If any of you could pick a center other than Shaq or Dream, who would it be and why? (Past or present)
If I'm going for pure talent, I'd go with Wilt. If I have an All-Star team (i.e. Magic at PG, Jordan at SG, etc.), I'd definitely go with Russell. He never demanded touches in the post and is perhaps the greatest defensive player of all time. He would fill the center ROLE better than anyone on an already-talented team.
Realistically present I would choose Jalani McCoy to add to Cato and Collier. We wouldn't have to sign him to a long term contract and he's not costly. I don't think we need another scorer on this team. EG already calls for the ball every time down the court so I don't think we need another post player that calls for the ball. I really think that if you have players that all call for the ball then no one on the team will take shots when it's neccessary(portland). I think we need role players that rather get the ball to Francis and Mobley and let them score and not demand plays for themselves(Lakers). I think a team is more successful if it has 4 scores(10+pts) than if it has 5 scores(10+pts) in todays game. As long as our center can defend and rebound than I'd be happy. Just IMO.
The best center behind Dream to me is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but I would take Russell and build around him.
I'd take Wilt 1st, period. Then pick among Kareem, Shaq, Hakeem and Russell. Moses might be ahead of Russell at #5, I really think the Celts could have won all those titles in the 60s with any of the above 6 guys in their prime as their center. But you can't discount his rebounding, defense and sheer # of titles, he has to be metioned among the best for those reasons.
i know some of you wont agree, but i think he will have a break out year and make you forget who Russell, Kareem, and Hakeem are. He is CATO, im telling its just a matter of time before he explodes and becames the next dominant center
i must admit Tabak had skills, but i went to a preseason game and watched Serge szwiker(not sure the spelling) take out the first two rows, tripping over his own feet. Amazing
... for the current Rockets, I'd look for a more defensive minded center. One that gets on the glass and doesn't demand the ball in the low post, but when he catches down low he can finish with either hand and knock down the free throw. It would be worthless trying to get another Hakeem, there isn't one out there ... as for finding someone to compete with Shaq, again no one out there. The type of center we need is a team oriented player who will feed off the team. For a low post present our focus should shift towards Mo T and Eddie Griffin. Lets face it Eddie is a back to the basket type of guy, not our answer at small foward. I think we need a Ratliff type center ... lets go find one and not waste our time with Marc Jackson, as for Raef ... I not sure what he would bring to the table. But face it we are stuck with Cato and Collier ... we might have to make do.
Dave Feitl! The great white thunder! The most underrated Rocket of all time. Had it not been for the Rockets unfair bias against white centers then Dave Feitl would be mentioned today as the greatest center of all time! You know speaking of Dave isn't he available? I bet he could solve all of our problems at the 5 spot. With Dave at the 5 Shaq would probably want to go back to the east so he would only face Dave twice a year.
Anybody that isn't old or dead, right? First and foremost, I'd take Duncan.--Best Center behind haq-a Shaq Best available? Easy-Sabonis. Yes, he is old, but he always gave Hakeem fits, and I think our teams comraderie, along with a different locale might just rejuvinate him a bit. If I were CD, I'd take my chances on Arvydas.
