duncan228
01-14-2008, 11:54 AM
I put this here because of Duncan.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-080113samsmithnbacenters,1,7175956.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
Soon to be front and center: Magic's Howard
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
The Bulls hit Florida this week, which is both the birthplace and resting ground for centers.
On Tuesday it's Orlando, where Shaquille O'Neal started in 1992 and where Dwight Howard appears to be starting a reign as maybe the league's most dominant. That's the title O'Neal gave himself, and while he doesn't live up to it much anymore, he is due back from hip replacement — I mean hip treatments — on Wednesday to face the Bulls.
Magic coachStan Van Gundy had O'Neal in Miami before Pat Riley took away the team and won the 2006 title. Van Gundy sees Howard as an emerging O'Neal. "He's nowhere close to where he can get to," Van Gundy said. "He still needs to mature and understand the way he can impact the team and the game when he's not scoring.
"As guys mature, they understand their presence also creates shots [for teammates]. People make adjustments on him and he struggles at times. Udonis Haslem played him well, but he still got 29 [points] and 21 [rebounds]. When he puts the pieces in place, he can be the best in the league at his position."
Which got me to thinking about big men in the game today. Here's one list of the best:
1. Tim Duncan, Spurs: The Big Fundamental, as O'Neal appropriately named him, plays both ends, is unselfish and a winner. Kevin Garnett would follow here, but he does so much on the perimeter as well.
2. Yao Ming, Rockets. Though slower than Duncan, he works at both ends and can play inside and out with an excellent shot.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Suns. More of a face-up player without a great post-up game. But he's quick, strong and active and has improved his shooting.
4. Howard, Magic. Once he expands his game with a shot, he'll be Duncanesque. He's more powerful now, but still seeking his own shot too much. With a good point guard, he'd already be challenging Duncan.
5. Carlos Boozer, Jazz. Maybe best second-round pick ever. Smallish, but good with both hands to the basket and a solid shot.
6. Marcus Camby, Nuggets. Strictly on the defensive end, but he has truly grown into a presence.
7. Andrew Bynum, Lakers. Just one season so far, but he looks like a true center with soft hands, good feet and a shot. Still needs some toughness.
8. Tyson Chandler, Hornets. Having Chris Paul helps, but he is developing some offense and chases everything on defense. Still weak, though.
9. Chris Kaman, Clippers. Good all-around presence with a decent shot and reactions on defense, but can disappear.
10. O'Neal, Miami. Does the Big Guy have anything left? We'll see starting this week, and if he doesn't, who knows what will happen. But he's an all-timer in play and personality.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-080113samsmithnbacenters,1,7175956.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
Soon to be front and center: Magic's Howard
By Sam Smith
Tribune pro basketball reporter
The Bulls hit Florida this week, which is both the birthplace and resting ground for centers.
On Tuesday it's Orlando, where Shaquille O'Neal started in 1992 and where Dwight Howard appears to be starting a reign as maybe the league's most dominant. That's the title O'Neal gave himself, and while he doesn't live up to it much anymore, he is due back from hip replacement — I mean hip treatments — on Wednesday to face the Bulls.
Magic coachStan Van Gundy had O'Neal in Miami before Pat Riley took away the team and won the 2006 title. Van Gundy sees Howard as an emerging O'Neal. "He's nowhere close to where he can get to," Van Gundy said. "He still needs to mature and understand the way he can impact the team and the game when he's not scoring.
"As guys mature, they understand their presence also creates shots [for teammates]. People make adjustments on him and he struggles at times. Udonis Haslem played him well, but he still got 29 [points] and 21 [rebounds]. When he puts the pieces in place, he can be the best in the league at his position."
Which got me to thinking about big men in the game today. Here's one list of the best:
1. Tim Duncan, Spurs: The Big Fundamental, as O'Neal appropriately named him, plays both ends, is unselfish and a winner. Kevin Garnett would follow here, but he does so much on the perimeter as well.
2. Yao Ming, Rockets. Though slower than Duncan, he works at both ends and can play inside and out with an excellent shot.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Suns. More of a face-up player without a great post-up game. But he's quick, strong and active and has improved his shooting.
4. Howard, Magic. Once he expands his game with a shot, he'll be Duncanesque. He's more powerful now, but still seeking his own shot too much. With a good point guard, he'd already be challenging Duncan.
5. Carlos Boozer, Jazz. Maybe best second-round pick ever. Smallish, but good with both hands to the basket and a solid shot.
6. Marcus Camby, Nuggets. Strictly on the defensive end, but he has truly grown into a presence.
7. Andrew Bynum, Lakers. Just one season so far, but he looks like a true center with soft hands, good feet and a shot. Still needs some toughness.
8. Tyson Chandler, Hornets. Having Chris Paul helps, but he is developing some offense and chases everything on defense. Still weak, though.
9. Chris Kaman, Clippers. Good all-around presence with a decent shot and reactions on defense, but can disappear.
10. O'Neal, Miami. Does the Big Guy have anything left? We'll see starting this week, and if he doesn't, who knows what will happen. But he's an all-timer in play and personality.