who is the nba's best center ever?

Answer 1

Chamberlain, Russell and Jabbar are the 3 best centers of all time, by far.

Shaq is probably #4.

Jabbar was kicking Olajuwon's butt when he was 39 years old (1986, Kareem was first team all NBA over the 23 year old Olajuwon).

Olajuwon was the best center of the 90s, but he was nowhere near Wilt, Russell, or Kareem's level of skill. Also, Hakeem's in-depth knowledge of the game wasn't anywhere near these guys' either.

Wilt (still) owns the record books. Russell won 11 rings. Jabbar is the league's all time leading scorer, and won a record 6 MVP awards (Russell won 5 and Chamberlain 4).

Wilt led the NBA in assists, the only non-guard ever to do so. One hundred points in a game, 55 rebounds in one game, the only 20-20-20 triple double in history, a career average of 30 points and 23 rebounds per game...Wilt was also the most durable athlete ever... in 1962 he played 3,882 out of his team's 3,890 minutes (missed only 8 minutes all season, played 79 complete games in an 80 game schedule) and AVERAGED OVER 48 MIN/GAME THAT YEAR (because of overtimes). Wilt also AVERAGED 45.6 Min/Game over his career.

Today, 42 min/game would lead the league...that would be a career LOW for Wilt.

Answer 2

I can't believe Hakeem "The Dream" was only mentioned once. He was unstoppable on offense. He had the best footwork of all centers, and won a championship with a supporting cast that wouldn't even compare to these other guys' teams. What do you mean Shaq played with people his size? Who else in the NBA weighed 400 lbs? Plus Hakeem was Shaq's daddy for the '95 Championship. Besides has any one of the other centers chase down a point guard on a fast break and block his shot, i.e. Rod Strickland.

Answer 3

Wilt the Stilts Chamberlain. Top 5 in scoring speaks for itself. And can i mention a 100 point game, and a 55 rebound game. And i think he had alot more games with 50+ points games.
Or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He's number 1 on the scoring list and is the creator of the sky hook. Also in blame for Andrew Bynum becoming a role player with the Lakers. (good thing)

Answer 4

I would say Kareem. He is the NBA's all time leading scorer (38,387 pts.) and has won six league MVP awards. He has the most unstoppable shot in all of basketball and was absolutely dominant and never took a night off in all of his 20 years of playing. He was a proven winner in high school and college. By the time he got to the NBA, it was all over for everyone else.

Answer 5

kareem.

c'mon, he scored the most points in nba history while going against other great centers like moses malone, parish, nance, daugherty, chamberlain, etc.. i think nobody will ever beat that scoring record..ever

- nobody was as durable and as he was. he played up to his 40s
- he was clutch and was a winner (4 championships)
- nobody does the skyhook anymore but this move of his was money
- and he made movies on the side too

bill russel: early days of the nba, not too much competition
wilt: was a loser until he hooked up with jerry west
robinson: loser until he partnered with duncan
shaq: strong but not durable and missed thousands of FT (hes my second choice)

Answer 6

Wilt, Kareem or Bill Russell. You could make a valid argument with all three and nobody would be wrong.

***and let's give some dap to the late, great George Mikan the first true big man; noone ever brings him up in these discussions***

Answer 7

The NBA's best player ever was Bill Russell.

Answer 8

Wilt Chamberlain.

Answer 9

is it even close. Wilt and Kareem share.

Kareem's skyhook was the best move ever.
Wilt has the most points in a game and is a dominant, aggresive player.

Shaq was good but not like these guys. he threw his body into everyone and didn't get called for charges.

Answer 10

Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell.