I call Thompson a traditional center and not Capela or Gorbert because Capela and Gobert both have unique qualities that make them different from a traditional center. As does Embiid. Gobert is 7’1 245 with a ridiculous wingspan, Capela is 6’10 240 (viewed as a PF coming out the draft) and can move with guards, and Embiid is a unicorn who finished third in dpoy voting. Thompson is 6’10 245 but can’t move like Capela and doesn’t have the same explosiveness or quickness as Capela. He routinely gets taken out of series because of matchups while Capela, Gobert, and Embiid all stay in the game no matter the opponents lineup because of their unique abilities or freak measurements.
Didn't most of the great "traditional centers" also have unique abilities or freak measurements?
Wilt was the most freakish athlete EVER. His combination of size, strength, speed, leaping ability hasn't been seen before, or since he was in his prime - in any sport.
Hakeem and David Robinson were both rim protectors extraordinaire that could also lock down a PG 1-0n-1.
I guess I just don't understand what folks in this thread are referring to as "traditional centers". If a young Hakeem or David Robinson were in this draft, would you pass them over for a PG or 6'7" wing player because of the way the game has changed? Hell, would you pass over Anthony Davis in place of a guard or wing player?
I think the only reason we aren't seeing more "traditional centers" (however you want to define them) make it to the finals is mostly due to the lack of overall quality at that position, combined with the fact that LeBron is the Michael Jordan of his generation and the formation of super teams (like the Heattles and GSW). Remember, Michael won six rings without a dominate "traditional center", but that didn't scare ORL away from taking Shaq No. 1 overall. Nor did it prevent Shaq from winning 4 rings, or Duncan from winning 5.
Say what you want about Nurk's individual skills, but the fact is a full season of Nurk transformed POR's defense from one of the worst in the league into one of the best. Can he guard PGs 1-on-1 on the perimeter? No, but he shouldn't have to (at least not very often). He does a great job using his size and strength to jam up the pick and roll which allows Dame and C.J. to recover and leads to much less switching. Proper technique and strategy is just as effective at guarding the pick and roll as having a mobile center that can defend smaller players on the perimeter.
I still think a front court of Nurk, Collins and Motivated Moe could be great defensively even in today's NBA. Nurk does a good job jamming the pick and roll and Collins and Moe have the length and lateral quickness to defend smaller players.
Going small to try to beat GSW at their own game seems like a fool's errand. We only saw 16 minutes of Nurk against GSW in the 2017 playoffs, but the team was +8 in those 16 minutes. In the game this year on 2/14, when GSW was at full strength, Nurk played 30 minutes and was +5 (POR won by 6). I know the sample sizes are small, but it's not like GSW has abused POR when Nurk is on the floor.
The fact is GSW's small ball, Hampton's 5 lineup is a tough match up for any team. So, don't play to their strength, because the other fact is that when GSW goes small, Nurk can, and does, destroy them on the low block. Rather than try to out small ball the best small ball team in the history of the world, punish them for their lack of size at the other end and on the boards. We can't beat them at their game. Force them to play ours.
BNM
