Cross-era · careers 13 years apart

Hakeem Olajuwon vs Elgin Baylor

Hakeem Olajuwon 1984-2002 · Center Elgin Baylor 1958-1971 · Forward

Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2002) and Elgin Baylor (1958-1971) never shared an NBA court — their careers are separated by 13 years, so this is a cross-era comparison, not a head-to-head. On the floor, Elgin Baylor was the higher-volume scorer (27.4 points per game to 21.8); adjusted for era they scored at 2.12× and 2.34× their league average respectively; Hakeem Olajuwon was the more efficient scorer (55.3% true shooting to 49.4%). Hakeem Olajuwon holds the edge on accolades — 1 MVP, 2 championships, 2 Finals MVPs and the #12 all-time ranking to Elgin Baylor's #30.

Career averages

Hakeem OlajuwonStatElgin Baylor
21.8 Points / game 27.4
11.1 Rebounds / game 13.5
2.5 Assists / game 4.3
1.7 Steals / game 0.0
3.1 Blocks / game 0.0
50.9% Field goal % 43.1%
10.6% 3-point % 0.0%
70.4% Free throw % 78.0%
55.3% True shooting % 49.4%
1,238 Games played 846

Era-adjusted (× league average of their era)

Hakeem OlajuwonStatElgin Baylor
2.12× Points vs era avg 2.34×
2.66× Rebounds vs era avg 2.21×
1.05× Assists vs era avg 1.97×

Advanced metrics

Advanced stats aren't available for Hakeem Olajuwon.

Advanced stats weren't tracked in Elgin Baylor's era.

Playoff averages

Hakeem OlajuwonStatElgin Baylor
25.9 Points / game 27.0
11.2 Rebounds / game 12.9
3.2 Assists / game 4.0
1.7 Steals / game 0.0
3.3 Blocks / game 0.0
53.0% Field goal % 43.4%
15.4% 3-point % 0.0%
72.6% Free throw % 75.3%
145 Playoff games 134

Accolades

Hakeem OlajuwonStatElgin Baylor
1 MVP awards 0
2 Finals MVP 0
2 Championships 1
12 All-Star selections 11
6 All-NBA 1st Team 10
#12 All-time GOAT rank #30

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