Every Sixth Man worth his salt has his own list of ‘all time greats’. There are virtually as many lists as there are fans. But when a former pro, and a four-time All-Star picks a list of the best, it arguably carries more weight. Which is why a surprising omission from DeMarcus Cousins list of top five centers of all time has got everyone talking.
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The former big man’s list was respectable but hardly unconventional, Boogie included several legends that almost always figure near the top of any such compilation. But his additions, and even more interestingly, his omissions, are where his pick deviates from the rest.
The Olympic gold medal-winner notably left off two of basketball’s pioneers in Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, who were dominant in their time. Of course, many would argue that they faced significantly weaker competition than those in future decades. Still, at least one of the 1960s icons usually features in rankings like these considering Russell’s championships and Wilt’s unbreakable records.
Cousins named Shaquille O’Neal the greatest center ever, followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon, the usual suspects at the top ofmost all-time center rankings. But he followed those three up with a current great, Nikola Jokic, and David Robinson, a legend in his own right, but someone who is rarely mentioned in top-five lists.
But a second look at Robinson confirms Boogie knows what he’s doing. Robinson Robinson was a 10-time NBA All-Star, 2x NBA champ, a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner and a double inductee into both the Naismith Memorial and Olympic Hall of Fame.
His list is much more realistic and uncontroversial compared to some of the rankings we’ve seen from other retired players.
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His ranking of the top five centers currently playing in the NBA, though, is another matter.
Embiid over Jokic?
The 34-year-old, currently playing in the Mongolian basketball league, may no longer be in a position to make a comeback to the NBA, but he’s still paying close attention to how big men are faring in the league today.
His list of current best centers notably includes Victor Wembanyama despite Chandler Parsons’ insistence that he’s a power forward. Boogie put out another straightforward list filled with MVPs and defensive stalwarts.
Cousins listed Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, and Wemby, respectively, as his top five. Considering Embiid’s persisting injury woes compared to Jokic’s consistent dominance, Boogie’s placement of those two may draw some reactions. But the rest of his list is right in line with the consensus.
Adebayo has taken over as the leader of the Miami Heat this season, remaining as versatile as ever. AD, despite being injured now, was in the midst of one of his best seasons with the Lakers. Meanwhile, Wembanyama’s fifth-place ranking is likely the lowest we’ll see him for the next 15 years.
With most of his top five on the shelf for the rest of the season, it will be interesting to see if there is any movement in Cousins’ list in the next few months.
