While they both possess skills that are rare in players their size, there are some obvious differences between the two. Everyone should be familiar with Shaq and his greatest assets - his size, his strength, and his ability to use them. His agility, even though it has suffered due to injuries, age and added bulk, is still much greater than you would expect from a man of his dimensions.
Gary Payton said that Shaq made other grown men look like boys, and that's not a bad assessment. His might makes other players who are legitimate big men look powerless. The finer points of his game such as his hook and other low post moves have come along since he first entered the league, but his ability to utilise his awesome strength remains his most devastating weapon.
Hakeem Olajuwon was no weakling, but he used a different approach to dominate opponents. Shaq might make other centres look small, but Hakeem made talented NBA centres look as though they'd never played basketball in their lives.
He could make David Robinson, a talented player and an incredible athlete for his size look clumsy. He could make centres noted for their defensive prowess like the Georgetown Three of the 90s - Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo - look completely baffled when matched up against him in the post. He had a diverse offensive game that could keep the defense guessing. He could utilise his strength and size, but finesse and a dazzling array of moves were his weapons of choice.
Head to head, they both have impressive resumes. Shaq has three titles in five Finals appearances, Hakeem has two in three appearances (including a defeat of Shaq and the Magic in 1995). Hakeem has three MVP awards (one regular season, two NBA Finals) to Shaq's five (one regular season, three NBA Finals, one All-Star shared with Tim Duncan), but Hakeem has two Defensive Player of the Year awards and has a slight edge in All-NBA selections.
Hakeem's injury plagued final seasons have made a dent in his career numbers, though Shaq has been the more dominant scorer throughout his career. Hakeem still holds the advantage in career blocks per game and steals per game.
When they matched up in the 1995 NBA Finals, both put up impressive numbers:
Hakeem: 32.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 5.5 apg
Shaq: 28.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 6.3 apg
Hakeem was probably the better passer, though Shaq has a higher career assists per game average and a slightly higher career high mark (3.7 to 3.6). Hakeem is hands down the better free throw shooter and had longer range on his jumpshot, but Shaq still has a higher career points per game average.
Hakeem had the vastly superior post game, with plenty of moves and fakes thanks to superior footwork, but Shaq's post game is certainly dominant relying simply on a couple of moves he's developed well and his tremendous strength. Both are exceptional ballhandlers for big men, though Hakeem has a slight edge here. Hakeem is probably the better all around defensive player, though Shaq commits fewer fouls per game.
As far athleticism goes, I would give Hakeem the nod though as I said before Shaq has remarkable agility and athleticism for someone who is 7'1" and over 320 pounds. He is somewhat limited in ways that Hakeem was not, however, so I would considered Hakeem the superior athlete. Hakeem's footwork is certainly superior.
So...
All things considered, who do you think is the better player? The most dominant? Is Shaq's dominance through size and might equal, superior or inferior to Hakeem's dominance through diverse talents and amazing footwork? Which would you rank above the other?
I'll post my answer and my reasoning after a few other people get involved.
there's a surprise
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