Contemporaries · overlapped 5 seasons
Hakeem Olajuwon vs Dirk Nowitzki
Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 5 seasons. On the floor, Hakeem Olajuwon was the higher-volume scorer (21.8 points per game to 20.7); Dirk Nowitzki was the more efficient scorer (57.7% true shooting to 55.3%); Hakeem Olajuwon controlled the glass (11.1 rebounds per game to 7.5). Hakeem Olajuwon holds the edge on accolades — 1 MVP, 2 championships, 2 Finals MVPs and the #12 all-time ranking to Dirk Nowitzki's #25.
Career averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Dirk Nowitzki |
|---|
| 21.8 |
Points / game |
20.7 |
| 11.1 |
Rebounds / game |
7.5 |
| 2.5 |
Assists / game |
2.4 |
| 1.7 |
Steals / game |
0.8 |
| 3.1 |
Blocks / game |
0.8 |
| 50.9% |
Field goal % |
46.6% |
| 10.6% |
3-point % |
37.9% |
| 70.4% |
Free throw % |
87.4% |
| 55.3% |
True shooting % |
57.7% |
| 1,238 |
Games played |
1,522 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Hakeem Olajuwon.
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Dirk Nowitzki |
|---|
| — |
Offensive rating |
105.9 |
| — |
Defensive rating |
105.4 |
| — |
Net rating |
0.6 |
| — |
Usage % |
0.2% |
| — |
Assist % |
0.1% |
| — |
Rebound % |
0.1% |
Playoff averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Dirk Nowitzki |
|---|
| 25.9 |
Points / game |
25.3 |
| 11.2 |
Rebounds / game |
10.0 |
| 3.2 |
Assists / game |
2.5 |
| 1.7 |
Steals / game |
1.0 |
| 3.3 |
Blocks / game |
0.9 |
| 53.0% |
Field goal % |
46.1% |
| 15.4% |
3-point % |
36.2% |
| 72.6% |
Free throw % |
89.2% |
| 145 |
Playoff games |
145 |
Accolades
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Dirk Nowitzki |
|---|
| 1 |
MVP awards |
1 |
| 2 |
Finals MVP |
1 |
| 2 |
Championships |
1 |
| 12 |
All-Star selections |
14 |
| 6 |
All-NBA 1st Team |
4 |
| #12 |
All-time GOAT rank |
#25 |
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