Ranking The 10 Greatest Centers of All Time
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ม.ค. 2024
- Throughout most of NBA history, the center position has been the most important. Teams built teams around these guys and played a more inside of style of basketball. Among the hundreds or maybe thousands of players who have played this position, 10 have stood out as the cream of the crop. Lists are usually subjective and we are likely to disagree so if you happen to not agree, comment down below what you think should be changed. #nba #shaq #jokic #hakeemolajuwon
There's one center everyone seems to forget and that's Nate Thurmond. He was a fantastic two-way player.
If I'm not mistaken, Nate Thurmond was one of the few players with a QUADRUPLE DOUBLE (points, rebounds, assists AND BLOCKS). Overshadowed, especially playing on the pre-ESPN West Coast. Member of the 50th and 75th Anniversary All-time NBA squad.
I'm planning on releasing a video about him. People just seem to forget him.
The problem is that there have been so many great centers in history. Thurmond was great, but I wouldn't put him over any in this list. He was offensively limited and didn't win much. Other players like Cowens, Bellamy, Lanier, Parish, Reed, Unseld, despite a great resume, don't make it into the conversations because of the competition
Both Wilt and Kareem said nobody played them tougher on defense. 💯
Nate rhurmond the great @@klicknkreate7077
You did a great job with this list, even though I would have shuffled one or two.
Anybody not picking Wilt #1 would have utterly failed.
Kids, always keep in mind that any ranking that has Hakeem below Shaq is pure bogus.
Dream dominated shaq
🗣️THANK Y👤U , MAN .>🎤 🏀🗑️
@@TeutobergForestryService Yes he got the best of him but that wasn't peak Shaq. The 2000 Shaq was a different monster..
@@orlandowilliamson691 your name is Orlando, you're biased lol
@@orlandowilliamson691you're biased and you took it waaaaaay too serious :))))
Cheers mate
Hakeem had 200 steals in a season and had 30 blocks in a playoff series Shaq never did that Hakeem is a better 2 way player than Shaq
Hakeem was a great player.
Nice list, the only thing I MIGHT change is putting Olajuwon a little higher
Thank you for your feedback! I can certainly see that.
My only issue with olajuwon is that he made the rockets trade ralph sampson they were wuite a pair but Sampson’s career went down after that.
@@rony41165🗣️BUT , RALPH C🟢ULDN ' T STAY HEALTHY . THAT WAS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM .>🎤 🏀🗑️
@@rony41165 he didn't do anything. they traded sampson cause his knees were done.
You got it right with Wilt,awesome player,the GOAT period
FACTS MACHINE
Agreed, Wilt was the greatest, and an Awesome athlete. After winner of most rings, Bill Russell. Wilt was a better center overall without a stacked team.
*Hakeem Olajuwon* should be higher.
- All-time NBA shot block leader
- Best low post moves in NBA history.
- #10 NBA All-time steals. Next highest center is David Robinson at #64
*Won the 1994 NBA Title with no All-Star Teammates.* Meanwhile, guys like Bill Russell, Kareem and non-centers like Larry Bird & Magic Johnson not only had multiple All-Star teammates, they played with multiple Hall of Famers.
Imagine if Olajuwon had a point guard like Magic (Kareem) or a SG like Kobe (Shaq).
I could see that for sure. Your argument is why I wanted to put him at 4 or maybe even three.
Olajuwan is the post-1974 NBA shot blocker. It is almost certain that both Russell and Chamberlain had more.
@@UnconventionalReasoningnah. We dont play in make believe and what ifs. Besides most of them goaltended
The game evolves. What was not credited as an assist in the 50s was in the 70s and 80s. There were long range shooters from the 60s who didn't get the benefit of the 3-point line. There are great ABA players (including Dr. J) whose statistics are not included with NBA numbers.
Blocks leader ??? Chamberlain averaged 10 and Russell averaged 8 blocks per game in their careers
shaq is not above Russell and Hakeem. no way.
What's the reasoning though. I can see that but personally, it's hard for me to get behind.
