Create-a-Five: Building the Perfect NBA Center
Dwight Howard (photo. adidas)
For every Dwight Howard, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal, there’s a Kwame Brown, a Michael Olowokandi, and a Pervis Ellison. And it’s always gonna be that way.
That’s because in the NBA, a great center is priceless. Knowing that, teams will continue to take risks on unpolished, injury-prone and/or unproven prospects. Rather than let the next Cullinan Diamond of a 7-footer slip through your grasp, it’s easier to gamble and believe he’s the kid wearing your Draft cap.
Even as the game evolves and perimeter players rule in 2010, centers are still vital to building a winning team. It can be a traditional textbook guy like Tim Duncan (for all intents and purposes, a center), an athletic freak like Dwight, an outside threat like Mehmet Okur, or a defensive specialist like Ben Wallace.
How would you build the prototype NBA center? Take into account size, abilities, specific skills, mindset, and other intangibles.
Using only THREE current or former centers to put in a blender and combine their best (or worst) traits, create your perfect center…
Also check out: Create-a-Three: Building the Perfect NBA Small Forward
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February 26th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
mememememe says:
you dont need to create one…Hakeem Olajuwon already exists.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
12thMan says:
Dwight Howard – The FREAKNESS
Yao Ming – The tall
Havlicek – The array of post moves and the stopping
February 26th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
lebacire says:
damn right!!!
Olajuwon is the best center of all time…defense and offense..too bad he belong to jordan era…less rings and mvp…
February 26th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
leeroy says:
Because the idea of the “perfect center” died with the retirement of Olajuwon, we will simply have to settle for fervently obtaining a player like Kwame Brown with the sole intent of later trading him for the likes of Pau Gasol.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Celts Fan says:
Dwight’s athleticism/D, Shaq’s size, Hakeem’s moves/D would = GOAT
February 26th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Jah says:
Similar to the SF Project yesterday: body + moves + mentality.
Shaquille O’Neal’s BODY (7’1″, 300+ lbs.)
Hakeem Olajuwon’s OFFENSE (“Dream Shake”, hooks, footwork, etc.)
Ben Wallace’s DEFENSIVE INTENSITY
Thread OVER. I win.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Prof. TX says:
Dwight’s physique
Hakeem’s defense
Kareem’s sky hook + Hakeem’s dream shake = perfect offense
February 26th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Heckler says:
@ Austin–
Damn….only three?!!?
you’re handcuffing us here. hahaha.
Arvydis Sabonis skill set (passing and bball iq)
Shaquille O’Neal strength power and size
Alonzo Mourning heart passion toughness and defense
OR
Akeem Olajuwon (for those of you that knew him before he added the ‘H’ to his first name)
David Robinson (defense and athleticism)
Kareem Abdul Jabbar (offense longevity)
OR
Bill Russell (defense and leadership)
Wilt Chamberlain (force, strength, scoring, rebounding)
Patrick Ewing (was actually one of the best jump shooting 7ftrs ever)
OR
Moses Malone (fo fo fo)
Dwight Howard (athleticism)
Yao Ming (soft touch)
February 26th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Ricky says:
Shaq’s physique in his prime
Wilt’s offense
Russell’s defense and will to win.
Don’t wanna forget that the NBA has been ’round longer than Jordan and after.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Dang post 1 nailed it but I’ll say.
Hakeem – Versatile
Shaq – Dominant
Okur – Range (
If there is a better 3 point shooting center put him in Okur’s place there but Okur was the first to pop in my head for hitting outside shots)
February 26th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Blake Superior says:
’99-’00 Shaq (30pt/14rb/4ast/3blk)
+
Yao Ming’s Free Throw %
=
A 33/14/4/3 BEAST, you can post up on every possession down the stretch
February 26th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Shakers says:
Kevin McHale’s post moves
Shaq’s size
Bill Russell’s smarts/defense/intensity/leadership
February 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Tyler Whitcomb says:
(1) Hakeem Olajuwon – Moves
(2) David Robinson – all around game
(3) Shaq – Size
February 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Rizwan says:
1) Amare’s defense
2) Greg Oden’s durability
3) Kendrick Perkins face
February 26th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Shakers says:
Just for fun, breaking the 3 player rule:
Shaq’s body, with Dwight’s athleticism, McHale’s drop step/up and under moves, Hakeem’s dream shake, Kareem’s sky hook, Bill Walton’s passing, Dirk’s jumper (stretching the center a bit), Bill Russell’s smarts/rebound and shot block timing/defense/intensity/leadership
A basketball masterpiece.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Kevin says:
Dwight- athlete/build. Almost 7 ft & has a huge vert.
Shaq- power/take your heart. Completely dominant you all game with power/size. And laugh in your face.
Bill Russell- defense & winner. There was a reason he made Wilt look bad and why he has 13 rings!
