Post by csdude07 on Apr 25, 2009 8:58:17 GMT -5
The Vancouver Sun
1994
There is no doubt that a dominant center is the cornerstone of a franchise. Any GM would agree to this. Dominant bigs command a huge amount of attention from the opposing defense, cause match-up problems and double-teams, draw fouls, grab rebounds, contribute on the defensive end, and most importantly, they come through for their team late in the game. These qualities are highly sought after in the UOSLR and today I'll be doing a review of our league's top centers this season. List will include centers just on the bubble and some honorable mentions.
#1. Hakeem Olajuwon - Washington Bullets
Averages: 31.7 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 4 apg, 1.3 spg, 4.5 bpg, 47% FG
You have to put Hakeem at number 1. Look where the Bullets are in the Eastern Conference! This is due to Hakeem's unmatched offense and defense at the center position. Without question, Hakeem does more for the Bullets than any other center in the UOSLR does. He has the ability to finish inside with a very complete arsenal of post moves. This, along with his quickness, athleticism, stellar defense and rebounding, makes a case for another MVP award and DPOY award to be given to Hakeem.
#2. David Robinson - Philadelphia 76ers
Averages: 28.7 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, .5 spg, 1.7 bpg, 48.7% FG
The Admiral has had a superb season so far, averaging 29 ppg through very efficient 49% field goal shooting. His big 7'1 frame allows him to bully other centers around the paint and score at will. Although he doesn't average many steals or blocks, his tenacious low post defense gives other centers trouble all night. Look for this guy to turn things around for the 76ers and get them into the playoffs.
#3. Arvydas Sabonis - Utah Jazz
Averages: 25.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.4 bpg, 49.9% shooting
I really, really like this guy, and I think he is very underrated. Sabonis is different from the other guys in this list because he has the ability to hit the jumper and the three. This ability, along with his solid inside game, allow him to be a valued offensive weapon because you can go to him late in the game with confidence. He also causes match-up problems for the opposing team's defense because their centers have to play out of their comfort zone. His defense is very solid and he has surprisingly quick hands, averaging 1.9 steals per game this season. All this at 7'3, 280 lbs.
#4. Shaquille O'Neal - Vancouver Grizzlies
Averages: 21.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, .9 spg, 2.8 bpg, 46.7% FG
The Big Aristotle is having a great season so far, and he is deserving of #4 on this list. Shaq is the cornerstone of this franchise and is doing an excellent job of carrying this team as the number 1 option. His tremendous 7'1, 308 lbs. body allows him to punish others in the paint and finish with authority. He is also gifted athletically for a man this size, allowing him to defend very well and rebound consistently. This season, Shaq has also been creating for teammates, averaging 4.5 apg as a sophomore center.
#5. Patrick Ewing - San Antonio Spurs
Averages: 21.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.2 bpg, 41% FG
Ewing hasn't had a very good season so far, which is why he sits here instead of at #4. He is shooting only 41% FG, which is limiting his points. However, Ewing is nonetheless a dominant force in UOSLR, and the Spurs have been hot lately. Ewing is a powerful center with a punishing inside game. He takes it to the other team's center repeatedly throughout games and doesn't let up. He is equally skilled on defense, allowing him to harass other centers.
Right on the bubble: Brad Daugherty - Warriors
Absolute beast on the offense and a very skilled passer, just can't defend well. 0.1 bpg for a center just won't cut it when compared to the centers listed above.
Right on the bubble: Rik Smits - Pistons
Awesome season for Smits. He is an absolute beast at 7'4" and a very solid scorer and defender. Not enough ppg to make it on the list.
Right on the bubble: Luc Longley - Nets
He is listed at PF, but he plays C. 7'2, 271 lbs. Having a great season for the Nets with a solid offensive game and good rebounding and defense. Needs more ppg and defense to be on list.
Right on the bubble: Stanley Roberts - Pacers
Very comparable to the above two, however, Roberts is a much better defender because of his shot-blocking. Needs a few more ppg to be on list.
Honorable Mentions:
Alonzo Mourning - Beastly D, would be more of a scorer but his team is stacked.
