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I hate rosen; last time I checked Shaq didnt win any championships without the help of Kobe; and anyone who calls David soft and clutchless is a re
Best all-time centers
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Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 3 hours ago
The biggest of the bigs are (or should be) always in the middle of the action. They are the most dangerous offensive forces simply because defenses are usually most vulnerable in direct proportion to how close the ball is to the basket. Conversely, centers provide the last line of defense for their teams. That's why they are typically the most dominant and important players on their teams.
#1 — BILL RUSSELL
Bill Russell was so good that he revolutionized the game. Even the most casual NBA fans know that Russell was an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker. He led the NBA five times in the former category and finished with a lifetime per game average of 22.5 rebounds. Unfortunately, the NBA didn't officially record blocked shots until 1973-74, four seasons after Russell retired. But what first-hand witnesses can testify to, however, is that Russell's timing and quick-lift were so uncanny that he could keep his feet on the court until the ball left the shooter's hand and still deflect the shot. At the same time, Russell had the knack of hitting the ball so that it remained in bounds and could therefore be recovered by the defense. That's how he turned layups into short-jumpers, short-jumpers into mid-range jumpers and mid-range jumpers into long-range jumpers.
Before every season, Wilt Chamberlain would establish his own overriding priority. (Wen Roberts-NBA Photos / Getty Images)
In half-court sets, he scored with an accurate lefty hook, numerous put-backs and an occasional low-flying, wrist-snapping cross between a jumper and a one-handed set shot. During his 13 seasons with Boston, Russ tallied 15.1 ppg. But Russell was also one of the most fleet-footed centers of his time. Indeed, if his defensive rebounds and accurate outlet passes ignited Boston's famous running game, Russell's speed enabled the Celtics to run a five-man fast break. Accordingly, many of his points came via dunk shots on the trail end of the breaks.
He was much stronger than his 6-foot-10, 220-pound frame suggested. He had great hands, an unconquerable will to win, thorough understanding of every nuance (physical and psychological) and a willingness to sublimate his ego for the sake of team goals.
Russell's five MVP trophies (1958, 1961-63, 1965) and 11 rings proved for all time that defense wins championships.
#2 — KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR
More from Charley Rosen ...
# All-time best centers
# All-time best power forwards
# All-time best point guards
# All-time best shooting guards
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Putting the ball through the orange ring was always Kareem's specialty, as evidenced by the fact that he's the NBA's all-time leading scorer — a 20-year total of 38,387 that averages out to 24.6 ppg.
He was an active rebounder and shot-blocker when he was young, but defense wasn't really his forte. Despite his being named to five NBA All-Defensive teams, his lateral movement wasn't terrific and he rarely ventured too far from the shadow of the basket. With his dreadnaught sky-hook as his primary weapon, however, Kareem shot a fantastic 55.9 percent over his entire career! He could also spin and bank angle-jumpers, as well as turn offensive rebounds into dunkers.
An opponent's only hope was to be physical in defense of Kareem (always making sure to avoid being pronged by his sharp, aggressive elbows), and hope that he'd be weary in the end-game. He was an effective passer, so double-teaming wasn't much of an option, and was, in fact, an illegal tactic until late in Abdul-Jabbar's career. The only other effective strategy was to counter him with a hot-shooting center — which were scarce in those days — and attack Kareem with high screen/rolls. But whatever measures were taken to try to control his high-al ude offense, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was always the "center"-piece of the action.
His Hall-of-Fame resume includes a record six MVP awards (1971-'72, '74, '76-'77, 1980) and a like number of NBA championships. He was playing championship basketball at age 42 and could have continued for a few more years — but the league's referees were tired of Kareem and started to whistle him for charging fouls, hacks, traveling and palming violations that they'd been excusing for so long.
If Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's intense pride bordered on arrogance, his on-court excellence could only inspire admiration and awe.
#3 — SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
His Bigness (including his mouth, girth, intelligence, sense of humor and accomplishments) is still on the scene. For sure, he's slow off the floor, a limited rebounder, and a mostly stationary defender — but Shaq remains one of the best ever. Aside from Kevin McHale, Shaq has more moves at his disposal in the pivot than anyone else in the record book.
Russell was better on defense and infinitely more dominant. Abdul-Jabbar could score more points more efficiently. And, although Shaq has spent many seasons out of shape, struggling with injuries, and/or giving in to his own ennui, he's still more consistently compe ive than was Chamberlain.
#4 — WILT CHAMBERLAIN
The only aspect of his game that prevented Chamberlain from leading the big man parade was his gargantuan ego. Before every season, Wilt would establish his own overriding priority, which was usually to lead the NBA in scoring (which he did from 1959-66), or rebounding (1959-63, '65-'69, '70-'73). One year (1967-68), the Big Dipper decided he'd be the NBA's leading passer. Therefore, instead of simply dunking unopposed offensive rebounds, Chamberlain would pass the ball out to Hal Greer — a reliable sharpshooter. And when all the numbers were tabulated at season's end, Chamberlain had ac ulated a league-best 8.6 assists per game.
