Which All Time Great NBA Center would You Want To Build A Team Around?
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 14, 2011 6:00 AM EST
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There are plenty of all time great NBA player lists one can find by surfing the web. This question is a fan question, in other words, it is totally subjective with just enough facts thrown in to make it respectable. If you were building a team from scratch and could have any center in history in prime physical condition who would you want?
Usually when looking at all time greatest NBA centers three names hover near the top: Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Bill Russell. The reasons are obvious. Wilt Chamberlin holds 60 out of 72 NBA records. They even changed NBA rules to try to stop his dominance. Compare this with rule changes in later years that were intended to help players like Michael Jordan.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is simply the all time scoring leader in the NBA and his "Sky Hook" was virtually unstoppable. Bill Russell had 11 championship rings in 13 years.
A player that usually does not make the top ten list but who still fascinates me after all of these years is Dave Cowens. Considered too small at 6' 9" when he was drafted by the Celtics he went on to be the NBA rookie of the year. Cowens had a unique style of play. On defense he would bump and grind and throw himself after rebounds. He could dribble the length of the court and finish with a layup, something big men never did in his day. He is one of only four players in NBA history to lead his team in all five major statistical categories in a season -points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots and steals. In the championship game against the Bucks he did what few players have ever done. He held his own against Kareem Abdul Jabbar and kept him from taking over the game.
Another interesting player to consider is Bill Walton. He was part of an 88 game wining streak at one point in college. Unfortunately as a pro he was injured much of the time. When able to play he showed flashed of brilliance. He is the only player other than Cowens who was able to fight Kareem Abdul Jabbar to a draw in a playoff game or championship game. He is the only player in NBA history to win the NBA Finals MVP, the Sixth Man Award and the regular season MVP award.
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10 votes so far
with none for Kareem. I never, never would have guessed that.
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 14, 2011 9:12 AM EST reply actions
BR
Ultimate team player. Also best Pro hate feud ever w/ WC.
by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Feb 14, 2011 9:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions
It is hard to argue with 11 championship rings.
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 14, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
And while his Offensive numbers don't reach the Wilt level,
he was usually found trailing the play because of his surgical execution of the rebound and outlet pass to Cousy. This was a true Championship Team, and while Red always said BR was the best there ever was, I’d guess the players would argue that it was Team before Individual in the Celtics system.
Even Bird and Hondo were team players who relied on their team to make them outstanding. Look at this in relation to the Bulls. Jordan and Pippen and all the little people. Artis Gilmore filled his role as did Steve Kerr, etc, but it was the Mike and Scotty Show for all those years.
by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Feb 14, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
Of course the NBA lane was widened because
of Wilt’s “wing span” and his ability to dominate inside.
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 14, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions
And 10,000 women would agree!
by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Feb 14, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Commentators
used to laugh whenever he would go to the free throw line. :-)
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 15, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
Are we doing Guards and Forwards next?
Can we depth chart?
I’m bored without ANY Football (or any BB after that Vt game).
by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Feb 14, 2011 9:03 PM EST reply actions
Glad to see that Milken got a vote
I think we tend to underestimate how good he was because he played before most of us were sentient beings. But when you read up on him you discover that the first time the lane was widened it was because of him. Also, the rule for goal tending is said to be because no one could score on him otherwise.
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 15, 2011 8:24 AM EST reply actions
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