Games missed due to injury.................

[THE HCP]

Not at all, he just said since Sabonis was our center at that time he should be considered our "franchise" center. All I was saying is that is foolish..... just because we have centers on our team, you can't just throw that term around. I loved Sabonis and his game, he just shouldn't be considered that Next Level type of guy.

 

[andalusian]

Not at all, he just said since Sabonis was our center at that time he should be considered our "franchise" center. All I was saying is that is foolish..... just because we have centers on our team, you can't just throw that term around. I loved Sabonis and his game, he just shouldn't be considered that Next Level type of guy.

Dude was 4th or 5th best center in the league at the time - on a team that made the playoffs and went to the WCF twice. What else would you call him if not that?

 

[magnifier661]

I don't know if you guys paid attention; but comparing SABAS to Ratliff and Thompson is ludacris! Even with terrible knees, the guy was arguably one of the best centers on the Blazers. We was nicknamed a "point center" because of his amazing passing from the post. The guy was heady and definitely a "franchise center" for any team; even injured. And if we ever had the chance to have him on the team with Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Williams; and obviously in his prime; we should have been locks for titles!

I've never been a big Sabas fan, but I will acknowledge the dude was definitely our "Franchise Center"

 

[THE HCP]

I don't know if you guys paid attention; but comparing SABAS to Ratliff and Thompson is ludacris! Even with terrible knees, the guy was arguably one of the best centers on the Blazers. We was nicknamed a "point center" because of his amazing passing from the post. The guy was heady and definitely a "franchise center" for any team; even injured. And if we ever had the chance to have him on the team with Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Williams; and obviously in his prime; we should have been locks for titles!

I've never been a big Sabas fan, but I will acknowledge the dude was definitely our "Franchise Center"

God damn...... nobody was comparing them. I guess their is a difference of opinion when the term "franchise center" is used. Go back and read the whole thread.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

God damn...... nobody was comparing them. I guess their is a difference of opinion when the term "franchise center" is used. Go back and read the whole thread.

OK, I did. Based on my reading of the thread, Sabonis was being compared with Walton, Bowie, and Oden as "injury-riddled franchise centers."

IMO, the term "franchise center" means: A "center" that could be the main piece of a championship team. And in this context, "injury-riddled franchise center" would mean: a center who--if not injured--could be the main piece of a championship team. Walton clearly fit the bill, Bowie allegedly did, and most believe Oden does as well.

I would agree with the majority here in suggesting that given his level of production in the 90's with bad knees, Sabonis would have been on the level of late 90's Ewing, Mourning, and Robinson if he did not have his injury problems. I disagree with any suggestion that he actually produced like a franchise-level center, but I fully agree with the contention that he would have if healthy.

Another way to look at it--you didn't appear to dispute Bowie's inclusion in this discussion. But comparing their production, Sabas was clearly the more productive player, despite being older and playing fewer games (and fewer minutes). If Bowie fits the description of an "injury-riddled franchise center", then Sabas definitely does too.

 

[maxiep]

Nuggets got rid of Melo and Billups and are 15-4 since!

I think assumed in HCP's question was losing them altogether, not replacing them with 3/5 of a playoff quality starting lineup and a 7 footer who just needs minutes. In other words, take Melo and Big Shot off the Thuggets without replacing them with anyone and they look like the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 

[handiman]

Another angle I would add for consideration: Take decrepit Sabonis and put him in today's NBA. How many centers would you take over him? Dwight and??? Yao might be slightly more productive, but Sabonis gets the edge for consistently lacing 'em up. As arguably the 2nd best center in the league, I'd say today's standards qualify him as a franchise center. Like I said before, he played against four of the 6 or 7 best of all-time at the position.

 

[THE HCP]

I think assumed in HCP's question was losing them altogether, not replacing them with 3/5 of a playoff quality starting lineup and a 7 footer who just needs minutes. In other words, take Melo and Big Shot off the Thuggets without replacing them with anyone and they look like the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Why thankyou Max, that's exactly what I meant!