The Hoop Doctors continue looking back at the greatest centers in NBA history, decade by decade, with the 1970’s:
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1975 | In 1970’s: Games 299 Points 5266 17.6 ppg Rebounds 2649 8.8 rpg Steals 412 1.37 spg Blocks 329 1.1 bpg |
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Teamed with guard Paul Westphal, Adams led the Phoenix Suns to the 1976 NBA Finals, where they lost in 6 games to Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, and the Boston Celtics. This series included the historic triple-overtime game 5, in which Dave Cowens scored 26 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for the Celtics, while Adams scored 20 points and corralled 9 rebounds for the Suns.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1963 |
In 1970’s: |
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Thurmond was one of the best rebounders and shot blockers of the decade.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| rafted 1974 |
In 1970’s: |
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Walton was one of the most dominant centers in the NBA, and he was highly skilled in scoring, passing, and rebounding. Devastated by foot injuries, Walton would be unable to produce more than a few amazing seasons.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| NBA Debut 1959 |
Games 339 |
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After Chamberlain dominated the 1960’s, the 1970’s saw Wilt take on the role of defender and rebounder more fervently than ever before in his quest for that elusive 1972 NBA title.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1968 |
Games 839 |
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Undersized for his position, Unseld found a way to be an intimidating force under the basket. Not only was Unseld one of the most consistent rebounders of the decade, he was one of the game’s best outlet passers.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1972 |
Games 525 |
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Bob McAdoo was not only one of the very best scorers and shooters, but he was one of the best overall defenders of the decade.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1970 |
Games 644 |
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Dave Cowens described Lanier best when he said that “[Lanier] put the fear of God in you.” Overall, Lanier was an amazing player with a soft touch from the outside, and he did everything else: intimidate, rebound, score, and block shots.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1970 |
Games 660 |
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Cowens’ scoring, rebounding, defense, and passing helped lead a strong cast of Boston Celtics to two NBA titles in the 1970’s.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1964 |
Games 335 |
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Reed’s historic playoff moment:
Even though the New York Knicks of the 1970’s were built around effective team play, Reed was their centerpiece. He was a dominant center who gave you 20 points and 14 rebounds on any given night, and he was tough and skilled enough to mix it up with legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
| ABOUT | STATISTICS | NOTES |
| Drafted 1969 |
Games 773 |
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Great Jabbar highlights:
Although Jabbar won more titles in the 1980’s when he teamed up with Magic Johnson in a Los Angeles Lakers’ uniform, Jabbar dominated the 1970’s in terms of scoring, awards, and even blocks. He was just simply amazing!
ABA Greats
Dan Issel “The Horse”
Elvin Hayes “The Big ‘E’” F/C
Artis Gilmore “The A-Train”
Mel Daniels
Honorable Mention
Billy Paultz “The Whopper”
Jerry Lucas
George McGinnis PF/C
Caldwell Jones
Truck Robinson
Elmore Smith
Sam Lacey
Rudy LaRusso
Bill Russell
Billy Cunningham
Bill Bridges
Walt Bellamy
Dave Robisch
Mike Green “Count”
Connie Hawkins “The Hawk” PF/C
Paul Silas
Clifford Ray
Sidney Wicks F/C
Bob Kauffman
Lloyd Neal
Leroy Ellis
Neal Walk
Zelmo Beaty
Jim Chones
Darnell Hillman “Dr. Dunk”
Swen Nater
Mel Counts “Goose”
Fred Hetzel
“Big Game” Les Hunter
Trooper Washington
Lonnie Shelton
Jim Fox
Tom Owens
Cincinnatus Powell
John Beasley
Rich Jones
Gene Moore
Spencer Haywood F/C
Bob “Golden” Rule
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