Vlade Divac - Injured all season, but when he returns, he will do great
Dikembe Mutombo - Beastly defense and rebounding
Andrew Lang - Beastly defense and rebounding
1994
There is no doubt that a dominant center is the cornerstone of a franchise. Any GM would agree to this. Dominant bigs command a huge amount of attention from the opposing defense, cause match-up problems and double-teams, draw fouls, grab rebounds, contribute on the defensive end, and most importantly, they come through for their team late in the game. These qualities are highly sought after in the UOSLR and today I'll be doing a review of our league's top centers this season. List will include centers just on the bubble and some honorable mentions.
#1. Hakeem Olajuwon - Washington Bullets
Averages: 31.7 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 4 apg, 1.3 spg, 4.5 bpg, 47% FG
You have to put Hakeem at number 1. Look where the Bullets are in the Eastern Conference! This is due to Hakeem's unmatched offense and defense at the center position. Without question, Hakeem does more for the Bullets than any other center in the UOSLR does. He has the ability to finish inside with a very complete arsenal of post moves. This, along with his quickness, athleticism, stellar defense and rebounding, makes a case for another MVP award and DPOY award to be given to Hakeem.
#2. David Robinson - Philadelphia 76ers
Averages: 28.7 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, .5 spg, 1.7 bpg, 48.7% FG
The Admiral has had a superb season so far, averaging 29 ppg through very efficient 49% field goal shooting. His big 7'1 frame allows him to bully other centers around the paint and score at will. Although he doesn't average many steals or blocks, his tenacious low post defense gives other centers trouble all night. Look for this guy to turn things around for the 76ers and get them into the playoffs.
#3. Arvydas Sabonis - Utah Jazz
Averages: 25.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.4 bpg, 49.9% shooting
I really, really like this guy, and I think he is very underrated. Sabonis is different from the other guys in this list because he has the ability to hit the jumper and the three. This ability, along with his solid inside game, allow him to be a valued offensive weapon because you can go to him late in the game with confidence. He also causes match-up problems for the opposing team's defense because their centers have to play out of their comfort zone. His defense is very solid and he has surprisingly quick hands, averaging 1.9 steals per game this season. All this at 7'3, 280 lbs.
#4. Shaquille O'Neal - Vancouver Grizzlies
Averages: 21.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, .9 spg, 2.8 bpg, 46.7% FG
The Big Aristotle is having a great season so far, and he is deserving of #4 on this list. Shaq is the cornerstone of this franchise and is doing an excellent job of carrying this team as the number 1 option. His tremendous 7'1, 308 lbs. body allows him to punish others in the paint and finish with authority. He is also gifted athletically for a man this size, allowing him to defend very well and rebound consistently. This season, Shaq has also been creating for teammates, averaging 4.5 apg as a sophomore center.
#5. Patrick Ewing - San Antonio Spurs
Averages: 21.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.2 bpg, 41% FG
Ewing hasn't had a very good season so far, which is why he sits here instead of at #4. He is shooting only 41% FG, which is limiting his points. However, Ewing is nonetheless a dominant force in UOSLR, and the Spurs have been hot lately. Ewing is a powerful center with a punishing inside game. He takes it to the other team's center repeatedly throughout games and doesn't let up. He is equally skilled on defense, allowing him to harass other centers.
Right on the bubble: Brad Daugherty - Warriors
Absolute beast on the offense and a very skilled passer, just can't defend well. 0.1 bpg for a center just won't cut it when compared to the centers listed above.
Right on the bubble: Rik Smits - Pistons
Awesome season for Smits. He is an absolute beast at 7'4" and a very solid scorer and defender. Not enough ppg to make it on the list.
Right on the bubble: Luc Longley - Nets
He is listed at PF, but he plays C. 7'2, 271 lbs. Having a great season for the Nets with a solid offensive game and good rebounding and defense. Needs more ppg and defense to be on list.
Right on the bubble: Stanley Roberts - Pacers
Very comparable to the above two, however, Roberts is a much better defender because of his shot-blocking. Needs a few more ppg to be on list.
Honorable Mentions:
Alonzo Mourning - Beastly D, would be more of a scorer but his team is stacked.
Vlade Divac - Injured all season, but when he returns, he will do great
Dikembe Mutombo - Beastly defense and rebounding
Andrew Lang - Beastly defense and rebounding
