Jump to content

Battle of the Bigs: The NBA’s Top Frontcourts


Legacy
 Share

Recommended Posts

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0526/2913/8528_feature.jpg

 

The frontcourt in the game of basketball revolves around two primary positions: power forward and center. Alongside each other, these two players anchor the painted area.

 

Whether they rebound, block shots, or just throw down massive dunks, they are usually the players built around championship teams.

 

I have narrowed the list down to six of the best frontcourts in the league, three from each conference to form the elite frontcourts in the NBA.

**Yao Ming and Luis Scola not on list due to Yao being injured and not being able to play next season**

 

 

Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins/Rasheed Wallace (whoever starts)

 

Garnett will be healthy next season, but his sidekick in the frontcourt has yet to be decided. Perkins and Wallace are both great post defenders.

 

We already know that Perkins can work well with Garnett. He is tough, a good rebounder, and one of the better post defenders in the league. Wallace is a good post defender as well and has the ability to spread the floor with his three-point shooting.

 

Garnett is one of the best power forwards of all-time. He was injured for a large chunk of last season and the Celtics could have used him in the playoffs. He is the leader of this team and has emphasized defense to the point where it got them the championship.

 

 

Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard

 

This frontcout might be undecided as well. Lewis might move down to play small forward while either Marcin Gortat or Brandon Bass will play power forward alongside Howard.

 

Despite that, I'm going to use Lewis until we see who actually starts at the power forward spot. Lewis is among the top of the league when it comes to shooting, and he is 6'10". His shooting skills help Howard do the damage in the paint.

 

Howard's offensive game might be limited for now, but he has been working with Patrick Ewing this offseason to improve. His defense hasn't even reached its full potential which should be scary for the rest of the league.

 

 

Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani

 

The sleeper of this list, Bosh and Bargnani are poised to be one of the better frontcourts in the whole league this season.

 

This is the final year of Bosh's contract, so we'll see him play like he did at the start of last season. You know, the Bosh that people were calling an MVP candidate. We don't know if he will stay in Toronto, but he has improved every year since he has been in the league.

 

Bargnani is due to have his breakout season this year. With Hedo Turkoglu and Jose Calderon and their playmaking skills, it should be easier for Bargnani to cash in on his three point shooting talent.

 

 

Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum

 

The best frontcourt of the Western Conference belongs to last season's champion, the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Gasol has established himself as a top three power forward on any given night. He has a nice touch around the rim and can shoot from mid-range. Critics call him soft, but he proved in the Finals that he is not by playing great defense on Lewis and Howard when called upon.

 

If he can stay healthy this season, Bynum can be an all-star. Without Shaq or Yao, the only real competition Bynum will have will be against Al Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, and Memhet Okur. He has some low post moves on the offensive end, but needs to improve his defense.

 

 

 

Carlos Boozer and Memhet Okur

 

Rumors are that Boozer will be traded, if so, the Jazz would still be on this list due the talent and skill that Paul Milsap possesses.

 

Boozer is a tough post player and can stroke it from mid-range with his smooth jumper. He is a beast on the boards and can hold his man down low in the key.

 

The high arching shot of Okur is one of the most deadly in the NBA. He is arguably the best shooting big man in the game today. He can play the post on offense, but needs to improve on his post defense.

 

 

David West and Tyson Chandler

 

This previous season, this frontcourt was not as great as they were in the year before. Nonetheless, they still have what it takes to be at the top.

 

West has nights where he can expolde for 40 plus. His defense is questionable, but he makes up for it with his soft jumper and ability to own defenders in the paint.

 

With the help of Chris Paul, Chandler and Paul have the best pick 'n roll in the game. They lost it last season when Chandler had an off year especially with injures, but he is still ferocious around the rim and is an amazing shot-blocker.

 

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/222523-battle-of-the-bigs-the-nbas-top-frontcourts

http://www.alldaynba.com/nbageneral/battle-of-the-bigs-the-nbas-top-frontcourts/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always believed that the 3 spot was included in the frontcourt definition wise? I think Bench players should be taken into consideration as well. Boston's is probably the best in the league with KG, Perkins, Sheed, and then Big Baby/Leon Powe if they decide to bring those guys back. Orlando will be beastly with Howard/Gortat/Bass/Shard. The best is between those two teams. If your including the 3 spot as well Cleveland has got to be in there as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Uhh, Pau+Bynum >>>>> Shard+Dwight, we all witnessed this in the finals. KG is the only thing good about the Celtics front court, and if you mention Sheed then you have to mention Odom also, and Odom is better out of the two. I think this is a biased article from someone who hates the Lakers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Uhh, Pau+Bynum >>>>> Shard+Dwight, we all witnessed this in the finals. KG is the only thing good about the Celtics front court, and if you mention Sheed then you have to mention Odom also, and Odom is better out of the two. I think this is a biased article from someone who hates the Lakers.

I don't hate the Lakers, I wanted them to win the Finals this season. And where did I say that Shard and Dwight are better than Pau and Bynum? I included Sheed because they haven't said who is going to start as the center.

 

For the Lakers, Bynum will start at center this season and Gasol will start at power forward.

 

You really need to stop being to ignorant and think that everyone that doesn't ride the Lakers jock is a Lakers hater. :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bynum averaged 6 PPG and 3 RPG in the playoffs kingfish. The guy hasn't proven he can play consistant basketball for a timeframe longer than a week. Gasol is good, but not as good as Dwight or KG. Perkins is better than Bynum as well. There's no way the Lakers frontcourt is better than the Celtics or Magic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bynum averaged 6 PPG and 3 RPG in the playoffs kingfish. The guy hasn't proven he can play consistant basketball for a timeframe longer than a week. Gasol is good, but not as good as Dwight or KG. Perkins is better than Bynum as well. There's no way the Lakers frontcourt is better than the Celtics or Magic.

On defense, he is better, but he doesn't have that much of an offensive game. Right now, Perkins is better because Bynum hasn't played well consistently. Once he does that without getting injured, he will pass Perkins.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...