Who is the greatest center of all time?

[BigTigLSU]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

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.

You gotta learn your history here is a short list of some of the Centers Wilt played against

Wes Unsled
Willis Reed
Bill Russell
Dave Cowens
Kareem, funny thing about him his he sonned Kareem. He was his mentor showed him how to ball. To knock Wilt on playing undersize players is just as bad as saying Shaq is good because he is bigger than everyone in the NBA. THat is bull on both accounts. Yes Shaq did play against Akeem, Robinson, and Ewing but think about this how many rings did he win against the elite centers....how many MVPs (1).SHaq has the potential to be the best ever but he never reached the top. He is a strong tie at 3 with the Dream.

[Programmed2Kill]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

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.

Big O, and also don't forget THE man...Elgin Baylor. People still sleep on him, but he was the truth.

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

You gotta learn your history here is a short list of some of the Centers Wilt played against

Wes Unsled
Willis Reed
Bill Russell
Dave Cowens
Kareem, funny thing about him his he sonned Kareem. He was his mentor showed him how to ball. To knock Wilt on playing undersize players is just as bad as saying Shaq is good because he is bigger than everyone in the NBA. THat is bull on both accounts. Yes Shaq did play against Akeem, Robinson, and Ewing but think about this how many rings did he win against the elite centers....how many MVPs (1).SHaq has the potential to be the best ever but he never reached the top. He is a strong tie at 3 with the Dream.

When did they add the "3 in the key" rule?

[BigTigLSU]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

When did they add the "3 in the key" rule?

1936: The three-second rule was introduced. No offensive player could remain in the free throw lane, with or without the ball, for more than three seconds.

[poster]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

You gotta learn your history here is a short list of some of the Centers Wilt played against

Wes Unsled
Willis Reed
Bill Russell
Dave Cowens
Kareem, funny thing about him his he sonned Kareem. He was his mentor showed him how to ball. To knock Wilt on playing undersize players is just as bad as saying Shaq is good because he is bigger than everyone in the NBA. THat is bull on both accounts. Yes Shaq did play against Akeem, Robinson, and Ewing but think about this how many rings did he win against the elite centers....how many MVPs (1).SHaq has the potential to be the best ever but he never reached the top. He is a strong tie at 3 with the Dream.

Great post. Wilt is the MDE without a doubt. For Shaq to call himself that is an insult to Wilt. Back then I believe there were 12 teams and every center was really good at least and a hall of famer at best. Shaq faces scrubs on most nights. Wilt was so ahead of his time it isnt even funny. No one will ever put up numbers like Wilt did. As great as MJ is I have a hard time putting anyone ahead of Wilt because the numbers were so impressive and dominant. Wilt wins this contest hands down.

[Vince]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

True, I mean, the fact that Ben Wallace is actually a top 3 center is laughable...Just shows you how much the position is in decline.

[4BiddenKnight]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

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

1 problem that Wilt had that does not make him the greatest. Bill Russell is the greatest center of all time. He dominated everybody he played defensively with his blocks & agility (I believe Wilt had problems facing Russell). His 11 championship rings is unmatched by anyone.

[HMcCoy]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Funny thing...no mention of George Mikan.

He dominated his era as thoroughly as Wilt and Shaq did theirs. Common theme among the three...they were way bigger/stronger than everyone else.

[Kashanova]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Mikan was good but he was the tallest guy to ever play in the nba when he enter which says alot, and he didnt really play for that long, by the age of 31 he only score 10.5 a game. Shaq is dominating in an era where you got 6'8 people avg 14 plus rebounds, block 2 or more shots, in an era with 6'8 people with 7'3 wingspans, an era where players just get taller and more athletic, pogo sticks for arms this is by far the stongest era from all the basketball era and shaq is dominating its safe to say back in the day shaq would avg more then he is now.

[grunt]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Mikan was good but he was the tallest guy to ever play in the nba when he enter which says alot, and he didnt really play for that long, by the age of 31 he only score 10.5 a game. Shaq is dominating in an era where you got 6'8 people avg 14 plus rebounds, block 2 or more shots, in an era with 6'8 people with 7'3 wingspans, an era where players just get taller and more athletic, pogo sticks for arms this is by far the stongest era from all the basketball era and shaq is dominating its safe to say back in the day shaq would avg more then he is now.

I think Bill Russell is greatest center of all time. Just ask Wilt. Russell made everyone better around him better. I mean Hall of Fame/All Star better. How many rings? Mikan was the protype of the modern big man. One of Russell greatest moments was when Mikan visited Russell after a game. Russell used to do Mikan drills for big men. Mikan have to be up there.

[Kashanova]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

the think is for me mikan played an a small era, and he was the first guy that height i give him props just for being a pioneer, he was the first to be like being that tall and to play so he naturally dominated but i think if he were to play now he wouldnt be any better then a sabonis at his prime or a david robinson he would be good though but not that good

[grunt]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

the think is for me mikan played an a small era, and he was the first guy that height i give him props just for being a pioneer, he was the first to be like being that tall and to play so he naturally dominated but i think if he were to play now he wouldnt be any better then a sabonis at his prime or a david robinson he would be good though but not that good

You can only judge a player by the era he played in. In 20 years some young boy is going to say "Jordan couldnt play in this era". When he played he was the best. RIP.

[Dynasty4Kobe]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Mychal Thompson was asked about his Top 10 centers and he said:

1) Wilt Chamberlin
2) Kareem Adbul-Jabaar
3) Bill Russell
4) Hakeem Olajuwon
5) Shaquille O'Neal
6) Pre-Injury Bill Walton
7) David Robinson
8) Moses Malone
9) George Mikan
10) Robert Parish

[glucklich]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Mikan was good but he was the tallest guy to ever play in the nba when he enter which says alot, and he didnt really play for that long, by the age of 31 he only score 10.5 a game. Shaq is dominating in an era where you got 6'8 people avg 14 plus rebounds, block 2 or more shots, in an era with 6'8 people with 7'3 wingspans, an era where players just get taller and more athletic, pogo sticks for arms this is by far the stongest era from all the basketball era and shaq is dominating its safe to say back in the day shaq would avg more then he is now.

You have to be careful though. Yeah, if Wilt had played 20 years later he wouldnt have averaged 50 / for a season for the reason you mentioned. But for the same reason you cant assume Wilt would not average 50 now, you likewise cant assume Shaq is better just for playing today. The reality is that Wilt had more shots in the arsenal than Shaq, while Shaq relies too much on fouls and the referees turning a blind eye on his multiple charges when he backs his guy down until hes within a foot of the basket.

[umfrumDC]

Re: Who is the greatest center of all time?

Im from Houston, so naturally I will say Hakeem Olajuwon. If he is not the best, he is definitely in the top 5. He had incredible quickness, great footwork, excellent range on his jumper and he was the greatest shot blocker in the game. Any thoughts?

shaq hands down, you'll never see another 7ft 300 plus lbs giant as athletic and quick again. in his prime he could bang on anybody everytime down the court and the opposing player could nothing about it. look at how he physically assaulted mutumbo in the 01 finals... i felt bad for mutumbo, i know yall did too. shaqs pure strength and quickness gives him the edge over the Dream whos a close second. hard decison though.