In the latest episode of Nick Wright’s Top 50 NBA Players, we head to the Land of the Giants. Nick introduces us to two of the most dominant centers the game has ever seen — both of them consistent winners. Did Nick rank them correctly? Let him know in the comments!
0:00 – Intro
2:15 – Shaquille O’Neal
19:20 – Hakeem Olajuwon
35:25 – A Brief Rant on History
#WhatsWright #NBA #Top50
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Hosted by sports personality and star of FS1’s “First Things First,” What’s Wright? With Nick Wright will see Nick dish his hot takes on the biggest topics in the world of sports, while sharing the behind-the-scenes of his family life. He’ll play games, make lists, and most importantly, he’ll tell you what’s Wright.
Shaquille O’Neal & Hakeem Olajuwon | Nick Wright’s Top 50 NBA Players of the Last 50 Years | No. 9-8
What’s Wright? with Nick Wright
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Did Nick get it right?
I like the kid
Great video Nick ,awesome rec much needed to be mentioned easy !
You younger generation just don't and sadly won't really understand just how insanely great sports was during the earlier year especially the NBA ,yes !!,the league is wasaaaay easier no ?, That's why all these al time records are being broken , there's no way ANYONE !, yes that clearly Includes LBJ there were plenty of big bodies that were athletic back then ,nowadays it's all about individual and not at all about team (see Russel Westbrook , LBJ,James Harden)
Shaq has always been my favorite player on and off the court.
Because I value defense higher in the nba since it is harder to play consistently I also consider Hakeem higher in all time rankings. Plus Shaq had another top 10 player for majority of his titles even though he was the best.
Nick talking about shaq.. slowly realizing why shaq didnt win until KOBE WAS KOBE!! LOL love seeing him come to that conclusion
Being an old-timer, I appreciate Nick's tenacity in researching his subject.
Hats off to Hakeem over Shaq. Dominant as Shaq was Hakeem was the superior player.
I saw nick argue these picks on First things first today…
One of his arguments is that shaq had a 3 year peak (or apex) during the 3 peat and hakeem had a decade long peak…
Chris Broussard quickly countered with “but shaq also had a decade long peak…. “ referencing 94-2003… from shaqs second year in the league to the year after the 3 peat….
He then brought up the hakeem had less help argument… and he’s right… however Broussard once again counters with… hakeem had a super team with Barkley and pippen but didn’t win… in shaqs 3 peat Kobe was only good in 2 of those 3 rings and Shaq was by far the superior player…..
Last segment is the best, refuting hypocrites and stupidity alike, loving it
Imagine being drafted before the greatest player in the history of your sport and nobody questioning it in even in hindsight its just like "yea I would have drafted dream to it's ok fair mistake" lol
Prime Shaq was a cheat code.
love the history lesson
I got Hakeem ahead of Shaq, Kobe and Duncan
yes
JFC Fuller, arguably the architect of the Blitzkrieg.
When comparing Shaq, Hakeem haters will say he played against a baby Shaq…That somehow a much fatter, slower, outta shape version of the same player later on was better for some reason
Hakeem probably has more 5×5 games then any player in history
If you love the game you appreciate this content- these guys are sooooooo good especially when it counts – those First Shaq / Phil years we’re just pure dominance – Yhe Dream been a problem since day 1 – 2 of the best to ever do it – and salute to Nick for making sure he is highlighting the do or die games – in a series those are the games where greatness is DEFINED 🔥🔥🔥🏆🏆🏆
First off……. Hakeem was THE most skilled big man of all-time! His footwork was as good as it gets! Hakeem could shoot……he had a good looking jumper on him, and if centers actually took threes back then, I'm sure he woulda been a decent enough three point shooter for a big man, at least a high 20% to low 30% shooter. He was a good enough foul shooter to be trusted in crunch time. He was an all-time great defensive guy who could guard multiple positions. Shaq was just a physical specimen. He was just so big no one could guard him. Kinda like Wilt being so tall and athletic. No saying Shaq didn't have any skill, but compared to Dream his skill was laughable! His free throw shooting was bad. He wasn't a shooter. He had a decent enough jump hook and he dunked it. If bigs shot threes back then Shaq woulda been atrocious! Shaq would get cooked by most guards, where Hakeem was quick enough to stay with them. As far as teammates, who did Hakeem EVER have that was as good as Kobe or D-Wade? An out of his prime Drexler? And Clyde is my favorite player ever! He was still good, but he was no Kobe or D-Wade at that point in his career! Hakeem went through Clyde Drexler and the Blazers just two years removed from the finals, Barkley and the Suns a year removed from the finals, Stockton and Malone, and then Ewing's Knicks for one chip and Stockton and Malone then Barkley again before humiliating MVP David Robinson before sweeping Shaq in the finals! How many DPOY awards did Shaq win? Dream probably shoulda won more than he did! No contest! Dream was WAY better! Kareem was better than Shaq. Wilt was better than Shaq. Russell may have been better too!
