Who is the greatest center of all time?

Answer 1

OK I just love when people say "Shaq is the best because he was the most dominant." That is a 100% false statement. Shaq didn't do anything that guys half his size couldn't do. Charles Barkley is 9 inches and 70 pounds smaller than Shaquille O'Neal and averaged more rebounds for his career. I'm sorry but if Shaq is "the most dominant player ever" I think he should at least be able to get more rebounds than guys like Barkley and Rodman. If you take Charles Barkley, with his rebounding ability, and put him in Shaq's outrageously large body he would have averaged like 25 a year. Shaq never led the league in rebounds or blocks and also had his career highs in rebounds and blocks when he was a rookie. The one thing you can't argue in terms of his dominance is his field goal percentage. He led the NBA in FG% 9 times and he's also the only player to ever average 20 points and 10 rebounds for 13 straight seasons (Hakeem, Wilt, and Kareem did it 12 in a row). I would say Shaq is the 2nd most dominant player ever but ...

If you want to say a guy is the best because he was the most dominant you have to say it's Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt is the single most dominant player to ever play any sport and no one will ever come close to that level of dominance. He once AVERAGED 50 points a game for a season, he once AVERAGED 27 rebounds for a season, and he once averaged 8 assists (and led the league) despite being a 7'2 270 lb center. Blocks weren't kept as stats back then but I can only imagine how many he got per game, probably around 8. The biggest argument against Wilt is that he only got 1 ring, but keep in mind he played in an era which was dominated by Russell's Celtics and those teams were just better than Chamberlain's. Even with all that said, I don't think Wilt is the best center of all time simply because there was hardly anyone in the league at that time over 6'6, let alone 7'0. Wilt was just bigger than everyone, but unlike Shaq, who was also bigger than everyone, Wilt actually did dominate.

Then there's the Bill Russell argument, which is tough to dispute, but I just don't think Russell was good enough offensively to say he was the best of all time. But he's probably the best defensive player of all time and like someone said, it's tough to argue with all those rings.

Overall I would say Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest center of all time because he could do everything. He was one of the best scoring centers of all time, a great rebounder, and he's the NBA's all time leader in blocks. Plus he's one of the best passing big men ever and he's got two rings. I have no problem putting Shaq's name in the mix but you just cannot say he's the best because he was the most dominant because Wilt was obviously more dominant. Others that deserve to be mentioned are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and David Robinson

My top 5 would be:

1. Hakeem Olajuwon
2. Shaquille O'Neal (more rings than Wilt)
3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Bill Russell
5. David Robinson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

My apologies to "KatDaddy," didn't mean to steal your points, it took me a while to type my answer

Answer 2

Here we go again. For the life of me, if I have to hear Bill Russell one more time. . . This guy was about the same size as Dennis Rodman. Karl Malone would have been too much for him. His team was so stacked, you could have put me at the center position and we would have won 11 championships and I am only 5'5'' 140 lbs. No disrespect to Bill Russell but what other talent was in the league at that time? Russell did not have to carry his team offensively either like the other great centers.
Wilt Chamberlain was probably an average 6 inches taller than his opponents and he weighed 275lbs. Again, who else was in the league at this time? Honestly, do you all really think Wilt and Russell would average 20+ rebounds a game with Jabbar, Ewing, David Robinson, Shaq and Olajuwon in the league? Do you all really think Wilt would average 50 points a game against Jabbar, Ewing, David Robinson or Olajuwon? There are many things to consider before you all holla Russell and Wilt.
Question? Who among those mentioned earlier has the most career steals and blocks? Also, who among these guys had the most low post moves? Whomever ya'll answer for these two questions is in my opinon the greatest center of all time.

Answer 3

Depends on how you define great. The first great center, George Mikan, defined the position for everyone that came after, so you can throw him into the discussion. Bill Russell was the ultimate winner at the position, and a good defender, but he played on some SICK teams. Wilt was one of the best ever at dominating his position, but he didn't win a whole lot in his career because he wasn't a great passer. Seriously, that Lakers team that also had "the logo" and Elgin should NEVER have lost to New York. Shaq has dominated the current era but with no other great center to play against unless you think that Olajuwon or Ewing on the downside of their careers were great. (or were EVER great) Then there's the all time leading scorer, Kareem, who was consistently good for years. If I HAD to rank them, it'd be this:

1. Bill Russell (can't argue with winning)
2. Kareem Abdul'Jabaar
3. (tie) Wilt Chamberlein
3. (tie) Shaquille O'Neal
5. George Mikan

Honorary Citizenship Award - David Robinson

Answer 4

1. Bill Russell- Wilt was probably better than him, but 11 Championships in a row including 8 straight just speaks for itself.
2. Wilt Chamberlain- The most talented ever. The entire game was changed after Wilt retired. The record books as well as the rule books were all re-written.
3. Kareem Abdul Jabaar- Played for an unmatched 20 years, could do everything great. All time points scored leader in the NBA.
4. Shaq- Possibly the most dominant player ever. Led the Lakers to 3 straight titles, and helped the Heat win last years. Shaq is just a pure winner.
5. Hakeem Olajuwan- One of the most dominant, like Shaq. Hakeem could do everything. Led the Rockets to back to back titles in the mid 90s.

Answer 5

It is Wilt Chamberlain. This guy had done it all. He can defense by blocking shots and rebounding. He can distribute the ball to his teammates. There was one season where he averages 8.6 assists. And of course, he can drop in tons of points. He is a complete package of the greatest center.

Answer 6

This question is rather broad and may have arguements for every answer. Nevertheless, I will provide my own list of top 5 centers of all time:


-Bill Russell/Wilt Chamberlain
-Hakeem Olajuwon/Shaquille O'Neal
-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
-David Robinson
-Patrick Ewing

Answer 7

Defense = Bill Russell
Offense = Wilt Chamberlain

Answer 8

Wilt the Stilt Chamberlain, aka the big dipper. He scored 100 points in a game, also averaged 50.4 points per game for a season, never fouled out of a game had several 50 rebound games & also led the league in assists one year.

Answer 9

Bill Russell

Answer 10

Bill Russell...Kareem Abdul Jabbar a close 2nd.