Top 5 Most Dominant Centers Of All Time In The History Of NBA

Often hailed as the defensive anchors, centers are considered to be the most crucial part and the ultimate driving force behind a team’s victory in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) leagues and tournaments. The glorious history of the NBA has witnessed numerous action-packed matches with thrilling moments and a few of the most dominant centers of all time. 

A few of the greatest and most dominant centers of all time in the history of the NBA, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon, have undoubtedly dominated the NBA arena and proved to be the ultimate game-changers with their spectacular ability to block shots and grab rebounds. 

In this article, we will take a look at the top five most dominant centers of all time in the history of the NBA who’ve led their teams to glorious victories. 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Former American basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also popularly referred to as “The Big A” and “The Tower of Power,” is hailed as one of the most prominent and dominant centers of all time in the history of the NBA. During his glorious NBA career, which spanned two decades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acknowledged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) six times. Additionally, the center was also acknowledged as an All-NBA Team member a total of 15 times and was also honored as NBA Finals MVP twice, in 1971 and 1985. 

An anecdote about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s stellar NBA records is provided below:

Shaquille O’Neal 

Also referred to as “Shaq,”  Shaquille O’Neal is often hailed as the undisputed king of the NBA, who undoubtedly ruled the NBA arena as one of the greatest and most dominant centers.

The former American NBA player Shaquille O’Neal witnessed an illustrious career of nineteen long years and played for a total of six teams, including the Orlando Magic (1992–1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004), Miami Heat (2004–2008), Phoenix Suns (2008–2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010) and Boston Celtics (2010–2011). Shaquille O’Neal has been honored as NBA All-Star Game MVP three times in the years 2000, 2004, and 2009. Additionally, one of the greatest and most dominant centers in the NBA was honored as the NBA Finals MVP three times: in the 2000, 2001, and 2002 seasons. 

Also Read: Top 5 Most Clutch Performances in NBA Playoffs History

An anecdote of Shaquille O’Neal’s phenomenal NBA records is provided below:

Hakeem Olajuwon 

The Nigerian-American former NBA player, Hakeem Olajuwon, popularly called “the dream,”  proved to be one of the most dominating and reigning stalwart centers in the NBA’s history with his successful exploits on the basketball court during his flourishing NBA career that lasted for eighteen long years from 1984 to 2002.

Hakeem Olajuwon was honored with the “NBA Most Defensive Player of the Year” award twice in the years 1993 and 1994, speaking volumes about his dominance as a center for the Houston Rockets. Additionally, Hakeem Olajuwon was also acknowledged as the NBA All-Star for a record total of twelve times in the years 1985–1990 and 1992–1997. With his iconic “dream shake” move, Hakeem Olajuwon is still commemorated by millions of NBA fans as an all-time leader in blocks with a phenomenal total of 3,830. 

An anecdote of Hakeem Olajuwon’s illustrious NBA career is provided below: 

Bill Russell 

Bill Russell’s dominating exploits on the NBA court as a center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969 undoubtedly make him one of the greatest and most dominating all-time centers in the history of the NBA. As one of the greatest all-time centers, Bill Russell successfully drove the Boston Celtics to a stellar total of eleven NBA championships, speaking volumes about his game-changing abilities on the basketball court.

With a total of five NBA MVP titles, twelve NBA All-Star titles, four NBA rebounding champion titles, and two Helms Player of the Year awards, Bill Russell is undoubtedly one of the greatest all-time centers to ever represent the Boston Celtics in the NBA. 

An anecdote of Bill Russell’s iconic career records is provided below : 

Wilt Chamberlain 

It’s practically impossible not to mention former American professional NBA player Wilt Chamberlain on the list of the most dominant centers of all time in the history of the NBA. The late Wilt Chamberlain’s glitzy NBA career lasted for a total of fifteen years, during which he played for numerous teams, including the Harlem Globetrotters, Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

During the fifteen long years of his NBA career, Wilt Chamberlain witnessed numerous ground-breaking and spectacular moments as a center. Wilt Chamberlain was acknowledged as the NBA rebounding champion a total of eleven times in the years 1960–1963, 1966–1969, and 1971–1973. Additionally, Wilt Chamberlain was also honored as the NBA Most Valuable Player four times and the NBA Scoring Champion for a stellar record seven times. 

An anecdote of Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA career records is provided below :