There seems to be a particular fascination with Olajuwon which I have trouble getting behind. He's still 5th on my list, exactly the same as here. But I agree with having Russell ahead of Shaq. Russell was one of the best defenders, Shaq was serviceable.
You did excellent job. Wilt was best rebounder and shot blocker of all time. NBA did not keep track of blocked shots while he played. Won rebound tiles 11 of 14 seasons playing against Russell and Kareem. Scoring speaks for itself. 9 points from 3 or more rings.
Im a Knicks fan for over40 years. I remember when the Knicks won the lottery to get Ewing but it didn’t pay off when compared to willis reed who wass drafted in the second round and gave them two titles.
I can only imagine what a time it must have been for you. Getting the number 1 pick in the lottery, especially in a class with a consensus first pick is great. Even though he never won a ring, he still gave the Knicks so many great years. Willis Reed was a diamond in the rough and it is great that the Knicks enjoyed that level of success in the early 70s. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Are you saying Reed was better than Ewing?
Personally, I like Ewing over Reed as a player. I believe that he was referring to the rings that Reed won over Ewing's zero.
Not just the rings. Reed inspired the team look at tge1970 championship when he played despite being injured.
Reed had TEAMMATES! Dave Debusschere, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Walt Bellamy, Earl Monroe. Ewing had, ummm…a no score Oakley, a soft Charles Smith, a streaky John Starks, etc. Ewing much better than Reed
Moses Malone could be argued higher. His prime was sick with 3 MVP’s, in his prime he owned Jabbar
Older Jabbar couldnt keep up with him on the boards but Malone could never stop Kareem up to the day he retired.
He could absolutely be higher. He did dominate Kareem in the finals but that is when Kareem was slowing down and wasn't in his prime.
I personally think Kareem was the best- but really can’t argue with Wilt- many people think that Wilt was the best player ( center or otherwise) of all time- and it’s hard to argue that too.
Very nicely informed list . My father always used to talk about George Mikan being the first of the real big men- of course I never saw him play. They didn’t allow dunking, I think specifically because of George Mikan. This was only changed later.
Honorable mention goes to Walt Bellamy & Dolph Schayes from the old days, and maybe the post Ewing Georgetown boys- Dikembe and Alonzo mourning.
Future considerations : Wembanyama holy cow!
Yeah he owned Jabbar just like Shaq owned Hakeem in the '99 playoffs in fact he destroyed him.They both were past their prime but the difference is nobody made excuses for Kareem like they always do for all of Hakeem's failures
Notably, Wilt Chamberlain used to bench press up to 500 pounds in his prime years. Even when this legend was 59 years old, he could bench press up to 465 pounds. Whereas Shaquille O'Neal had managed 450 pounds during his prime years. Lastly, Arnold Schwarzenegger said that Wilt Chamberlain was the strongest & most dominant athlete he had ever seen. Sorry Shaq - but you are the 2nd most dominant center behind The Big Dipper = Wilt Chamberlain.
Fantastic list young man, I've been a basketball fan since the '70s, and this list is hard to argue with.
Thank you!
David Robinson is the most 2K build player, sadly he was not a good playoff performer but still a legend
I wouldn't say not a good playoff performer but he wasn't a spectacular one as he usually played more to his standards in the regular season. Thanks for all of your feedback!
Dave Cowens is often forgotten as the great he was
I would flip Shaq and Hakeem as no one played a more beautiful and elegant center position like the Dream.
I can see that. It's really close.
@@HallofHoops6Shaq wouldn’t be in my top 8. He could dunk. He couldn’t dribble, couldn’t shoot outside, couldn’t pass and traveled so much the NBA gave him 10,000 frequent flier miles.
@@TravisMcGee151hater. Watch some film before you run your mouth
Agreed
@@heinzwilhelmguderian1373 They allowed Shaq to truck people. His hook was pretty good. His turnaround was servicable. His bread and butter were offensive fouls. Dropping his shoulder, bodies in the lane.
Shaq got a lot of help.
I would be Russell and Hakeem over Shaq. Otherwise great list.
