Adaptation is the name of the game in pro basketball. The game has evolved a great deal since the days of peach baskets. One position greatly impacted by this evolution has been the center.
More NBA teams have turned to small-ball lineups with great success in recent seasons. These teams have traded in using a big man down low to clog the paint for greater speed and athleticism to attack the basket from all five positions.
This has diminished the value of centers enough that the position was not included on NBA all-star ballots for the first time in 2012-13. There just are not enough quality big men to vote on for all-star consideration.
At one time, centers ruled the NBA. Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal all made their names and carved out Hall of Fame careers dominating in the post. But the power forward began to gain greater importance in the 90s when players like Karl Malone, Chris Webber and Tim Duncan showed their ability to step back and hit mid-range jumpers.
Others soon followed suit and teams begin to covet big men who could draw defenders away from the basket and open up lanes for guards and small forwards to slash to the rim.
In the modern NBA, it isn’t uncommon to see 7-foot centers and “stretch fours” launching 3-pointers and doing the type of plays reserved for guards and small forwards in another era. Big men are expected to have speed, court vision, dribbling and other skills that were not required from the position just a couple of decades ago.
Many NBA offenses are also structured to spread the court and to drive and kick for high-percentage shots. This does not mesh well with the skill set of the traditional big man. They need to have agility, footwork and a good enough shot to step away from the basket.
The-BALL is committed to helping big men survive and adapt to the modern style of pro basketball. Our league gives players a chance to develop their skills and showcase them to further their careers.
Centers may be losing their importance in pro basketball, but players with The-BALL can expect to find success no matter what natural position they play.