By Well, I have been doing some thinking of what to write next and a top 10 at each position came across my mind. So, the next set of entries will be my list of top 10 centers, power forwards, small forwards, shooting guards and point guards. The criteria to make the top 10 are: legacy, impact on the game of basketball, and their ability to play the position. So, we begin with the top 10 centers of all time.
#10 George Mikan
The “Godfather” of the position George Mikan, was a pioneer in basketball and revolutionized low post play during his career. Mikan averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds per game along with shooting 7 of 8 from the free throw line and 40% from the field throughout his career. He was also a 4 time all star, 3 time scoring champion, 1952-53 MVP, 6 time all NBA and a 5 time NBA champion with the Lakers, along with being the inventor of a drill named after him, the Mikan drill. Mikan laid the foundation for all centers after him and his influence on basketball is iconic.
#9 Bill Walton
When it comes to basketball free spirits, Bill Walton would perhaps be #1 on the list. Walton’s free spirit and enthusiasm for basketball makes him one of the greatest centers of all time. Walton was a 2 time NBA champion, finals MVP, MVP, 2 time all-star and sixth man of the year, despite a short career due to injuries. Although he endured a 10 year injury plagued career, Walton still averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game, as well as shooting 52% from the field and 66% from the free throw line for his career.
#8 David Robinson
David Robinson was the original face of San Antonio Spurs big men. The admiral was one of the most consistent big men in NBA history. Robinson for his career averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game along with shooting 52% from the field and 73% from the free throw line. Robinson is also one of the most decorated left handed players in history with rookie of the year, MVP, defensive player of the year, 8 time all defense, 10 time all-star, 10 time all NBA and 2 time champion thus making Robinsons influence still present to this days big men in basketball.
#7 Moses Malone
Moses Malone is one of few big men with a 20 plus year career at 22 years. He has 11 jerseys retired and is the “Chairman of the Board”. Malone is one of the most dominant forces in basketball history averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds per game, along with 50% from the field and 76% from the line. Malone’s accomplishments are huge: 13 time all-star, 6 time rebounding champion,8 time all NBA, 2 time all defense, 3 time MVP, finals MVP, NBA champion and 1of the first to go to the NBA straight from high school, making him a trailblazer.
#6 Patrick Ewing
The next center on this list is one of my personal favorites. Patrick Ewing is the icon of New York Knicks basketball and perhaps basketball in the northeast for the 1980s and 1990s. Ewing averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks a game along with shooting 51% from the field and 74% from the free throw line. Ewing also was an 11 time all-star, 7 time all NBA, 3 times all defense and rookie of the year in the 1985-86 season. Sadly Ewing didn’t win a championship or MVP throughout his great career, but Ewing’s game and influence is legendary, despite not having those accolades.
#5 Hakeem Olajuwon
When it comes influence on today’s game and players, no one’s influence could be more prominent then Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon. Olajuwon is one the first international sensations to play the NBA. Olajuwon, known for his amazing footwork, helped superstars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and current 76er star Joel Embiid. Olajuwon averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals for his career along with shooting 51% from the field and 71% from the free throw line. He is very well decorated with being a: 12 time all-star,12 time all NBA, 9 time all defense, 2 time defensive player of year, 2 time NBA champion with 2 NBA finals MVP, making him one the greatest big men in history.
#4 Bill Russell
Arguably the greatest winner in sports and the greatest Boston Celtic, Bill Russell is without question one of the greatest big men to play the game. 12 time all-star, 11 time all NBA, 5 time MVP and 11 time champion (1 as a player coach); Russell’s accomplishments are hard to match. Averaging 15 points, 23 rebounds (Yes 23 rebounds!) a game along with shooting 44% from the field and 56% at the free throw line during his career made Russell a defensive icon and gold standard for future NBA stars.
#3 Shaquille O’Neal
Perhaps one of my biggest influences to want to play like and who made me love basketball even more, Shaquille O’Neal is transcendent and iconic for basketball. O’Neal was arguably the most dominant force in basketball history, averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and sadly 53% from the free throw line for his career. O’Neal was the 1992-93 rookie of the year, 1999-2000 MVP, 3 time all-star game MVP, 3 time finals MVP, 3 time all-defensive team, 14 time all NBA, 4 time champion, 2 time scoring champion and 15 time all-star. O’Neal maybe the biggest personality in NBA history and was the league’s biggest brightest star when another superstar (Michael Jordan) was retired, O’Neal’s legacy will last forever with present and future NBA players.
#2 Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one sports biggest mythical players, Chamberlain was ahead of his time and for a long time unmatched when it came to his talents. Chamberlain is the only player to score 100 points in a single a record that hasn’t and probably won’t be beat, Chamberlain’s career averages are out of this world with 30 points, and 23 rebounds and4 assists per game while shooting 54% from the field. Chamberlain in the 1962-63 season averaged 50 points and 26 rebounds per game for that entire season!
Chamberlain’s accolades are endless with being a 13 time all-star, 7 time scoring champion,11 time rebounding champion, 2 time champion 10 time all NBA, 2 time all defense, all-star MVP, finals MVP, 4 time MVP and rookie of the year. Some would say Chamberlain is the greatest center of all time but in this case or this list Chamberlain is #2.
Last but not least is my #1 center of all time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who checks all the boxes to being the greatest big men of all time from his amazing 20 year career to his iconic signature Sky hook shot that was simply unstoppable. Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 38,387 total points a mark that may never be matched.
Jabbar averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks a game while shooting 56% from the field and 72% from the free throw line. A 19 time all-star, 2 time scoring champion, 15 time all NBA, 11 time all defense,6 time champion, 6 time MVP, 2 time finals MVP and rookie of the year.
Jabbar is often overlooked in the “greatest of all time” debate but if people looked into the numbers would see he deserves to be in that conversation, but Jabbar’s legacy and influence have impactful to generations of big men making the greatest center of all time.