Newell taunting Ming: "I defy anyone" to say Foreign Centers Match Up

rimmy, I agree with you. That agreement is in my second post after TheFreak. I have Mourning and Duncan listed.

All Newell is saying is that the traditional big man center that his camp stresses is a dying breed, and I think everyone agrees. He's pointed at HOFers to show that, which is a weak argument. He further implies don't look to foreign training to resurrect them (Ming), and that is his marketing angle.

Yeah, i pointed that out, but marketing is not about accuracy, right?

I think the point is is that it is his camp's job to teach those who need it. HOF center are generally all #1 or 2 picks who brought a great game to the NBA, immediately. Even Hakeem was an offensive machine his first season. Most all the HOF class or even the star centers were taught how to take advantage of their height and strength in college, and got it down well enough to excel right off.

I don't agree that you can't be taught greatness as a big man. Are you saying strength is a unique ability? Wilt and Shaq's size is unique, but how many strong centers should we mention before we say it isn't unique to be strong, it is more expected than it is unique?

We must talk about unique ability in a relative manner. Most big men aren't supposed to be athletic like Duncan, but Duncan is not the most gifted 7'er. When he got drafted, people were saying he wasn't as gifted and strong like Mourning, but much more fundamentally polished.

Is shooting and athletic coordination unique?
I'd say Hakeem's speed is.
Garnett's speed/athleticism is unique.

Sure you have to bring athleticism to the table, but the center position and PG position are the best examples of textbook training, a lot of hard work and desire can land you in the HOF. Jabbar was a street ball player and taught by the best of his time. Moses Malone learned how to dominate by strength, work ethic, constant practice, and basic low post moves. Where Lanier, McHale, Cowens, Sikma or even Robinson gifted, or did they take full advantage of their height and strength.

Athleticism isn't enough; see Kandi/Kwama. You have to learn a move. You have to learn something. Sky hooks don't grow on trees...hehe.

Bob Lanier had a rare outside game for a big man, but he had strength and a great hook shot, too. Can those two things not benefit Nowitski's face-the-basket game?

I'm not faulting anyone. They have a different game. They don't pump out as many classic low post types like our PFs and Cs, and I'm beginning to think it is part of their style not to play games dominated by low post. They have more shooters, and they won't attack the basket with low post games; rather, they first draw you away in attempts to flatten zones.

Most all their big guys (good NBA players or not) can shoot. Instead of asking whether "unique ability" is required of a HOF center, maybe the question you should be asking is does playing a Longley or Laimbeer style ball get you in the HOF. Maybe it will.

The more the merrier. And Ming is unique, and he is ready!!!

 

I guess you didn't read the second sentence in my opening post. Mango plagerised.

btw: what style of play do the German 7ers use, like Uwe Blab, Bradley, Smits and Nowitski. Face it. German systems are either afraid of low post ball, or you don't know how to teach it.

 

Speaking of skipping post: Do you actually even post Sir Charles, or is it just a bunch of free post smilie faces.

hey now. the "s" is perfectly OK.

Sorry, I have trouble spelling Nitwitz sometimes. It's the same problem I have with misspelling Vandeweghe. Those guys have so much in common. Don't they.

Also, sorry to here that Germany can't even claim Smits. So they have, Blab and Bradley and Nitwitz who is afraid to stand in anyone's way on defense.