Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Wilt, Russel, Shaq, Duncan, and Kareem are the top 5 as far as I am considered but in what order?

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Its so tough to compare such different eras. I could honestly see an argument for any one of those players at #1:

Wilt: Most dominating statistically

Russell: Biggest winner

Shaq: Most dominating physically

Duncan: Although Russell was the biggest winner, if you look at everyone's surrounding cast then compare wins, Duncan would be #1

Kareem: longevity, overall excellence

Hakeem, KG, and Sabonis are the next tier in my opinion.


Great topic, but for once I really have no definitive opinion. I do predict, though, that most people will list Duncan at #5 which will cause me to come in here and defend him.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Don't forget George Mikan.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

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I do predict, though, that most people will list Duncan at #5 which will cause me to come in here and defend him.

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#5 would be overrating him. Especially considering the 5 other guys you listed are all clearly better.

edit: whoops assumed you listed Hakeem on his own.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

btw, for the purposes of this, what are we considering a "big man"? Anyone over a certain height? Anyone to ever play C or PF? What the qualifications are could have a decent effect on the rankings.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Another note, those who don't rank David Robinson ahead of Duncan apparently werent watching basketball before 1995 when David Robinson put up sick peak numbers that Duncan's peak can't match and against better competition at the C position than Duncan has ever faced. Their is a 7 year period of time where Robinson averages 26/12, while being one of the best defensive Cs in the game. Notice that Duncan and Robinson's career averages look pretty close to each other and thats with Robinson playing til he was 37, and having a crappy last two seasons.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

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Another note, those who don't rank David Robinson ahead of Duncan apparently werent watching basketball before 1995 when David Robinson put up sick peak numbers that Duncan's peak can't match and against better competition at the C position than Duncan has ever faced. Their is a 7 year period of time where Robinson averages 26/12, while being one of the best defensive Cs in the game. Notice that Duncan and Robinson's career averages look pretty close to each other and thats with Robinson playing til he was 37, and having a crappy last two seasons.

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I don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion, but this is a situation where I think it is inappropriate to rely exclusively on statistics. Stats are very influenced by one's teammates and team system, as well as one's opponents. For example, many great players arguably would have scored a lot more had they been on less balanced teams.

Stats also don't do a good job of showing defensive prowess. Russell is routinely called the best defensive big man ever, and I doubt that is reflected in blocks per game or any other stat.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

1 Wilt
2 Shaq
3 Kareem
4 Hakeem
5 Russel

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Duncan is extremely underrated. We all love flash. So of course someone who plays boring and unimaginative basketball isn't going to be rated fairly. MEbenhoe, your career averages for both players ignore the fact that Robinson played in an era where 20 more points were scored per game.

Re: Best Big Men to Ever Play the Game
 

Russell is extremely overrated, not even close to Wilt.
Boston would guard Wilt with their whole team, Russell's offense and defense wasn't as good as Wilt's.

And David Robinson lol. His impact wasn't close to Duncan's.