1-on-1: Mehmet Okur vs. Rasheed Wallace - Better Shooting Big

This one's gotta be as simple as the shooting percentages, right?

In his career, Mehmet Okur has attempted 1289 threes. He's made 486 of them. Do the math: that's 37.7% over seven NBA seasons.

In his career, Rasheed Wallace has attempted 2869 threes. He's made 982. We got the calculator out: 34.2% over fourteen NBA seasons.

So it's gotta be that simple: in twice as many years, Rasheed's attempted more than twice as many triples as Mehmet. Yet he's made less than twice as many, so Mehmet has a better three-point shooting percentage.

Done deal, right?

Not so fast.

Overall, 'Sheed shoots .471 from the field while Mehmet shoots .461.

OK, case settled. Mehmet hits more often from behind the three-point line, but 'Sheed steps in a little closer sometimes and bangs ‘em home from 17 feet.

It's not that easy, either.

And it's not as simple as saying, "Well, Wallace is more of a high-flyer and Mehmet's just not quite as athletic so he doesn't get as many dunks."

That would be ignoring the fact that they stand 6'10" and 6'11", respectively: neither one of these guys has a problem getting above them tin. And it would also be ignoring the eloquence in 'Sheed's game: his back-to-the-basket ability is unparalleled among big men. Simply stated: his turnaround is almost unblockable. Has been - for more than a decade.

Beyond that, we'd be ignoring the difference in the offenses these guys ball in. And that's as fundamental as pick 'n roll vs. spot-up threes.

The issue is clouded further when you take in postseason play:

In five career trips to the playoffs, Mehmet shoots 41.2% from the floor and 35.8% from three. 'Sheed boasts career postseason averages 44.6% overall and 35.3% from long distance.

We tried to tell you: it's just not that easy.

Especially when you factor in all of 'Sheed’s dagger threes on those perennial Eastern Conference Finalist Detroit squads. And splitting hairs gets little clarity when you factor this in: they both contributed to the 2004 NBA Champion Pistons team.

So since we’re still arguing, we'd like to know what you think:

Who's the better-shooting big: Rasheed Wallace or Mehmet Okur?