<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#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. 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.</div> This is gonna start alot of drama... Sorry but how could Wilt not be in the top 2??? :eek
1.Shaq 2.Russell 3.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.With Chamberlain 5.Hakeem Olajuwon 6.David Robinson 7.Moses Malone 8.Patrick Ewing 9.Ben Wallace 10.Bill Walton
1. Wilt 2. Russel 3. Kareem 4. Shaq The next few are accurately listed by the link How can you deny Wilt of the best center of all time? 100 points in a game alone is unfathomable. Shaq is not top 3 because he has never played without a dominant guard and in his prime there were no half decent centers to compete with.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Wilt 2. Russel 3. Kareem 4. Shaq The next few are accurately listed by the link How can you deny Wilt of the best center of all time? 100 points in a game alone is unfathomable. Shaq is not top 3 because he has never played without a dominant guard and in his prime there were no half decent centers to compete with.</div> I agree with your rankings but kareem played with oscar robertson and magc johnson. Russell played with Cousy for some of his career. And Wilt played with West for some of his career.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting miamiballa12:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with your rankings but kareem played with oscar robertson and magc johnson. Russell played with Cousy for some of his career. And Wilt played with West for some of his career.</div> I was just saying we have no idea how good Shaq is without a great guard nor do we know how good he is against the all-time great centers. Plus if you look at how well Yao does against Shaq, you have to assume that Shaq would get schooled by Wilt, Russel, or Kareem.
Hahahaha!!! You actually think Wilt Chamberlin could dominate like that against players of today (keep dreaming). People who put Wilt as the best center are probably 40 yrs old and up.lol. You have to remember guys, back in those days, the players were ALOT smaller than they are now, so in other words Wilt was playing against mostly midgets.lol. Here's the list: Shaq- Most dominant in the game HANDS DOWN! Could dominate any era, just imagine if he was playing in the 60's with the midgets. Kareem- Most unstoppable move in NBA history, could score on ANYBODY (including Wilt, Shaq, Russell etc...), and even dominated the league 20 years plus, INCREDIBLE! Hakeem- Most talented Center EVER! Could crossover, spin, dreamshake (2nd most unstoppable move ever), jump hook in the lane, block shots, rebound, steal etc.........Could dominate any era also. Russell- Won 11 championships. NUFF SAID!! Wilt- The most dominant of his era, could play with best of them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">Hahahaha!!! You actually think Wilt Chamberlin could dominate like that against players of today (keep dreaming). People who put Wilt as the best center are probably 40 yrs old and up.lol. You have to remember guys, back in those days, the players were ALOT smaller than they are now, so in other words Wilt was playing against mostly midgets.lol. Here's the list: Shaq- Most dominant in the game HANDS DOWN! Could dominate any era, just imagine if he was playing in the 60's with the midgets. Kareem- Most unstoppable move in NBA history, could score on ANYBODY (including Wilt, Shaq, Russell etc...), and even dominated the league 20 years plus, INCREDIBLE! Hakeem- Most talented Center EVER! Could crossover, spin, dreamshake (2nd most unstoppable move ever), jump hook in the lane, block shots, rebound, steal etc.........Could dominate any era also. Russell- Won 11 championships. NUFF SAID!! Wilt- The most dominant of his era, could play with best of them.</div> So Wilt, Russel, and Thurmond were midgets? I dont think you understand, these players had something Shaq doesn't, its called skill. Shaq cant do a damn thing out side of 5 feet and his only move is: barrel through guy who weighs 70 pounds less than he, then dunk or bank the ball off of the backboard from 6 feet away. He hasn't improved his FT shooting at all, the big hands excuse is total BS if Yao Ming is a 80% FT shooter. He has no motivation unless it is a personal vendetta, he was out of shape for half of his carreer. By the way, I'm 16 years old, probably alot younger than you are. You are obviously oblivious to anything that went on before 1995.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">So Wilt, Russel, and Thurmond were midgets? I dont think you understand, these players had something Shaq doesn't, its called skill. Shaq cant do a damn thing out side of 5 feet and his only move is: barrel through guy who weighs 70 pounds less than he, then dunk or bank the ball By the way, I'm 16 years old, probably alot younger than you are. You are obviously oblivious to anything that went on before 1995.