[AlexBrady]

Comparing non-centers to centers is similar to your baseball analogy. True while basketball players need to have a basic mastery over every skill the precise job requirements of the positions differ greatly.

Point guards are not expected to be difference-making rebounders and as such are required to pull down one rebound for every 10 minutes of playing time. Centers are supposed to grab one rebound for every 3 minutes of action.

Then consider points are required to know the duties of all of their teammates at any time. They must also know who all of their opponents of the moment are and who they are matched up against, the score, and the clocks. Compare that to a center who typically only has a vague notion of who the opponent's guards are. All points need a superb handle while that is an afterthought for virtually every center.

In theory, a point guard playing 48 minutes of a ballgame will run about 5.2 miles covering the distance between both foul lines. Centers and forwards though are stationed closer to the basket and have to run baseline to baseline which will cover about 6.8 miles. Then consider how much more weight these bigs need to haul up and down.

Certainly, I would say that Kobe Bryant held the title of best non-big in the NBA (Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan had more influence at different points in time) from the 99-00 season to the middle of the 11-12 season when LeBron likely overtook him for that distinction.