Has the 3pt. shot killed the center position?

[ruready4somefootball]

The game has moved away from the great teams having a dominate center to build the offense around. Whether it was the NBA or D1 college,that part of the game has disappeared. Back in the day, you didn't even have to be that big,guys like Dave Cowens and Wes Unseld neither taller than 6'9" would dominate games. Thrown in a top 50 NBA player Elvin Hayes, a scoring machine also 6'9", and I miss that type of game. Is it the fact the game became so guard orientated, or is the modern day coach forgotten how to coach great centers? I'll never forget "The Game of the Century" between Houston and UCLA, Hayes verse Jabbar, Lew Alcindor at the time. That game broke the 47 game win streak UCLA had. The game I believe, that made the NCAA Tournament what it is today, was the year before, a filled Houston Astrodome witnessed a great semi Final that UCLA won in a close game.

 

[wonchobody]

It's mostly analytics driven IMO. Numbers guys have been saying that the long 2 point jumpshot is the absolute worst shot to take in basketball. It starts in the NBA and filters down to college. The 3 pointer is a more efficient return per shot to take when your shooting percentage is in the 30's. It is also harder to guard 3 guys around the perimeter who can shoot compared to one or two guys who might get crowded inside. Add big men who can shoot, and the game today is now totally different from the 80's and 90's.

 

[TDIrish27]

Not defensively.

 

[MadRU]

On the opposite side, wouldn't a good three point shooting team open up the inside game for a good big?

 

[Scarlet Shack]

To understand this dynamic, you need to first realize that athletes today are TALLER, LONGER, FASTER, QUICKER and most importantly, THICKER

The court is a lot smaller today. So a center just going from block to block to posting up as the ball rotates clogs the lanes to penetrate.

4 and 5 men need to be able MOVE and set picks, catch and shoot from the high post (4 men really are better if they can hit at the 3 line) and be able to make two dribble moves to the basket...as oppsed to making moves directly from the entry pass on the low block

it's a much different game...so centers like Shaq don't fit in that well in the college game.

 

[biazza38]

Nope. Take a look at Duke defensively without Amile Jefferson.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

...and the shot clock hasn't helped.

Shack has it. You need to be a real dominant guy on the block to overcome the fact that a back door cut or dribble penetration is not as effective.

 

[RUChoppin]

The defensive three second rule (NBA) and the charge circle (NCAA and NBA) also play into it, I'd imagine.

 

[RUinFla]

Dunno. Saw some effective bigs this week--guy from Hofstra, for one. Yes, saw some centers that had to be sat down because the pace was too much for their skills, but saw some highly effective big man play, and not just the Hofstra kid. Don't think all of them were stretch 4's, either.
TL

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Watching NW-M game right now. Alex Olaf has already cost a few buckets defensively with lousy switches.

 

[RUJMM78]

Balance inside/outside scoring puts added pressure on the defense.For both Rutgers basketball teams the absence of consistent outside shooting results in opponents playing zone daring Rutgers to shoot the 3 pointer.