Ranking the centers in the Southwest
David Hartnett
It’s compelling to consider how drastically different the Southwest Division will be this upcoming season.
For a division that was decided last year on the last day of the regular season, it’s remarkable how different the teams that finished one and two in the division (San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets respectively) have fared in the four months since that fateful night.
Now before you go and begin to believe this piece is some sort of “Southwest Division preview” — it’s not. Training camps don’t begin for another month, and with possible transactions left to be made, it wouldn’t be wise to predict how the divisions will play out at this juncture in August.
Thus, with some recent moves that have changed the landscape of the center position within the division, it’s interesting to gain a perspective of how a once lauded position fares amongst the five teams.
Obviously the two main transactions that make this discussion relevant is the swap of Tyson Chandler for Emeka Okafor in New Orleans, and of course, Yao Ming’s injury.
And in terms of ranking the best big men in the Southwest, it’s important to establish the criteria: First, Tim Duncan isn’t on this list. He’s regarded as the “Best Power Forward Ever” for a reason.
Furthermore, those on the list are the five assumed starters come opening night, hence why Yao is off this list, and why some may find the upcoming rankings somewhat intriguing.
1. Emeka Okafor (New Orleans Hornets)
Sure he hasn’t played a game yet in a Hornets’ uniform, but that isn’t to say based on his track record he isn’t the best center in the division. The aforementioned move that brought Okafor to N’awlins for another oft-injured, but solid defending center was practically a steal.
Chandler had a limited offensive game, and while his defense was solid, his success at the other end was contingent upon Chris Paul’s lob passes.
Nevertheless, despite the Hornets taking on additional years, and a lot more money with Okafor’s arrival, it at the very least improves the position.
And while Okafor is unlikely to develop into a perennial All-Star, the former second overall pick remains a solid defender and rebounder, with enough post moves to be a formidable presence in the low block.
2. Matt Bonner (San Antonio Spurs)
I’m not sure if it’s a testament to the player, or the lack of depth in the division when you’re proclaiming that a 6-10 center, who is a lackluster rebounder, and has no real post game, is the divison’s second-best center.
Matt Bonner (not to be confused with Brian Scalabrine) looks to be the Spurs’ starting center, and if you’re looking for a reason not to jump aboard the Spurs bandwagon (minus Duncan seemingly to breakdown in the second half, and Manu’s ankle) this is a good reason.
Can you see Bonner being the starting center on a championship caliber team? It’s hard to fathom.
Bonner is a solid bench player, but with Francisco Oberto and Kurt Thomas both gone, and a 36-year-old Theo Ratliff as your other option in the middle, it’s quite cause for alarm.
Nevertheless, Bonner is a capable shooter (44% from beyond the 3-point line last season) and is a great matchup problem to possess if you’re the Spurs.
But the question remains; Is Bonner an average to above-average center? jOr is the depth in the middle just THAT bad in the Southwest division?
3. David Andersen (Houston Rockets)
Initially, I was inclined to place Andersen ahead of Bonner. And while its quite possible he finishes ahead of Bonner (or whomever the Spurs throw out) by the end of the season, without having spent a minute against NBA competition, it’s hard to put ANdersen any higher on this list.
Watching his highlights, he one thing becomes apparent: his post moves are solid. . Obviously, the highlights can be a bit misleading, and it’s only a small sample, but he seems to have good agility in the low block.
However, it’s apparent he may not necessarily have the bulk to bang with the bigs in the middle, but he was an Olympian, and part of five consecutive championship teams in Europe, so he’s not some stiff.
At best he could turn out to closely match the production of Luis Scola, and while not quite average a double-double, the Australian-born Andersen could demonstrate that he deserves to be in the Association.
However, the one that may cause some worry is that he was the backup to Andrew Bogut in the 2008 Olympics.
Bogut, while a serviceable center, hasn’t earned his “first overall pick” status; And while not quite a bust, the Aussie leaves much to be desired. So if Andersen is in fact inferior to Bogut, you wonder how well the 27-year-old Andersen will fare.
Nevertheless, looking at it from an optimistic outlook (and considering this is the offseason so it’s the time for optimism) Andersen will be placed in a good offensive scheme, surrounded by talented and “team-first” teammates, and being coached up by Rick Adelman (a better coach than anyone who has taught Bogut) it’s quite likely Andersen either matches, or surpasses the numbers Bogut has put up. Frankly, there would be very little surprise (at least by me) if Andersen surpasses 10 points per game and six to seven rebounds per game.
4. Erick Dampier (Dallas Mavericks)
Oh Erick, you’re so bad Dallas fans wanted you out of town halfway through the first year of your six-year contract.
Oh Erick, you’re so bad the Mavericks would be better off putting you on the bench, and collecting the $13 or so million you are due this season.
Oh Erick, you’re so bad you make Joey Dorsey and Chuck Hayes look like Hall of Famers.
(One more) Oh Erick, you’re so bad you will forever be remembered for proclaiming yourself to be the “Best Center in the West"… boy that looks bad.
Yes, Erick Dampier leaves much to be desired, and fortunately for our friends to the North, they are forced to suffer just for one more year.
5. Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis Grizzlies)
A lanky defender, with a limited offensive game, and not much muscle …sounds great!
The “poor man Dikembe Mutombo” comparisons are fair, but Thabeet has “bust” written all over him. That’s not to say he can’t develop into a formidable player, for much of his Junior season he was the best player on the court, and he is still quite raw, with much to learn about the game.
But discussions about Thabeet’s career path can be saved for another time and date, but for now, he’s likely to be the starter come game one (unless the Grizzlies’ first office realize it’s wise to slowly assimilate into the NBA and have Gasol assume center duties early), considering he was the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, we’ll act under the assumption that Thabeet attempts to offer some return on the Grizzlies investment.
