NBA: Searching for the greatest center match-ups of all-time

Exploring the greatest NBA center match-ups of all-time, featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton

In his magnificent career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar faced off against no less than a dozen hall of fame centers.

From Wilt Chamberlain to Nate Thurmond, to Willis Reed, to Wes Unseld, to Dave Cowens, to Bob Lanier, to Bob McAdoo, to Moses Malone, to Artis Gilmore, to Hakeem Olajuwon, to Patrick Ewing. The greatest of these showdowns, however, may have come in 1977 against fellow UCLA alum Bill Walton.

The NBA is a game of match-ups. Always has been, always will be. The best match-ups are the essence of the game, and far more rare than we realize.

A truly great head-to-head encounter meets the following criteria:

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1. Players that are among the best ever at their position
2. Players in their prime
3. Players guarding each other
4. The “spot” of the match-up is significant (ie the Finals or Conference Finals).

These are the instances when the stars literally align.

Certainly Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain comes to mind. That rivalry has withstood the test of time because it meets the four criteria perfectly.

Trying to uncover a match-up as great as this one is futile. Exploring and celebrating other great match-ups is anything but futile.

The Jabbar and Walton encounter is worth remembering.

The 1977 Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles Lakers against the Portland Trail Blazers. Kareem in his prime against Walton at his brief, spectacular best in his only healthy full season.

Jabbar and Walton were both more skilled than Russell and Chamberlain. This duel in 1977 was the center position played at the highest level in NBA history.

It was a fleeting moment, within a forgettable series. The Lakers roster beyond Kareem was not nearly championship caliber (being kind), while the Blazers had magic in a bottle. The Blazers swept the Lakers, which, at the time, seemed like a surprise.

Despite the non-competitive series, the game within a game showcased everything you hope for from big men: skillful post scoring, great defense around the rim, deft passing, rebounding excellence. Basketball nirvana.

Is the 1997 match-up better than Jabbar against Moses Malone in the 1983 Finals? Isn’t Moses considered a better center historically than Walton?

The stakes were certainly higher in the NBA Finals, but the 1983 match-up is not as good as the 1977 match-up, because:

1. Jabbar is older in 1983 and is dominated by Malone in his prime. Jabbar and Walton collectively played at a higher level and to a standoff in 1977.
2. Most importantly, Jabbar and Malone did not guard each other full time in 1983. LA had Rambis check Moses for stretches and Philly had Iavaroni guard Jabbar too.

The better argument would be the 1974 NBA Finals match-up featuring Kareem and Dave Cowens. That was a classic series, and a classic battle, but Walton was pure and simple better at his peak than Cowens at his. For this reason, the edge goes to Kareem and Walton.

Intrigued? Here is a great article from the SI Vault detailing the series, and video of the deciding game.

Is this instance of Jabbar versus Walton second best to Russell versus Chamberlain?

I will be back with more nominations. I would be interested in hearing yours.