Steve Kerr made some winning plays. He played hard, smart, and was in the right place at the right time... Would you consider him a great player? Are you implying the Patrick Ewing NEVER did any of those things over the course of his career? And what center are you comparing Ewing to who so greatly outstrips him as a player?

Define winning plays? Because as far as I understand from your comments Alex I'd believe you'd have a shrine to Robert Horry somewhere in your home. If being in the right place, making clutch shots and being smart is the pre-requisite for being great, then none other would compare to Robert Horry.

Your making winning plays arguement i would say defines great role players. They guys who fill out the great teams and come through on those occasions where their teams need a lift. But they never carry a team.

You also mentioned that DRob was not a great due to his lack of 'moves' and 'handles/passing'. So by that arguement Abdul-Jabbar, who relied heavily on a near unstoppable sky hook was also just 'good'.

You hit on big men who don't make clutch plays, but what is a clutch play. Grabbing a key defensive rebound, altering an inside shot for a miss, maybe an offensive tip out for a 2nd possession. Would you not call these clutch plays too? When a game gets tight and the defense collapses and double teams become quicker, who do you think gets focused on? That's right, the main offensive threat. Hence why guys like Horry, Paxson, Kerr, Byron Scott, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller become highly valuable. The ability to set quick and get a good look in minimal time with minimal space becomes a strong offensive option.

But I guess those rebounds don't count, nor do the other things count throughout the game which allow teams to stay in games even when they struggle. That is effort, that's what the greats did.
Give your team a chance when they had no business winning or even competing in a
game.

I doubt anyone will change your opinion though, especially since you've seen so much ball in your time.

I wouldn't consider Steve Kerr to be great, no. Decent player though who got the most out of his talent. Ewing did hustle a good deal yes. The centers who he is outranked by are : Russel, Kareem, Shaq, Wilt, Hakeem, Thurmond, Walton, Reed, Lucas, Moses, Lanier, Unseld, Gasol, and Robinson. Just one man's opinion.

Tarek, that is a very impressive and detailed post. Yeah, Horry was an incredibly valuable player because he was so versatile (could play all 3 frontcourt positions) and could make the big time threes. I admit, he is a personal favorite. You can't win a Title without terrific role players, they are just as valuable as the so called 'stars' (which is why the MVP award is so bogus). Kareem wasn't really a good defender or rebounder, and he didn't have good lateral movement. However, Kareem was a good passer and his skyhooks and bank shot jumpers were automatic. And he was simply amazing in the clutch. What is a clutch play? For me, its creating makeable shots for yourself, making a timely pass, proving your mettle by getting a traffic rebound, setting a sturdy screen, pushing another big off his spot, and so on. You make good points though Tarek.

Thanks Alex. I still think that your measure is a little high. Also, I never understood the fascination with Walton. Admittedly I never watched him play except for highlights, but he seems like he fits into the great player who was derailed by injuries. A more recent example of this you could say is Yao.

I still think that both Ewing and Robinson are greats, and really think you should look into it and reconsider based on their impact. Robinson was a great who sacrificed his game for a team concept late in his career. He was a driving force who made San Antonio into the great franchise it is considered today.

Ewing brought toughness and success to NY after the huge loss of Bernard King. He may not have won a championship but he put every single bit of his heart and talent into the game.

Both ALSO achieved great individual success and hall of fame type numbers.

Alex, it's okay if you think there are better players, because there are plenty. That's true. But can you at least see their greatness in what they brought to their time in th NBA?

Your list of great centers is impressive. I totally disagree with Pau being included, but... Looking at the list, I can better understand your position, but it's undeniable that Ewing had a major impact on the game. There are definitely centers who, in my opinion, transcend greatness (Russell and Wilt). Ewing isn't on that level, but considering what he was able to do throughout his career, I think he deserves to be considered one of the all-time greats.

Walton was truly an all time great. He could rebound, block, and run. He always was about the team and his offense was unpredictable. Hooks, bank shots, drives, and quick twists. And his passing was outstanding. I can't hold the injuries against him. I'm always thankful to watch multi-talented players like Ewing and Robinson. Especially now with the lack of good centers.

nolan, Pau is one of the underrated greats for me. The guy can turn and face, shoot, drive, and pass. And while his man to man defense isn't great he can show on high screens very well. Don't forget his length bothered Dwight Howard in the NBA Finals.

I like Pau's game. He's not as consistent as I would prefer, but there's no doubt that's he's one of the best big men in the NBA today. I've always thought of him as more of a natural power forward, though.

Yeah, Gasol's post season this year was a disaster. Still, it doesn't overshadow the two championship performances.