Originally Posted by OneBadLT123

All numbers/stats/whatever aside, this is my quick personal opinion between the two. I could go into more detail, but simply I am just lazy right now.

Question 1:
Who do you think is the better player? a) Hakeem or b) Duncan?

I love both players, and their respective styles. But I myself will have to go with Hakeem. Duncan has all the intangibles Hakeem had (defense, post moves, rebounding, etc...) But Hakeem had the greater athletic ability, and was a lot more "tricky" so to speak. Numbers aside, Hakeems game ranged on both ends of the floor, and was extremely good at breaking defenders off the dribble. Duncan, is more robotic so to speak, Hakeem had the greater arsenal of post moves. Both had equal amounts of rebounding ability, but with Hakeems mobility, it would be safe to assume that he gains the edge.

Duncan, although a great defensive player, he was never truly on the level of Hakeem. He was a great off/on the ball defender, blocker, and is the highest ranked center in steals. (Take into consideration, steals down low are not exactly "playing the passing lanes" as some tend to say)

As far as dominance, Hakeem and Duncan have both been consistant. It wasn’t until Hakeem was in his late 30's is where he started to decline heavily. Duncan is still in the prime of his career. The thing I find the most similar is that Duncan and Hakeem both elevated their games to entire different levels come playoff time. If there were any player in the last 15 years I would take come playoffs, it would be Duncan, Hakeem, Jordan. (In no particular order)


Question 2:
If you answered a), how do you explain Duncan winning twice (so far) the championships Hakeem did?

Like said above, Hakeem played in a era that was different then Duncan played in. The level of competition in the league is incomparable at their respected positions.
Hakeem - Kareem, M. Malone, Parish, Lambier, Ewing, Drob, K Malone, Barkley, Oakley, Shaq, Zo...etc All VERY strong defensive players.
Duncan- Shaq, KG, Maybe Zo on his last legs? Thats it.

Also, I feel that Duncan, for the most part of his career, has had above average players during his career. Hakeem had a unhealthy Sampson for 2 years, Otis Thorpe, and Drexler in his entire 18 year career.