February 26th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
me says:
Hakeem oncourt skillset
David Robinson’s Workout mentality
Shaq’s height.
Hakeem was perfect, EXCEPT:
1. I’ve heard dude was actually somewhere between 6’9″ and 6’11″.
2. David Robinson was RIPPED.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Heckler says:
@ Gee (#9)–
Sam Perkins (Big Smooth) was NOT dominant, but he hit many (clutch) threes as a center.
and of course, do not forget about my dude Arvydas Sabonis!!
as far as 3pt shooting centers go, I’m sure you’d take those two over Mehmet Okur. sheeeeit, you might even take Raef LaFrentz over him….
February 26th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
cesar says:
hakeem – offensive moves
ben wallace – defensive intensity
young shaq – body and humor
February 26th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Hakeem’s moves.
Shaq’s power.
Jack Sikma’s range and ability to shoot free throws.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
cesar says:
@shakers
mchale and dirk were/are PF, not Centers
February 26th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Yao Ming
Dikembe Mutombo
Gheorghe Mureşan
Best interview ever. LOL
February 26th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Shakers says:
@cesar I even said I’m stretching it in my post to avoid a comment like yours.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Ian says:
admiral plus dream done
February 26th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
kdog78 says:
Gotta go with
Hakeem Offense/IQ
Bill Russell Defense/Desire
Shaq’s Body/Intimidation
Can you imagine a 300 lb gorilla that moved like the Dream and had the heart of Russell?
February 26th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
12thMan says:
Wilt
Ricky Buckets
No one
Best fantasy player ever?
February 26th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Charles says:
I just don’t see how hardly anyone names Chmaberlain? Dude scored a hundred points in a game?
February 26th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Tom says:
Start with young Shaq’s body and athleticism
Add Steph Curry’s appetite (to prevent Shaq from getting fat)
Add Hakeem’s hands & head (so he can shoot and has crazy post moves)
February 26th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
isotope says:
Sorry, I would have come up with a list but couldnt get past the fact that the article put Dwight in the same group/sentence as Hakeem and Shaq. Really???????
February 26th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Clutch says:
Tim duncans post moves with dwights physical ability and pau gasols touch.
Aka
Hakeem
February 26th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Tom says:
OK, curry isn’t a centre… didn’t read carefully enough…
Lets go with Cheikh Samb’s appetite.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
life-p says:
Zo’s heart
Mutombo’s longevity
Kareem’s skill set
February 26th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Nyeme says:
Hakeem Olajuwon is all you need
February 26th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
hadoken says:
shaq’s personality and size, olajuwon’s skill and smarts, zo’s heart not his liver, russell’s will, and wilt’s game on the court and most importantly in between the sheets
February 26th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Lucas Shapiro says:
Dwight Howard’s Athleticism
Kevin McHale’s Post Moves
Bill Rusell’s intangibles…
February 26th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
ProphetGK says:
Wilt/Shaq/Hakeem
February 26th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
ab_40 says:
Yao Mings height and shooting touch. Dwight Howards athleticism, and the mean streak shaq had in his 00,01 seasons. That’s nba live right there Imagine a 7’5 version of dwight who can shoot from everywhere, has a wide array of post moves, is a good passer and who’s an ass to everyone except his teammates.
February 26th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
rell says:
The Dream – offensive and defensive game, rebounding, athleticism, handles
Bill Russell – defensive ability, leadership, heart of a champion
Shaq – physicality, rebounding
Like everyone else said Olajuwon was the perfect center
February 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Heckler Ok yea Big Smooth how could I forget about him.
Call it my mistake but I just don’t remember Sabonis hitting a lot of threes. When I think of Sabonis I think of the best passing big man ever.
So in re-doing my list.
Shaq – Pure Domination
Dream – Vesatile
Big Smooth – Range
Mentally, verbally and physically that center would destroy, murder and kill!
February 26th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
v213 says:
dwights athleticism and body
hakeems footwork and offense
bill russells defense
February 26th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Luigi says:
give me
Shawn Bradley for his height
Eddy Curry for his size
DJ Mbenga for his name.
haha okay ill be real
Kareem – array of post moves (the hook)
Shaq – Size
Ewing – J-Shot
heres another 1
Ben Wallace – Heart
Bill Russell – Determination
Robert “The Chief” Parrish – Grit
February 26th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
flavur says:
David Robinson- Offensive/Defensive Ability, Physique/Athleticism
Hakeem Olajuwon- Touch around the basket, Offensive/Defensive Ability
Dwight Howard-Athleticism/Physique, Defensive Ability
February 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
common sense says:
aint nothing perfect so forget about combining all of these aspects.. theres a reason this player will neva exist.. but hakeem is as close as youd get.. bring him into todays game and hed wipe the floor with dwight..
