What happenned to the true NBA Center? I know, I am on a tirade. I just was sitting and thinking...I miss the days of "watchable" NBA. But let's compare the lost art of "the man in the middle"...

2009 Centers

Dwight Howard 20.6 PPG 13.80 RPG
Yao Ming 19.7 9.90
Al Jefferson 23.1 11.00
David Lee 16.0 11.70
Andrew Bogut 11.7 10.30
Jermaine O'Neal 13.3 6.40

These are some of the better stats...I actually looked for good ones. Howard is considered an "elite" center?

1969 Centers

Wilt Chamberlain 20.7 18.2
Kareem Abdul Jabbar 31.7 16.0
Elvin Hayes 28.7 16.6
Willis Reed 20.9 13.7


1962 Centers

Wilt 50.4 25.7
Walt Bellamy 31.6 19.0
Bill Russell 18.4 23.6


Shaquille O'Neal, probably considered one of the greatest centers of our time had a BEST single season that does not compare to Wilt's career average season. Who are the best young centers? Bynum? Oden? Lopez? I would rather have Nate Thurmond, who is not mentioned as one of the greatest ever. None of the centers today will ever live up to any one of Thurmand's single seasons...NEVER. Today, if you stand 7 feet tall and can tie your laces...you get a roster spot...oh yeah, and millions and millions of dollars...damn...I wish I were just a foot taller