Gobert's rise to the Greatest Jazz Center of All Time!

[framer]

Imo you should separate out the "PF/C" from the true centers. You would get very different lists, but if a player logs significant minutes at the PF spot they are not really a center per se, imo. Most of the time a PF is the centerpiece of the Jazz offense, and so if I player could sub out either Malone or Tag, then that player would get significantly different options in the offense and defense. Gobert is likely to be playing only the center spot with maybe the occasional stint defending the opposing team's PF, but he is unlikely to get the same level of offensive attention the PF will get in our offensive schemes.

I think his company would have to be more guys like Eaton, Tag, Paultz, Ortiz, Spencer, Austin, Collins, Fess, etc. and less the Carrs, Fosters, Clarks, Jeffersons, and Browns.

You could even argue that Malone was a PF/C considering he was often defended by the opposing team's center as the better big-man defender and he was often called on to guard the opposing team's best big-man which was more than occasionally a center. He is obviously more a PF than C, unlike Duncan who was predominantly a Center first and PF second, but the case could still be made.

Remember that I am going back into the New Orleans Jazz times, so I am not going to sort out how much time Jeff Wilkins played at forward. Also, even if you include c/f it is still not that difficult to climb the ladder. It is looking like Mike Brown may be in the top 10, so the barrier for entry isn't really that high. What I am seeing is that the Utah Jazz have really struggled at the position, and we probably have two, possibly 3 of the top 7 centers (even part time) to ever play for us on the roster right now when all is said and done.

 

[mellow]

Shouldn't Biedrens be #1 on the list? 0 games 0 rebounds.

Was Keon Clark a C or PF?

Daryl Dawkins next?

 

[framer]

OK, Revision #1,
I now have 57 players that played center well enough to be at least listed as a part time center when they played for the Jazz. It was brought up that someone like Antoine Carr shouldn't really count because they primarily played forward. This is sound reasoning. This would, however, suck a lot of the fun out of this project as the milestones that Gobert is going to pass would be spaced further apart. We need all 57 (again, I refuse to count Biedrins unless he passes Gobert) in order to keep this interesting. There are others which Gobert has already passed that I will add shortly. And seriously, how pitiful is that?

 

[Stifle Tower]

Who's Grobert? Sounds like a Sesame Street character.

 

[framer]

OK Post updated and accurate. Next up, Chocolate Thunder and Chad Gallagher. If Gobert gets any burn at all he should pass these two after the next game.

 

[green]

What would be awesome is if when you update it, put a new post with the updated info and update the original post.

That way, dopes like me won't have to remember what I have read before.

Thanks a ton.

 

[mellow]

Yikes what a task. I found 29 players listed as C for Jazz, but 59 that are a F/C. The clear cut Center such as Eaton and Tag are the exceptions. Guys who played both are more common: Mike Brown, Eric Leckner, Jose Ortiz, Carr, Foster, Chambers.....

This thread has room for endless speculation and argument, so a fantastic idea for a thread.

 

[Joe Bagadonuts]

Who's Grobert? Sounds like a Sesame Street character.

Yes, the name makes it sound like he was the love child of these two:

but that was only done to throw the NBA scouts (other than the Jazz) off the trail of the greatest young prospect in a generation. These two are actually his parents:

His name was originally actually Big Monster (though Cookie Bird had been a consideration).

 

[framer]

For tonight's game:
Gobert needs a single point to pass Chad Gallagher who has a a Jazz career of 6 points and nothing else. Gobert's rebounding gives him the tie break. He probably should already be ranked ahead of Gallagher based on this.
Gobert needs a single point to pass Darryl Dawkins. Gobert's rebounds and one steal give him the edge here when the points are equal.
Gobert needs two points to pass Jeff Cook as he is already ahead in all other stats.
Gobert needs three points and a rebound, assist, steal, or block to pass William Cunningham.

The real goal right now should be Pat Cummings. Gobert needs 10 points.

 

[framer]

Gobert moves to #52

I'm pulling Gobet past Chad Gallagher. Gallagher has one more point, but Gobert's 20 rebounds 3 blocks and one steal more than make up for that. In addition, with the benefit of the replay, I'm also advancing Walt Bellamy past Chad Gallagher as well, because he was just better AND had more rebounds.

Walt Bellamy moves to #53.
#54 Chad Gallagher
Points 6
Rebounds 0
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Creighton product Chad Gallagher was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He didn't make the squad. He was later picked up by the Jazz and played a total of three minutes spread over two games during a ten day contract in February 1993. The two notable things about Mr. Gallagher is that he retired from the NBA with a perfect shooting percentage of 3-3 at 100% and was the 1991 Missouri Valley Conference player of the year during his NCAA days.

 

[framer]

Gobert's current stats:

Points 9
Rebounds 32
Blocks 5
Steals 3
Assists 0 (still looking for that first assist)

We are moving him past Jeff Cook:

#52 Jeff Cook
Points 7
Rebounds 5
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
The pride of Idaho State University, Cook had a 7 year career in the NBA with his stint with the Utah Jazz being the worst. He logged 17 minutes in 2 games with the 85-86 Utah Jazz during the regular season, but added 21 minutes in 4 games in the playoffs. He still has more points than Rudy, but those rebounds and blocks that Gobert is raking up give him the edge, although I considered ranking Cook higher based on just his mustache.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Bozzer logged minutes at C, too.