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10 Best Centers in NBA History

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10 Best Centers in NBA History

Lew Alcindor Bucks
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The NBA season kicks off on Tuesday and there's no better way to start the season than by ranking the greatest players in NBA history. Here is my list of the top 10 centers ever.

10. Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing Knicks
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10. Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing Knicks
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Patrick Ewing was the prize of the highly controversial 1985 NBA Draft lottery and had a legendary career with the New York Knicks. He was a premier defender in the middle while possessing one of the best mid-range jumpers of any big man in league history. Ewing was able to get the Knicks to two Finals appearances in the 90s. He was an 11-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA Second Team selection and the 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year.

9. David Robinson

David Robinson
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9. David Robinson

David Robinson
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David Robinson is widely regarded as one of the best centers in NBA history and proved to be a winner while dominating both ends of the floor. Over the first five years of his career, Robinson won a rebounding, blocks and scoring title while earning the Defensive Player of the Year award in just his third season. Some of Robinson's accomplishments include a 71-point game, two NBA championships and 10 All-Star game appearances.

8. Willis Reed

Willis Reed Knicks
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8. Willis Reed

Willis Reed Knicks
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Willis Reed had one of the most dramatic entrances to any game in NBA history and his presence helped lift the Knicks to their first two NBA championships. Reed ranks as one of only a handful of players to win all three MVP awards in a single season, which he accomplished in 1970. Despite only playing in just 650 career games (roughly six full 82-game seasons), he was a two-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and a seven-time All-Star.

7. Moses Malone

Moses Malone 76ers
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7. Moses Malone

Moses Malone 76ers
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Moses Malone was the first prep player to make the jump to the NBA and led the way for more in the future. He became one of the best centers of all time, and was the first player to lead the NBA in rebounding for five-consecutive years. Malone took both the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, winning a title with the Sixers in 1983. Malone was a three-time NBA MVP, one-time Finals MVP and 12-time All-Star.

6. George Mikan

George Mikan Lakers
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6. George Mikan

George Mikan Lakers
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George Mikan was the NBA’s first great big man, towering above all others during his era. Mikan was so dominant that numerous rules were changed by the NBA to slow him down, such as establishing goaltending from the rim and widening the foul lane. His popularity helped the fledgling young league survive, leading to the NBA that we have today. Mikan was a four-time All-Star, a five-time champion and a six-time First Team All-NBA selection.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets
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5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets
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While Hakeem Olajuwon may not be the most dominant center of all time, he may be the most talented all-around center of all time. Olajuwon remains as the only player in NBA history to average at least 200 steals and blocks in the same season, and the only player to win the NBA MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same year. He was a 12-time All-Star, two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP.

4. Shaquille ONeal

Shaquille O'Neal Magic
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4. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal Magic
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If not for Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal would hold the title of most dominant player ever. He proved to be nearly unstoppable in the low post, averaging at least 26 points per game for 10-consecutive years. O’Neal led the league in field-goal percentage 10 times and is still just one of only three players to earn all three MVP awards in a single season. O'Neal was a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP and 15-time All-Star.

3. Bill Russell

Bill Russell Celtics
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3. Bill Russell

Bill Russell Celtics
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Bill Russell was the heart of 11 NBA Championship teams in his 13 years in the league with Boston. Although he wasn't a prolific scorer, he is one of the games all-time greatest defenders and rebounders. Russell finished in the top three in the league in rebounding all 13 seasons and was at the top of the list five times. He was an All-Star for the last 12 years of his career and was the league MVP five times.

2. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain
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2. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain
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Wilt Chamberlain is the most dominant low-post scorer the NBA has ever seen. He won the scoring title seven times in 14 seasons and was the top shooter by percentage nine times. He also added 11 rebounding titles to his resume. He was named NBA MVP four times and won two championship rings, one in Philadelphia and one in Los Angeles.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers
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1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers
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The master of the sky-hook, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players in NBA history. He was an All-Star in 19 of his 20 seasons and earned six championships rings in his time with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

Brian Kalchik is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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