</div> Well you're young so I'll take it easy on you. For one, Wilt didn't play against players his size, there weren't any 7'6 centers back then. There may have been a few 7 footers, but they weren't as mobile and athletic as the ones today. In other words, if Chamberlin score 100 pts in one game in the 60's, Shaq would have score 200. Shaq is bigger, faster, stronger, and despite what you claim, has alot more moves than Wilt did. Honestly, there is no comparison.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">Well you're young so I'll take it easy on you. For one, Wilt didn't play against players his size, there weren't any 7'6 centers back then. There may have been a few 7 footers, but they weren't as mobile and athletic as the ones today. In other words, if Chamberlin score 100 pts in one game in the 60's, Shaq would have score 200. Shaq is bigger, faster, stronger, and despite what you claim, has alot more moves than Wilt did. Honestly, there is no comparison.</div> You cant say that Wilt shouldn't be the best because he was bigger than his competition and then put Shaq at #1. Shaq's whole game is being bigger than the defender. If there were 7'1 325 lb. centers other than Shaq running aroung the league I'll bet Shaq wouldn't be so special. Shaq couldn't lead the league in any stat he wanted to like Wilt did and he sure as hell couldn't score 100 points in a game, even on a 6'5 guy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">If[ there were 7'1 325 lb. centers other than Shaq running aroung the league I'll bet Shaq wouldn't be so special[/B].</div> Please. Desagana Diop? Eddy Curry is 6'11 285ish, but he once was around 300 and he dominate at all. If you made him 7'1 and 310, do you think he would dominate like Shaq? Or even close? I really doubt it. I hate when everyone uses his size and height to take credit away from Shaq and his basketball skills. He was dominate from the day he entered the league and was not near 325. He's strong. He has footwork and inside scoring skills. Stop using his height and weight as an excuse.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">Please. Desagana Diop? Eddy Curry is 6'11 285ish, but he once was around 300 and he dominate at all. If you made him 7'1 and 310, do you think he would dominate like Shaq? Or even close? I really doubt it. I hate when everyone uses his size and height to take credit away from Shaq and his basketball skills. He was dominate from the day he entered the league and was not near 325. He's strong. He has footwork and inside scoring skills. Stop using his height and weight as an excuse.</div> When I was a young'un and didn't understand the post game all that well, I used to think he was just a big bucket o' lard and couldn't move his paunch up and down the court, but boy I tell you, now I know. There is a reason he's the most dominant ever. There are players in the game now, and coming into the game that may come close to his height and weight, but no one knows how to take control of a game like Shaquille Rahsaun O'Neal. The man can score at any time, rebounds like a monster, and plays defense as well as, or better than anyone at his position. The man is a true HOF'er and deserves his credit for being as good as he is. Height, nor weight, make an all-around game, and his is nothing but. And you'd be surprised how many guys he can outrun up and down the floor. Even at his age, you won't see Yao or Z running like this guy, and you certainly won't see either of them pushing him around. But more than anything, this guy's personality puts people's butts in the seats, wherever he goes. And that makes a player great too. Let's not forget that Professional Sports are businesses, and particularly lucrative ones when handled properly. There was never as much cross-over appeal or press attention to the games when guys like Russell or Chamberlain or Mikan were around, and there's not a question that were the greatest ones ever, but the man has transcended the sport and been a major reason why the NBA is as successful as it has been in the last thirteen years. Even on Draft Night when he was selected by the Magic, the electricity this guy has just emanating from him makes tickets sell, and everyone want to shake his hand. When he wasn't even in the league yet, his rookie card was worth more than Jordan's card in 1992 when he arrived. His draw and his talent have combined - in an age where money and the press conspire to make players greater than their game - to make him the most popular player around. Even with MJ in the league, nothing took away from this guy. And now that we know he's a winner, that just adds to his legacy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iceman:</div><div class="quote_post">9.Ben Wallace 10.Bill Walton</div> Is this a joke? Where's George Mikan? Bill Walton plays ten solid, unspectacular years in the league as he's better than the first dominant center and most dominant center of the entire opening era of professional basketball? Wallace over Mikan? What? I'd put Wes Unseld on this list ahead of Ben Wallace. At least Unseld played some semblance of offense. Or how about Elvin Hayes? BOB LANIER ANYONE? I don't know where you thought this list up from, but it needs to be reexamined, this is a travesty. Go back to basketball history 101. I'm not usually this mean, but this is ridiculous. Ben Wallace!? What a joke!