Thank you! I could see that happening.
Jokic should have won 3 MVPs in a row but was derailed by the racists Kendrick Perkins.
Do you really want to accept that Perk has that much power?
He most certainly could have but the MVP was always a narrative driven award. Moreover, Joel Embiid also deserved one MVP.
Hakeem number 5? No way!!! he was way better then that! He’s at least number 1 or 2 without a doubt
He certainly could be. In my opinion, he doesn't have the peak of some of the guys ahead of him.
@@HallofHoops6he has arguably the greatest single season ever???
@@HallofHoops6what about checking Hakeem's playoffs stats yr to yr in comparison to his regular season stats.
It rises significantly.
Now look at some of the other great Big Men regular season compared to their playoff stats.....many of their stats dip lower when it matters the most
🗣️REAL TALK . HAKEEM ' S # 1 .>🎤 🏀🗑️
Kareem
Wilt
Russell
Shaq
Hakeem
Very solid list. You got the top 3 right. Good job. Sub
Thanks, glad you agree.
Nate Thurmond is the Rodney Dangerfield of NBA centers. No Respect! 20ppg 20rpg club. Acknowledged by Kareem as the toughest center he played against. Played mostly in the era dominated by Chamberlain and Russell. Also, in an era of minimal media coverage, particularly for a non-Laker West Coast team.
I'm planning on releasing a Nate Thurmond video very soon. He is forgotten even though he was an elite player.
Nate thurmond won 🏆 no/ zero NBA championship
Everywhere Russell went he won. From high school to back-to-back NCAA championships, then an Olympic gold as captain of that team, then with the Celtics as a player then coach. He also won numerous AAU track and field events as a high jumper, clearing 6' 9". Not many realize that Russell at 6-10 could almost leap out of the building. Unlike Wilt, who was a one man show, Russell's greatest strength was making his teammates better and it showed with all those championships at every level he played. There's good reason why the league retired his number. He was also a great human. Bill is the goat.
Despite the fact that wilt played against the second most HOF player at his position(only behind kareem and parish, which he played 7 years less than both) He PLAYED THE MOST TOTAL GAMES against another hof center….see list below lol
(mind you these are their barefoot heights, in the modern NBA you would add 1-2 inches to their height, as players have been measured in their shoes only after 1977)
C-Bill Russell: 6’10” HOF (143 games played in 9 seasons)
C-Kareem Abdul Jabbar: 7'2" HOF(27 games played in 4 seasons)
C-Willis Reed: 6,10” HOF(72 games played in 8 seasons)
C-Walt Bellamy: 6'11" HOF(100 games played in 11 seasons)
C-Artis Gilmore: 7'2" HOF
C-Bob Lanier: 6'11" HOF(17 games played in 3 seasons)
C-Nate Thurmond: 6'11" HOF(47 games played in 4 seasons)
C-Bob McAdoo: 6’10” HOF (5 games played in 1 season)
C-Elvin Hayes:6’9 “ HOF (22 games played in 4 seasons)
(Wes Unseld is also a HOF center but he is 6’7) (26 times in 5 seasons)
(Dave Cowens is also a HOF Center/Forward but he is 6”9)(17 games played in 3 seasons)
(Connie Hawkins is also a HOF Forward/ center but he is 6”9)(31 games played in 4 seasons)
(please note there are more HOF PF who guarded and were guarded by wilt chamberlain but the majority of them are 6’8 to 6’9)
SO THATS 574 OUT OF 1045…WHICH TRANSLATES TO 54% OF WILTS GAMES BEING PLAYED AGAINST ANOTHER HOF CENTER…
That is just insane. Appreciate all the research!
They dont get measurements in their shoes kid
You know you’re subject!!
stoked I found this channel, great list! Mikan at 10 was a fair call, that being said imagine putting a Rick Smits or Demarcus Cousins on his 40s/50/s teams...Yikes! The talent changed so much in the 70's it is hard to rank the true OG's' like you said. Subscribed and stoked!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Hmmm 🤔 yes I been waiting for this discussion..there will be many more with joker emergence as well as embids dominance.
