06-30-2007, 11:56 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Player
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 879
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Re: 2 questions regarding Hakeem and Duncan...
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Originally Posted by PauloCatarino
Question 1:
Who do you think is the better player? a) Hakeem or b) Duncan?
Question 2:
If you answered a), how do you explain Duncan winning twice (so far) the championships Hakeem did?
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For Question 1, I have to say Tim Duncan -- and this is from someone who lists Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Isiah Thomas as tied for his all-time favorite player. Dream had a period in the early 1990s (1990-91 and 1992-93 seasons) where his game regressed slightly because of his relationship with Houston's management, and IMO David Robinson surpassed him. Duncan has been consistent with this play and effort his entire career.
Personally, I would take Olajuwon over Duncan.
As for Question 2, Duncan had better teammates around him longer than Dream did. Robinson was still a viable player when Duncan went to San Antonio, and effective personnel decisions led to finding gems like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker low in the NBA draft.
Dream had the star-crossed Ralph Sampson for two healthy seasons and had to co-exist with Joe Barry Carroll occupying the same spot on the floor and Sleepy Floyd looking for his shot. The 1994 team won the Finals in arguably the worst era of NBA play I've ever seen. Players like Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley arrived at the end of their primes.
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