Hakeem Olajuwon, also known as "The Dream," was one of the best NBA centers of all time. He was a tough, athletic center who was known for his shot blocking and stealing abilities. The 6-4 center was an MVP winner twice and was also a top-five rebounder. He ended his career with 21.8 PPG, making him one of the best in league history.
Bill Russell is a perennial candidate for best center of all-time honors. The Houston Rockets had several great centers on their roster, including Wilt Chamberlain, Dennis Rodman, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. While Mourning and Chamberlain have great stats, they all had less than stellar winning records. Russell lands in third place on this list, but his statistics are reminiscent of a video game.
George Mikan is the original dominant center. He put the Lakers on the map with his 22 rebounds per game. A Boston Celtics legend, he won two NBA titles, was an All-Star, and was the league's MVP twice. He retired after the 1983 season. It's not easy to top Mikan, but his numbers are worthy of a Hall of Fame. If you've never watched his highlight reels, now is the time to catch up.
Artis Gilmore: Aside from being an all-time great of the NBA, Gilmore had more impact on the ABA than anyone else. In his first year, he won the ABA's MVP award. In his NBA career, he scored 11,764 points and was a Hall of Fame member. Patrick Ewing: Another great center, Patrick Ewing had a brief stint with the New York Knicks but consistently played. He developed his offensive game and was able to beat opposing bigs.
David Robinson: One of the best NBA centers of all time, Robinson had one of the most imposing bodies in the league. He was an outstanding player, and his body was unguardable. He was also an outstanding defender, and was named to the Hall of Fame five times. With his versatility and hard-working nature, he was an excellent role model. He had the ability to protect the rim, and his skills, he helped teams win many games.
Hakeem Olajuwon was a great player who transcended post defense and dominated the paint. He played 18 seasons in the NBA and made 12 all-star appearances. He averaged 21.8 points and 11 rebounds per game. He was the star of the Houston Rockets' back-to-back championship run, and won two MVP awards. A second great center of all time is Bill Walton.
Bill Walton is perhaps the best-known NBA center of all time. His size and strength gave him the edge in scoring. His ability to steal the ball from the opposing team's guards was legendary. His athleticism and quickness allowed him to defend and shoot the basket. The patented low-post moves made him one of the best in the world. His defensive skills were second to none, and his outstanding athleticism helped him win the 1977 NBA championship.
Moses Malone was the greatest center of all time. He led the league in boards six times, once at 17.6 per game. His size and athleticism made him a beast down low. His instincts were second to none, and his defense was renowned. A great NBA center is a player who dominates the court. In addition to a great athlete, it is hard to beat an amazing player who dominates the sport and makes it possible for a team to win.
One of the most dominant players in the NBA was Bill Russell. His success came as a result of his unmatched shooting skills and a strong defensive presence. Although he has been injured for most of his career, he is still one of the best centers in the league. In fact, he has won the NBA MVP twice. The Lakers would not have made the finals without him in their history if he hadn't been the best center of all time.
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