Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Are the top 5 centers in NBA history agreed upon?
In alphabetical order,
Abdul Jabbar
Chamberlain
Olajuwon
O'Neal
Russell
Some people argue for Duncan, but I'll leave him as a PF.
6 Answers
- 7 years agoFavorite Answer
Nope, only Wilt and Kareem get across the board agreement. Russell used to, but it seems this generation of reporters, commentators and fans (as a byproduct) don't value his individual talents. I often hear that he's too short despite the fact that he's taller than Dwight Howard, the same height as Hakeem and was more athletic than both.
Here are some others that pop up depending on age, knowledge of basketball history and region of the country:
Moses Malone
Bill Walton
Dave Cowens
Wes Unseld
David Robinson
Bob Lanier
For example; a lot of old timers don't rate Shaq that high and say he's nothing more than a reincarnation of Darrell Dawkins with the benefit of officiating help.
Edit- I completely missed your Tim Duncan comment. You're correct he's a C that was fortunate to be drafted by a team with David Robinson so he was able to hide at the 4 early in his career while a guy like Alonzo Mourning (similar height) was placed at the 5 immediately despite playing the 4 his last 2 or 3 years at Georgetown. If Zo plays the 4 early in his career he would shoot up the all-time rankings because historically it's a thinner position. Same goes for Kevin McHale as he played a lot of minutes at the 5 during his Boston days, but benefits from being rated as a 4.
- richieLv 77 years ago
In order from the best, imo
1. Abdul Jabbar
2. Chamberlain
3. Russell
4. O'Neal
5. Olajuwon
And yeah, Duncan is widely recognized as the best PF ever.
- The rainmakerLv 77 years ago
In descending order, Lew Alcindor, Hakeem Olajuwon, WIlt Chamberlain, Shaquille O' Neal, Bill Russell
- The Mad DogLv 67 years ago
Bill Walton, Bill Russell, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kareem
Wilt was too much of a distraction. He routinely destroyed his teams' chemistry by making the other players be his personal spear carriers, and he did not step up in the playoffs. Though he was perhaps a better athlete than all 5 of the guys mentioned above, all 5 of them were better competitors then him. (The only knock is on Bill Walton, who couldn't stay healthy. But man, when he was healthy.... watch out.)
If you want a guy who put up 55 and 20 any given night, Wilt is your guy. If you want to chase a championship? Not so much.
- Anonymous7 years ago
Nope. Kareem and Wilt. Hakeem O. Bill Russell and David Robinson.
- vegasrob89118Lv 67 years ago
With the admiral - David Robinson - there is not agreement. I'll take the admiral over Shaq. I might even take him over Olajuwon. The other three are ok.