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Ya. Detroit has #1 frontcourt and #2 backcourt.
Ranking the best and worst front courts
Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 47 minutes ago
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5026576?print=true
Small forwards are easily the NBA's most versatile athletes. Their job description requires them to do everything from rebounding (one carom per six minutes of playing time is the norm) to running (it's the No. 3 who puts the zip in a fast break). From handling — at least well enough to create his own shots and also to help overcome pressure defenses — to passing; from shooting to defending; small forwards are actually big-littles, and, along with the guards, are deemed one of the skill positions.
Defense-oriented small forwards (like Bruce Bowen) are highly valued by coaches, but their lack of offense must be compensated by a power forward who can light up a scoreboard. Still, most of the outstanding small forwards in NBA history (Paul Arizin, Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Bernard King, Bobby Dandridge, et al) were primarily celebrated for their scoring prowess.
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Power forwards used to be called hatchet men. The blunt edges of their talents hewed out rebounds, picks, defense, and the kind of selective brutality essential to any contact sport. Guys like Antonio Davis, Dale Davis, Danny Fortson, Eduardo Najera, Malik Rose, and Kelvin Cato are cast in the traditional mode. But in recent years, the prac ioners of the No. 4 spot have become more like oversized small forwards. This new wave of powerless power forwards include Dirk Nowitzki, Troy Murphy, Eddie Griffin, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Shawn Marion.
Neither of these two classifications is intrinsically better than the other. Indeed, the biggest measure of a power forward's worth depends upon the complimentary talents of his center, as well as his particular function in his team's game plan.
By definition, centers are in the middle of the action. Bigs who can score in the pivot cause defenses to make risky adjustments simply because the ball is so close to the basket. Because such monsters-in-the middle generally attract double-teams, they must also be adequate passers. Centers who can shoot from the perimeter put enormous pressure on their opposite numbers, who are rarely comfortable playing defense beyond the shadow of the basket. Since No. 5s are the last line of a team's defense, shot-blocking centers can always find a job.
If Shaq represents the old-time Mikan-Chamberlain tradition of dreadnaught pivot men, Amare Stoudemire just might be a sign of things to come. Quickness overcoming power. Finesse trumping bulk. Versatility vexing lane-bound scorers.
In determining the best and the worst of the NBA's frontcourts, the emphasis is on the balance of the collective talents rather than on the individual brilliance of any one player.
BEST FRONTCOURTS
1. DETROIT — Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace
Prince and R. Wallace provide the offense, while all three are superlative defenders. The only pertinent question is this: Is this trio better than the Bird-McHale-Parish triumvirate? On defense, the Pistons are clearly superior, while the Celtics frontline rates a similar edge on offense. The deciding difference in Boston's favor is that Dennis Johnson was light years better than any of Detroit's current guards.
2. INDIANA — Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jeff Foster
A potentially potent combination of scoring, defense, rebounding, and role playing. This, however, is a critical season for the Pacers' front-court. Can Artest behave himself? Can O'Neal survive the regular season and be healthy in the playoffs? Can Foster hit more than an occasional jump shot? Given three affirmative answers, Indiana's baseline players will evolve from potential to actual greatness.
3. MIAMI — James Posey, Udonis Haslem, and Shaquille O'Neal An outstanding point-maker flanked by a pair of outstanding defenders. The X-factor here is Posey's ability to regain not only his shooting touch, but his commitment to playing hard. Should Antoine Walker supplant Posey in the starting lineup, then Miami will drop out of the elite rankings.
4. SAN ANTONIO — Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, and Nazr Mohammed/Rasho Nesterovic
Bowen gets paid for playing defense, yet his ability to sink 3-balls is particularly suited to the routine double-teams faced by Duncan. Mohammed's mediocre skills — offensive rebounding, hustling, and staying out of TD's way — are likewise more functional with the Spurs than they would be elsewhere. Nesterovic remains an underrated center who can score, pass, and set timber-shivering picks. But it's the all-around game of Duncan that maximizes his teammates' effectiveness.
5. HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, and Yao Ming
Scoring is their common forte, and upon occasion T-Mac can do a reasonable impersonation of an NBA defender. Also, McGrady is the only one of the three who has any lateral movement. But, man, these guys can fill the basket!
On the verge — DENVER (Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby would be appreciably better with Nene in the mix), UTAH (Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Jarron Collins).
WORST FRONTCOURTS
1. ATLANTA — Josh Childress, Al Harrington, and Zaza Pachulia
Some day Childress will be able to differentiate between a good and a bad shot. Godot might show up sooner than Harrington's offense. And Pachulia still avoids going to the beach lest some bully kick sand in his face.
2. TORONTO — Jalen Rose, Chris Bosh, and Rafael Araujo
A selfish play-breaker, a young stud, and the reincarnation of the Invisible Man. Put them all together in one body and the resulting Frankenstein would still be defenseless.
3. PORTLAND — Ruben Patterson, Zach Randolph, and Joel Przybilla
A dysfunctional sandwich: An excellent defender and rebounder surrounded by a pair of immature malcontents. Heavy on the mus and sour pickles.
4. MINNESOTA — Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak, and Michael Olowokandi
If Tim Duncan can do enough to bring his frontcourt mates into harmony, Garnett can't do the same. So far, KG has not demonstrated the ability to be a big-time clutch performer in the postseason. Also, Szczerbiak is too immobile to hitch a ride to glory with the Big Ticket. And Olowokandi's game is as substantial as cotton-Kandi.
