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Lv 7
? asked in SportsBasketball · 7 years ago

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

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  • Favorite 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.

  • richie
    Lv 7
    7 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.

  • 7 years ago

    In descending order, Lew Alcindor, Hakeem Olajuwon, WIlt Chamberlain, Shaquille O' Neal, Bill Russell

  • 7 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.

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    Nope. Kareem and Wilt. Hakeem O. Bill Russell and David Robinson.

  • 7 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.

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