Being a Kansas fan I love seeing Wilt Chamberlain at the top of the list. You could probably make cases for Jabaar or Russell as well. Great list overall.
Absolutely. Thank you.
The Defensive player of Year is named after the dream but people only talk about his offense. He’s also the all time leader in blocks and averaged the third most bpg. He’s top 10 in all time steals and 37th in steals ppg which is elite for big men. The 1st overall pick in the greatest nba draft ever and nobody had a problem with him being picked over MJ 😂😂
This is the best centers list I've seen yet.
Thank you!
Sure the hell is
I know this is your opinion, and that you stipulated that, in the beginning. I appreciate that. I might have substituted a couple of other centers in the 10 through 5 spots, but I can't argue with you much. What I really agree with is Wilt at number 1 and Kareem at number 2 You might get some flak for that, but that is my opinion, also.
That's nice to hear. I thought I was alone with that opinion when I posted that video.
you have a solid list but Shaq is too high - Hakeem owned him in the Finals and Russell could be considered the Greatest due to 11 rings - and no, he didn't always have the most talent against Wilt: the '69 Finals are a case in point where Wilt had Jerry West and Elgin Baylor while Russell only had John Havilcek - the only Celtic averaging over 20 ( barely) and less than both Baylor and West; Wilt also averaged over 20, but the Celtics beat the Lakers in L.A. in game 7, Russell's last game, because Russell was the greatest leader and winner of all time.
Hakeem owned Shaq in Shaq's third season, Hakeem's 11th.
Adding on to what unconventional reasoning said, Shaq wasn't in his peak form just yet. Moreover, although the Rockets swept the Magic, Shaq had similar stats to Hakeem in those finals
Moses Malone was a top 10 all time greatest center. He still holds the known NBA record for the most offensive rebounds in a game(27), and for a career(over 7000).
I agree that Wilt Chamberlain was the #1 center of all time. It bears noting that in over 100 box scores where blocked shots were recorded, Wilt averaged a stunning 8.8 blocks per game. So he was the best scorer, the best rebounder and the best shot-blocker in NBA history. And he was also a great passer who became the first and only center to lead the NBA in assists.
I didn't know that until I read your comment. That is actually insane even if those numbers are inflated due to the pace of play.
Pace is overrated because people who cite pace usually fail to take into account the things that made it harder for Wilt to score: (1) no three-pointer, so floor spacing was "pack the inside" and force teams to take lower-percentage outside shots; (2) Wilt was often double- and triple-teamed because his field goal percentage was NBA-best nine times in 13 seasons, so it made sense to let less accurate teammates shoot; (3) the NBA changed its rules to make it harder for Wilt to score, but changed its rules and interpretations to make it easier for Michael Jordan to score; (4) hand--checking was allowed and field goal percentages soared after hand-checking was not allowed; (5) Wilt was legally mugged on a nightly basis, as refs allowed rough play inside; (5) the pace argument makes little sense because no other player of that era came close to what Wilt did. If it was all pace, everyone would have scored 50 points per game. When we consider such things, what Wilt did is even more mind-boggling.@@HallofHoops6
That's a good argument but here is my counter. If there is no three point line, it would make more sense for many players to score closer to the basket. That would inflate block numbers. Now, I think he definitely would have averaged many blocks throughout his career but I don't think it would be at 8 or 9 a game.
I don't think he would block 8.8 shots today. But Wilt was 7'1" and a great leaper. He won the Big Eight high jump championship three years in a row. There are pictures of Wilt with his hands close to the top of the backboard. So he would lead the modern NBA in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots. Wilt was also a great passer. He would be like a Jokic who is a far more of a terror on defense and the boards. He might not shoot deep outside, but he was a very accurate mid-range jump shooter who invented the fall-away jumper. Simply the greatest of all time, greater than Jordan.@@HallofHoops6
Not 8 or 9 per game, but he'd lead the NBA in blocks.@@HallofHoops6
Pretty well done
Having George Mikan on your list makes your list legit. People forget about him but he was the original star big man. If San Antonio keeps Wemby at Center then it might be over for everyone else.
