Agreed with the earlier poster who said the top three spots are taken. The more interesting debate is over spots 4-5-6, where I'd place Hakeem followed by Moses followed by Mikan.
Seven-8-9 would have to be Shaq, Artis Gilmore, & D-Rob, unless we allow Tim Duncan into the conversation. Altho he was mis-labeled a Forward in the Twin-Tower years, Duncan's a better Center than D-Rob.
Perk - 16 years ago
Russell was a defensive specialist with a very fine supporting cast and Kareem was a scoring machine playing with some All Stars with the Lakers. Wilt certainly has the numbers to support his scoring and rebounding dominace to suggest he might be the best. And Bill did not stop him in either of these categories. Rules were changed in college and the pros because of Wilt and do not recall that being the case with any other center. Walton could have been mentioned with Russell and Kareem if he had not had an injury marred pro career.
Steve Phillips - 16 years ago
#1-Russell and #2-Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem something-or-other). Reason: Results...period.
Freddie - 16 years ago
This is not a fair question because undoubtably its should be who are the 3 best centers in NBA history and let the arguing begin about what order they fall. Every other center pales in comparison to those 3. I myself use to be a Wilt, Russell, Kareem, guy in my earlier day's but now I would have to say Russell, Kareem and Wilt because I'm older and have some perspective. I love this aurgument and really enjoy it with by buddies over a few beers. Boy does that discussion have some outrageous reasoning and conclusions.
I would submit; if we were picking our all time NBA team who would be your first pick? Then continue on and build your team after your 2-3 friends make their picks and see where you end up.
Tom - 16 years ago
Bill Russell - 2 NCAA championships including 55 wins in a row in college, 11 world championships in 13 years, 8 of them in a row as a pro. He also won his last 2 championships as a player and coach. In the 1968 championship series against Wilt Chamberlain the Celtics were down three games to one and came back to win the championship at Philly. Chamberlain managed only 2 shot attempts in the second half of the final game thanks to Russell's great defensive play. His last championship came in 1969 against the Lakers in LA. Chamberlain was now the new Laker center. Russell had 21 rebounds in that game as Wilt sat on the bench with a sore leg for the last 5 minutes.
After losing the championship for the fifth time against the Celtics the great guard of the Lakers Jerry West Said " If I a choice of any basketball player in the league, my number 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. Bill Russell never ceases to amaze me. "
James - 16 years ago
#1 Bill Russell As a defensive specialist #1 Without Russell the Celtics would not have won 10/11 ? championships. Wilt was a scoring machine & could dominate players except for Russell.
#2 Jabbar Don't know if he went up against Russell, would like to have seen it. Did everything well. Brought a so so Bucks with an aging Big O to the Championship. Really a toss up between Russell & Jabbar.
Bill - 16 years ago
Kareem is maybe #3. Wilt and Russell are in their own class. Kareem never dominated a game the way Wilt and Russell did. Kareem was part of an all-star team in LA, but he wasn't as revolutionary to the position as Wilt and Russell were. Robert Parish could play Kareem straight up and not let him score 25 points.
Agreed with the earlier poster who said the top three spots are taken. The more interesting debate is over spots 4-5-6, where I'd place Hakeem followed by Moses followed by Mikan.
Seven-8-9 would have to be Shaq, Artis Gilmore, & D-Rob, unless we allow Tim Duncan into the conversation. Altho he was mis-labeled a Forward in the Twin-Tower years, Duncan's a better Center than D-Rob.
Russell was a defensive specialist with a very fine supporting cast and Kareem was a scoring machine playing with some All Stars with the Lakers. Wilt certainly has the numbers to support his scoring and rebounding dominace to suggest he might be the best. And Bill did not stop him in either of these categories. Rules were changed in college and the pros because of Wilt and do not recall that being the case with any other center. Walton could have been mentioned with Russell and Kareem if he had not had an injury marred pro career.
#1-Russell and #2-Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem something-or-other). Reason: Results...period.
This is not a fair question because undoubtably its should be who are the 3 best centers in NBA history and let the arguing begin about what order they fall. Every other center pales in comparison to those 3. I myself use to be a Wilt, Russell, Kareem, guy in my earlier day's but now I would have to say Russell, Kareem and Wilt because I'm older and have some perspective. I love this aurgument and really enjoy it with by buddies over a few beers. Boy does that discussion have some outrageous reasoning and conclusions.
I would submit; if we were picking our all time NBA team who would be your first pick? Then continue on and build your team after your 2-3 friends make their picks and see where you end up.
Bill Russell - 2 NCAA championships including 55 wins in a row in college, 11 world championships in 13 years, 8 of them in a row as a pro. He also won his last 2 championships as a player and coach. In the 1968 championship series against Wilt Chamberlain the Celtics were down three games to one and came back to win the championship at Philly. Chamberlain managed only 2 shot attempts in the second half of the final game thanks to Russell's great defensive play. His last championship came in 1969 against the Lakers in LA. Chamberlain was now the new Laker center. Russell had 21 rebounds in that game as Wilt sat on the bench with a sore leg for the last 5 minutes.
After losing the championship for the fifth time against the Celtics the great guard of the Lakers Jerry West Said " If I a choice of any basketball player in the league, my number 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. Bill Russell never ceases to amaze me. "
#1 Bill Russell As a defensive specialist #1 Without Russell the Celtics would not have won 10/11 ? championships. Wilt was a scoring machine & could dominate players except for Russell.
#2 Jabbar Don't know if he went up against Russell, would like to have seen it. Did everything well. Brought a so so Bucks with an aging Big O to the Championship. Really a toss up between Russell & Jabbar.
Kareem is maybe #3. Wilt and Russell are in their own class. Kareem never dominated a game the way Wilt and Russell did. Kareem was part of an all-star team in LA, but he wasn't as revolutionary to the position as Wilt and Russell were. Robert Parish could play Kareem straight up and not let him score 25 points.