It's really between 5 guys for 4 spots. Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq. I would go Russell, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq. One per era.
Oh so rings and NCAA titles make it acceptable for a center to not put the ball in the basket at an efficient rate? He is not only inefficient, he makes J.R. Smith seems like an advanced metrics God. If he played now (even with the assumption that the competition, pace, and style is the same), he would get crucified for not being able to score. But since he has 11 rings, all is forgiven? Why did they "perform" better? Did they really perform better? Did you basketball-reference the stats? If Tim is a center, why did he not guard centers for most of his career? Anchor, yes, and a great one, but center, no. I guess it matters what era of basketball one is considering though. So they had similar numbers; how did they get those numbers? What were the defensive schemes? Which center had an all-pro guard that could get into the paint where he wants and whenever? Hint: it is Shaq. Everything the Rockets did relied on Hakeem. 3pt shot? Hakeem got doubled. Hakeem scores? He had to. Penetration? Only if Parsons is involved Clyde was a good sidekick, but had nowhere the affect as Penny. However, Shaq's lack of mobility on PnR, quickness on weakside help really limited his affect on defence. On the flip side, Hakeem excelled at all.
