July 15, 201313 yr A lot of discussion of NBA greats in the All-Time Draft thread. Something said on First Take this morning gave me this idea. Who are the 4 Centers that belong on the Mt Rushmore of NBA Centers? Russell and Wilt I think most will agree are locks, but who are the other two? Kareem? Moses? Hakeem? Robinson? Miken? Ewing? Shaq? Walton? Parrish?
July 15, 201313 yr Really tough question. Russell, Wilt, Shaq, Malone, Kareem are the first that come to mind.
July 15, 201313 yr Really tough question. Russell, Wilt, Shaq, Malone, Kareem are the first that come to mind. Russell, Wilt, Kareem and Shaq. Completely agree with both of you. Be hard to dethrone any of them in my mind.
July 15, 201313 yr Author Wilt, Kareem, Russell and Hakeem for me Three reasons 1. to swim up stream a little 2. I like Hakeem's TOTAL game much more than Shaqs power 3. Each of the first three brought something different. Russell was ultimate team player, winner and defender. Wilt was the first POWERFUL big man and was the pattern for NBA Big Men for the next 25 years. Kareem was one of the first Big Man with shooting skills out past 8 feet, he is the All-Time leading scorer for a reason. Hakeem had a mix of speed, strength and athleticism for an NBA Center that was really unseen before him, he is the pattern for all Modern Centers today. Shaq and Moses were both great but neither brought anything new to the game.
July 15, 201313 yr George Mikan is the one who will not get his due. He should be one of the top 4. His Lakers teams won 5 of the first 6 NBA titles, and the only one they lost Mikan missed because of a broken leg. He arguably changed the game more than any other player. The lane was widened because he was so dominant. The shot clock came about partly because of him. He shot the hook shot with either hand and defined how a center should play the game. You could argue that the NBA exists today because of his impact. Also, this shouldn't impact his ranking as one of the greatest centers ever, but he was the first commissioner of the ABA and put in place the 3 point line and the multi-colored basketball.
July 15, 201313 yr Russell, Wilt, Kareem and Shaq. Completely agree with both of you. Be hard to dethrone any of them in my mind. My list as well. I agree with this. That would be mine as well. Everytime I try to argue somebody taking Kareems spot I start to remember the dude has scored more points than anyone. Wilt, Russell, and Shaq are locks for me. I would think about Hakeem or somebody taking Kareem's spot but as bad as I want to you just can't do it considering he is your all time scoring leader.
July 15, 201313 yr Wilt, Kareem, Russell and Hakeem for me Three reasons 1. to swim up stream a little 2. I like Hakeem's TOTAL game much more than Shaqs power 3. Each of the first three brought something different. Russell was ultimate team player, winner and defender. Wilt was the first POWERFUL big man and was the pattern for NBA Big Men for the next 25 years. Kareem was one of the first Big Man with shooting skills out past 8 feet, he is the All-Time leading scorer for a reason. Hakeem had a mix of speed, strength and athleticism for an NBA Center that was really unseen before him, he is the pattern for all Modern Centers today. Shaq and Moses were both great but neither brought anything new to the game. All valid points, but you could argue in Shaq's prime he was the most dominant basketball player we have ever seen. No one has been able to be as dominant single handedly as Shaq, not even Lebron. He hung around way too long and people remember too much of the Phoenix/Boston/Cleveland Shaq. From 93'-05' though it doesn't get any more dominant at that position. He also has 4 rings to prove it, and another trip to the Finals with Penny in Orlando.
July 15, 201313 yr Author Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Mikan.Probably the best representation when you compare to original Mt Rushmore. Miken= Washington Russell= Lincoln Kareem= Roosevelt Wilt= Jefferson
July 15, 201313 yr Russell, Wilt, Kareem and Shaq. Without question. Hakeem is next and anyone after that is just in the next tier. Moses Malone would be my next choice followed by guys like Mikan, David Robinson, Ewing, etc.
July 15, 201313 yr Without question. Hakeem is next and anyone after that is just in the next tier. Moses Malone would be my next choice followed by guys like Mikan, David Robinson, Ewing, etc. :thumb:
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