There is no discussion that the NBA world indulges itself in more than the GOAT debate. Whether someone chooses Michael Jordan or LeBron James, or they’re talking about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe Bryant, it gets brought up a lot.
For most NBA players and fans, Michael Jordan is the GOAT. LeBron James’ case has only been growing stronger though. For 2-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell though, neither is the best.
“Hakeem Olajuwon,” Maxwell told the Charlotte Observer when asked about who the best NBA player ever is. “He dominated the game better than anybody has ever dominated the game.”
Most fans wouldn’t flinch if someone called Hakeem Olajuwon a Top 10 player in NBA history, but not many would pick him as the best player ever. There is no denying that Olajuwon was a force to be reckoned with though, he was impossible for opposing bigs to match up with when he was in his prime.
Hakeem Olajuwon himself has called Michael Jordan the GOAT in the past when talking about the comparison between him and LeBron James. But having won one MVP, two Finals MVPs, and two championships, he certainly qualifies for the debate. It’s still a pick many wouldn’t make that Maxwell has chosen, that’s for sure.
Examining If Hakeem Olajuwon Has A GOAT Case
Any Top 10-15 player in NBA history could have a serious case to be considered the greatest of all time. As Michael Jordan once pointed out, Olajuwon was in the Top 10 in 5 different statistical categories, which is incredible to think about. He was elite enough on the defensive end to have the Defensive Player Of The Year trophy named after him as well, that is a serious achievement.
For his career, he averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, which is amazing. But many other stars had better statistics than that. Even when it comes to just big men, Shaquille O’Neal has more championships, and Finals MVPs and Bill Russell had more championships too. Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest to ever do it, a Top 10 player in NBA history, but to call him the GOAT would be pushing it a bit.
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