who is the best center in the NBA? is it Shaq?

Answer 1

Before his injury in December, Yao Ming was in the running for MVP. There is no way Shaq is any better or more dominant than him. Amare Stoudemire would be runner up to Yao. Dwight Howard is becoming a star, but he's not there yet. Tim Duncan and Shawn Marion are not a true centers, but even if you considered them, Yao is still better overall. Here are some stats that speak for themselves:

YAO MING
PPG 25.9
RPG 9.4
APG 2.1
SPG .37
BPG 2.22
FG% .522
FT% .867
3P% .000
MPG 34.6

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
PPG 14.1
RPG 6.7
APG 1.1
SPG .27
BPG 1.67
FG% .533
FT% .479
3P% .000
MPG 24.9

AMARE STOUDEMIRE
PPG 20.1
RPG 9.5
APG .8
SPG .70
BPG 1.28
FG% .593
FT% .789
3P% .000
MPG 32.2

DWIGHT HOWARD
PPG 17.9
RPG 12.0
APG 1.7
SPG .82
BPG 1.84
FG% .599
FT% .622
3P% 1.000
MPG 35.9

TIM DUNCAN
PPG 20.5
RPG 10.6
APG 3.4
SPG .73
BPG 2.25
FG% .531
FT% .659
3P% .000
MPG 34.7

SHAWN MARION
PPG 17.9
RPG 10.4
APG 1.8
SPG 2.05
BPG 1.58
FG% .516
FT% .799
3P% .341
MPG 38.8

Answer 2

This was a no brainer several years ago, but even now in the slow decline from his prime years, I would still pick him as the best center. There's not really any center with the strength to defend him. The only thing that can stop him is an injury. Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, and Amare, which are all listed above, are great post players and have great stats. However, Shaq is the only one out of that group, that when the ball goes to him in the paint, you have several defenders swarm to him. You know it's over when he gets it in the paint. With the other centers, most of the time, the defender tries to play defense against them. However, with Shaq, most of the time defenders will just intentionally foul him. That's the difference and it's called domination, which he naturally has, and the others don't.

Answer 3

First of all, whoever said Shawn Marion has no clue what they are talking about. Shawn Marion is a forward. Amare Stoudemire is the center for the suns, and without his knee problems in the past, he'd probably be the best right now. Yao is too slow of foot, not aggressive enough, and not athletic enough to be the best center in my opinion. Shaq has the Heat playing amazing right now, because for the first time this season, he's been able to step up and be the dominant force on his team, even if he doesn't score as many points anymore. The Heat are streaking right now with Wade out and Shaq carrying them. A healthy Shaq is still the best center in the league. By next year, it will more than likely be Stoudemire assuming he stays healthy.

Answer 4

Shaq is the best center in the NBA rite now. He has a huge impact in the game cause he can easily dominate and his career stats are pretty damn good too. Yao Ming can be right up there with Shaq but he gets hurt quite often. Dwight Howard is pretty good too but is not as explosive as Shaq, maybe later in his career. Shaq is still the best even though he's just a little over his prime.

Answer 5

At best, Shaq, cuz there are no real Centers anymore. Big Ben is not playing up to par. D. Howard is going to be good. The problem is all these centers now a days go behind the arc and shoot 3s. Chamberlain would roll over in his grave! Real centers have no business up there. Power Forwards too, they are all like Guards. The future is in Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mark my words, his the next Shaq.

Answer 6

If you ask me, the best Center playing today is probably Amare Stoudamire. He's got the scoring ability, and he doesn't play bad defense either.

But I've always thought that Shaq was overhyped. He can dunk and block. He can't actually shoot for crap.


But of all time, I would put it up to 3 people and I can't quite decide on one. I would say Wilt Chamberlain, Patrick Ewing, or Kareem Abdul Jabar. All were excellent scorers and pretty decent players on defense.

Answer 7

although Wilt Chamberlain is the only player to score 100 pts in a single game for me it doesn't make him the best center in the nba.

i think its Kareem Abdul Jabbar the best center in NBA..

Honors: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995);
NBA champion (1971, '80, '82, '85, '87, '88);
NBA MVP (1971, '72, '74, '76, '77, '80);
All-NBA First Team (1971, '72, '73, '74, '76, '77, '80, '81, '84, '86);
All-NBA Second Team (1970, '78, '79, '83, '85);
All-Defensive First Team (1974, '75, '79, '80, '81);
All-Defensive Second Team (1970, '71, '76, '77, '78, '84); Rookie of the Year (1970);
19-time All-Star;
One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Answer 8

Amare Stoudemire or Yao Ming

Answer 9

It depends on what you define as a "center". Tim Duncan is listed as a PF but he mostly plays center so I would have to go with him. Dwight Howard is gotta be near the top of that list also along with Amare Stoudamire.

Answer 10

Right now? It's definitely not Shaq. Age and injuries have gotten to him. Yao Ming is the popular choice, but Shawn Marion might be better in my opinion. And in a few years, I think it will eventually be Channing Frye.