Bill Russell is widely considered the greatest center ever, he won 11 championships, more then any other player, was a dominant inside threat both on offense and defense, and a great rebounder. But was he really THAT good? In Russell's era there were only 12 teams, meaning that the little talent there was, wasnt very divided. And having a coach that great, along with a HOFer at every position on your roster has to add a huge advantage to it. There's always the Wilt debate, but by the time the Laker-Celtic rivalry began, Wilt was no longer the player he once was. Is Russell really that good?Another player who is often overshadowed by Magic johnson, when i feel it should be the other way around is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Not only could he score, rebound, block, and play defense, but he was a leader. Regardless of being the best player on the court, Kareem led that showtime team, and Magic and other teammates have said it many times. There's always the classic game 6 where Magic recorded a near triple double at center replacing him, but let me ask you this. Can you actually name me the player who defended Magic in that game, and secondly it was one game. We dont call Kobe better then MJ because he scored 81 once. Kareem posted numbers, and he won gold, and that's what it comes down too. Magic was a great player, and for that so is Shaq, but neither were on the level that Kareem is at, and for anyone who doesnt believe me watch some old Bucks games and you'll see what a dominant big man is. As far as my opinion goes, kareem is easily the greatest center to ever play the game of Basketball.
Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the great center of all time.But in my eyes he is the greatest center of all time. Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1978); NBA champion (1967, '72); NBA Finals MVP (1972); NBA MVP (1960, '66, '67, '68); All-NBA First Team (1960, '61, '62, '64, '66, '67, '68); Second Team ('63, '65, '72); All-Defensive First Team (1972, '73); Rookie of Year (1960); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).^^^I mean do these stats lie?Also,Dont forget Chamberlain led the NBA in scoring for each of his first seven seasons and finished his career with a 30.1 scoring average. O yea and by the way....he scored 100 points in one game!!Just thought I'd add that in
I think it is very difficult to compare players of different eras because the game has changes so much since they played. You dont want to take anything away from what they accomplished in their time, but at the same time, its tough to gauge whether or not those numbers would still be produced in todays game. I think that they need to be recognized for their accomplishments in the time they played, but overall its very hard to compare players who played in such different times.
Exactly, it is very tough. I read something once saying that when Wilt entered the league, the average height was 6'5. Even in the 70s, Wilt was playing smaller players. Plus, shots were much more plentiful back then, allowing more points scored.It's so hard to compare, but what isn't hard, is that these players are definate Top 5 CentersIn no order)- Bill Russell- Wilt Chamberlin- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Hakeem - Shaqulle O' Neal All won at some point, some have won alot. All have had great statistics, some better than others. However, all those guys influenced the outcomes of games more than anyone else, and they are the definition of "A Great Center"
Hakeem was the most entertaining post player I've ever seen. With the moves, the defense, etc...Awesome...
mehmet okur...................wait, wrong topicshaq, best center of all time with wilt right behind him. i think shaq has more post moves then wilt did. when i watched game 7 of the 1970 finals wilt only did one move and that was back down the defender and scoop it up. i know i'm only judging from one game so if i'm wrong feel free to correct me. shaq can catch alley oops, shoot hook shots, some shoulder fakes, up and under, drop step. i've never seen wilt play other than highlights and that one game. shaq is the man.i know bill russell and wilt played eachother but i thought bill russell was considered a power forward. he's pretty lean for a center.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Jun 9 2006, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's really hard to debate this but it's definatly between Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.</div>I agree, because I dont trust putting the 60's-70's guys. The NBA was very young and the rules were set in sucha way that the bigger you were, the better. That;s whay it's hard to compare big men. They were dominant if they played in that era.Hakeem was probably one of the best all around players ever. Kareem could amazing things, the sky hook never failed him, and he had championship success.Kareem Abdul-Jabar has the upper hands because he has some rings to back it up.Putting Bill and Wilt in there is unfair because they were expected to play like that, with those circumstances.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nykfan4life @ Jun 10 2006, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>shaq, best center of all time with wilt right behind him. i think shaq has more post moves then wilt did. when i watched game 7 of the 1970 finals wilt only did one move and that was back down the defender and scoop it up. i know i'm only judging from one game so if i'm wrong feel free to correct me. shaq can catch alley oops, shoot hook shots, some shoulder fakes, up and under, drop step. i've never seen wilt play other than highlights and that one game. shaq is the man.i know bill russell and wilt played eachother but i thought bill russell was considered a power forward. he's pretty lean for a center.</div> Who cares if Bill Russell was lean, so were most of the players back then. He was a center. I seriously doubt Wilt had one post move...doesn't make much sense. Shaq the best center of all-time? Hardly. You've just seen him play more than the other guys.
I feel he is the best center of All Time. And I seriously doubt anyone here has actually seen alot of Hakeem / Kareem games besides those being shown on ESPN Classic. I've probably seen about 20 games from each of them, maybe less. With Shaq however, I've seen him play about 10 games with Orlando, and then countless games with LA and Miami. All I know is:The guy influences a game unlike anyone I've ever seen
If anyone is interested in seeing some Hakeem clips, here's a little ten minute dedication I found on YouTube...http://youtube.com/watch?v=uBrEsNS9zKg&search=hakeem
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Jun 8 2006, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the great center of all time.But in my eyes he is the greatest center of all time. Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1978); NBA champion (1967, '72); NBA Finals MVP (1972); NBA MVP (1960, '66, '67, '68); All-NBA First Team (1960, '61, '62, '64, '66, '67, '68); Second Team ('63, '65, '72); All-Defensive First Team (1972, '73); Rookie of Year (1960); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).^^^I mean do these stats lie?Also,Dont forget Chamberlain led the NBA in scoring for each of his first seven seasons and finished his career with a 30.1 scoring average. O yea and by the way....he scored 100 points in one game!!Just thought I'd add that in </div>Actually those awards do lie in a way. Sure they are incredible stats but Wilt played when their was a lot less talent and teams in the league. When Wilt was in his prime there was barely any other talents to stop him. I mean Wilt was an incredible player but I bet if you if he played in our erahe wouldnt have that many awardsAs for who I think he it is. I think it's between Shaq and Kareem but after reading what you said PrimeTime I fully agree w/ you and say Kareem is the best center all time
Well I never got the privelage to really see Wilt or Kareem. I saw an aging Hakeem and an aging Ewing. I did, however, get to see Shaq in his prime. That Hakeem video was unbelievable by the way, but even just from watching that, his slinderness would have been a big advantage for Shaq in his prime.But me, and 98% of everyone here posting is in no place to even think about answering this question, so I'll just leave it at that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 10 2006, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well I never got the privelage to really see Wilt or Kareem. I saw an aging Hakeem and an aging Ewing. I did, however, get to see Shaq in his prime. That Hakeem video was unbelievable by the way, but even just from watching that, his slinderness would have been a big advantage for Shaq in his prime.But me, and 98% of everyone here posting is in no place to even think about answering this question, so I'll just leave it at that.</div> Exactly...to sit and act like you know all these players is ridiculous...I put it at Hakeem and Kareem and that was it because I know so little about them and never saw them.
Most entertaining C of all-time: Hakeem Olajuwon (the move where he got David Robinson to fall for his fakes was one of my favorites)Best C of all-time: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar I'll be honest and say that I dont know anything about these guys, and I've seen very few clips of them. Right here, I'm just stating my opinion.
