"Today's NBA:" Centers

[dnbman]

I keep reading comments about how classic style centers who aren't as mobile can't compete in today's NBA.

I'm just curious: don't you think a lot of the problem with classics style centers not being successful is that they're not that skilled? I just wonder if we're under valuing true centers because there aren't that many truly skilled guys in the league. I think teams are simply playing converted PFs because they are better options than most Cs in the league from a skill stand point, not a style or speed standpoint. (Save Phoenix or Golden State's last couple of seasons.)

I've been down on Hibbert and Lopez throughout the season. But playing devil's advocate, if you have a quality skilled 7 footer who is well coached, there is still very much a place for him in the NBA, even if it's for a strong 20 minutes a night.

[TheBeagle]

I agree with that; I'd take an Elvin Hayes, for example, anyday of the week over anybody in this draft. I guess it is skill, or a lack thereof, that has made the "classic" center obsolete, or M.I.A. in this current era. But so many of them are so thin, relatively speaking, compared to "classic" centers of the past. Like you don't see anybody with an Hakeem body, or a Ewing body, or a Shaq body, or a Rik Smits body, for that matter. Dwight is the obvious exception to the trend, and it looks like Andrew Bynum has potential, but otherwise, the physicality isn't there either. Honestly, Lopez and Hibbert look like a couple of stiffs out on the court, and I think their problems are as much of the physical nature as of skill.

"Classic" centers of years past could easily still dominate in the NBA; while they may not have been as mobile as the "centers" of today, they were nonetheless athletic and understood how to use their size to their advantage and not spot up for a 10 footer instead of honing their post skills. I think skill is a big part of it, but there is some biology mixed into the equation as well.

[110oldeast]

Our problem is that our other frontcourt player is not mobile and can't go outside. You must have AT LEAST ONE of your frontcourt players who can do this.....PERIOD. Charlotte has not and has suffered. It's not rocket science if you survey the league, the playoff teams, and all the teams who advanced. They all had AT LEAST one frontcourt guy who could step out on the floor on both ends of the floor while also being able to rebound. Until Charlotte gets one of these, they will not be a contender, end of story.

I keep reading comments about how classic style centers who aren't as mobile can't compete in today's NBA.

I'm just curious: don't you think a lot of the problem with classics style centers not being successful is that they're not that skilled? I just wonder if we're under valuing true centers because there aren't that many truly skilled guys in the league. I think teams are simply playing converted PFs because they are better options than most Cs in the league from a skill stand point, not a style or speed standpoint. (Save Phoenix or Golden State's last couple of seasons.)

I've been down on Hibbert and Lopez throughout the season. But playing devil's advocate, if you have a quality skilled 7 footer who is well coached, there is still very much a place for him in the NBA, even if it's for a strong 20 minutes a night.

[dnbman]

Our problem is that our other frontcourt player is not mobile and can't go outside. You must have AT LEAST ONE of your frontcourt players who can do this.....PERIOD. Charlotte has not and has suffered. It's not rocket science if you survey the league, the playoff teams, and all the teams who advanced. They all had AT LEAST one frontcourt guy who could step out on the floor on both ends of the floor while also being able to rebound. Until Charlotte gets one of these, they will not be a contender, end of story.

But we can still have a great young C on the roster in addition to Okafor and find a starting PF. For one, Cs typically play less minutes than guards and SFs. So, while you might only have 1-2 guys take up most of the minutes at those spots, you typically rotate more frequently with Cs. Plus, against the more dominant Cs in the league, you need to be able to rotate in fresh talent for fouls, which was one of our problems with Okafor. We'd be in rough shape if he got a lot of fouls early. (With the few exceptions when Nazr went off and we still were competitive.) Also, consider that Okafor can still play most of his minutes at C and play some at the PF spot. I think Brown will make this work a lot better than Sam Vincent, as both both players looked completely lost on defense last year, not knowing where to rotate or who to cover when things got hectic.

Also, if develop a young C, that gives us the ability to trade Nazr to a team that needs a solid veteran C who can score. And if the young talent doesn't work out, we still have Nazr.

I guess the reason I posted this is a lot of the available Cs do have pretty good skills and enough athleticism to compete in the NBA. Yet, many posters are basically saying they don't have a place in the modern NBA, which I don't think is true. I do agree that we need a mobile, athletic 4 who can help us on both ends. However, another young C who can really play and isn't a project (Holllins) can always help.

[110oldeast]

I hear ya. My point is a matter of defense AND offense. We need a big guy who can SPREAD THE FLOOR on offense in addition to a guy who defend on the perimeter. It seems that we think that defense alone can get you in the title hunt, but you need an efficient offense as well. And in the league today, you need a legit pick and pop frontcourt player as this is the go to play at the end of the clock in the league today.

The defensive oriented teams that have won the title like Boston, Detroit, and San Antonio have all had big guys who could step out and knock down the jumper as well as defend. For LB to only think of Ben Wallace without thinking of Rasheed Wallace, Mehmet Okur, and Antonio McDyess (loss to San Antonio that year) with his Detroit teams would be shortsighted. I'm counting on that not happening. Boston had KG first and foremost and even PJ Brown who could step out on the floor. San Antonio obviously had Duncan and would even go small with Big Shot Bob Horry at the 4 to spread the floor to go along with Kurt Thomas to a lesser extent.

I am not saying there is no room for a center. My point is that Okafor has a center's GAME on offense and defense. The problem is we don't have that guy who can rebound and step out and shoot to fill the PF role for us. If we pair a center with Okafor, it make sense to be a Koufas like guy who can step out on the floor, not another lane clogger that puts more pressure on our perimeter shooting in the halfcourt offense.