I was ready to blow up your list before seeing the video, but I think you've got a pretty good group here, and most importantly, your order is really fair. Shak deserves his place on your list as does Jokic.
Thank you
Usually these top ten lists suck. This one doesn't. You got it right. Good job.
I like your list however I believe Wes Unseld belongs on this list 1968-69 NBA Rookie of the year and league MVP led the Bullets to 4 Finals winning the title in 1977-78 .
A good list. Good to see you have Wilt #1 as should everyone.
The only one missing is Arvdyas Sabonis. His prime was of course before his short run in the NBA when he was busted and shot but still as good as Shaq.
Where does Arvdyas sit ? For me #3 just behind Kareem. In his prime he may have been only 2nd to Wilt.
If you had 1 draft pick who would you choose ? Kareem or Arvdyas. Hard choice.
Flip a coin for Shaq and Hakeem.
If I had one draft pick it would be Hakeem simply as his peak lasted longer than Shaq's.
Arvydas at his peak was definitely up there.
Totally embarrassed a peak Ralph Samson when Arvdyas was only 17 years old.
Only Wilt could have dealt with a Prime Ardyas.
@@HallofHoops6
I wonder how good he could have been if he played maybe 10 peak years in the league. There are just too many unknowns with him to rank him in this list though.
I clicked on this expecting to be disappointed but your list is EXTREMELY solid, my boy. Like a few others I mIGHt have put Hakeem over Shaq and certainly Moses over Joker (at this point, though he is prob the best player in the game now). But great list and context, looking forward to diving through your other stuff. Sub
Thank you.
Timmy Duncan should be on this list. After David Robinson retired, Timmy took Robinson's place at the Center position and won 3 Rings. Before you argue with me, check the stats. Nobody on The Spurs outrebounded, or blocked more shots than Timmy after Robinson retired.
The best centers to ever play the game are Wilt, Kareem, Russell, Walton. Those four are clearly above the rest. Then there's about a dozen other names. Reed, Thurmond, Lanier, Cowens, Parish, Ewing, Olajuwon, Robinson, O'Neal, Bellamy, Jokic, Embiid, Ming, Malone.
Walton was great but injuries really took a toll on his body and subsequent stats. It’s too bad as it would have been interesting to see what a health Walton could do for an entire career of 10 or 12 years.
By choosing walton your comment and every other one you make in the future will not be taken seriously or even at all
@@heinzwilhelmguderian1373 Who cares what you take seriously. You clearly don't know basketball. Stick to ketchup.
@@bobturnley2787 🥱 waste more time clown
@@heinzwilhelmguderian1373Walton was a beast, carried Portland in 77. But, yeah, too short of a career to rank..but..for that year he was as good as It gets..Sort of a joker/ Russell hybrid
Very good list. I agree !
Thank you
Chamberlain definitely number 1 and greatest player ever. The real goat!!!
BWAHHHHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA good joke kid
For a young person this is pretty spot on. The only real criticism anyone has is for Olajuwon but stick to your guns on that one. Hakeem had great footwork later in his career but was really just a dunker offensively at first, then he was a face up shooter like Ewing a little and eventually he had all the moves. But by the time he had all that he was no longer the Bill Russell -esque defender he was in the 1986 finals appearance for example. Olajuwon really only had 3 years where he was elite offensively and defensively 93-95, winning two titles. Don’t let people bully you when they insist he should be higher. If you want to look at a 3 year period even then he is not as good as Shaq 00-02. Shaq took advantage of the relaxation of offensive fouls but he was just destroying people.
# 1 Wilt Chamberlain
# 2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
# 3 Bill Russell
# 4 Moses Malone
# 5 Hakeem Olajuwon
# 6 Shaquille O'Neal
# 7 Willis Reed
# 8 David Robinson
# 9 Dave Cowens
# 10 Nate Thurmond
That's a unique list. I believe Moses is great but I do believe 6 is the highest spot to put him in. The center position is stacked though.
