NBA Centers: who is and who isn't?

[revprodeji]

Couple aspects to consider

--NBA position is based on where you can defend. Al Jefferson will do the same thing on offense if he is a 4 or a 5.

--Al's horrible defensive stats do not show on film. What you see on film is a 6'9/10 strong kid that is a good rebounder-space eater and shot blocker. But he is surrounded by small guys in the front court (Gomes as a 4 and Snyder as the 3? please--Gomes is a nice bench 3/4 but not as a defensive 4) As well as for most of the season having less than average defensive backcourt (jaric+bassy?)

We saw the defensive difference having Foye back at the 1 compared to Bassy. (good kid, 6th man tempo type, but not a defensive player) Foye is a strong quick bigger pg. He helped a lot. Also, putting another big with a pulse (in the rare spots Theo Ratliff--or Chris Richard) made our defensive light years better.

McCants simply did not play defense and Brewer was overwhelmed so we benched him.

Now, lets say say we get a big man with a pulse (big difference) A Diop, or even POB type. We draft Mayo who hustles and tries on defense. Plus a full season of Foye and a Brewer that has put on weight.
Big-Al-Brew-Mayo-Foye

vs
Al-Gomes-Snyder-Jaric-Bassy


Much better defense around Al.

My point is that Al can play both. But he needs help in the front court. He needs a guy that can put a body on a man, weak side shot block and help space defend. Whether that guy is a 4 or a 5 makes little difference for MN. We just need a big to help him. So if you are making the argument for Al as a 4 or a 5 I could say "yes" he can do both. On offense you have a strong kid with legit old school post moves. 21-11 last year.

[conleyorbust]

Players play out of position to fill their teams' needs. I think what defines a player's position is his style of play; that is, what the player is good at doing and what he prefers to do; not what his coach has forced him into doing. Pau Gasol and Duncan are power forwards. I don't care how many minutes they log at center. When you get players playing out of their natural position, you're just begging for trouble.

Good point, Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol spelled disaster for their teams. By the way, what about Tim Duncan's game makes him a PF? He's the biggest guy on the floor, plays with his back to the basket, anchors the D, gets the most rebounds...

I know, I know, he just is.

Re: Al Jefferson, if he got a "defensive center" next to him to defend other centers but he was still the leading rebounder and did all the low post offensive work, why would that make him the power forward and the other guy the center, maybe the other guy is a power forward who defends centers.

Point being, there isn't too much of a difference if he isn't going to change the way he plays...

[That Nicka]

Whatever position the player is better suited to play (both offensively and defensively) is his natural position IMO

[legacyinthemakin89c]

Jefferson is a power forward forced to play center because his team needed him too.
Bosh is a power forward forced to play center because his team needed him too.

These guys aren't centers, they were just the guys best suited to play the position for their respective teams. Theres a reason neither team was very good.

[revprodeji]

How many MN games have you seen sir? Just wondering why you see yourself as an expert on Jefferson's game.