Best centers in NBA history: see now the monsters of the NBA paint

1 year back Andre Neri 9 minutes reading time

Have you ever wondered who the best centers in NBA history are? Check out a list of these NBA paint monsters! 

In this article, we'll show you who these legendary players are. They were not only great in their eras, but they also left an everlasting legacy.

Since Bill Russell, with his 11 NBA titles, until Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and your skyhook, let's explore their careers.

Additionally, names like two-time MVP Nikola Jokic are also on the list. He's an undisputed star for the Denver Nuggets.

Get ready to dive into the history of basketball.

We'll take a look at these players' impressive stats.

They shaped the NBA we know today. Learn in detail who the NBA's greatest centers are.

Read also: The greatest three-point shooters in history: who really deserves the title?

The importance of centers in the NBA

Centers are essential in the NBA, influencing both defense and offense.

They are fundamental in NBA mid-court selection.

Your skills in rebounds, stumps and scoring are crucial to team success.

Names like Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal show the impact of pivots on the game.

In defense and attack, the game strategies often depend on the pivots.

They protect the rim, they make stumps and rebounds defensive. In the 1990s, players like Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson stood out for their defense.

Pivots are also important in attack.

They perform pivot score and lead the offensive plays.

The hand-check rule, abolished in 2004, showed the difficulty of defending pivots.

Player	NBA Titles	Average Score
Bill Russell	11	15.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	6	24.6
Shaquille O'Neal	4	23.7

THE role of pivots has changed over time.

But they are still essential in NBA mid-court selection.

Modern players like Kristaps Porziņģis show that pivots are still fundamental in game strategies.

Best Centers in NBA History: Bill Russell The Greatest NBA Champion

Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934.

He is one of the NBA's most iconic players. His legacy inspires generations. During his 13 years with the Boston Celtics, Russell won eleven NBA titles.

He is the greatest champion of history of basketball.

Your role as legendary defender is crucial. His defensive skills made him one of the best defensive centers of all time.

Bill Russell's career began in 1956 with the Boston Celtics.

He soon proved his worth, leading the league with 19.6 rebounds per game. In the 1958-1959 season, Russell averaged 16.7 points and 23.0 rebounds.

These numbers helped the team win another NBA Championship.

His confrontations with Wilt Chamberlain are legendary.

Although Chamberlain dominated individually, Russell led the Celtics to the Finals.

He holds the record for 40 rebounds in a game.

Russell was crucial in a decisive victory, with 22 points and 35 rebounds. These achievements demonstrate his status as a legendary defender and best defensive pivot.

In 1968, at age 34, Russell was still showing his talent.

He helped the Celtics make history by becoming the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

His career average is 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game.

He also won five MVP awards, 12 All-Star Game appearances, and numerous other honors. Russell was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

THE Bill Russell's legacy goes beyond the courts.

In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.

This recognition was for his contributions to sport and society.

Russell was a pioneer, being the NBA's first African-American coach. He always championed equality and human rights.

See the table of your achievements:

Conquest	Year	Description
11 NBA Titles	1957-1969	Historic achievement of achievements with the Boston Celtics.
5 MVP	1958, 1961-1963, 1965	Recognition as the league's most valuable player.
Presidential Medal of Freedom	2011	Honor presented by Barack Obama for his services to society.

THE Bill Russell's legacy endures to this day. He is remembered for his accomplishments on the court and his impact on sports culture and the fight for social justice.

Russell is the ultimate example of a true champion, both on and off the court.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The master of the skyhook

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

He is the greatest NBA basket with 38,387 points.

His iconic play, the skyhook, made him a dominant pivot in the teams of Los Angeles Lakers and of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kareem started in Milwaukee Bucks and soon it was Rookie of the Year in the 1969-70 season.

Afterwards, it became essential for the Los Angeles Lakers. There he did most of his NBA records.

He was selected for the ideal team of the season 15 times. Participated in 19 All-Star GamesThis shows your consistency and excellence over the years.

Kareem's impact goes beyond his achievements.

THE skyhook showed his ability to bypass defenses.

He scored 38,387 points, solidifying his legacy as a master of skyhook and one of the most influential players in the NBA.

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Best Centers in NBA History: Wilt Chamberlain The Record-Breaking Giant

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the greatest centers in the NBA. He is known for his strength and technical ability.

At 2.16 meters and 125 kg, he still maintains scoring records.

He scored 35,026 points and grabbed 23,924 rebounds. He played in the Philadelphia 76ers and in the Golden State Warriors.