@HallofHoops6 Hakeem never played basketball, and he was trained by Moses Malone while he was in Houston.
I didn't know Malone coached Olajuwon. That's really interesting. I still don't think that warrants putting Malone over Olajuwon.
Totally agree.
I'm glad you do
Reasonable list. I have no issue with the guys you picked and the order. 👍🏼
If we look at pure skill and what they accomplished with what they had, the best center is Olajuwon. He was the most skilled and talented center ever on both ends and had the least amount of help ever compared to the other centers. He didn’t have a Magic, nor Kobe, no multiple all stars, he often carried his team. Prime Kareem went 9 years in ‘70s without winning a ring until Magic joined the Lakers. Wilt had 2 top HOFs on his team. Wilt’s stats need context. He scored so high cause he played 48.5 mpg, no one does that. Starters average 37 mpg in the last 30-40 years.
I'm 70 years old in a lifetime NBA fan. This is the first list I consider to be spot on. I have seen each of them play. Your research and analysis is excellent
Thank you!
74, first saw Russell play up close in Providence at age 10. Pretty good list.
Probably the best list I've seen on TH-cam- thank you for posting it.
The only disagreement I'd have with it is rating Jokic 6th. I'm not going to argue that he isn't an immensely talented big man, but rating him that high at this point in his career seems a bit generous. I think I'd put him at #10 and move Mikan, Ewing, Robinson and Malone up 1 spot each.
Thank you! I see why Jokic being so high is a little iffy. I just put him there because of his current dominance and resume.
Wilt was the the Quadruple Man they didn’t count Blocks or steals then I seen a Game wilt had 14 in the 1 st half
3. Hakeem, 4. Shaq, and 6. Moses. Excellent top10 selection.
Great list, and I really appreciate you putting Wilt at #1!
The only differences on my list is
* I switch Russell and Shaq, 3-4.
* I don't know where I would put Jokic, because he is probably the weakest defender on the list.
Two stats about Wilt which really stand out for me:
* Career min/gm: 45.8. He basically sat less than 3 min/gm. Load management?
* He played only 12 games on season due to injury. In the other 13 seasons, he missed 18 games. Missing 18 games in a season now takes a player out of consideration for key awards. He missed 18 games total in 13 seasons.
And, of course, if there was an official record of his blocks, ...
Wilt Chamberlain durability was something else. Have you heard the story of him being offered a professional contract at 50? Just insane.
@@HallofHoops6 I think it was the Nets? And what he did to Magic at the UCLA practice gym, according to then UCLA coach Larry Brown.
The 'enhanced' Olympic Motto: "Faster, Higher, Stronger, Longer". He is the embodiment of this.
@@UnconventionalReasoningnah
@@heinzwilhelmguderian1373 yeah
Wilt is Number 1. No doubt about it. Good job.
(1) Wilt Chamberlain, (2) Kareem Abdul Jabbar, (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo, (4) Hakeem Olajuwon, (5) Shaquille O'Neal,(6) Bill Russell, (7) Moses Malone, (8) David Robinson, (9) Patrick Ewing, (10) Nikola Jokic. WILT CHAMBERLAIN was the most dominant center of all-time - not Shaq! I chose centers based upon their versatility and skill sets - NOT team championships! Nikola Jokic has limited defensive skills - and that is why he is my #10 center!
Wilt and Russell would rank number 1 and 2 in blocks by a wide margin but that statistic was not kept when they were playing. It was not uncommon for either one to get double digits in one game based on film reviews. They were the two best athletes to ever play the position. I do agree with your top four except I would switch Russel and Shaq.
I agree. Obviously the pace of play would inflate those stats but they would probably lead those statistical categories regardless.
