Post by aar on Aug 23, 2015 20:25:16 GMT
This article will break down the best of the best in the NBADSL at the center position.
Centers at the elite level are few and far between, but there is a lot of overall depth at the lower tier of this position. Who is the best and why?
This list provides a breakdown including what tier each starting center falls into (in no particular order):
Tier 1: Sure fire studs/Superstars
Hakeem Olajuwon C 32 7'1'' 260 A- D+ D+ A- A- C
Shaquille O'Neal C 30 7'2'' 311 A- D+ D- A A C
Patrick Ewing C 33 7'1'' 250 A- C- C- A- B+ D
Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 279 33 B- A- C B+ B C
Tier 2: All-Stars/Potential Future All-Stars
Shaun Cagaoan C 22 7'3'' 310 B- F+ D C+ B- C
Mehmet Okur C 20 6'11'' 249 B- B C C+ C+ A
Jong-Hyun Lee C 31 6'11'' 221 B- C C A B D
Dikembe Mutombo C 29 7'2'' 250 C+ C- C A B+ C
Shawn Bradley C 28 7'7'' 257 B- D+ C- B+ A- C
Vlade Divac C 29 7'1'' 260 B B B- A- B+ C
Tier 3: Solid Starters/Future Starters
Rik Smits C 30 7'5'' 277 B C- D B B+ C
Wayman Tisdale C 33 6'9'' 260 A- C- C- B B+ C
Sam Bowie C 31 7'1'' 263 B- C- D- B+ B C
Benoit Benjamin C 34 7'0'' 265 C C- D+ A B B
Samaki Walker C 24 6'9'' 258 C+ C- D+ A- A- C
Michael Olowokandi C 23 7'0'' 269 B- D D B+ B B
Brian Grant C 26 6'10'' 260 B D+ C- A- B+ C
Gheorghe Muresan C 27 7'7'' 315 C D+ D A- B- C
Eric Montross C 26 7'0'' 270 B C- D- B C+ C
Wendell Carter C 35 6'9'' 230 C C D B A- D
Tai Wynyard C 29 6'10'' 226 C+ C C+ A- B- C
Adonal Foyle C 24 6'10'' 250 C+ F+ D- A- B- C
Bryant Reeves C 26 7'1'' 280 B+ C D+ B B D
Chris Washburn C 32 6'11'' 255 B+ D- F C+ B- D
Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 24 7'3'' 238 B+ C C- B+ B- C
Will Perdue C 31 7'1'' 250 C+ D D A- A- D
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 7'3'' 235 37 B+ C C B+ A- D
Christian Laettner C 7'0'' 255 30 B C C B+ B+ D
Isaiah Jasey C 6'10'' 235 32 B+ C- D B- B C
Tier 4: Bench Players/Journeymen
Paul Rogers C 24 7'0'' 260 B- C- C B B+ B
Todd MacCulloch C 22 7'0'' 280 C+ D+ D B- B- B
Jabari Smith C 23 6'11'' 250 C+ C- D+ C+ C+ D
Theo Ratliff C 25 6'11'' 235 C C- D- A- B- C
Analysis: Center is perhaps the most coveted position to fill in the league with elite talent few and far between and very few prospects at the position for the future. Having a blue chip center is a major asset in this league, probably above all others.
TOP-5 CENTERS IN NBADSL:
This list is based on the following criteria that combines several factors ranked in order of how they are weighted:
1) Current Skills
2) Current Trade Value
3) Value to their team
4) Upside
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Shaun Cagaoan C 22 7'3'' 310 B- F+ D C+ B- C
Mehmet Okur C 20 6'11'' 249 B- B C C+ C+ A
2042-43 Stats: N/A
These two are currently the future at this position. Okur is almost certainly a future all-star and it's only fitting that he ended up on the Hawks as he is the perfect guy for them.
Cagaoan, if he stays away from off the court temptation, could be a 20/12 type player.
Shawn Bradley C 28 7'7'' 257 B- D+ C- B+ A- C
2043-43 Stats: 33.7 mpg 10.4 ppg 12.1 rpg 1.8 apg 1.0 spg 3.1 bpg 2.5 topg 40.4 FG% 65.6 FT% .000 3P%
Bradley falls just short of making this list. He is an awesome defender and crushes on the boards, but his poor offensive output and percentages hinder him from being a truly complete player.
5) Dikembe Mutombo C 29 7'2'' 250 C+ C- C A B+ C
2042-43 Stats: 32.6 mpg 9.3 ppg 11.4 rpg 2.2 apg 1.0 spg 3.2 bpg 2.1 topg 43 FG% 66.7 FT% 0.0 3P%
Deke is very similar to Shawn Bradley in almost all aspects, but he is slightly better and has been an all-star, so that's why he cracks this list.
Deke has stayed exclusively with the Sonics for his career because of how valuable he is
While he doesn't put up big numbers on offense, he certainly isn't a liability.