5. N.O. — Bostjan Nachbar, P. J. Brown, and your guess is as good as mine
Nachbar is a sleeper, but the 36-year-old Brown is playing on fumes. Replacing Jamaal Magloire (who was traded to the Bucks) with any combo of Chris Andersen, Maciej Lampe, and Jackson Vroman, and/or re-shifting Brown to center is a recipe for another 18-win season. There won't be any quality bigs on the waiver wire, and whom else can the Hornets use as trade bait? Replacing Nachbar with Desmond Mason is an upgrade, but the Hornets' front line remains a disaster.
On the precipice — LA LAKERS (Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm, and Kwame Brown), ORLANDO (Kelvin Cato, Pat Garrity, and the remains of Grant Hill), CHICAGO (Luol Deng, Darius Songalia, and Tyson Chandler lack firepower), GOLDEN STATE (Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle could comprise the worst defensive combo), and PHILADELPHIA (Kyle Korver, Chrius Webber, and Samuel Dalembert).
Ya. Detroit has #1 frontcourt and #2 backcourt.
I'm dumbfounded. I don't know what to say. At least there were a couple good points in there, I think.
The usual's from Rosen:
Um, are Price and Wallace headed for the HoF any time soon? The one time Rosen can legitimately lobby for the old farts, and he blows it.
Um, no. DJ was a better defender and playmaker, but he was way inferior to both Billups and Hamilton on offense.The deciding difference in Boston's favor is that Dennis Johnson was light years better than any of Detroit's current guards.
Only mildly surprised Rosen didn't use this opportunity to trash Collier.WORST FRONTCOURTS
1. ATLANTA — Josh Childress, Al Harrington, and Zaza Pachulia
A test of your integrity: With all the Rosen-bashing previously done, you cannot now say he really knows what he's talking about, even if he got one right.4. MINNESOTA — Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak, and Michael Olowokandi
If Tim Duncan can do enough to bring his frontcourt mates into harmony, Garnett can't do the same. So far, KG has not demonstrated the ability to be a big-time clutch performer in the postseason. Also, Szczerbiak is too immobile to hitch a ride to glory with the Big Ticket. And Olowokandi's game is as substantial as cotton-Kandi.
I, too, am dumbfounded. Rosen is a moron.
So true.Nesterovic remains an underrated center who can score, pass, and set timber-shivering picks.
Is he really saying that the Minnesota frontcourt is worse than the Hornets? Or is 5 the worst? Either way, this column smells like bait.
Im curious as to why Rose in Orlando's frontcourt has them not starting Dwight Howard.
Howard, Battie, Hill is the frontcourt.
Pretty good front court when healthy IMO.
I think either we or New Orleans have the worst frontcourt. Our team is pathetic right now.
[QUOTE=inagra]
pacers are agruable i guess
QUOTE]
No they arent.
Yup, its on KG. I mean, in one breath he says how valuble defenders are at the SF spot and how they have to be the most versatile. Replace Bowen with Wally and that list is swapped.
So KG is not at fault??
Of course not.....
I think our '99 front court was superior to the current Pistons'. Also, Duncan fits into neither of his "types" of power forwards, and this "new wave" of pivot man that Amare is the model of... well, it's been done before (see Kemp, Sampson, and of course, Robinson).
Light years better than Billups or Hamilton? I don't think so!The deciding difference in Boston's favor is that Dennis Johnson was light years better than any of Detroit's current guards.
I agree. DJ was a much better defender than either, but they are each much better scorers.
I can't believe he left Stromile Swift out of Houston's frontcourt....
This is the most ridiculous ranking I've seen in awhile.
Any frontcourt with Duncan is better than all those front court combos, with the possible exception of any line up with Shaq, KG, and the Pistons frontcourt.
He's basically saying the James Posey and Udonis ing Haselm are better than Bowen and Nazr/Rasho. That's ludicrous. Nor is Indiana's front court better than SA's. Bowen is better than Artest (because he can defend without throwing punches) and Nazr/Rasho are as good as Foster, and Duncan makes O'Neal look like a Keebler elf.
In fact, Duncan and the Keebler elves would be a better front court than almost any of these frontcourts.
KG and the Keebler elves would <i>still</i> not be in the worst frontcourts in the NBA. I'm appalled that anyone would suggest it would be. K
[QUOTE=romsey31]Romsey I think he means Pacers are arguably in the correct Spot..
Which is a fair assesment
I know he shivers Angel Luvs and RashoFan's timbers!Nesterovic remains an underrated center who can score, pass, and set timber-shivering picks. But it's the all-around game of Duncan that maximizes his teammates' effectiveness
You are obviously a Homer if you think Bowen is better than Artest, please pack your and leave...
Where the heck is the Suns front court of Marion, Thomas and...........................ummmm............... ............
.........uhh...................................... .....................
...........................hmmm................... .....ummm....
Jones! that's it. Yeah take that Rosen! HA
I agree, Yao, Swift, and McGrady is a pretty good front court if you ask me.
Ok my bad.
"Yao, Swift, and McGrady"
may be, but Jeff has been starting Juwan in pre-season.
Just a thought: Didn't the number 4 frontcourt just beat the number 1 frontcourt a couple of months ago? Didn't the number 1 frontcourt's supposedly inferior backcourt actually keep the team in the series? I think so.
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