Looks like Arinze, James, and Wes are all in

[Oakland]

yes! And I believe he was playing zone...

"...with man to man principles."

 

[HakAttack]

Plus he couldn't dribble. Tough to justify having a swingman who can't dribble. He was a freak athletically when it came to jumping, but his lateral movement was, IMO, not good enough to be able to guard a 3 in the NBA.

To use a Jay Bilas phrase, Hak's problem in the NBA was that he was a "tweener," who didn't have enough handle for the 3, but not strong enough to be a 4.

 

[Flacusian]

One great athletic defensive play does not make one a good defensive player at the highest level of basketball

Some would beg to differ

 

[SaltLakeOrange]

Some would beg to differ

Regardless, it was the best (or most important) defensive play in SU basketball history!

 

[shandeezy7]

Some would beg to differ

I'm not sure who would. It was obviously an amazing defensive play and one that we will seen played over and over again forever. However, even on that play it was poor defense by Hak. What in God's name was he doing under the basket when we knew Kansas needed a three to tie the game? He was grossly out of position, which would become a theme of his in the NBA. He had a great stint in the NBA and made himself a nice chunk of change, but to say he was even a serviceable defensive player in the NBA might be a bit of a stretch.

 

[RandygoCuse]

I'm not sure who would. It was obviously an amazing defensive play and one that we will seen played over and over again forever. However, even on that play it was poor defense by Hak. What in God's name was he doing under the basket when we knew Kansas needed a three to tie the game? He was grossly out of position, which would become a theme of his in the NBA. He had a great stint in the NBA and made himself a nice chunk of change, but to say he was even a serviceable defensive player in the NBA might be a bit of a stretch.

Was Hakim out of position or did someone else lose their man?

 

[shandeezy7]

Was Hakim out of position or did someone else lose their man?

I forgot Hak was actually playing Center on that possession, so I guess he wasn't out of position. Still doesn't really change the fact that he could not play defense in the NBA. As HakAttack said, he was basically the definition of a "tweener."