As the NBA has evolved into “pace and space” offense, the utility of the traditional 7-foot center has taken a nosedive. Tall men still make an impact on the floor, but they’re as likely to be running and shooting from the perimeter as posting up near the rim.
This has given rise to a debate over the value of the NBA center. Are big pivots in hibernation, waiting for the next shift in trends, or have they gone the way of the dodo? And how does this relate to the Portland Trail Blazers and their revamped lineup?