The trouble was that Chamberlain rarely focused on winning championships. He did win with the 1966-67 Philadelphia Warriors, but only after coach Alex Hannum shoved Wilt against a locker and threatened to smash his face if he didn't play the game the right way. Wilt's other le, with the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers, was motivated by coach Bill Sharman's slick psychology. "I'd just keep asking him questions about strategy," says Sharman, "until Wilt came up with the right answer. Then I'd tell him how smart he was and what a great idea he'd come up with. Thinking that every important strategy was his, Wilt played championship ball."
Bill Walton's heart, talent and understanding of the game were always in tip-top condition, even if his ankles weren't. (NBA Photos / Getty Images)
#5 — GEORGE MIKAN
The Babe Ruth of the NBA, Mikan's Minneapolis Lakers were the league's first dynasty, winning les in 1949, '50 and '52-54 (plus two previous championships in the NBL). Big George was bigger, stronger, smarter, meaner and more fundamentally sound than his peers. He scored with right- and left-handed hooks and pivot shots (an extinct art form that was midway between an authentic hook and a jump hook), step-back one-handed flips and put-backs. From 1946-54, Mikan was scoring in the mid- to upper 20s at a time when a player's scoring 15 points was deemed to be a heroic effort. Mikan was his league-of-the-moment's leading point-maker in six of his nine pro seasons.
The NBA revised its rules on several occasions to hinder Mikan — including widening the lane, raising the basket to 12 feet, granting defensive players both inside lane spots on free throws and outlawing offensive goal tending. It was the 24-second shot clock (mandated for the 1954-56 season) that finally terminated Mikan's effectiveness and his career (except for a part-time comeback to play with his brother Ed in 1955-56).
During his short-lived hey day, Mikan was as dominant in his own fashion as were Russell and Abdul-Jabbar.
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#6 — HAKEEM OLAJUWON
Hakeem Olajuwon was easily the most athletic of the top-ranked centers. In truth, he was a power forward successfully masquerading as a center.
When he first came into the league in 1984, Olajuwon relied mostly on a super-swift drop-step to generate his scoring opportunities. Then he learned to fake the drop-step and make a counter move — the turnaround jumper. From there, his offensive repertoire expanded in quantum leaps — face-up jumpers, drives and spins, jump hooks. Eventually, he became a virtually unstoppable scorer who concluded 19 seasons averaging 21.8 ppg.
And his defense was even better. Hakeem was incredibly quick to the ball. He led the NBA three times in blocked shots with a high of 4.59 per game in 1989-90, and is the NBA's career leader in that area. With his long arms and explosive hops, Olajuwon was also a dynamic rebounder — twice leading the league. But it was his incredible speed and single-minded desire to get a piece of every shot taken in his vicinity that also got him into chronic foul trouble.
What couldn't he do? Make accurate passes on a regular basis and dribble the ball in traffic.
Hakeem paced the Houston Rockets to back-to-back championships from 1994-95. Through it all, Olajuwon never cut a corner, never gave less than his best and was always a responsible citizen on and off the court.
#7 — NATE THURMOND
Former Spur David Robinson didn't quite make the top 10 centers of all-time list. (Brian Bahr / Getty Images)
This guy was simply a monster on defense. At 6-foot-11, 245 pounds, he was big, strong, active and intense. He could also score — mostly on offensive rebounds, jump hooks and backboard-rattling bank shots from 10 feet and in. But forget about the several seasons where Thurmond averaged 20-plus points a game (1967-72), his focus was on shutting down his opponents' numbers.
His battles with Chamberlain were legendary. Thurmond was the only defender who could get his hands on and totally negate Chamberlain's trademark finger-roll. Thurmond was just as determined to snare every missed shot. He finished his injury-wracked 14-year career averaging 15.0 rebounds per contest — and twice he averaged more than 20 caroms.
Thurmond played in an almost forgotten age where giants roamed the paint. Not only did he hold his own against the likes of Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar and Bob Lanier, he made them sweat for every shot and dispensed a bruise for every score.
#8 — BILL WALTON
The redhead was fully healthy for only 2 3/4 seasons: In 1976-77, when he keyed the Trail Blazers to a championship, and in '86, when he contributed valuable sixth-man-minutes to Boston's le run. In 1977-78, Walton played in only 58 games but was still honored as the league's MVP. During his entire career (1974-88), Walton missed four complete seasons with foot and ankle injuries.
When his wheels were sound, Walton could run, rebound and block shots (he led the league in both categories in 1976-77). He was totally committed to a team concept and, although he could score on jump hooks, bank shots and a variety of sudden drives and twisting moves, he scored only when he had to. In his best offensive season (1978-79), Walton scored 18.9 ppg, and finished his career with an impressive field goal accuracy of 52.1 percent.
He was a talented, and an unselfish ball distributor. Moreover, his defense was routinely outstanding whether throwing a bag over his individual opponent or rotating to help-spots in Jack Ramsay's crafty schemes.
