The New Era of NBA Centers
NBA August 6th. 2008, 4:15pm
Last season, Deron Williams and Chris Paul ushered in the new era of NBA point guards. The other position going through a transition? Center. Shaq’s in the twilight of his career, and the young pups are just coming into their own. Commenter irishmafia, examines the new breed.
No. 5 Amare Stoudemire- Phoenix Suns
Averaged 25.2 ppg and 9.1 rpg in the regular season, and 23-9 against the Spurs in the postseason. Not only is he a force around the rim, he can spot up and knock down the wide open jumpers. With Nash and Shaq getting older, Amare will be counted on even more next season.
No. 4 Al Jefferson- Minnesota Timberwolves
Average 21 ppg and 11.1 rbg in his first season with the Wolves. He was one of five players to average 20-10. At just 23, the Wolves will have a force down low for years to come.
No. 3 Tyson Chandler- New Orleans Hornets
Averaged 11.8 ppg and 11.7 rbg during the regular season. During the playoffs, those stats dipped to 8-10. His stats may not be mind blowing, but Chandler is one of the reasons why the Hornets had a great season last year. He runs the floor well, plays with heart, and could be one of the top defensive players in the near future. Tyson also has a very hot wife.
No. 2 Yao Ming- Houston Rockets
Averaged 22-10 before an injured ended his season. Since 2005, he has yet to play 60+ games in a season. He was off to one of his best starts in his career before going down with an injury. When healthy, Yao is brilliant. His passing ability, shooting range, shot blocking, and wide array of post moves make him almost impossible to defend.
No. 1 Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
Averaged 20.7 ppg and 14.2 rbg during the regular season, registered 69 double-doubles, and became the youngest player ever to lead the league in rebounding. You’ve seen the dunks and the 20-20 games and the volleyball blocks and the kind of domination that makes old basketball heads recall the days of Wilt and Bill and Kareem and Hakeem and a young Shaq.
He hasn’t even assembled a collection of moves and countermoves. He hasn’t even found a steady jumper or bank shot yet. He is still trying to figure out life in the paint, and accept the notion that he can dominate with his defense and rebounding alone.
Great? Not yet. But is he the best center in the NBA, hands down.
94 Responses to “The New Era of NBA Centers”
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August 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
YES!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
kobe > lebron
August 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I call bullshit. Some of this is capitalized and there are paragraph breaks.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
rumeal’s rankings
1. yao
2. howard
3. amare
4. oden
5. jefferson
6. rajon rondo
August 6th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Mags…that was hysterical.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
1. Howard
2. Amare
3. Jefferson
4. Yao
5. Oden
August 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
well done irish.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
tyson chandler at #3 is just plain crazy talk
August 6th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
idk about Tyson Chandler being that high. Al Jefferson puts up his numbers w/o Chris Paul. Chandler? not a chance.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
i was hoping for a better intro TBL. Ill take it
thanks
August 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
There is no way he should have figured this stuff out in his 4 YEARS in the NBA… no way.
/sincere
August 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
@coach k- You ranked Oden? he has yet to play. cmon now
August 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Nice work, Irish, but I think Yi Jianlian deserves to be No. 1.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
irish…i thought you hated big al jeff.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
TBL, it’s irishmafia, not Irish Mafia.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
@spencer and miz- thanks guys. I appreciate it
August 6th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Yao Ming isn’t the second best center because he can’t play defense worth a damn.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I call bullshit too, Irish hates Yao Ming.
I like the list, I would put Jefferson ahead of Chandler though.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
@irish–by putting oden at #5 I am just saying that if I was able to choose any of the centers in the NBA and the top 4 on my list were gone, then Oden would be my choice.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Well done, Irish. Been waiting for you to post one.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
@coach k- i respect that. I just would like to see him play one full season before we place him in the top 5
August 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
while I wanted a better intro myself and I really wanted all lowercase letters (it’s a trademark) well done Irish..I have waited a year for this day
August 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
@mike NYC- thanks man
August 6th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I never thought I would see the day through all my aliases and incarnations here at TBL when the Shamrock gets his post. We can only hope this leads to the Clover Chronicles as a weekly feature.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
+1 to the Clover Chronicles idea.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I hate the “New era” crap they try and pull every few years.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
/fixed
almost forgot, well done irish.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
where’s big Z?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
i guess i should have waited to say thanks. i am new to this
Thanks Roman and Sparty
August 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Where’s my thanks?
