he got his due respect.
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I prefer center laden teams
But come on. We’re talking about the most talented guy ever in Lebron. You have to say Lebron.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 5, 2009 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Most talented guy ever? Not even close,…this is exactly why I say he’s over rated. He’s probably the best physical specimen in NBA history, but lets not overshoot his “Greatness”.
by ismail on May 5, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
well
then who do you consider to be most talented? Lebron has probably the most amazing physical tools available to anybody in NBA history – he’s got a power forward’s body, but he’s faster than most guards. And he has fantastic ball control, passing skills, and a good (not great) shooting touch from outside. That doesn’t mean he’s the best ever, but it does mean he has the potential to be the best ever.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you hit the nail on the head.
What makes him so deadly is his speed. Spectators are always amazed at how fast he really is when they see him play in person. His speed allows him to dominate the game in a way few players ever have.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 5, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and
to put things in statistical perspective, Lebron James’ 2009 season was the 4th-best in win shares in NBA history (though win shares can really only be calculated going back to the 80s) – behind only Jordan’s ‘88, ’96, and ’91 seasons. And he’s only 23. That’s just ridiculous.
Lebron’s only weakness – and it’s the one the Rockets were able to exploit so well – is his lack of a great perimeter shot. And he’ll probably fix that in the coming years.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Talent and potential are different things. Lebron James is like a freight train that can’t be stopped, but if physical dominance is the measure of talent then there is nobody in NBA history more talented than Shaq.
Ofcourse this is a fallacy because Olajuwon was a better shooter, better defender, and had a more refined post game. Similarly, there are a number of players more polished and efficient than Lebron on the offensive end. From a pure talent perspective, I would say Wade and Chris Paul are more talented with their basketball skills. Lebron trumps them with his freakish athleticism.
by ismail on May 5, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shaq is in no way "more" physically dominant than Lebron
Yes, he’s taller, but Lebron does about 50 things more fluidly
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 5, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats so absurd its laughable. Shaq is by far the most physically dominant player the NBA
has ever seen. I advise to watch a game of his in 2000. Then come back and tell me Lebron is more physically dominating.
by ismail on May 6, 2009 7:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Physically dominating does not just mean strong
Physically dominating is a combination of strength, speed, agility, and everything else it takes to be a basketball player. LeBron has everything, and hes 24. Yes Shaq is stronger, but LeBron is possibly the fastest and one of the strongest players inthe league today. LeBron hasnt even finished growing yet. he’s going to be a monster in two years.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
by TexasHoosier on May 6, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
talent=skill.
jordan had talent/skills. kobe has talent/skill. he’s the most skillful player in the NBA today.
lebron is physically unheard of. He has the most natural tools of anyone in the NBA, but he doesn’t pull moves like Kobe. He uses his natural strength to plow through people to the hoop. to close out on 3 pointers. to block people on the break. he doesn’t have that silky smooth jumper or finesse game that we tend to equate more with skill.
its not to say he isn’t better, but he’s just different. for lebron, its not so much his skills.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".
...no seriously--stop.
by nima on May 5, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what about his passing skills?
and his shooting touch has been improving over the years.
Beyond that: no, talent is not “skill.” Skill is a product of work and talent. Talent is a product of physical tools.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Jordan is and will always
be the best ever. I’m sorry. He played in the grand era of the NBA and kicked everyone’s butts. He was a guard in a center dominated league (Ewing, Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson, Mourning) and kicked all their butts.
He might not have been the most athletic (Kobe and Lebron probably beat him there), but his desire to beat you and his intelligence make him the most talented all around player EVER.
Lebron is the most physically gifted player ever. He still hasn’t finished his career but let’s see if he wins a championship first.
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
by Sunkist on May 5, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He was a guard in a center dominated league (Ewing, Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson, Mourning) and kicked all their butts.
Wouldn’t that be evidence against Jordan? He played in an era that was less able to guard him, whereas Lebron James plays against greater competition amongst swingmen. That is, if he actually is a swingman. He doesn’t really have a position.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LeBron
It kills me to say it, but I would build around James… Hakeem is my favorite player of all time, but the rules of today’s game favor perimeter players… Look how Yao’s treated for example… 3 guys can cover a post player….
by 34forDreaming on May 5, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hakeem
Until Lebron wins 2 championships he is nothing.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
MVP worth nothing
Ask Dirk or Nash.
But I’ll say, until he wins 1 championship.
by staylost on May 5, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Dirk and Nash are both great players. Dirk is actually phenomenal
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 5, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Charles Barkley has an MVP. Never got his team over the hump. FAIL!
Again, Lebron has done nothing.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HE'S TWENTY THREE
Geeze, MJ “did nothing” if that is your criteria at that age either
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on May 5, 2009 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hakeem straight outta college >>>>> Lebron straight outta HS.
End of.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 6, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hakeem got his second ring at what 32?
His last allstar game came 2 years later. You don’t start a team around that.
by levelhed on May 5, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you don’t start a team around somebody whose made 5 nba first teams, 5 defensive first teams, 12 all stars, while doing all this on a largely crappy team?? I’d like to see Lebron play with the players Hakeem had from 1988-92,….he wouldn’t even make the playoffs.
by ismail on May 6, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This site is called the dream shake
Nuf said!
by mutombo4life on May 5, 2009 12:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The team would have a little harder time getting the rock
to Olajuwon but after he gets the ball, it’s pretty much over. Olajuwon is athletic enough, quick enough, definitely skilled enough to play in today’s game.
