From ESPN:

quote:

---

Tim Duncan appeared in his 987th career game Wednesday, matching the number Robinson played in his 14-year career, but Duncan remains 12 points shy of The Admiral's team record of 20,790 career points.

---

Anyone who saw Robinson in his prime saw probably the fastest, most athletic big man of all time. Most don't remember how much of a scorer he was early on in his career, averaging 25 ppg or better 4 out of his first 7 years in the league. He had an amazing drop step, and a killer baseline jumper that he could hit from 15 feet in. He was also probably the best 7' player ever to fill the lane on a fast break.
DRob's only problem was he didn't do it consistently in big games. But my childhood was spent watching him play ball and he'll likely always be my favorite basketball player of all time. I still get choked up thinking about everything he has done for my town and how lucky SA was to have him show up.

Oh yeah- and I keep the newspaper box score in my wallet of the night that Drob scored 71 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks against the Clippers to win the scoring title.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 11/18/2010 8:35a).]

One of the few pro athletes that I would have my kids look up to without fear of it coming back to bite me.

Great athlete with the right priorities!

I think I was the only kid in my school back in the 90s who had a David Robinson jersey. Of course it was ok for me to have a jersey at that age.

quote:

---

Anyone who saw Robinson in his prime saw probably the fastest, most athletic big man of all time.

---

Dwight Howard? Wilt Chamberlain ran the 100-yard dash in under 11 seconds. Olajuwon was probably a better athlete than David Robinson.

quote:

---

Olajuwon was probably a better athlete than David Robinson.

---

The Dream definitely had better footwork and might've been a better all-round athlete. But when it comes to pure and quickness DRob was the fastest 7-footer of our lifetime. He used to beat guards down the court running backward.

You can argue that Hakeem was the better player, but not a better athlete.

Hakeem >> robinson...Robinson only won when duncan came on board..Dream did it by himself...

You can most certainly argue Hakeem was a better athelete his moves were sick...He was a center with the moves of a 3...stupid comment.

[This message has been edited by XIaggie (edited 11/18/2010 9:51a).]

It would be nice to be able to have a Robinson thread without Rockets fans trolling it with Hakeem b.s.

It is open for debate. I saw both players play quite a bit as my formative basketball days (middle school/high school) coincided directly the primes of their careers. For a few years there I watched all 82 Spurs games 2-3 years in a row. That's not to say I've a larger sample from which to choose than anyone else, only that I watched a lot of basketball in those days.

David Robinson was the most athletic center, ever, in MY OWN estimation. Hakeem was clearly the better player. He had better footwork, more moves, was smoother, etc. etc. etc. But for my money, if you're running a fast break in the early/mid 90's there is not another center in the league that could finish like David Robinson. Hell there were only a handfull of other players PERIOD that you'd want running the lanes more than DRob. MJ, Scottie, Clyde, Kemp.....I'm starting to run out of names.

Just my $0.02.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 11/18/2010 10:09a).]

Robinson really showcased his athleticism while jumping around constantly at Hakeem's ball fakes.

Both played each other in their primes - Robinson couldn't hold Hakeem's jock strap. But, he could run fast backwards.

Both were indeed incredible athletes and probably would be top 5 in today's NBA in athleticism at the center position.

Here's the thing, athleticism is so much more than just speed and power. It's also agility and coordination. I want to make it clear that I'm not belittling D-Rob in any way, but when you watched him on the floor, he was clearly a post player. You would almost never see him do things on the floor that would make you question otherwise. With Hakeem, you'd watch him play and wonder if a player like him could exist because of the versatility of the things he'd do at his size. That's why I'd give Hakeem the nod over D-Rob in terms of athleticism.

You'll see players like the Admiral again. You might not ever see a player with the unique skills of Hakeem at his size play again. What Hakeem was able to do takes a ridiculous amount of athleticism.

The answer to the athleticism question depends on whether you consider post moves to be part of athleticism.

I don't.

Robinson had an edge athletically but Hakeem more than made up for it with superior post moves.

quote:

---

It would be nice to be able to have a Robinson thread without Rockets fans trolling it with Hakeem b.s.

---

Both Robinson and Olajuwon were ridiculously athletic centers that make the guys playing now look like statues. Both could jump out of the gym, and were extremely quick and fast for their size.

As for Olajuwon, he's top 10 all time in steals and is the only center in until Vlade Divac at number 59. I routinely remember Olajuwon stealing the ball from guards and then beating them down the court while dribbling the ball. I also remember Olajuwon chasing down guards to block what should have been an easy layup.

I know Robinson did these things as well, but I don't think he had the impact that Olajuwon did.

quote:

---

It would be nice to be able to have an Olajuwon thread without Spurs fans trolling it with Robinson b.s.

---

Wake up kids. This train goes both ways.

Sean Elliot tells the story of DRob walking the entire length of the court ON HIS HANDS. Apparently, coach challenged him with the prize of ending practice early for the team. This was his rookie season.

He was a physical freak who had 40 inch shoulders and a 28 inch waist while being 7'1''.

quote:

---

LeftyHound
posted 12:38p, 11/18/10




quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It would be nice to be able to have an Olajuwon thread without Spurs fans trolling it with Robinson b.s.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Wake up kids. This train goes both ways.

