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The NBA has a shortage of skilled centers these days. Some blame that on the influx of untrained youth that enters the league without much seasoning in college. Others believe high school coaches simply don’t emphasize post skills as much as they ought to. While those theories may hold some truth, another possibility is that Michael Jordan is to blame.
While Michael Jordan was certainly a dynamic and skilled player, he will be most remembered for his acrobatic moves to the hoop and his ability to wow fans with impressive dunks. Many of today’s NBA players grew up watching Michael Jordan and many try to emulate his style. For instance, there are many eerie comparisons between Kobe Bryant and Jordan in terms of style. Bryant resembles Jordan in many ways, from his smooth turn-around jumper to his signature tongue-wagging (of course, there are subtle differences, but both like to show tongue as they attack the rim).
Many American basketball big men seem to have fallen victim to thinking they’re perimeter players. While it’s good for an NBA center to have a jump shot, developing his perimeter skills at the detriment of his post, back-to-the-basket skills makes him a less effective big man. Former Houston Rockets center, Ralph Sampson, used to be accused of that. At 7-4, he was a stud in college. When the Rockets paired him with another young prospect named Akeem Olajuwon (Hakeem added the “H” later on), Sampson resorted more to the perimeter and abandoned his post game.
As a result, the NBA lacks quality big men. Teams that do have top-flight centers are typically the better for it. To put things in perspective, here’s an analysis of the top centers of 2008 in comparison to the top centers of 1993 (fifteen years ago).
Top Five Centers of 2008
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Duncan may be listed as a forward, but for all intensive purposes, he’s a center. At 6-11 260lbs, Duncan plays a center’s game and is the most skilled big man on the block in the NBA. Last season Duncan averaged 19.3 ppg, 11.3 rbpg and 2.0 bspg.
2. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Many fans will be screaming for Yao Ming to be here, but his injury proneness puts him a step back behind Howard. In addition, Howard’s defense makes him a monster. He isn’t nearly as polished as Duncan, but he makes up for it with his athleticism. Last season he averaged 20.7 ppg, 14.2 rbpg and 2.2 bspg.
3. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
At 7-6 310lbs, the sky’s the limit for Yao. He averaged 22.0 ppg, 10.8 rbpg, 2.0 bspg and shot 51% from the field and 85% from the foul line last season. Yao needs to find a way to stay healthy, though. He plays for China in the off season, which is proving to be too much for the big guy. In his first three seasons in the league, Yao played in 82 games twice and 80 games once. In his last three seasons, he’s played in only 55 games, 48 games and 57 games.
4. Brad Miller, Sacramento Kings
Here’s where there’s a bit of a drop. Yet, Miller is extremely underrated. At 7-0 265lbs, Miller’s a tough competitor. He averaged 13.4 ppg, 9.5 rbpg and 3.7 apg.
5. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets
Some may want to put Shaquille O’Neal in this spot. Shaq certainly is still able to contribute, but his skills have waned with age. He’s still capable of shooting 60-plus percent from the floor, but his slowness drastically affects his defense. Ilgauskas is another candidate, as is Chris Kaman. However, Ilgauskas is too old and slow, and Kaman only had a breakout season for a bad team. Chandler’s offense is lacking, but his defense is superb.
Top Five Centers of 1993
1. Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
Olajuwon was a stud fifteen years ago. He averaged 25.8 ppg, 13.1 rbpg, 4.2 bspg, while shooting 53% from the field.
2. David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
“The Admiral” entered the league in 1990 after a stint overseas with the Navy. He was immediately a stud and never stopped until retirement. In ’93, Robinson averaged 23.4 ppg, 11.7 rbpg and 3.2 bspg.
3. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
Ewing may never have won a ring, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of skill. In ’93, Ewing averaged 24.2 ppg, 12.1 rbpg and 2.0 bspg.
4. Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic
Shaq immediately pushed himself into the top tier of NBA centers during his rookie season, when he averaged 23.4 ppg, 13.8 rbpg, 3.5 bspg, while shooting 56% from the field.
5. Brad Daugherty, Cleveland Cavaliers
Daugherty was an exceptional passing center, but could also put the ball in the hole. He averaged 20.2 ppg, 10.2 rbpg and shot 57% from the field in 71 games in the 92-93 season.
In addition, this 1993 top five list doesn’t even include Dikembe Mutombo (Denver Nuggets), who averaged 13.8 ppg, 13.1 rbpg and 3.5 bspg; then-rookie Alonzo Mourning (Charlotte Hornets), who averaged 21.0 ppg, 10.0 rbpg and 3.5 bspg; and Rony Seikaly (Miami Heat), who averaged 17.1 ppg and 11.8 rbpg in 72 games.
Despite the lack of quality big men in the NBA today, there is some hope. Here are some big men of the future.
2008 Centers of the Future
* Andrew Bynum, LA Lakers
Bynum averaged 13.1 ppg, 10.2 rbpg and 2.1 bspg in just 35 games last season. He also only played 29 minutes per game. If he can up his playing time to about 35 minutes per game, based on those numbers, he’d average 15.8 ppg, 12.3 rbpg and 2.5 bspg, all at the age of 21 or 22.
* Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
After missing his rookie season with a knee injury, Oden is ready to show why he was the top pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.
* Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
Bogut understands the game and has slowly gotten better every season. He has a chance to be a star, but will need to show more consistency.
* Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors
Biedrins just got a big contract, but one has to wonder if Biedrins was really worth it, or if he’s just a product of the Warrior’s system.
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