Would you consider Hakeem Olajuwon the greatest defensive player of all time?

Question

To anyone who says Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, hear this first;

Russell/Wilt were swatting 6'7" and 6'4" unathletic, centers and forwards. I know Nate Thurmond, Walt Bellamy and Willis Reed played back then. Wilt even played Jabbar for a couple seasons. But, none of those centers were Wilt's/Russell equal athletically and Russell never had to concentrate on offense much.

They didn't even keep block shots or steals (among other basic stats) back then. That's how much emphasis was actually placed on defense back then.

Olajuwon on the other hand amassed his defensive resume in the greatest defensive era of all time (late 80's & 90's) and did it against better competition (always defended Ewing, Robinson, Shaq and other top centers very well).

Here are Hakeem's credentials;
- 2 time Defensive Player of the Year
- 1st in total blocks
- 3rd in blocks per game (3.1)
- 3 time leader in blocks per game
- 8th all time in total steals
- 23rd in steals per game (1.7)
- 4 times he's been top 10 in steals (3 times averaging over 2 steals per game)
- 25th in rebounds per game, but is closer to top 10 when you get rid of the bloated 50's/60's era rebounders (11.1)
- 11th all time in total rebounds, but close to top 5 after without 50's/60's era rebounders.
- 2 time rebounding leader

Answer 1

Seems you already have your mind made up. But you asked so here is my choice. I would choose a player you probably would not think of. Gary Payton, Perimeter Defender – the fact that he is the only Pont Guard ever to have won the title of Defensive player of the year says volumes about the guy’s defending skills. He was nicknamed “The Glove”, because he covered his opponents so well – he fit them like a glove! Although he was lanky built, his defending skills and a height of 6’4” was more than enough to intimidate and shut out the other team’s offense. He was a master of steals, never allowing the opponent a clear shot. He even stopped the great Michael Jordan from scoring on multiple occasions, pushing him to one of his worst Finals performances in a match! Gary Payton was by far the best at defending the perimeter and would be my choice as the best I have ever seen play.

Answer 2

the only problem is that you got one thing wrong a little, it was well known that many top centers managed to score a lot against hakeem. concentrating on defense only id choose pippen, wallace and rodman in front of him, and if you ask me dikembe mutombo and mark eaton were better defenders in their primes.

Answer 3

Ben Wallace is GOAT

Answer 4

One of the greatest for sure. The greatest though is Russell.

Answer 5

First of all them not keeping track of steals and block does not mean it was not important, heck they did not even hand out the finals mvp award back then so does that mean the final mvp is not an important part of a person legacy.



There could be an argument for Dennis Rodman because at 6'7 he is probably the greatest non center rebounder in the history of the game and was a great defender, Chamberlain was a finals mvp based on his defense with the Lakers in 71. Also a case could be made for Moses Malone. I am not taking away anything from the dream and a argument could be made for him but it is hard to discount someone what they did in the past and based it on what you might think the level of competition was back then. How many defensive player of the year award do you think Russell would have had if they kept that track back then.