4) Patrick Ewing C 33 7'1'' 250 A- C- C- A- B+ D
2042-43 Stats: 34.6 mpg 20.0 ppg 12.3 rpg 2.6 apg 1.3 spg 2.3 bpg 2.7 topg 46.8 Fg% 72.7 FT% .000 3P%
Crazy to think that the Jazz had two entrants in this top-5 list last season, barely made their CY the previous season and then made the finals after trading one of them for mostly prospects!
Ewing has proven his worth over the years. He is an absolute terror to deal with and he does it all.
His biggest liability is his inability to take care of the ball as he turns it over more than a below average point guard.
Still, Ewing is a guy who gets the job done and has been underappreciated in this league.
3) Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 279 33 B- A- C B+ B C
2042-43 Stats: 34.1 mpg 21 ppg 11 rpg 3.5 apg 1.1 spg 3.1 bpg 2.4 topg .459 FG% 79.4 FT% 38.2 3P%
Sabonis is an absolute stud at the position and the envy of GMs with an outside system.
After the Pacers were CY'd, Sabonis became a free agent and as of the time of this article being written, remains one.
It will be interesting to see what kind of contract the big fella gets at age 33, but whatever it is, he's worth ever penny.
Sabonis is a sick defender, stud rebounder and incredible scorer. Likely the most well-rounded and versatile of all of the centers.
2) Hakeem Olajuwon C 32 7'1'' 260 A- D+ D+ A- A- C
2042-43 Stats: 34.9 mpg 23.4 ppg 12.5 rpg 2.4 apg 1.2 spg 3.6 bpg 2.5 topg 48.9 FG% 64.6 Ft% .000 3P%
At age 31, Hakeem finally won his first championship with the Wizards and won Playoffs MVP. Hakeem is, essentially, a beast. Absolutely dominant across the board and a handful to say the least.
With his ratings, Hakeem should be playing into his late 30s and will be a great mentor for young players at the position.
With his stats, it's hard to believe that he's not the top player at this position, but we all know who is...
1) Shaquille O'Neal C 30 7'2'' 311 A- D+ D- A A C
2042-43 Stats: 38.2 mpg 26.6 ppg 14.4 rpg 2.2 apg 0.7 spg 3.5 bpg 2.8 topg 45.1FG% 61.6 FT% .000 3P%
Entering the next season at age 30, a championship has alluded The Big Aristotle. He's had his chances, but seems to continuously fall short in the playoffs.
Now, the Bulls have built a really solid team around him and the time looks to be now or never for Shaq.
Averaging a whopping 38.2 minutes per game, Shaq puts his blood, sweat and tears into his game and as a result, has monstrous averages that any GM would love to have.
Another accolade that has alluded Shaq is an MVP award, which is something I would bet on him winning in the coming seasons.
Centers at the elite level are few and far between, but there is a lot of overall depth at the lower tier of this position. Who is the best and why?
This list provides a breakdown including what tier each starting center falls into (in no particular order):
Tier 1: Sure fire studs/Superstars
Hakeem Olajuwon C 32 7'1'' 260 A- D+ D+ A- A- C
Shaquille O'Neal C 30 7'2'' 311 A- D+ D- A A C
Patrick Ewing C 33 7'1'' 250 A- C- C- A- B+ D
Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 279 33 B- A- C B+ B C
Tier 2: All-Stars/Potential Future All-Stars
Shaun Cagaoan C 22 7'3'' 310 B- F+ D C+ B- C
Mehmet Okur C 20 6'11'' 249 B- B C C+ C+ A
Jong-Hyun Lee C 31 6'11'' 221 B- C C A B D
Dikembe Mutombo C 29 7'2'' 250 C+ C- C A B+ C
Shawn Bradley C 28 7'7'' 257 B- D+ C- B+ A- C
Vlade Divac C 29 7'1'' 260 B B B- A- B+ C
Tier 3: Solid Starters/Future Starters
Rik Smits C 30 7'5'' 277 B C- D B B+ C
Wayman Tisdale C 33 6'9'' 260 A- C- C- B B+ C
Sam Bowie C 31 7'1'' 263 B- C- D- B+ B C
Benoit Benjamin C 34 7'0'' 265 C C- D+ A B B
Samaki Walker C 24 6'9'' 258 C+ C- D+ A- A- C
Michael Olowokandi C 23 7'0'' 269 B- D D B+ B B
Brian Grant C 26 6'10'' 260 B D+ C- A- B+ C
Gheorghe Muresan C 27 7'7'' 315 C D+ D A- B- C
Eric Montross C 26 7'0'' 270 B C- D- B C+ C
Wendell Carter C 35 6'9'' 230 C C D B A- D
Tai Wynyard C 29 6'10'' 226 C+ C C+ A- B- C
Adonal Foyle C 24 6'10'' 250 C+ F+ D- A- B- C
Bryant Reeves C 26 7'1'' 280 B+ C D+ B B D
Chris Washburn C 32 6'11'' 255 B+ D- F C+ B- D
Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 24 7'3'' 238 B+ C C- B+ B- C
Will Perdue C 31 7'1'' 250 C+ D D A- A- D
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 7'3'' 235 37 B+ C C B+ A- D
Christian Laettner C 7'0'' 255 30 B C C B+ B+ D
Isaiah Jasey C 6'10'' 235 32 B+ C- D B- B C
Tier 4: Bench Players/Journeymen
Paul Rogers C 24 7'0'' 260 B- C- C B B+ B
Todd MacCulloch C 22 7'0'' 280 C+ D+ D B- B- B
Jabari Smith C 23 6'11'' 250 C+ C- D+ C+ C+ D
Theo Ratliff C 25 6'11'' 235 C C- D- A- B- C
Analysis: Center is perhaps the most coveted position to fill in the league with elite talent few and far between and very few prospects at the position for the future. Having a blue chip center is a major asset in this league, probably above all others.
