Top Five Centers of All Time

George Mercurio

Contributor Written on November 13, 2009

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What better way to kick off the NBA season than with the always contentious All-Time List.

This is a list of the top five NBA centers of ALL-TIME. That means you won't find youngsters like Dwight Howard here (although give him a few more years, and who knows?).

Also see my list of the the All-Time Greatest Power Forwards, and soon to come: Small Forwards, Shooting Guards, and Point Guards. It's sure to bring debate, so let me hear from you!

# 5 Bill Russell

Five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11 NBA Championships in his 13-year career. If winning were the only criteria, it would be hard not to put Russell at the head of this list.

Although he could never could stop Chamberlain one-on-one (who could?), the only thing that mattered to Russell was that at the end of the season, he was the one holding the trophy.

# 4 Shaquille O’Neil

An MVP award, 15 All-Star games and four NBA Championships, the Diesel made his mark in an era filled with great centers. The second-most dominating big man ever to lace them up.

# 3 Wilt Chamberlain

Four MVP awards, two NBA Championships, 13 All-Star appearances, seven scoring titles. THE most dominating big man ever to lace them up.

Everyone knows about his scoring and rebounding prowess, but he actually led the NBA in assists during the 1967-68 season. That’s versatility!

Doubtful any player will ever repeat the records he set during his career.

# 2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

A record six-time winner of the MVP award, a record 19 All-Star appearances, six NBA titles, and the NBA's all-time leader in points, Kareem was also the master of the most unstoppable move in basketball history: the skyhook.

# 1 Hakeem Olajuwon

An MVP award and two NBA Championships. The only player in the top ten in career blocks and steals.

In 1993-94, Olajuwon became the only player in NBA history to win the league's regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same year.

When Kobe Bryant wished to upgrade his low-post game this offseason, he turned to none other than The Dream for help. Enough said.

Honorable Mention: David Robinson

1994-95 Most Valuable Player, 10-time NBA All-Star, and two-time NBA Champion, perhaps the best thing about the Admiral is that he was a great player and an even better man.

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written on November 13, 2009 Rankings/List

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