One of Chamberlain's most notable records was scoring 100 points against the New York Knicks.

This happened on March 2, 1962. He also did a “Quadruple Double Double” five times.

Chamberlain led the league in rebounding for 11 seasons. In his rookie year, he averaged 37 points and 27 rebounds per game.

In the 1961–62 season, he scored 4,029 points, averaging 50.4 points per game.

Statistic	Given
NBA Total Records	72
Exclusive records	63
Career Total Rebounds	23.924
Total career points	35.026
Average points per season	50,4 (1961-62)
Points in a single game	100
Number of games played	1.205

Chamberlain was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

In 1996, he was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. His skill and strength make him a basketball legend.

Shaquille O'Neal: Physical and Technical Dominance

Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is 7 feet tall and weighs 315 pounds.

He's a huge presence in the NBA. Since the Orlando Magic, where he played 295 matches, he showed his strength and technical ability.

In the NBA, he played for Los Angeles LakersThere, he won three titles and was MVP three times. He scored 13,895 points in 514 games.

After the Lakers, Shaq played for Miami Heat. He scored 4,010 points in 205 games.

His strength and technical ability were essential to any team.

Shaquille O'Neal Career Statistics

Team	Departures	Points
Orlando Magic	295	8.019
Los Angeles Lakers	514	13.895
Miami Heat	205	4.010
Phoenix Suns	103	1.695
Cleveland Cavaliers	53	636
Boston Celtics	37	341

Shaquille O'Neal is remembered for his strength and technical skill. His legacy is one of the greatest in the NBA.

It influences future generations.

“I always believed that if I gave my all in every game, my impact would be seen not just in the points, but in how I changed the game.” – Shaquille O'Neal

Best Centers in NBA History: Hakeem Olajuwon The Dream Shake

Hakeem Olajuwon, known as “The Dream”, changed basketball with his skills.

Born in Nigeria in 1963, he excelled in basketball. His move, the "Dream Shake," revolutionized the game.

In the 1993-1994 season, Olajuwon scored 27.3 points per game.

He also grabbed 11.9 rebounds and dished out 3.6 assists. His defensive and shooting skills were impressive.

In 1995, he improved his stats, scoring 27.8 points, grabbing 10.8 rebounds, and dishing out 3.5 assists.

His work was crucial to the title of Houston Rockets.

Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star and one of the 50 best players in the NBA.

He was also part of Dream Team III, which won the gold medal in 1996.

Season Statistics	Points	Rebounds	Assistance	Blockages
1993-1994	27.3	11.9	3.6	3.7
1994-1995	27.8	10.8	3.5	3.4
256 games (12-time All-Star)	21.8	11.1	–	3.1

Hakeem Olajuwon is remembered as one of the greatest pivots. His Dream Shake and defensive play are unforgettable. He left a lasting legacy in the NBA.

David Robinson: The Admiral

David Robinson was born on August 6, 1965. He was 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 250 pounds.

Known as “The Admiral”, Robinson shone playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

In 987 games, he scored 20,790 points, averaging 21.1 points per game.

Robinson was a gambler versatile. He not only scored points, but also defended very well.

In 1992, he was named the NBA's Best Defensive Player. He was also MVP of the season in 1995.

He won the NBA title twice with the Spurs. This was in 1998-1999 and 2002-2003. His ten NBA All-Star appearances make him an NBA icon.

Robinson made a huge impact in the playoffs, scoring 18.1 points per game.

In regular seasons, his best was 29.8 points in 1993-1994.

David Robinson was more than an athlete. He was a leader and a symbol of excellence.

His offensive and defensive skills, along with his commitment, make him one of the greatest versatile players of the NBA.

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Moses Malone: The offensive force of the paint

Finally, Moses Malone is one of the most famous players in the NBA.

He is known for his ability to catch offensive rebounds.

Malone made 587 offensive rebounds in one season, a record that shows his strength in the paint.

He played for 19 seasons, grabbing 17,834 rebounds. This makes him one of the greatest rebounders in history.

Malone played for Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1982, he scored 31.1 points per game and grabbed 14.7 rebounds. He made a then-record 21 offensive rebounds in a game.

He's been named MVP multiple times, demonstrating his rebounding and scoring prowess.

Malone had a huge impact on basketball.

He was named to the All-NBA teams multiple times. His number was retired by the Rockets, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Your ability to score and energy in the bottle make him one of the most respected players in the NBA.