I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on calling plays, but when I was playing in HS ball, whenever a team played zone on us, we instantly went to a spread offense and sub'd our shooters in. The problem with zone defense is that you can clog the key and force you to shoot from outside. That is probably why the NBA, in allowing zone, also added the defensive 3 in the key. So I'd say, with allowing zone, it resulted in more three point shooting in the NBA and the Rockets are one of many teams that gun a crapload of 3 point shots. Back to the basket is not glamorous and that is why centers never got good endorsements. If I'm not mistaken, I think Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best centers in the 80s, was sponsored by LA Gear or something. Dwight Howard has even said that he's a center at the wrong time in the NBA because of the rule changes. Olajuwon, Ewing, Daugherty, Mourning, and Robinson would all have issues with the new rules. Before, if you were not within a certain distance of the player you were defending, you were called for illegal defense. So you were able to run plays to isolate the big man and guys like Olajuwon, Ewing, Daugherty, Mourning and Robinson could take their man one on one. But now, even with the defensive 3, you can still clog the key. I didn't include Shaq on that list because I think one, two , or even three defenders couldn't stop him from dunking it when he was in his prime. So that said, unless they change the rules, Shaq will be the last great center in the NBA. And maybe he is the greatest because he was able to still dominate even after the rule changes. Teams will always want bigs because it's more rare to find someone with size than someone without, but the game with today's rules are currently best dominated with a dominant point guard and dynamic power forward. Back to the basket post moves are best handled with power forwards because they are quicker and have an elbow jump shot to keep defenders honest.
Do you consider Duncan a PF or Center? He's was always a center IMO because that's how he played. He had no problem dominating after the rules changes. All the former C's you mentioned have a 15' shot (to keep defenders honest) and great back-basket moves. They would have no problem dominating today. I think people just assume since they're very few back-basket players it must not be as effective as years past. IF the lane is more clogged nowadays, then the back-basket player is still dominating because it's allowing more open jumpers for his teammates. When did Dwight say he was playing at the wrong time? He may've been talking about the C position being removed from the All-Star ballot. If you believe back-basket is truly not the most effective offense, consider this... - most knowledgeable posters agree Dwight's offense is good not great. - most posters agree Harden has great offense (better than Dwight at least) Yet, most posters want the offense to go through Dwight. Imagine that.
I don't know if he's overrated or not, but I do know that he is probably my least favorite NBA player since john stockton.