Love the amount of Hakeem love! He really was an extraordinary player and comfortably sits at the table of all time greats.
As for the hint on players 5 and 6… I think 6 is Kobe and 5 will be Duncan… or vice versa
Love these videos!
Nick spazz lmaoo
Both better than Duncan
LeBron Jordan Kareem Magic Bird Kobe Duncan
Predicting Nicks remaining:
9. Shaq
8. Hakeem
7. Bird
6. Kobe
5. Duncan
4. Magic
3. Jordan
2. Kareem
1. LeBron
fantastic ending
Nick I don't always agree with you but this is on point thanks for telling the truth!
Nick Wright the NBA historian. Love it
I got Shaq 2nd all time to Jordan
I liked the Shaquille/Hakeem breakdown, I loved the last five minutes. Nick can drive me nuts, but he said what needed to be said..
How often do these come out
Jordan won rookie of the year
It's Nick's list. Others have a different take. That's how it will always be.
Something never mentioned, the playoff runs were usually during Ramadan; so Hakeem was fasting.
Correction on your statement “no one could hold Shaq to under 35 and 10”. Kobe could and did.
Somebody besides me has Hakeem top 10
The 3rd in Field Goal Percentage shouldn't be considered so highly because the VAST majority of his field goals came from dunks, lay ups or tip ins. Sooooooo they don't count as much!
Prediction for Nick's Top 18 (originally posted after reveal of 50-19):
18. Barkley
17. Malone
16. Dirk (initial prediction: Isiah)
15. Isiah (initial prediction: Dirk)
14. Giannis (initial prediction: Durant)
13. Durant (initial prediction: Giannis)
12. Moses
11. Dr. J.
10. Steph
9. Shaq (initial prediction: Hakeem)
8. Hakeem (initial prediction: Shaq)
7. Kobe
6. Duncan
5. Bird
4. Magic
3. Jordan
2. Kareem
1. LeBron
Shaq was getting doubled averaging 9 for the Celtics he was always doubled
I put Both over Duncan and Kobe
I like Nick Wrights takes, especially since he understands Lebron is better all around player than Jordan. But Hakeem should be top 5. Yall might think I'm crazy but he's in my top 3.
Nick,,,, you can't put Hakeem over Shaq,, I watch them both play,, Shaq was way better,, the only good consistent player the Knicks had was Ewing,, Hakeem won those rings when Michael was gone,, stop the madness bro
Even with everything Nick stated.. I still think Shaq is one of the most overrated players of all time. Just from a team building standpoint.. I don't want a guy who's borderline useless from 10ft out.. And that's being generous. He couldn't shoot, his handle wasn't great, and his passing was suspect at best. He benefited more than any other player outside of Wilt, from the era he played in. His game wouldn't translate all that well to today's game. No team who wants to win a championship is going to give him the amount of post ups he would need to average even close to what he did in his prime. He would need a team and system so specific to him, and even then has probably a consistent first round exit. If he's the best player on your team in today's game, you're a fringe playoff team at best.
Skills wise, no other big men is better than Hakeem. Unlike Shaq and Wilt, Dream has no weaknesses. He may not be a 3 point threat but he doesnt have to. His free throw shooting is impecabble, almost 72% which means you just cant foul him in the closing seconds of a very close game unlike Diesel and Wilt who are both 50% ft shooters and most of the time crumbled to pressure in the ft line of a very close game.