Just for fun, who was better, Olajuwon or Duncan?

[Manwiththeplan]

Who do you guys think was the better? Let's try not to make arguments based off position, like Duncan is the best PF and Olajuwon is at best the 2nd best C.

Should be fun with all the Houston and San Antonio fans here

 

[Rockport]

Both Hall of Famers but I give the edge to Duncan. There stats are pretty similar but Duncan's played about 100 more games than Olajuwon so definitely has the longevity edge.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Both Hall of Famers but I give the edge to Duncan. There stats are pretty similar but Duncan's played about 100 more games than Olajuwon so definitely has the longevity edge.

That's just over a seasons worth, so I wouldn't weigh that much. To me, I think it's not even debatable that Olajuwon at his best is better than Duncan at his best, and while looking at their entire career it's close, I'd still give the edge to Olajuwon. He had Duncan's range, but was just a killer on the low post in a way that we have never seen. And while Duncan is a great defensive player, Hakeem is likely one of the top 3, up there with Kareem and Russell.

Not to insult Spurs fans twice, but what Hakeem did to Robinson in that 1995 WCF was just truly amazing when you consider how great of a defender Robinson was.

 

[Rockport]

That's just over a seasons worth, so I wouldn't weigh that much. To me, I think it's not even debatable that Olajuwon at his best is better than Duncan at his best, and while looking at their entire career it's close, I'd still give the edge to Olajuwon. He had Duncan's range, but was just a killer on the low post in a way that we have never seen. And while Duncan is a great defensive player, Hakeem is likely one of the top 3, up there with Kareem and Russell.

Not to insult Spurs fans twice, but what Hakeem did to Robinson in that 1995 WCF was just truly amazing when you consider how great of a defender Robinson was.

I have to admit I'm a bias Spurs fan. The performance Olajuwon had against Robinson in the playoffs still gives me nightmares.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Yea, not gonna lie, clutch city is on and I just watched that part like 5 times. Still amazing after all these years to see him move like that.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Here is an interesting question. How many rings would Olajawan have if there was no Jordan and how many would Duncan have if he had to beat Jordans Bulls

 

[darthseinfeld]

That's just over a seasons worth, so I wouldn't weigh that much. To me, I think it's not even debatable that Olajuwon at his best is better than Duncan at his best, and while looking at their entire career it's close, I'd still give the edge to Olajuwon. He had Duncan's range, but was just a killer on the low post in a way that we have never seen. And while Duncan is a great defensive player, Hakeem is likely one of the top 3, up there with Kareem and Russell.

Not to insult Spurs fans twice, but what Hakeem did to Robinson in that 1995 WCF was just truly amazing when you consider how great of a defender Robinson was.

And how he exposed Shaq right after

 

[RastaRocket]

Olajuwon

Guy got TWO quadruple doubles and it's only happened 5 times in the history of the NBA. He was a freak.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Here is an interesting question. How many rings would Olajawan have if there was no Jordan and how many would Duncan have if he had to beat Jordans Bulls

Well considering that Olajuwon never played Jordan in the finals, there's no reason to think he would have more. But if Duncan was on Houston, I doubt they get out of the west any more, and if they did, that would mean playing Jordan

 

[65fastback2plus2]

the dream without a dbout

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Keem

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Here is an interesting question. How many rings would Olajawan have if there was no Jordan and how many would Duncan have if he had to beat Jordans Bulls

Two, because he wasn't in his conference.

 

[joseephuss]

That's just over a seasons worth, so I wouldn't weigh that much. To me, I think it's not even debatable that Olajuwon at his best is better than Duncan at his best, and while looking at their entire career it's close, I'd still give the edge to Olajuwon. He had Duncan's range, but was just a killer on the low post in a way that we have never seen. And while Duncan is a great defensive player, Hakeem is likely one of the top 3, up there with Kareem and Russell.

Not to insult Spurs fans twice, but what Hakeem did to Robinson in that 1995 WCF was just truly amazing when you consider how great of a defender Robinson was.

Was Kareem considered a great defensive player?

 

[joseephuss]

Both Hall of Famers but I give the edge to Duncan. There stats are pretty similar but Duncan's played about 100 more games than Olajuwon so definitely has the longevity edge.

Duncan has 100 more games, but close to a 1000 fewer points.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Was Kareem considered a great defensive player?

yes

 

[joseephuss]

yes

I have to rephrase my question because I know Kareem was a great defender. My screw up. Was Kareem considered that great a defensive player? You had him in the top 3. I've never seen him ranked that high before. I usually see him ranked in the top 20 for sure and mostly around the 7 to 10 spot, but never in the top 5 of all time for defenders.

 

[Rockport]

Duncan has 100 more games, but close to a 1000 fewer points.

The question was who's the better player, not who's the better scorer.

 

[joseephuss]

The question was who's the better player, not who's the better scorer.

Being the better scorer is one of many components used to determine who is the better player. Olajuwon was also a better rebounder, better shot blocker, better at stealing the ball, shot a higher FG% and a higher FT% to name a few others. Duncan played on better teams. Olajuwon was the better player, but it is close.

 

[Biggems]

That's just over a seasons worth, so I wouldn't weigh that much. To me, I think it's not even debatable that Olajuwon at his best is better than Duncan at his best, and while looking at their entire career it's close, I'd still give the edge to Olajuwon. He had Duncan's range, but was just a killer on the low post in a way that we have never seen. And while Duncan is a great defensive player, Hakeem is likely one of the top 3, up there with Kareem and Russell.

Not to insult Spurs fans twice, but what Hakeem did to Robinson in that 1995 WCF was just truly amazing when you consider how great of a defender Robinson was.

Robinson would have done the same to Hakeem, had Rudy T not double and triple teamed the Admiral the entire series. Bob Hill is the reason Robinson got abused in that series, and Rodman too. Hill refused to double and triple the Dream, the way Houston was doing David, and Rodman was acting like a complete tool.

I guarantee if Robinson and Olajuwon would have gone one on one the whole series, the stats would have been basically identical.


Now, onto Duncan and Olajuwon. Duncan is 5-1 in the Finals (and if Pop has Duncan in the game in the final 30 seconds of game 6, he is 6-0 in the Finals), Hakeem is 2-2. Both are HOF players. Hakeem is definitely the more athletic of the two, which I think is a huge benefit to Duncan and his longevity. Duncan definitely has the higher basketball IQ. The Spurs winning % with Duncan is the best in all of North American pro sports in that time span. It blows away Hakeem's winning %. Duncan has had better success in the postseason. Duncan has more individual accolades. So, with all that being said, I give the edge to Duncan.

 

[Rockport]

Being the better scorer is one of many components used to determine who is the better player. Olajuwon was also a better rebounder, better shot blocker, better at stealing the ball, shot a higher FG% and a higher FT% to name a few others. Duncan played on better teams. Olajuwon was the better player, but it is close.

You're discounting Duncan's longevity. That has to count for something. Duncan's stats will never be as good as the top players because he plays in a system the emphasis team play and not individuality.