/Feeling left out.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I have always had some bias against chandler. i have always felt that he has too much talent and size to be such a mediocre player.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
no darko?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
what about Tim Duncan?
Just kidding. good post, irish.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
cbh…you ruined this site yesterday and you want a busy guy like Irish to say thanks? Please he only acknowledges the beautiful people and Spencer
August 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
irish put Howard at #1?
/shocked
/Well done, irish
August 6th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Sweet stuff, irish
August 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
So there are no great centers in the NBA?
/Tim Duncan
August 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
@cbh and CRM- thanks to both you guys as well
thanks again TBL
August 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
What about Tyson Chandler is mediocre?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Nice post – too bad Oden is in the west – it would be great to see he and Dwight go at many times per year.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Also left out of the ‘thanks parade’
/was in no way serious about Yi Jianlian
August 6th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
When is the Power Forward list coming up? I am sure to top that one.
/Tim Duncan
August 6th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Good stuff Irish.
It’s actually kind of sad that this is what we’ve got at the center position. The two best guys are a physical freak that is still developing and a huge chinaman that seemingly can’t walk and chew gum without hurting himself.
Makes me yearn for the days of Hakeem and Ewing.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Good post. Short and to the point.
5. Tyson Chandler
4. Al. Jefferson
3. Amare Stoudamire
2. Yao MIng
1. Dwight Howard
Honarable mention Greg Oden, Andrew Bynum, Andrew Bogat
August 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I’m not sure how you have Tyson Chandler so high. I personally would rather have 25 and 9 (Amare)over 11 and 11. Then again I’m a Suns fan
August 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
@misterc, Romo and coop- i appreciate the nice comments.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
All of this high fiving and ass slapping is making me sick.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
After next year Oden will be no lower than #2. The strength and agility of a young Shaq with more size (reach) and a much better touch. Playing at OSU with only his left hand will only help. I watched him play often at OSU in an offense poorly designed for his skill set and with one hand he still kicked everyone’s ass.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
If Chandler had Amare’s jumper to go with his defense and rebounding I would put him at 3.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
If I was 7′1 I would put myself at #1
August 6th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
coop-don’t forget the Dunking Dutchmen, Rik Smits!
August 6th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
i expected to see Dwight Howard numbers 1-5. its hard to argue with anything you wrote since it is mostly numbers and opinion. not the most challenging post, but you passed. i liked it and can’t wait to see howard at #1 for SG as well.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
the center position is a dying breed
August 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
While I appreciate Irish’s atempt I have my own list
5.Big Baby Davis
4.Emeka Okafor
3. Erick Dampier
2 Dwight Howard
1. Eddy Curry
August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
TIM DUNCAN IS A FUCKING CENTER GOD DAMNIT…oh how did i miss that? son of a bitch.
but he’s not the ‘new era’ so i’ll keep the argument at bay.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
How many of these guys would be or are more comfortable at PF than C? In a traditional sense the center position has changed or become obsolete altogether because of these guys.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Assuming no Duncan (even though I think he’s a center)
1. Dwight; 2. Chandler; 3. Camby; 4. Yao; 5. Biedrins
If Duncan isn’t a center, then no way is Amare.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
mid 90s centers were the tits.
1.Hakeem
2.Robinson
3.Ewing
4.Shaq
5.Zo
6.Dikembe
7.Rik Smits
8.Bison Dele/Brian Williams-lol, kidding.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
well done irish.