I don't understand how anyone wouldn't put Wilt at #1. He was the most dominating and the greatest player of all-time. He averaged 50 PPG, 25 RPG and 2 ASP for a season, scored 100 points a game and once lead the leauge in assists. IMO, it is disrespectful to list Wilt at #2 or lower. Russell should be #2 IMO. He was the greatest winner and defensive player of All-Time. He was also a great leader. I also think Shaq' should be #3 he dominated the leauge for many years and is still at it. No player can stop him in the post. After those 3 I think it falls in this order: 3: Kareem 4: Mikan 5: Olijawon 6: Nate Thurmond 7: Walton 8: Robinson
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">You cant say that Wilt shouldn't be the best because he was bigger than his competition and then put Shaq at #1. Shaq's whole game is being bigger than the defender. If there were 7'1 325 lb. centers other than Shaq running aroung the league I'll bet Shaq wouldn't be so special. Shaq couldn't lead the league in any stat he wanted to like Wilt did and he sure as hell couldn't score 100 points in a game, even on a 6'5 guy.</div> It's very simple. If they went heads up in they're prime, Shaq would DESTROY Wilt. Wilt would have his highlights, but Shaq would OVERPOWER him just like he'd do ANYBODY. I saw a game where Wilt was going up against Kareem, and Kareem was KILLIN Wilt. Just imagine if that we're Shaq. Bottom line, stop WISHING. Wilt didn't have the size or quickness to dominate like Shaq. Like I've been saying, if Shaq we're playing back then, he'd be 5 times more dominant than Wilt or Russell EVER WERE. Face it, NOBODY IS MORE DOMINANT THAN SHAQIULLE ONEAL. Also, I know we all have our opinions, but George Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5
Wilt was so good becuase there was no one to stop him and he was the biggest player at that time. I knoe people are gona disagree with me but i think he is complete sh*t
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">It's very simple. If they went heads up in they're prime, Shaq would DESTROY Wilt. Wilt would have his highlights, but Shaq would OVERPOWER him just like he'd do ANYBODY. I saw a game where Wilt was going up against Kareem, and Kareem was KILLIN Wilt. Just imagine if that we're Shaq. Bottom line, stop WISHING. Wilt didn't have the size or quickness to dominate like Shaq. Like I've been saying, if Shaq we're playing back then, he'd be 5 times more dominant than Wilt or Russell EVER WERE. Face it, NOBODY IS MORE DOMINANT THAN SHAQIULLE ONEAL. Also, I know we all have our opinions, but George Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5</div> Your mistaken my friend. Wilt would have dominated Shaq'. Wilt was quicker and stronger than Shaq' is now. Wilt could have dominated in any era of basketball. He was just so dominant you can't even describe it in words. And the tape you saw of Kareem and Wilt was probably toward the end of his career. And I'm curious why you think Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5. He layed the groundwork for the centers of the future. The game was also changed to try and stop him from dominating. So I would appreciate it if you would enlighten me on why Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wilt was so good becuase there was no one to stop him and he was the biggest player at that time. I knoe people are gona disagree with me but i think he is complete sh*t</div> Your joking right? I would like to hear your opinion on this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ignignot:</div><div class="quote_post">Is this a joke? Where's George Mikan? Bill Walton plays ten solid, unspectacular years in the league as he's better than the first dominant center and most dominant center of the entire opening era of professional basketball? Wallace over Mikan? What? I'd put Wes Unseld on this list ahead of Ben Wallace. At least Unseld played some semblance of offense. Or how about Elvin Hayes? BOB LANIER ANYONE? I don't know where you thought this list up from, but it needs to be reexamined, this is a travesty. Go back to basketball history 101. I'm not usually this mean, but this is ridiculous. Ben Wallace!? What a joke!</div> Not to mention Nate Thurmond. At least we can agree that his list is horrible. Back to Shaq though, I didn't say that another 7'1 guy would take Shaq to school I just said he wouldn't be as dominant. Someone mentioned Curry and Z, I'll bet Shaq doesn't do as well against them as he does against a shorter or less weighty opponent such as Dalembert or Nazr Mohammed who are better defensively but just not as huge. I like Shaq but I think Wilt was better, you dont have to agree but look at some of his records; He has the top 4 highest season averages in PPG (50.4, 44.8, 38.4, 37.6) the fifth highest (37.1) is held by Michael Jordan, most consecutive years leading the league in scoring (7), tied with MJ for highest career PPG average (30.1), most points in a game (100), most rebounds in a game (41), highest RPG average in a playoff series (32.0), most rebounds for a rookie in a game (35), all-time career RPG average (22.9), most total rebounds in a career (23,924), 12th all-time in FTs made (6,057), 3rd all-time in FGs made (12,681), plus he got 4 MVPs and rookie of the year. All of that in 14 seasons and Shaq has already played 13. Shaq is definitely an all-time great but one could argue that Wilt was at least as dominant and if you only look at stats, one could argue that Wilt is the greatest player of ever (though i dont believe he is).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AA13:</div><div class="quote_post">Your mistaken my friend. Wilt would have dominated Shaq'. Wilt was quicker and stronger than Shaq' is now. Wilt could have dominated in any era of basketball. He was just so dominant you can't even describe it in words. And the tape you saw of Kareem and Wilt was probably toward the end of his career. And I'm curious why you think Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5. He layed the groundwork for the centers of the future. The game was also changed to try and stop him from dominating. So I would appreciate it if you would enlighten me on why Mikan doesn't belong in the top 5. Your joking right? I would like to hear your opinion on this.</div> Thank you AA13, you are correct, Wilt was an absolute athletic specimen, much faster than Shaq and probably just as strong. And it is a joke that people are saying Wilt faced no competition when they have Bill Russel (Chaimberlain's fiercest rival) on their own lists.
Shaq has bigger hands than Yao... nuff' said. We can argue about this until freakin' pigs fly but it won't go anywhere. We will never know who's the best or who's better than who unless we took a timemachine and had everybody in their primes go against each other... which obviously will never happen. The centers are always the most disputed list... I myself prefer Olajuwon over the big 4 of Shaq, Wilt, Kareem and Russell.
