A History of Centers

[Klomp]

I was intrigued to see what the all time Timberwolves centers would look like, and who was the best in each year. I tried to find the one who played center the most, even though they might not normally be considered true centers.

1989-1990: Randy Breuer (10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
1990-1991: Felton Spencer (7.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
1991-1992: Felton Spencer (6.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
1992-1993: Christian Laettner (18.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg)
1993-1994: Christian Laettner (16.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
1994-1995: Sean Rooks (10.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
1995-1996: Christian Laettner (18.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
1996-1997: Dean Garrett (8.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
1997-1998: Stanley Roberts (6.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
1998-1999: Dean Garrett (5.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
1999-2000: Rasho Nesterovic (5.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
2000-2001: Rasho Nesterovic (4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
2001-2002: Rasho Nesterovic (8.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
2002-2003: Rasho Nesterovic (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
2003-2004: Ervin Johnson (1.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
2004-2005: Michael Olowokandi (5.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
2005-2006: Mark Blount (10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
2006-2007: Mark Blount (12.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
2007-2008: Al Jefferson (21.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg)
2008-2009: Al Jefferson (23.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg)
2009-2010: Darko Milicic (8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

[Klomp]

Interesting that the two guys on this list most likely to not be considered centers are the two that completely dominate in the stats department. Other than those two, Milicic has a very good chance to be considered the franchise's best center.

[hijacktheparade]

That's a sad list.

[C.lupus]

That's a sad list.

[jade_hippo]

I vote Ervin Johnson as the teams greatest center. Rad-Nasty of 02-03 was really starting to break through, had he not jumped ship to SA, I think he could have been great next to KG.

[C.lupus]

Just realized Luc Longley is missing from the list.

[Breakdown777]

I think this shows that the Wolves have never had a consistent starting C that lasted besides Rasho - So I'm giving the "best wolves center" award to him, mostly because of staying power. Any team can get a one year rental of someone decent, but if that's the case he's usually too old to be recognized solely for his performance in MN. Hopefully Darko can make a nice long career for himself here.

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Come to think of it, what do the other positions have for "MN franchise talent at the position? In other words, when you say a players name- when does "starting ___________ for the MN timberwolves come to mind first?'

PG - Marbury didn't last long enough, same for Billups, TB was hurt too much and probably is more recognizable elsewhere. Hopefully Rubio.
SG - Sealy? Sprewell? Hassell? Rider?, we haven't had many SGs either.
SF - this has got to be Sam Mitchell or Wally Szerbiak. Hopefully Wesley snipes takes over.
PF - probably the only unanimous one - The Big Ticket, KG.
C - I'm going Rasho, but Ervin probably has the most association with winning (even tho I see him as a Buck 1st and foremost). Hopefully Darko.

[younggunsmn]

Rasho was probably the closest we came to having a decent all-around C, although Longley was better for the Bulls later on.

I vote Stojko Vrankovic's beard for the sheer intimidation factor.

[younggunsmn]

PG - Stephon "Catfish" Marbury
SG - Tony "The Tiger" Campbell
SF - Wally "Zoolander" Szczerbiak
PF - Kevin "The Big TIcket" Garnett
C - Luc "Ginger" Longley.

[cpfsf]

PG - Stephon "Catfish" Marbury
SG - Tony "The Tiger" Campbell
SF - Wally "Zoolander" Szczerbiak
PF - Kevin "The Big TIcket" Garnett
C - Luc "Ginger" Longley.

Bah, give me 2003-04 Sam Cassell. I feel mixed with the other positions (keep KG obviously).

[funkatron101]

Theo?!

[Calinks]

PG: Sam Cassell (Killer instinct, floor leadership, just a great player)
Then T-Brandon

SG: Tony Campbell

SF: Wally Szczerbiak

PF: Kevin Garnett

C: Rasho Nesterovic

[Cyborg21]

That's a sad list.

[Klomp]

Reasoning on the two guys who have been brought up in this thread, but are not on the list:

Luc Longley: LL played in 5 more games than Spener in '91-'92, but started 51 fewer games. In '92-93, Longley started 23 fewer games even though he logged more minutes than Spencer. He was traded midway through the '93-'94 season.

Theo Ratliff: Only played in 10 games as a Minnesota Timberwolf

[pumunga]

could you tell me the best game a minnesota center has ever had, not counting big al

[Breakdown777]

^^^ didn't Rasho get like 8 blocks once?
I think Erv Johnson setting picks and playing D on a number of occasions qualifies as the best game a C has ever had.

[hijacktheparade]

^^^ didn't Rasho get like 8 blocks once?
I think Erv Johnson setting picks and playing D on a number of occasions qualifies as the best game a C has ever had.

Nine!

http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 00DAL.html

Edit: He had another game with eight.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/box ... 80DEN.html

[Saltine]

Darko is already our best center, erv, felton and rasho.
Wow. That's such a bad list...

[tykaroo]

Randy Breuer scored 40 (or 44) for the Twolves one night. I remember Kevin Harlan going out of his head!

[Foye]

Darko is already our best center, erv, felton and rasho.
Wow. That's such a bad list...

It's not bad. It's hilarious that this franchise has never had a real C.