Walton's career was blighted, however, when he signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Clippers in 1979. At the time, the Clips were strictly an individualistic ball club, so Walton was forced to show his new teammates what he could do in one-on-one situations. This just wasn't enough to either make a difference or find his own comfort zone.
Despite the fact that Walton is the NBA's all-time leader in foot-and-ankle surgeries, his heart, talent and understanding of the game were always in tip-top condition.
Slightly off-center
# David Robinson — too soft and too clutchless to succeed without being carried by Tim Duncan.
# Moses Malone — a tireless rebounder who was disinclined to pass, play defense or let any teammate take more shots than he did.
# Bob Lanier — no defense to speak of.
# Neil Johnston — the real deal as long as he lasted.
# Wes Unseld and Willis Reed — courage and toughness personified.
# Jerry Lucas — great hands, shooting range and perhaps the most intelligent prac ioner of the art and science of playing the five-spot.
Charley Rosen, former CBA coach, author of 12 books about hoops, the current one being A pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA, is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.
I hate rosen; last time I checked Shaq didnt win any championships without the help of Kobe; and anyone who calls David soft and clutchless is a re
I think Shaq would've been able to win without Kobe... not anymore though, he too old.
The fact that he put Shaq ahead of Wilt is all the evidence I need that this fool is as clueless as they come.
Nate Thurmond and Bill Walton > David Robinson?
What a joke. Walton had two good seasons in his NBA career. Thurmond was a good player, but what did he ever win? Robinson was at least as good of a defender as Thurmond, but was a much better scorer.
Rosen
Give Shaq credit. . . he's been able to bulldoze a star-starved league into letting him get away with bulling his way to the basket with a whole series of illegal moves.
plus his 300+ pound body that he carries around
Well, he was 0-1 in that regard, and with a pretty damn good cast from Orlando.
Rosen is en led to his opinions. I don't share them. Walton in NO WAY belongs on this list. That's like putting Sam "crutches" Bowie on here. Walton wouldn't even be in the HOF if it were the NBA HOF and not the "Basketball" HOF. His college career got him in.
Those of you spitting and cussing keep in mind that you were probably cackling over his disses of Malone and KG last week.
Someone tell Rosen to go look up DRob's stat line in the deciding game 6 of the NJ Finals series and get back to me about being soft and clutchless.
Also, i dont know if i agree with this line most of all (apart from the DRob stuff, of course)
"Aside from Kevin McHale, Shaq has more moves at his disposal in the pivot than anyone else in the record book."
Hakeem anyone?
Shaq doesnt have skill he has weight
Tim, anyone?
Over time I think Shaq's star will wane somewhat.
Robinson has to beat Walton, who was crippled by injuries and a great team player, but not one of the best of all time. Even healthy he wouldn't have been, and certainly wasn't the defensive force Robinson was. I know little about Nate Thurmond.
But this is a sloppy job, at least. If Robinson is cast so low, does that explain why Patrick Ewing doesn't get a mention at all, not even an honorable mention?
#8 — BILL WALTON
how come Rosen put him ahead DRob.
1 MVP; 1 DPOY; 2 les; Olympic record holder in scoring; 2 Gold Medals -still the Admiral can't get enough respect.
Rosen is an
Bill Russell is overrated.
What's overlooked is the importance of David's character. Today's team and management have a lot of David's personality. Sometimes it's hard to understand the impact David has had on this city and franchise unless you live here.
David is numero uno in my book.
No he's not. Only two players in history have won a le with a COMPLETE roster re-load: Big Bill and Big Fundamental.
Winning is NEVER overrated, and Bill did it more than anyone else. The man cannot even wear all of his rings at once unless he unzips or takes off a shoe.
I would be dissapointed if I respected rosen. Since I don't I'll let this roll right off my shoulder.
Dude wasn't even smart enough to do a top 10!
The man cannot even wear all of his rings at once unless he unzips or takes off a shoe.
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lol that is so funny but so true
His Boston teams reloaded with Hall of Famers and he only played on one end of the court. You throw Ben Wallace in with the guys Russell played with and Boston still wins a buttload of rings.
Love the sig Mikey!
That's the worst analysis ever. David Robinson REVOLUTIONIZED the position in terms of his athleticism. Its not his fault he never had anything remotely near a decent NCAA support cast throughout his career until Tim Duncan came along.
Somebody with some video savvy:
please make a David Robinson montage from his rookie season through his MVP season. Watch how the man ran, played D, carried the offense, displayed an athletic grace in the pivot unbeknownst to mankind. All this without a legitimate All Star supporting cast. , even Tim Duncan has AT LEAST one All Star in Manu Ginobili and a borderline All Star in Tony Parker.
Who did David have to work with? Vinny Del Negro?
An aged Chuck Person and such free agent acquisitions as Charles Smith and Vernon Maxwell!? Are you kidding me!?
Admiral>Shaq>Russell
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