But you forgot to mention how D-Ho dominates at the line…
August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Oh and Howard plays in the East. Take 5 ppg and 3 rpg away and that’s what he’d be doing in the West.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
looks like someone’s angling for the head writers gig over on the soon-to-be-launched NBAJerks.com (once we collect the 9 bucks for the domain name).
August 6th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
RWH- you, like Irish, forgot Darko.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
No love for Sidney Crosby?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Where’s Kwame?
/Sparty and Joe Dumars
August 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Amare won ALL NBA second team center Nick P. Tim Duncan was ALL NBA second team PF. I went by that
August 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
sparty…I was a big Oliver Miller guy…but Bill Cartwright taught us all how to go along for the ride…Luc Longley borrows his game tapes to learn for the next three
August 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
@nickp
burn! dick….
August 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
well played CRM
August 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Kwame Brown is ghay.
/Michael Jordan
August 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Is Pau Gasol not considered a center, or new era, or both?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
irish, nice work, but c’mon… what about Paul Mokeski?
Actually, this is a pretty good posting.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Fair enough, irish. Good stuff, except no Z.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
That’s racist.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Having Chandler ahead of Amare is hilarious. Plus if Amare is a center, so is Tim Duncan.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
looks like someone’s angling for the head writers gig over on the soon-to-be-launched MBLJerks.com (once we collect the 9 bucks for the domain name).
/Fixed by TBL
August 6th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Stop saying if Amare is a center so is Tim D. PHX sent out Marion at PF and Amarare at C until matrix was traded. Spurs had Oberto at C and Timmy at PF. It goes by where you start the game, thats not Irish’s fault.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
listings on rosters mean jack shit. duncan operates like a center on both ends…that makes him a center in my book.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
So Shaq was the Power Forward when he got there? And will be the power forward this entire season?
August 6th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Does he take the face offs?
August 6th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Holy shit I gotta comment. Irish got a post!! I miss NBA season, and the Tim Duncan is a center debate. No way Chandler is ahead of Amare, even though Amare plays no D.
Anyone nervous about Team USA?
August 6th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Heres what I think of Amare being 5th Irish
August 6th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
John Karstens is Perfect through 7-1/3 against the Dbacks
August 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Make that Jeff Karstens
August 6th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Nice, thanks for the update YYSA, will help me kill the last 25 minutes here.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
And there goes the perfect game
August 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Fuck there goes that idea.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Yea I had been watching it the last couple of innings. Still in a hitters park a 1 hit shutout would be impressive. Jeff Karstens is making the Xavier Nady trade look a bit better from Pirates perspective. Suck on it yankees.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
YYSA, good job on the jinx.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
just saw the post – yay irish!
August 6th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
1. D. Howard
2. Yao
3. Amare
4. Camby
5. Al Jefferson
August 6th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
From each Team official website:
Tim Duncan: Position F-C
Amare Stoudemire: Position C-F
So technically Amare is classified as a center first and power forward second, while for Tim is the opposite and before anyone says the order doesn’t matter, the NBA make a distinction between C-F or F-C on their websites so think Irish right for posting Amare as a center though I still think of Amare as a PF first
Btw the way must be feeling sore from all the pats on your back, not bad first post so congrats
August 6th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I think some people are a little too enamored with Amare. He’s a good player and the system he’s in fits him perfectly, but I wonder how good he would be without Nash. His stats are inflated playing in Phoenix.
His defense is very poor, his post game is average, and while his shot has improved it’s still erratic. He’s extremely athletic and if he gets an open look he’ll throw down, but overall I feel he’s hasn’t improved as much as I would have thought over the past few years. He deserves to be in the top 5, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have some serious flaws.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Coop, Amare offensive is very superior and yes some of this help with the PHX up tempo style, but the same style hurts his defense first and foremost needing to help nearly every play because of a pg burning past Nash and also because he often has to gaurd out of position. Also I think his offense would be spectacular wherever because he can hit a mid range jumper and he shoots 80% from the FT line.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Amare is an offensive beast and there is no inflation from playing in Phoenix. The guy is just a stud.