Best center ever in Basketball?

Question

Kareem?

Answer 1

Before i give my list and get the criticism well expected, let me explain to you my logic. I'm not going on stats, cause lets face it, times were different between Wilt and lets say Shaquille. Competition was different. Wilt was a man child, at least 4 to five inches taller than everyone else so of course he's going to dominate. But he only has one ring to show for it. Along with competition is skill. Bill Russel has the rings to show; 11 to be exact, but he had a great team around him. The best team of his era. Bill lacked offense, but was a great defender and even better leader. With this said, let me break down my list.

1. Kareem, unforgettable, unstoppable sky hook. Great leader. Good defender. Played against NBA great centers in Ewing, Hakeem, Parish, Moses Malone, etc.

2. Hakeem " The Dream" Most skilled center of all time. Combination of power with sweet finesse. Great defender. Played in the most competitve era for a center in my opinion. Arguablly #1 in my books.

3. Russell

4. Wilt

5. Shaq ( no Kobe no Wade no championship)

Answer 2

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Bill Russell
4. Hakeem Olajuwon
5. Shaquille O'Neal
6. David Robinson

Answer 3

Yeah I'd have to say Kareem as well. Wilt and Russell played in an era where the game wasn't as developed as when Jabbar played. He sits right in the middle of them both when you talk stats and accomplishments as well. It's almost as if you could combine Wilt and Russell's career and you'd get Kareem. He did everything they could do (dominate on defense, scoring titles, championships, MVP's) but for a much much longer period of time (20 seasons).

Answer 4

I believe the first true big time center should get some consideration -- George Mikan. He is the reason the lane went from 6 to 12 feet wide in both pro and college ball, and the reason we have the 24 second shot clock. How do you revolutionize any more than that?

Plus, when the Lakers were at Madison Square Garden in the 50's the Marquis said "TONIGHT -- GEORGE MIKAN VERSUS KNICKS"

O'Neal is not in my top 10 because if I could throw my defender into press row then dunk with foul on him I would be great too.

Answer 5

Wilt was the best dominating center
Russell was the best team center
Shaq is better then Kareem ever was
Kareem was always good for his points, always played with great players & team mates but was never a dominate force.

Answer 6

What up rezz, Shaq is a ordinary pollcorridor-of-famer, and had the flair to be the suited C of all-time yet there are somewhat some who i think of are extra useful than Shaq: a million) Wilt Chamberlin 2) bill Russell 3) Kareem Abdul Jabbar 4) Hakeem Oljauwon 5) Shaq Nickster

Answer 7

BILL RUSSELL, of course!
11 NBA titles in his 13 seasons.
Lost a playoff series only once to the great Wilt Chamberlain despite giving away 4-5 inches and more than 50 pounds(that's why Wilt is only 2nd best).
To those who say Russell can't score, that's not true. He definitely could score, he just didn't need to. From 1958 to 1963, averaged 17.4ppg, and averaged15.1ppg for his career and 16.2ppg in the playoffs. As a point of comparison, his teammate Tom Heinsohn, whose main role with the Celtics was to score, averaged 18.6ppg for his career, just 3.5ppg more than the supposedly non-scoring Russell.
Kareem, by the way, should be ranked third, just ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Answer 8

It has to be shaq because in his mid thirties he is still dominant when he wants to be. HE might just be a big ole muscle but he does have basketball skills and he is a a pretty intelligent player. Besides the tfact that he is so big which in many times limits his mobility on the defenseive end he is good at what hes job is supposed to be. And he will be retiring soon and that makes him at least in the top three centers ever to play the game if not THE best.

Answer 9

Wilt The Stilt

Answer 10

Wilt chamberlain. Kareem was the 3rd best in my opinion, behind russell and Chamberlain. russell averaged about 13 blocks a game when blocks weren't a stat and wilt averaged 50.4 points one season. 50.4 POINTS. thats just too good to be beaten.