Mikan on a list, finally. The greatest list of centers I've ever seen . . . no buts
Your list of the best centers in NBA history is excellent. Some could have been higher or lower on the list, but basically the list is excellent! Certainly, the strongest decades of the NBA were the 80s and 90s and the beginning of the 2000s. George Mikan played, let's not be fooled, amateur or semi-amateur basketball. Honestly, such players, no matter how much they were responsible for the beginning of NBA basketball and basketball in general, I myself saw when you watch the game and the players from that period, it does not seem like serious basketball rather as pure amateurs. So I can't consider any basketball player from that era to be a serious basketball player. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain also started playing basketball at the time of semi-amateurism in the mid-50s. And they were extremely dominant basketball players for that period, because honestly there were no serious players to compete with them until the beginning of the 70s. those years, when they ended their careers. I'm not sure how they would have played in the 80s and 90s and at what level they would have been?! I think Wilt would still be further, as dominant as he is. As for Moses and Kareem, I agree! Of course, for O'Neal, Olajuwon and Robinson...I hope for Jokić that he will play for a long time and that he will be in the same level as Wilt, O'Neal and Abdul Jabar. And he is the only active basketball player on the list, so he has time, I hope for another 10 years.
Thank you. I would say even if the quality was lower, they were still professionals and treated as such.
Wes Unseld over Patrick Ewing for cryin out loud
Wilt being at #1 is correct. You got that one right. Shaq shouldn't be ranked #3 on this list. When he went up against other HOF centers in the NBA Finals, he lost to Olajuwon and Ben Wallace. Arguably the most dominant player ever never led the league in rebounds or block shots, never made all nba defensive 1st team, and never won defense player of the year. His teams were swept 6 times in the playoffs, which is egregious when you consider the talent he's played with throughout his career.
Not a bad list! I would switch Hakeem and Russell but cool with 1-10
Thank you! I can also see that change being made.
Wilt’s records and Russell’s 11 NBA championships (the 2 years he did not win he was injured) are hard to talk against. Remember too that much of their careers they played against each other.
Good lists but I wonder Mikan and Ewing over Robert Parish who won multiple Championship with celtics?!
Jabbar, Russell, Hakeem, Shaq, Wilt
You should have at least gave homorable mention to nate thurmond and bob lanier.
I could give honorable mentions to a lot of players including Unseld and Cowens as well. I decided against it because the video would be too long.
Wills Reed belongs on the list. There is a reason the Knicks won 2 titles with him
Hakeem top 3.
Great list, personally I’d have Dwight on 9. He just was the best center in the league for a long time. Great takes tho keep up the content
I was seriously considering him and I could have actually put him that high. I just picked Mikan for legacy and Ewing for the better offense. He's a great pick though.
Wilt is far and away the GOAT, now let's debate who's second.
Willis Reed remains underrated
Where are Bill Cartwright and Fernando Romay? (Number 1 & 2)
1. Abdul-Jabbar
2. Moses
3. Olajawon
4. Chamberlain
5. Russell
6. Shaq
7. Artis Gilmore
8. Patrick Ewing
9. Nate Thurmond
10. David Robinson
Hakeem is GOAT.
Shaq,Wilt,Kareem,Moses,Russell,Dream,Walton,Admiral,Nate Thurmond and Bob Lanier
Pretty good list. I don't see Shaq higher than 7 or 8, because he couldn't shoot free throws. He couldn't effectively close games because of "hack a Shaq" defenses. I also think that Joker should be #3 ... Bill Russel was great, but his major accomplishments (all those rings) wouldn't have happened if he didn't play for the Celtics. #1 - Wilt (by far); #2 - Kareem; #3 - Joker; #4 - Olajuwon. If Arvydas Sabonis would have played his entire career with the NBA, he might have been a top 5 center.
You disrespect all champions and Bill Russell when you rank him so low.
P. S. If Joker wins his second title few months from now he will catch up with Hakeem and Wilt by the number of titles! That makes him automatic top 10 player IMO. And if he wins his third title he automatically becomes at least 6th best player EVER. Not center, but PLAYER.
I honestly don't believe Jokic should be on the list at this point in his career. He wins another MVP (he should already have 3) and another ring and that's a solid case. Though he is the only modern day center who could make this list. None of the others meet the quals.