February 26th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Gabriel Brogden says:
The Perfect NBA Center :
Mental and Physical toughness of Laimbeer
Accuracy of Bill Walton
Height of Shawn Bradley
Shot blocking ability of Darko
Skills of Bogut
February 26th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
pdxballer says:
dwight for athleticism, wilt for offensive ability and shaq for size
February 26th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Al Day says:
Hakeem, Dwight, Duncan.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Rob says:
Pure talent, skillset, mindset, physique of Hakeem is pretty much all you need.
But a mix of Hakeem (post moves & defense), Laimbeer (shot & toughness), Shaq (power & even some passing) would be my ideal center.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Chaos says:
sorry but i cant use three. here’s the peerfect center built for me:
Shaq’s size, strength and power
Howard’s athletic abiility
Hakeem’s footwork and post moves
Ewing’s jump shot
Kareem’s touch and sky hook
Robinson’s Work ethic and mid range game
Mourning’s heart, toughness and determination
Big Ben’s defense tougness
Russell’s IQ and leadership
Wilt’s rebounding and sex drive (no homo, jk)
February 26th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Chaos says:
and sabonis passing ability
February 26th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Thanatos says:
Akeem the dream..and that’s all
February 27th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Borgs says:
Former: Olajuwon, Shaq, Sabonis
Current: Yao, Howard, Bogut
February 27th, 2010 at 1:17 am
johnsacrimoni says:
I always felt the Admiral was the prototypical center, all he needed was more heart and toughness. Then again The Dream was much more talented skill wise. Some combination of the two.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:21 am
gilford22 says:
Hakeem’s Post moves
Shaq’s Power and Intimidation
And the center of the Detroit’s Bad Boys who won back to back championship.
February 27th, 2010 at 2:27 am
geoluhread says:
6’10-280
Ben Wallace Defense/rebounding
Darryl Dawkins personality
Wilt chamberlin offence
February 27th, 2010 at 2:58 am
S-SiN says:
I’ll go with the mix of 95 Hakeem and 92 Admiral.
February 27th, 2010 at 3:23 am
fLaVa says:
D.Howards – atheleticism and body
k. Mchale- post moves
THe Dream’s – footwork
Is mchale a C? lol
February 27th, 2010 at 6:16 am
geoluhread says:
@Flava. PF i think.
i wanted to include Wes Unseld but i think he’s a Pf too.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Disko says:
Bill Russell’s defense, will to win, teamwork, leadership.
Kareem’s Skyhook
Hakeem’s post moves/ footwork
or
Dwight’s Athleticism
Wilt’s overall dominance
Shaq’s everything
February 27th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
John L says:
Ben Wallace – Defense/Rebounding
Dwight Howard – Athleticism/Size/Solid Post Skills
Mehmet Okur – Outside Shot
February 27th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Ian says:
ssin
thats my mix also
February 27th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
RC says:
I thought Mehmet Okur is the perfect center… Ooops I forgot he is a shooting guard in a center’s body.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:41 am
VBG says:
Dwight’s athleticism and durability
Hakeem’s Offensive and defensive skillset
Yao’s height
A 7’6″ center who can jump like crazy and has amazing footwork and co-ordination.
February 28th, 2010 at 5:30 am
sh!tfaced says:
William Bedford
Roy Tarpley
Chris Washburn
The perfect NBA snorter, I mean, center
A 7-footer who can jump “high”, has amazing nosework and coke-ordination.
Oozing with all the (unfulfilled) potential in the world right there.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
karizmatic says:
The footwork, floor game,defense, and athletic ability of Hakeem
The strength and power of Shaq
The longevity and discipline of Kareem.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:11 am
Peli says:
Andrea Bargnani
March 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Ewing's Jumpshot says:
I am Patrick Ewing’s jumpshot. I delivered, except every single time I was taken as a turnaround from the baseline in a clutch playoff game. Then I was like a Ewing uncontested finger-roll at the end of game 7: FAIL. If I weren’t an epic fail in the clutch, the Knicks would have had at least 2 chips.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@DreDre718 says:
Chris anderson, Zadrunaz illgalskus, and shaq
March 1st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
dbrad says:
Shaq’s size and strength
Hakeem’s moves
Tim Duncan’s IQ and consistency
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 am
whataboutbob_cats says:
Manute Bol’ hieght and nose for blocking shots (and 3 pointer ability)
Hakeem Olajuwon’s offensive prowess
Tim Duncan’s basketball IQ
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:26 am
jason says:
its funny it says one trait each and everyone is using like 3 from each player.
1. sheer dominance of shaq
2. offensive moves of hakeem
3. defense of ben wallace
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:27 am
jason says:
well im a total idiot no it doesnt say that lol
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 pm
chief youngblood says:
patrick ewing , hakeem , shaq
March 5th, 2010 at 8:53 am
LoBezn0 says:
Shaq’s physical dimensions,
Hakeem Olajuwon’s offense,
Ben Wallace’s defense and athleticism during his prime.