I’d take Olajuwon at his peak (1994-1995) over Bron bron….barely.
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
by Sunkist on May 5, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lebron is not at his peak.
So he has a little more to do to prove his case. Olajuwon would be the choice at his peak. MVP reg season, MVP post-season, Defensive player of the year? 1 (and a half) quadruple doubles? When’s the last time anyone had a quadruple double?
People have such short memories. Lebron hasn’t done anything compared to MJ. MJ was so much more clutch. I might even have to take MJ over Olajuwon on just sheer ability to win. He’s the player Kobe strives to be, but will never be, just because he’s got such a loser personality.
by Skintrade on May 5, 2009 1:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You forgot, NBA All Time Shot Blocking leader. :)
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 5, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
David Robinson
I think.
Hakeem’s quadruple double was a 5 by 5 as well. Rather impressive. I’m suprised LeBron hasn’t had a 5 by 5 yet. Seems like he’d be the one guy who could pull it off right now.
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on May 5, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easily LeBron
I love Hakeem, dont get me wrong, but LeBron is 24 years old. His first 6 season have been better than MJ’s, and he still has room for improvment by winning the champ this season. MJ never went to the finals in his first 6, Bron could do it twice. LeBron will be better than MJ, but wont win as many championships. Different era’s means different competition and 6 chips for LeBron in today’s NBA would be amazing.
LeBron’s one weakness right now is his shot, but that is probably the easiest thing in basketball to improve.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
by TexasHoosier on May 5, 2009 3:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and (what everyone seems to forget)
Lebron James is a better shooter from outside than Jordan was, too (roughly equal, across careers, but he’s in a better place right now than Jordan was after 6 seasons. He needs to work on free throws, too.
Ultimately, you’re comparing two very different players: Jordan was an incendiary scorer, but Lebron will be the better all-around player.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree on all of that
But i think MJ will always be conisidered the best ever because he changed the game more than Bron will. MJ came into a big man dominated league and made it a guard dominated league. Lebron doesnt have that opporunity.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
by TexasHoosier on May 5, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lebron is the heart of the positional revolution
the league was already moving towards the european-style game (everyone’s a shooter, everyone can run, few/no set positions) when he was drafted, but he’s the ultimate example of it. He can play any position but Center. That’s how he’s changing the game – by being the face of that shift.
by Only_A_Lad on May 5, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But not everybody is the physical speciman that LeBron is
hes changing it, but hes changing it for himself, not for the future. There maybe a few players who will be like him in the future, but overall the league will stay not change much due to lebron because its rare to be as physically dominating as he is.
Game 1 100-92 Rockets
Rockets Lead Series 1-0
by TexasHoosier on May 5, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he can play center too
there are very few good centers in tha league right now that Bron could probably play center against every team except probably Houston and Orlando.
You're not foolin me Kerry Collins.
by TitanFan2K on May 5, 2009 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
he's right; it IS called The Dream Shake
I would take Olajuwon, because he’s proven himself, and I have no doubts whatsoever about his consistency and his ability to perform in clutch situations, but its not really a bad choice either way.
As for LeBron vs. Jordan, its really not even a contest- just go look at the stats. LeBron’s numbers are amazing (Bird-like, actually), but Jordan’s numbers are absolutely ridiculous, especially his first six seasons. Take 1987-88 for example: 35 pts., 5.5 boards, 5.9 assists, 3.2 steals, AND he shot 53% from the field. Oh yeah, AND he was the defensive player of the year. and his playoff numbers are just as crazy.
maybe it took him some time to win the championship(s), but look at what the Bulls had to deal with: the Celtics (just look at Bird, McHale, and Parrish’s numbers- that is a scary front line, each getting around or over 20 pts and 10 boards) and the Pistons (one of the deepest and scariest teams ever).
Plus, who is as clutch as Jordan? BIg points in big games; big plays with the game on the line. Not to knock LeBron, but he has simply not pulled the kind of stuff that Jordan (and Olajuwon) have. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and its just too early to judge LeBron’s first years against Jordan’s entire career (and again, if you’re just looking at the first few years, its still not even close).
by miss modal on May 6, 2009 12:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Give me Oscar Robertson in his prime
And I’ll be fine, thank you very much.
The Dream Shake
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
by Tom Martin on May 6, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hmmmmmm
if lebron got back to back championships, then maybe he wiil be close to the league as mj, hakeem, etc but right now he hasn’t proven anything yet, mvp is nothing without the ring….. but i like lebron better that kobe…
by armstrong on May 6, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so
Garnett didn’t prove anything until he went to Boston? He was already one of the best power forwards to ever play! It’s not like winning 16 playoff games suddenly transforms you from borderline player to legend.
TEAMS win championships, not individuals.
by Only_A_Lad on May 6, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but...
we are taking about individuals not teams, a leader who can lead role players to rise up and play better just like mj did for the bulls, hakeem with the rockets, kg cant do it with the twolves and yes i agree that he’s proven to be an exceptional power forward before he went to boston , ‘04 mvp with the wolves but you’re not the man without the ring… do you think he will be satified with a bunch of mvp awards compared to a championship ring? i’ll take a championship ring to any individual award anytime of the day, it’s like watching the nba tnt pre/post game commentary with kenny, chuck, and chris, chuck and chris might be the better player compared to kenny but who’s got the ring???? that’s why kenny is beaming with pride and walk with a swagger…..
by armstrong on May 6, 2009 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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