Who is the greatest center of all time?

[X*Cell]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

It amazes me the amount of SUPER-Centers the NBA has had the priviledge to have... what amazes me more, is that David Robinson was another Super-Super-Star, but I agree with you all, he isn't even one of the top 5!!!

Top 5 (IN ORDER)

5. Hakeem Olajuwon
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
3. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Bill Russell
1. Wilt Chamberlain

the next 5:

6. David Robinson
7. Patrick Ewing
8. George Mikan
9. Moses Malone
10. Willis Reed

Another amazing thing...

of the 50 Greatest Players (picked in 1996)

15 were Centers which accounts for 30% of all the players. Thats 10% above the "Should-Be" Average.

[dieselboy]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Wilt.

[Brankles]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Kareem hands down. With Wilt a close second. If there is a defense for the Sky Hook (esp on a 7ft man) then they need to tell me about it.

What about Shaq's two handed, off the pivot dunks? Can anyone guard that?

I say Shaq is the best big man of all time. He was huge. He was agile. He was a smart basketball player. He was good at defense. He was good at offense. He was an unstoppable athletic force in the most athletic period of the NBA.

Saying Wilt wins because he dominated 6'7" white centers with no talent doesn't mean much. When Wilt played Bill Russell, his numbers plummeted. Had there been any decent post defenders when Wilt played, his numbers wouldn't have been so amazingly high, and would be around what Shaq has right now.
Also, Wilt had trouble winning titles. That takes a lot away from his individual success.



Holla

[Programmed2Kill]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

What about Shaq's two handed, off the pivot dunks? Can anyone guard that?

I say Shaq is the best big man of all time. He was huge. He was agile. He was a smart basketball player. He was good at defense. He was good at offense. He was an unstoppable athletic force in the most athletic period of the NBA.

Saying Wilt wins because he dominated 6'7" white centers with no talent doesn't mean much. When Wilt played Bill Russell, his numbers plummeted. Had there been any decent post defenders when Wilt played, his numbers wouldn't have been so amazingly high, and would be around what Shaq has right now.
Also, Wilt had trouble winning titles. That takes a lot away from his individual success.



Holla

Well, now that we have dismissed every big man in the '50s and '60s.......

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Also, Wilt had trouble winning titles. That takes a lot away from his individual success.

Thank Bill Russell.

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Magic, Michael, Legend, and Mailman most likely have their positions on lock

.

In 10 years, Timmy Duncan may hold that spot.

[Dynasty4Kobe]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

.

In 10 years, Timmy Duncan may hold that spot.

I actually am predicting that he will hold that spot when it is all said and done. But as it stands right, Mailman is on top.

[deeman11747]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Would anyone put Ewing in their top 5?

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Magic, Michael, Legend, and Mailman most likely have their positions on lock

Also, Championship or not, John Stockton has a very strong case as the best floor general ever. At least IMO.

And although I won't, one could venture putting Oscar Robertson in MJ's place...And it would not be totally out of whack.

[Dynasty4Kobe]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Also, Championship or not, John Stockton has a very strong case as the best floor general ever. At least IMO.

And although I won't, one could venture putting Oscar Robertson in MJ's place...And it would not be totally out of whack.

Yeah, but there is a Laker logo between me and them. I honestly think Magic can be considered the best player ever not named Michael Jordan.

Bill Russell said that he has never seen a player better than Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson, not even Michael Jordan. So if you look at it like that, Oscar is also a strong canidate in the eyes of some people.

[Air23]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Damn, this IS a tough one. It all comes down to Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Hakeem and Shaq.

I'm leaning more towards The Dream. The man was a beast in the 95 playoffs. He had that unstoppable Dream Shake, was the best jumpshooter of the bunch, played hellified defense and was lightning fast.

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Bill Russell said that he has never seen a player better than Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson, not even Michael Jordan. So if you look at it like that, Oscar is also a strong canidate in the eyes of some people.

Exactly...I've heard people say Big O was the GOAT and I have no problem with people claiming that, even though I may not share that same thought.

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Bill Cartwright

[HMcCoy]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

WILT.

[BigTigLSU]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Bill Cartwright

Somebody saw Tracey Morgan on NBA TV