This is a little tough to say for me because I'm a Celtics fan ,but I do believe if Russell and will played in the 80s they wouldn't have been looked as good. Kareem was the best center !
so far no one has argued Wilt is NO 1 ansd the GOAT
Sorry I very much disagree with #6 you neglect who each center is playing against. And what kind of play is allowed in the league.
Es difícil hacer una lista así, pero yo echo de menos a Pau Gasol
1.wilt Chamberlain
2.bill Russell
3 Kareem Abdul jabbar
4.hakeem olajuwun
5.shaquel o Neal
I like the Chamberlain and Russell respect
Dave Cowens belongs on the list in place of Ewing. I would replace Robinson with Willis Reed. George Mikan belongs higher on the list. His playoff record was better than anyone's except Bill Russell, and he defined the center position for all who followed.
Jabbar had the most beautiful shot “Skyhook”.
george mikan a GREAT pick! 5 titles his play set the standard as a big man may i offer tim 5 NBA TITLES duncan
I like your list Wilt is the greatest
Arvydas Sabonis in his prime was in Top 3. He was a beast!
Pienamente d'accordo
Shaq over Moses and Dream is LAUGHABLE!!!!
1 Joker
2 Hakeem
3 Shaq
4 Robinson
5 Kareem
6 Wilt
7 Embiid
8 Moses
9 Ewing
10 Mutombo
I imagine them all playing in the same league with their actual skills and athletic ability.
Wembanyama might overtake Every one if these guys though. In terms of actual skills, only Joker can match him and he's only 20. The old legends I threw in there dribble with 1 hand while Wemby is doing crossovers and no look passes. He leads the league in step back 3pt%! He's a full third ahead of 2nd place in blocks.
Wilt and Kareem were way better for there era but the game has progressed so far since then.
I dont think that current players should be on the list. I admit I am old school but what about Bill Walton, Joe Barry Carrol, Bob Lanier, Artis Gilmore, Jack Sikma, Yao Ming
I am old school, too, but Joe Barry Carroll? Wow!
I think I just started naming a centers that I remember. However, I looked up his career stats: 17.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 1.6 blocks per game. Maybe not quite HOF material but not bad! I@@kevinhouse4376
The reason Hakeem seems like the best center ever is because he gets a free pass for every year he played before and after the back to back championships. Whereas Kareem was judged for every year he didn't win the win a ring Hakeem gets the benefit of excuses when he spent his first 9 years mostly being eliminated in the first round and missing the playoffs twice. The seven years he played after the rings were completely forgettable but none of this is ever mentioned and if it is there are always excuses
This is a perspective I haven't heard but there seems to be validity to this take.
A healthy Bill Walton certainly would be in the mix.
Bob Lanier also.
Best center list EVER.
Thank you
Top 5 Centers I saw playing
Kareem
Shaq
Hakeem
Ewing
Robinson
Those are great players.
Wilt Chamberlain was,in fact, a great player, but if excellence of play throughout an entire career
Is the mark of greatness, then the GOAT is Bill Russell whose play changed the game. The eleven championship rings certainly don’t hurt either.
That's what hurt Wilt the most. Because Russell was backed by other all star players on the Celtics, he could basically be a shot blocker and rebounder with amore narrow focus and expertise. Wilt saw that he was dominating Russell as far as one on one play and statistically yet Russell was winning championships year after year. So Wilt consciously sought to score less the later years of his career. Then, when he finally had 2 bona fide superstars on his team (Jerry West & Gail Goodrich) he finally won his 2nd championship. Even though Wilt made individual sacrifices, he still holds over 70 NBA records. That is CRAZY!
The object of basketball is to win championships. Russel is the lone GOAT. Oh, and more MVPs than his contemporary, Wilt.
Willis always dominated jabbar
Joker is not ready Kid and everybody know Kareem is the Greatest Center.. U even could argue he is the GOAT. But ty for ur opinion, appreciat your list.. Keep making content..
I have Jokic at #6 as well. If he gets another ring this season, though highly unlikely, he would be the first to ever have a 2-peat while being the only all star.
It's not unlikely I would say. I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
@@HallofHoops6 In the words of Ivan Drago, "they will lose."