TOP-5 CENTERS IN NBADSL:
This list is based on the following criteria that combines several factors ranked in order of how they are weighted:
1) Current Skills
2) Current Trade Value
3) Value to their team
4) Upside
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Shaun Cagaoan C 22 7'3'' 310 B- F+ D C+ B- C
Mehmet Okur C 20 6'11'' 249 B- B C C+ C+ A
2042-43 Stats: N/A
These two are currently the future at this position. Okur is almost certainly a future all-star and it's only fitting that he ended up on the Hawks as he is the perfect guy for them.
Cagaoan, if he stays away from off the court temptation, could be a 20/12 type player.
Shawn Bradley C 28 7'7'' 257 B- D+ C- B+ A- C
2043-43 Stats: 33.7 mpg 10.4 ppg 12.1 rpg 1.8 apg 1.0 spg 3.1 bpg 2.5 topg 40.4 FG% 65.6 FT% .000 3P%
Bradley falls just short of making this list. He is an awesome defender and crushes on the boards, but his poor offensive output and percentages hinder him from being a truly complete player.
5) Dikembe Mutombo C 29 7'2'' 250 C+ C- C A B+ C
2042-43 Stats: 32.6 mpg 9.3 ppg 11.4 rpg 2.2 apg 1.0 spg 3.2 bpg 2.1 topg 43 FG% 66.7 FT% 0.0 3P%
Deke is very similar to Shawn Bradley in almost all aspects, but he is slightly better and has been an all-star, so that's why he cracks this list.
Deke has stayed exclusively with the Sonics for his career because of how valuable he is
While he doesn't put up big numbers on offense, he certainly isn't a liability.
4) Patrick Ewing C 33 7'1'' 250 A- C- C- A- B+ D
2042-43 Stats: 34.6 mpg 20.0 ppg 12.3 rpg 2.6 apg 1.3 spg 2.3 bpg 2.7 topg 46.8 Fg% 72.7 FT% .000 3P%
Crazy to think that the Jazz had two entrants in this top-5 list last season, barely made their CY the previous season and then made the finals after trading one of them for mostly prospects!
Ewing has proven his worth over the years. He is an absolute terror to deal with and he does it all.
His biggest liability is his inability to take care of the ball as he turns it over more than a below average point guard.
Still, Ewing is a guy who gets the job done and has been underappreciated in this league.
3) Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 279 33 B- A- C B+ B C
2042-43 Stats: 34.1 mpg 21 ppg 11 rpg 3.5 apg 1.1 spg 3.1 bpg 2.4 topg .459 FG% 79.4 FT% 38.2 3P%
Sabonis is an absolute stud at the position and the envy of GMs with an outside system.
After the Pacers were CY'd, Sabonis became a free agent and as of the time of this article being written, remains one.
It will be interesting to see what kind of contract the big fella gets at age 33, but whatever it is, he's worth ever penny.
Sabonis is a sick defender, stud rebounder and incredible scorer. Likely the most well-rounded and versatile of all of the centers.
2) Hakeem Olajuwon C 32 7'1'' 260 A- D+ D+ A- A- C
2042-43 Stats: 34.9 mpg 23.4 ppg 12.5 rpg 2.4 apg 1.2 spg 3.6 bpg 2.5 topg 48.9 FG% 64.6 Ft% .000 3P%
At age 31, Hakeem finally won his first championship with the Wizards and won Playoffs MVP. Hakeem is, essentially, a beast. Absolutely dominant across the board and a handful to say the least.
With his ratings, Hakeem should be playing into his late 30s and will be a great mentor for young players at the position.
With his stats, it's hard to believe that he's not the top player at this position, but we all know who is...
1) Shaquille O'Neal C 30 7'2'' 311 A- D+ D- A A C
2042-43 Stats: 38.2 mpg 26.6 ppg 14.4 rpg 2.2 apg 0.7 spg 3.5 bpg 2.8 topg 45.1FG% 61.6 FT% .000 3P%
Entering the next season at age 30, a championship has alluded The Big Aristotle. He's had his chances, but seems to continuously fall short in the playoffs.
Now, the Bulls have built a really solid team around him and the time looks to be now or never for Shaq.
Averaging a whopping 38.2 minutes per game, Shaq puts his blood, sweat and tears into his game and as a result, has monstrous averages that any GM would love to have.
Another accolade that has alluded Shaq is an MVP award, which is something I would bet on him winning in the coming seasons.