---

Got a link for that, bub? 95% of the time, it is just as I said. Rockets fans still butthurt about Robinson getting the MVP that year. Let it go clowns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVqpXl3M18

One of my favorite vids ever.

that's impressive, with Dream, this was always my favorite play of is (despite the lazy pass)

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

Hakeem was a fantastic player. Probably one of the Top 3-4 Centers All Time. He was not as athletic as David Robinson though. I loved watching Hakeem back when he was with UH and all the way through his career and he was a tremendous big man. That didn't make him as fast as Robinson or able to jump as high as Robinson. He couldn't put up 70 like Robinson did. He also wasn't going to walk across the gym on his hands or do a 360 dunk like Robinson could. Robinson probably would have been a damn good SG. Robinson was no where near as strong as Hakeem or as refined under the basket. I remember watching Hakeem throw up a 30/30 game like it was just a day at the office. Both players are among the 4 All Time that have had Quad Doubles.

The dominance of Hakeem over Robinson also gets more exaggerated over time. Hakeem will rightfully be considered the better player for all time because of the famous series when he beat him so decisively. People forget though that the Rockets won that series 4-2 and that Robinson had nowhere near the same supporting cast. They also forget that Robinson dominated the All Time series between the two. Hakeem was better but to say "Robinson couldn't hold his jock" is ridiculous, unless you don't think you need to beat someone in order to dominate them.

Most people remember Robinson now either for that series with Hakeem or for his later years when he was half the player of his prime or the fact he couldn't get it done without Duncan. That doesn't have anything to do with what a ridiculous talent the guy was though. Before his body started breaking down (esp his back) the guy could simply do anything physically on a basketball court.

quote:

---

He couldn't put up 70 like Robinson did.

---

If the Rockets made it their singular goal in a game like the Spurs clearly did in April of 94 vs. the Clippers in a completely meaningless game, I'm 100% certain that Hakeem could have put 70 pts. in on the likes of Elmore Spencer and Loy Vaught.

Again, so Spurs fans don't get their panties in a twat, let me note that this isn't meant to belittle D-Rob's accomplishment. 70 in a game is a hell of a feat and not easy to do, but come on. If Hakeem got 40+ looks in the post on that terrible squad, you REALLY think he couldn't do that? Spare me.

[This message has been edited by ATM9000 (edited 11/18/2010 9:07p).]

If you're talking about measurables, like vertical leap, 40 yard dash, weight lifting - then Robinson wins handily.

If you're talking about physical gifts and skills and measuring basketball player? The Olajuwon wins handily.

quote:

---

Dream did it by himself...

---

Drexler was pretty good.

Shhhhhhh, czar. Whaddya gonna tell them next? That Hakeem was shipped to Canada and San Antonio actually honored Robinson his last year with them?

quote:

---

Hakeem >> robinson...Robinson only won when duncan came on board..Dream did it by himself...

---

The dream only won it because MJ got bored and played a little baseball.

[This message has been edited by TitanAGGIE09 (edited 11/19/2010 8:17a).]

I was only 8 when I moved to SA, right around when the Robinson/Elliott hype was starting. I can honestly say that they turned me onto the sport. It was always exciting to watch that first year with Strickland/Anderson/Elliott/Cummings/Robinson. Still probably my favorite team to watch until the 2003 team.

I remember listening to Jay Howard broadcasts on WOAI of Robinson alley-oops and blocks, it always got me fired up. (and of course 3 pointers - "BANG" ) . I remember reading stats in the paper and reading Robinsons stats, and would always compare with other prominent centers in the league. It was always a proud moment to see a bolded ROBINSON at the top of lists every year. (not to mention a bolded SPURS at the top of the division every year.

The fact that the Spurs were consistently always in contention for a top 2 spot in the Western Conference EVERY YEAR when Robinson was playing (no matter what crappy supporting cast or coach he had) sets him in a very select group for his time (Malone, Jordan)

[This message has been edited by BarKeep_03 (edited 11/19/2010 9:42a).]

^
|
|
|
I loved that team too. Still remember the first alley-oop pass from Strickland to Robsinson, I believe in their first game as teammates.

Vernon Maxwell wasn't so bad either. A lot of people forget he began his career in San Antonio.

Robinson probably had the strength/speed advantage, but Olajuwon had the coordination edge (in my estimation).

quote:

---

The dream only won it because MJ got bored and played a little baseball.

---

why didnt the spurs win it then? Oh thats right Dream owned their ass two years in a row..

Drexler was on the team the second championship and..Hakeem carried the team both years...Robinson had Duncan..

Duncan>>>Drexler.

Butthurt Rockets fans. They always come out of the woodwork when you mention 50.

Of course, there's no reason to let a falsehood stand. If the truth sticks in the craw of Spurs fans that much, all the better.

quote:

---

I remember watching Hakeem throw up a 30/30 game like it was just a day at the office.

---

Didn't Kevin love just post the first 30-30 NBA game since 1982? And Dream's rookie season was 1984-85...

Maybe you meant at UH.

This entire thread is ignoring the long term impact that Hakeem had on the league. Hakeem actually played a HUGE role in all six of the Texas team's NBA championships.

Without the Rockets tanking 1984 in order to get Hakeem, the Spurs would never have been in the running for Duncan.

I honestly wonder who Spurs fans would draft with present-day knowledge if they could hypothetically select Dream or DRob as rookies. I'm probably in a heavy minority, but I think I'd still draft Robinson.

quote:

---

Wilt Chamberlain ran the 100-yard dash in under 11 seconds.

---

!!!

Are you serious? Dang that dude was sick!