Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone: Ranking Best Players of the 1990's

SI's Michael Shapiro looks back at the 90's decade of basketball and ranks his top NBA stars who deserve recognition for their elite play.

Michael Jordan's dominance in the 1990's made him the most famous and respect athlete of his era. SI's Michael Shapiro looks back at the 90's decade of basketball and ranks his top NBA stars who deserve recognition for their elite play.Read for the Full Video Transcript:

Robin Lundberg: The Last Dance has led to many an NBA player comparison, and it's got our Michael Shapiro ranking the best players each year, each decade. For the 1990's, Michael, I want to focus on a couple of players who don't usually get as much attention. Let's start with the Hakeem Olajuwon. When we're talking legendary big man, you go Shaq, you go Duncan, but he was right there toe-to-toe with them in that era.

Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Michael Shapiro: Yeah. You know, I feel like Hakeem might not be getting his historical due. This was for sure the best player in the league in 1994 and 1995, Michael Jordan kind of advocated the crown for him. He was certainly a top three player, in my opinion, for numerous years, throughout the 90's, and the 80's to be frank. His longevity is underrated. Its defensive prowess was absolutely unbelievable. I think when we talk some of the greatest players of all time, we should include Olajuwon a lot more than we do.

Bill Kostroun/AP

Robin Lundberg: What about Karl Malone, too? You know, for for an all-time great player where he is on the scoring list and the like. It seems like almost no one likes him. 

Michael Shapiro: Yeah. You know, it's tough. He didn't come off in the 1990's, his most cuddly personality perhaps, a n his game is the most thrilling. But Malone at his peak, which was very extended peak, was for sure one of the top three players in the league. At the end of the 90's, when Jordan retired, he was arguably the best player in the league. So he might not have ever captured that ring. But I think that Malone should feel comfortable with his place in NBA history. 

Robin Lundberg:  Michael, appreciate your time and analysis, as always. 

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