NBA
5 Greatest NBA Centers of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest centers in NBA history from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Wilt Chamberlain to Bill Russell
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As an NBA pioneer, Moses Malone became the very 1st player to turn pro directly out of high school in NBA history on August 29th, 1979. So it’s a great time to look at the 5 greatest NBA centers of all time with him highlighting the list.
When discussing the idea of physicality and dominance within the NBA, look no further than the Center position. As typically the biggest and most intimidating players on the floor, Centers are typically tasked with being tone-setters defensively. These players tend to do a lot of the dirty work by anchoring the paint, deterring drivers, and swatting shots. A good handful of them have even made names for themselves as rim runners that can come off screens and use their athleticism to fly above the rim.
But with such simplistic tasks, Centers have become a bit expendable in the eyes of many. Some believe that those big men have the easiest translatability skill-wise from college to the pros and therefore are replaceable year-to-year. Although this “expendability” may be true for most that pass through the NBA, the league also has had a great crop of dominant big men that supersede the typical responsibilities of the position.
These players can do much more than block shots and be scary around the rim. The greatest NBA Centers can use their physical gifts to impose their will on the game, not just on the defensive end but also on the offensive end. True dominance at the position is about controlling the paint, dominating the boards, and maybe even flashing some guard-like skills to keep opposing teams honest.
Although they may not be as flashy or exciting as the guards, big men will always have a place in this league with their flair and unique style predicated on physicality and intimidation. Honorable mention includes: David Robinson, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, and Dwight Howard. Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic could one day join this list.
Here are the top 5 greatest NBA centers of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 6x NBA Champ | 2x Finals MVP | Oldest (38) Finals MVP
– 19x All-Star | 15x All-NBA | 11x All-Defense | 6x NBA MVP
– Most PTS (38,397), FGM (15,837) & BLK (2,694) of all time
Well known for developing the most unstoppable move in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated using the sky hook to become one of the most unique and prolific scorers the league has ever seen.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar's HOF resume:
– 19x All-Star
– 15x All-NBA
– 11x All-Defense
– 6x NBA Champ, 2x Finals MVP
– 6x NBA MVP
– 2x NBA Scoring Leader
– 1970 NBA ROY
– 4x NBA BLK leader
– 1976 NBA REB leader
– #33 retired by #Bucks & #Lakerspic.twitter.com/1VTA20cEq4— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 30, 2022
– 2x NBA Champ | 1971-72 Finals MVP | 4x NBA MVP
– 1960 ROY | 13x All-Star | 10x All-NBA | 11x REB Leader
– Most REB (23,924) in NBA history | Most PTS (100) in 1 GP
Utilizing his unmatched athleticism and freakish physical stature, Wilt Chamberlain etched his name in NBA history by putting up video game-like numbers and creating unbreakable statistical records.
Wilt Chamberlain's HOF resume:
– 13x All-Star
– 10 All-NBA
– 4x NBA MVP
– 2x All-Defensive 1st Team
– 2x NBA Champ
– 1972 Finals MVP
– 1960 ROY
– 11x REB Leader
– 7x Scoring Champ
– Most PTS in 1 GP (100)
– #13 retired by #Warriors, #Lakers, & #76erspic.twitter.com/g32IpF2N6i— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 22, 2021
– Most NBA Championships (11) of any player in NBA history
– 5x NBA MVP | 12x All-Star | 1963 ASG MVP | 11x All-NBA
– 4x NBA REB leader | 2nd Most REB (21,620) of all time
As arguably the most notorious winner in American sports history, Bill Russell took the idea of dominance to another level. By leading the Boston Celtics through over a decade of championship success, Russell set a standard of winning that may never be replicated.
Bill Russell's HOF resume:
– Most NBA Championships (11) of any player ever
– 5x NBA MVP
– 12x All-Star, 1963 ASG MVP
– 3x All-NBA 1st Team, 8x 2nd Team
– 4x NBA REB leader
– 1969 All-Defense 1st Team
– NBA 75th Anniversary Team
– #6 retired by #Celticspic.twitter.com/ntYiCAmQM8— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 31, 2022
– 4x NBA Champion | 3x NBA Finals MVP | 1999-2000 MVP
– 15x All-Star | 8x All-NBA 1st team | 2x NBA Scoring Champ
– Most Seasons (13) of 20+ PPG & 10+ RPG in NBA history
As one of the most imposing physical forces to ever step foot in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal was a human highlight reel with his backboard-shattering dunks and tenacity in the paint as a scorer.
Shaq's HOF resume:
– 15x All-Star
– 8x All-NBA 1st team, 2x 2nd team, 4x 3rd team
– 4x NBA Champion
– 3x NBA Finals MVP
– 2000 NBA MVP
– 1993 NBA ROY
– 3x All-Defense 2nd team
– 2x NBA Scoring Champ
– 3x All-Star Game MVP
– #32 retired by #Lakers & #Heatpic.twitter.com/woBIFm8WZk— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) March 7, 2022
– 2x NBA Champ | 2x FMVP (1st International) | 1994 MVP
– 2x NBA DPOY | 12x All-Star | 12x All-NBA | 9x All-Defense
– 3x NBA BLK & 2x REB leader | Most career BLK (3,830)
Using a combination of graceful footwork and unmatched fundamentals, Hakeem Olajuwon pioneered a different play style for big men that incorporated guard-like handles and savviness around the rim.
Hakeem Olajuwon's HOF resume:
– 12x All-Star
– 12x All-NBA
– 9x All-Defense
– 2x NBA Champ, 2x FMVP
– 1994 NBA MVP
– 2x NBA DPOY
– 3x NBA BLK & 2x REB leader
– 1985 All-Rookie 1st Team
– 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams
– #34 retired by #Rocketspic.twitter.com/It37odmM04— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 23, 2022
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