NBA’s Top 25: Centers

In the never-ending banality of the NBA offseason, I’ve encountered several lists scribed by NBA analysts attempting to break down the league’s best players, by position. Some are short, emphasizing the top tier only – and some are exhaustive efforts that include some irrelevant players for the sake of a round number.

While I won’t necessarily throw stones, I haven’t been blown away by the previous lists and decided to throw my own into the mix.

Pertaining to positions – I’ll be referring to ESPN’s depth charts exclusively. It’s a universally accepted resource and prevents me from omitting significant players from their proper spot.

Trades of zero consequence.

Yesterday’s acquisition of career scrub Devean George for future scrub Marco Belinelli has brought the ire and furor of Warriors fans to the forefront, once again. I couldn’t be less concerned, actually.

As with the purging of Jamal Crawford, this trade wasn’t made to acquire actual talent. Both trades were additions by subtraction.

Neither Crawford nor Belinelli were long-term options in the Warriors backcourt already loaded with legitimate young talent (Monta Ellis, Anthony Morrow, Stephen Curry). Average shooting guards come and go every season, in every draft, and in every free agent period. Belinelli showed flashes of adequacy, but what young player doesn’t? You can still find Warriors fans who willingly cite Ike Diogu’s impressive per-48 numbers, I’d bet.

Then you’ll find the legion of management detractors who claim the move was principally a salary dump. The talent level between George and Belinelli is clearly an issue but neither have, or ever will be, reliable and significant pieces on an NBA roster. So what exactly is the problem?

Is Captain Jack overutilized?

This piece was loosely inspired by a blog entry from prominent Warriors blogger Adam Lauridsen. His point was to demonstrate likely obstacles in regards to regular season playing time – largely Anthony Morrow being the odd man out, due to the high usage of Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis. The overriding mentality of the piece is evident: out with the veterans who apparently will clamor for “20-plus shots a night,” in with the Anthony duo.

Nobody’s going to argue against increased, consistent playing time for both young players.

Randolph is unquestionably dynamic and will literally make an impact whenever he’s on the floor. Morrow is an elite shooter who has shown the competence to expand and improve his game (47 points in summer league is still 47 points). Both need to be key cogs in the Warriors plans – for now and for later. Their abilities will aid in winning games this coming season, as was the case even last season when both were merely rookies.

However, the actual importance of Stephen Jackson on offense, pertaining to shot attempts, is seemingly lost on Lauridsen.