Which center would you choose?

[DayofMourning]

I was looking at how complete our current roster is outside of the center position, and wondered what it would be like to add one of the NBA's best pivots to our already talented team. How good would this team be if we could add one of the games' greats to round out the roster? How many games would we win? How many titles? It's pure fantasy, but it's fun to think about.

I'm sure I may have missed a name or two in the poll, but choose from the list or include your own by choosing "Other". Please elaborate on your selection and tell us why they'd be the choice amongst all the others.

My choice would be David Robinson. In my lifetime, there hasn't been a better mix of size, athletic ability, and skill to play the pivot. He had the proper mindset to play second fiddle as well, when he stepped aside for Tim Duncan-a characteristic that would be a necessity for this team. His interior defense and rebounding, if required to just be a Tyson Chandler type for us, would be unimaginable. I'd be surprised if a team beat us.

Thoughts?

[SmushedPennies]

Went with Kareem without looking at stats. Considered widely as the best C of all time besides maybe Wilt whose approach to the game wouldn't fit us as well as KAJ.

David is a good choice, but Alcindor was more dominant.

[DayofMourning]

I never watched Lew though I am aware of his outstanding credentials. I based my selection on what ive seen and he didnt make the cut. My top three would be David, Hakeem and Zo.

Id wonder if Hakeem could be relegated to a secondary option.

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

Alonzo Mourning. For obvious reasons, I'm a homer and I grew up with the Zo/Timmy team. He has elite, all time great defense and shot blocking ability. His locker room presence and leadership is second to none. He is passionate and hard working. If Riley asks him to run through a brick wall, he does it. Not much diva in this man.

My next pick would be David Robinson. Class act, great player, doesn't need the ball.

No way to Shaq. He's a cancer, especially if we are talking about prime shaq. No way he fits into this team without causing issues. He is lazy during the regular season, and is a bad locker room influence because he always wants to party and not take things seriously.

Hakeem would be nice... but...

GIMME ZO!

[mopper8]

Well, for me, its pretty easy. You start by asking who would fit best. Defensively, you want the guys most laterally quick guys, so all of a sudden you're down to Hakeem, DRob, Russell and Wilt.

Then, you think about offensive fit, and you want a guy who can face up and stretch the floor a bit, and so Russell is out and Wilt isn't looking great.

Then, you want to make sure you have the right personality type - professional, hard-worker, ego-less, doesn't make waves with the coaches/front office. Wilt is definitely out now, and Hakeem looks worse.

And so its Robinson without question.

Hakeem second.

[DayofMourning]

Nice synopsis mopper. You listed many of the reasons I chose David. His athleticism was off the charts for a guy his size. I was in awe of his natural ability and expect that if he'd have had the killer instinct of some of his peers that we'd be talking about him as arguably the best of all time.

Hakeem is the best I've seen as a player. His natural ability was matched with a massive ego to be the best. Fit is the only reason I wouldn't have him first. I doubt you'd want an ego rift to derail multiple chips.

Zo couldn't match the natural gifts of the aforementioned two. He'd be a wonderful rim protector for this team though. He along with the other two would make our perimeter defense even better with lots of fast break opportunities available.

[DayofMourning]

Alonzo Mourning. For obvious reasons, I'm a homer and I grew up with the Zo/Timmy team. He has elite, all time great defense and shot blocking ability. His locker room presence and leadership is second to none. He is passionate and hard working. If Riley asks him to run through a brick wall, he does it. Not much diva in this man.

My next pick would be David Robinson. Class act, great player, doesn't need the ball.

No way to Shaq. He's a cancer, especially if we are talking about prime shaq. No way he fits into this team without causing issues. He is lazy during the regular season, and is a bad locker room influence because he always wants to party and not take things seriously.

Hakeem would be nice... but...

GIMME ZO!

Love Zo. Dudes my all time favorite and my emotional first choice.

Wish he could've been healthy for the arrival of Eddie Mason and Grant

[Heat fan06]

Ha I went into this thread picking it was a poll between Darko and Blatche ha

[narmerguy]

Well, for me, its pretty easy. You start by asking who would fit best. Defensively, you want the guys most laterally quick guys, so all of a sudden you're down to Hakeem, DRob, Russell and Wilt.

Then, you think about offensive fit, and you want a guy who can face up and stretch the floor a bit, and so Russell is out and Wilt isn't looking great.

Then, you want to make sure you have the right personality type - professional, hard-worker, ego-less, doesn't make waves with the coaches/front office. Wilt is definitely out now, and Hakeem looks worse.

And so its Robinson without question.

Hakeem second.

This. DRob is the best choice imo.

[wallsfamily]

Alonzo. Here is 3 reasons
1. Zo is a great defender. His defensive numbers (rebounding, block) would be about the same!
2. A center on this teams needs to be able to set picks and move and then hit open shots. Zo had a good mid range jump shot!
3. Intensity! Zo would take off his arm and give it for the team!!!! His intensity would only help the team through issues! No one could bully us and a Zo and Bosh would give us the ability to really spread the floor!

[Slot Machine]

Could you even imagine us with Hakeem? My god.

[slkblk77]

Could you even imagine us with Hakeem? My god.

Just wow

[HIF]

Find the thread highly ridiculous. We have a lineup of Wade/Bron/Bosh and DRob/hakeem and people think that rio deserves to be on it. LOL

If you're going into fantasy land then get a decent PG too.

[DayofMourning]

That'd have to be another poll HIF;)

Not surprised so far that Hakeem is winning out. He's been the best center of the current generation.

I was basketball referencing some stats yesterday and took a look at the DRob/Hakeem '95 matchup that everyone remembers so well. I remember Hakeem taking it to the Spurs and Robinson, but I had forgotten that David had actually played pretty darn well in that series. His final averages were something like 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game. That's pretty impressive, but it shows how dominant Hakeem was that people like me can forget David's stat line so easily.

Another historical tidbit is that during Alonzo's career of 16 years, he missed a cumulative amount of games that is equal to six full seasons. Due to that, he's borderline Hall-worthy, and that's mostly due to his outside the game contributions. If he'd been able to contribute in 80% of those missed games, he'd have career numbers of 20K points, 10K rebounds, and would have challenged Hakeem for the career blocks lead. Just sayin'....

[unowen85]

I'm gonna go with Ewing. All the other guys have gone all the way. Get Ewing his championship ring, Riley!

[DayofMourning]

I'm gonna go with Ewing. All the other guys have gone all the way. Get Ewing his championship ring, Riley!

Haha. When I looked at the poll and saw a vote for Ewing, I thought a Knicks fan had come over and placed a vote:)

No love for the Stilt eh?

[levinsonesq]

I'd be very uncomfortable watching Ewing write with a pen that has a Heat logo on it.

[RexBoyWonder]

I went with Zo - he was ready from day 1, probably the fastest of them all, probably the best at blocking shots, awesome defensive player, tough as nails. he's just the the perfect fit for this team.

And he'll be easy to sigh

[DayofMourning]

Wow at Shaq getting six votes

I dont think he'd fit our current dynamic at all. He's a big ego clash waiting to happen.

[TheDon008]

the rest can kiss my azz.