Where did all the "Big Men" go in the NBA?

Question

The center is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well. A typical NBA center is 6'10" (2.08 m) or taller. So why are “Big Men” a lost treasure?

Answer 1

People that think the league is getting "smaller" in order to compete are fooling themselves. It is just "easier" to find 3 or 4 (6'5" to 6'8") guys in lieu of having a quality Center. Here, take a look at all the championship NBA teams. Find me one that didn't have a servicable big man out of this list. Generally, the Centers were the Finals MVP as often as any other position. Remember, Magic played Center in the 1982 championship because Kareem was hurt.

http://basketball-reference.com/playoffs/


Too many people do not have the right idea about what basketball is in the United States.

This is my most controversial answer ever here and many people will not understand it.

Jordan was the best thing that ever happened to the league while he was in it and at the top of his game. He had a big bullseye on his back and EVERYONE got up to play the Bulls. Now that he is gone he is the worst thing that happened to it.

This next generation of guys between 6'5" and 6'7" had/have a "Jordan Complex". They all believe that "need" to get 30 shots per night in order for their team to win. I think that Jason Kidd would disagree with that.

Many coaches are also unable to reach today's players and many aspects of today's game suffer because of it.

Guys that didn't go to college:

Eddy Curry - When his high school team didn't even win the Chicago championship, let alone state that should have been a sign that he needed to go to college.

Andrew Bynum - To his credit he seems to be listening to Kareem. There is no way an 19 year old is ready to play 82 games of pro ball.

Kwame Brown - enough said.

You put that together with the fact that many of the Centers are foreigners and are not accustomed to playing the American style of basketball and they seem to fade into the background although many of them are reasonably productive. They score sort of like Sam Perkins and rarely score more than fifteen points.

Ultimately, American players get a lot of bad advice. They believe their own hype. For that reason, more and more coaches are making a living coaching basketball in other parts of the world because American players are not interested in listening.

Bennetton is virtually a basketball factory. Players from the age of 11 to 23 I believe go to school and learn to play basketball, THAT'S IS ALL THEY DO.

They are playing against former NBA and Division 1 guys. Look for Europeans players to become more and more of a factor in the NBA. Many of the best players have ZERO interest in coming here to play college basketball because they feel it is not as competitive as European basketball.

Pilfering Monk is right though. Greg Oden will be a good NBA center. Amarie and Josh, should make things more interesting. If Andrew continues listening to Kareem things will be much better.

Answer 2

The game is changing, into a faster and quicker pace. Good examples would be the Suns and Warriors. All their players are mobile and could run the floor. Unlike the big men like Shaq and Yao. There are advantages and disadvantages in both. Take the Spurs for an example, Finley, Bowen, Horry, Barry and all the other perimeter players of the team get open looks most of the time, coz of Tim Duncan pounding the ball inside and attracting defenders which opens up some shots with the help of good ball movement. Even with a big man like Duncan they could still keep up with the much quicker Suns on defense. And control the tempo of the game offensively.

Answer 3

Good question Josh. I think with some of the recent rules changes, teams have elected to play smaller, quicker line up's, and as a result, a slower, traditional center, is almost a detriment in many cases. Example: If the Warriors had played Houston rather then Utah in there second round series, there is no way Yao Ming could have kept up with the uptempo play. He would be completely winded by halftime, and the Rockets would have to sit Yao on the bench (eliminating one of there greatest strengths), and put a smaller, quicker line up out on the floor to compete. Greg Oden, in my mind, is as close to being a more traditional center, as has come along in awhile. Things do go in cycles though. Remember when Ewing, Olajuwon, Robinson, and Shaq were all in the league at the same time??

Answer 4

Kobe Bryant Magic Johnson Shaquille O' Neal My Roster: Magic Johnson PG Kobe Bryant SG Charles Barkley PF Shaq C Michael Jordan SG 6 Willt Chamberlin 7 Dominique Wilkins 8 Clyde Drexler

Answer 5

That's because the big guys nowadays are idiots that they think that playing the legit center position is too old-school and very obsolete. They all like to play the perimeter facing the basket as exemplified by that overrated MVP who at 7 feet actually plays small forward and shoots 3's instead of pounding the ball in the paint. Gosh! Also, these guys are cowards. They're afraid to mix it up inside for fear of injury and too much wear and tear. Right now, only Shaq plays the old school center position, and to some extent, Tim Duncan. These guys indeed are rare breeds.

Answer 6

I personally have run into this discount store and then purchased one there. Not totally remarkable regarding their shipping speed but did save you approximately 73% and very happy for this. The quality is actually good and until today not spot any flaws.

Answer 7

Coaches wouldn't let them play...they say they become proud to much that they don't practice..size isn't everything!

Answer 8

The term is "Obese Man."

Answer 9

Well, I think wat it is is the "New Breed" are a bit smaller, more athletic.