Healthy/Peak Bill Walton vs Peak Hakeem Olajuwon

[1987_Lakers]

Walton wasn't 7'1". No one is under-listed.

I heard the last time Walton was officially measured was as a freshman at UCLA in which he was 6-11, he obviously grew, but he never wanted to be listed as a 7 footer because he said all 7 footers are "freaks".

Look at the UCLA team photo in which he is standing by Swen Nater, Nater is listed as 6-11, but in the team photo Walton is clearly a couple of inches taller.

[1987_Lakers]

i don't really buy that walton was more 'fundamentally sound' than hakeem. i guess walton was the better passer, but by every other conceivable measurement olajuwon was the better player

Walton did the little things better like setting screens, his passing was on another level, he had a better feel for rebounding the ball, he didn't fall for pump fakes & I don't think I've ever seen a center dunk as quick as Walton did once he had the ball down low, once he got the ball down low he stuffed immediately, he wasted no time. It's little things like that that makes Walton more fundamentally sound.

[lefthook00]

For 2 seasons, Bill Walton was one of the best centers the game has seen. EVER. Same goes for Hakeem, but for longer.

As for Hakeem vs. Shaq, Shaq was contained, not shut down. Just like they say, a great player is always gonna get his. You just have to make sure that he doesn't get more than he usually gets. Check the clutch stats of that series.

[Scoooter]

Walton. A healthy Bill Walton was as good as anyone to ever play the game.

[Niquesports]

For 2 seasons, Bill Walton was one of the best centers the game has seen. EVER. Same goes for Hakeem, but for longer.

As for Hakeem vs. Shaq, Shaq was contained, not shut down. Just like they say, a great player is always gonna get his. You just have to make sure that he doesn't get more than he usually gets. Check the clutch stats of that series.

At best I would say Walton was the most complete Center of all time for 1 1/2 years he was hurt the second year again.
There have been more dominant Centers
Wilt
Shaq
Moses

There have been better Offensive Centers
Jabbar
Mcadoo
hakeem
Shaq
Wilt

There has been a greater leader
Russell

There were C that gave more physical play in the paint
Unseld
Cowens
Thurmond

Each C above has a edge on Walton in some area. Walton was the complete package. Not the best at anything but Good to great at everything.
However I still put Walton at 8 at best All Time.

Russell
Jabbar
Wilt
Shaq
Moses
Hakeem
Cowens
Walton

[MasterDurant24]

Walton wasn't 7'1". No one is under-listed.

Walton was around the same height as Kareem, he never wanted to be listed as a 7-footer.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Hakeem was the better overall defender. At 32, he contained 23 year old Shaq. Not many can claim that.

How is 28.0 pts/12.5 reb/6.3 ast/59.4% FG being "contained"? They were better than Shaq's regular season numbers that year.

[MasterDurant24]

At best I would say Walton was the most complete Center of all time for 1 1/2 years he was hurt the second year again.
There have been more dominant Centers
Wilt
Shaq
Moses

There have been better Offensive Centers
Jabbar
Mcadoo
hakeem
Shaq
Wilt

There has been a greater leader
Russell

There were C that gave more physical play in the paint
Unseld
Cowens
Thurmond

Each C above has a edge on Walton in some area. Walton was the complete package. Not the best at anything but Good to great at everything.
However I still put Walton at 8 at best All Time.

Russell
Jabbar
Wilt
Shaq
Moses
Hakeem
Cowens
Walton

You have Dave Cowens over David Robinson ?

[PHILA]

Walton of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko47n6XW6jo



My Personal Best: Life Lessons from an All-American Journey - John Wooden




The Miami News - Mar 24, 1972

[NugzHeat3]

Walton said nobody has played better than Hakeem in 1995.

[Niquesports]

You have Dave Cowens over David Robinson ?

In that category yes

[Bigsmoke]

Hakeem better offensively and defensively so whats the debate?

To every who picked Bill Walton...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkU19uj8GqQ

[MasterDurant24]

In that category yes

oh what was the category

[Round Mound]

I hate how basketball-reference has Hakeem listed at 7-0 & Walton at 6-11. Hakeem was clearly 6-10 & Walton was ATLEAST 7-1.

Tis True

[bizil]

Bill was an absolute stud! In the all around sense, he's as good as any center ever. He and Kareem really redefined the C spot back in the day with their skill level. But I will narrowly take a prime Olajuwon over Bill. Hakeem was a more dominant scorer and defender. But a peak Walton at his best HAS to be rated in the top 7-8 centers ever. I think Duncan and Walton are very similar players to each other. It's a shame Walton had those injury problems. He's a player who can truly fit into any system and give a team exactly what it needs.