I have been thinking of Nate Thurmond a lot since his death. Mostly about what a fine human being he was. But this morning I started thinking about what a fabulous all-around center he was. One could argue that he was the best All Around NBA center to play the game. Let's consider the Hall of Fame centers in the NBA: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Willlis Reed, Bob Lanier, Hakeem Olajuwan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Patrick Ewing, and Bill Walton (with the caveat that Walton did not pass the test of time). Nate had superior offensive skills than Russell and Reed. He had better defensive skills than Chamberlain, Olajuwan, and Walton. He could out-reboud and out-pass Ewing. It's a close call, but he was a better rebounder than Jabbar, over-all and clearly over that same number of seasons. Remember, I'm talking about the wide spectrum of skills-sets required of a dominant center. Does that mean that if you were starting a team you'd select Nate over Russell or Jabbar? Probably not. Still, there is a good argument for Nate being the all around most skilled center that ever played. Then, there's Shaq and Duncan, as yet not in the Hall of Fame to consider. Shaq had few authentic skills except for incredible size and quickness, and Duncan, well, everybody calls him a power forward.
Having said all this about Nate. I'm trying to think if there is any center even close in skill to Nate Thurmond playing today in the NBA. There isn't, not by a long shot. Not by an enormous long shot. Hassan Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins? Give me a break.
There is, however, one player that, were he to work his butt off, might - and I say might because I don't know how mentally tough and more importantly how ambitious he is - become a center in the mold of the Hall of Fame centers mentioned above. His name is Steven Adams of the Oklahoma Thunder. In this modern NBA game of small-ball, Adams is the only player I can see who has the speed, the size and the athleticism to be a dominant at his position in the small ball era. So far, of course, he has virtually no offense. But imagine Adams with a jump hook, a drop step, a step-back jumper and improved passing skills. Combined with rebounding and shot blocking and paint defending he already has in his skill-set. Oh, my goodness. One could build a team around him.
Do other people see Steven Adams' potential the way I do? Doesn't matter. The question is does Steven Adams recognize the potential that I see in him? In my opinion, Steven Adams could be the next Nate Thurmond. And you can't be a better NBA center than that.
Since this is really the second tribute Blog about Nate, I'll close with this from the Bible rather than a Poem because its message is all about how my friend lived his life.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit,
but in humility consider
others better than yourself.
Philippians 2:3
1 comment:
Tom-
We met at Nate's funeral, and have corresponded before, about your first book of poems, and a poem I sent you about St. Louis, inspired by your poems about NBA cities.
I happen to be at Donner Lake for 2 days, which prompts me to write: I recently uncovered a long piece I wrote about Nate when he turned 50. I really liked it, more than I had imagined I still would. I'm wondering if you might have an idea if anyone -in family or Warriors' organization (I know Al but have no contact info) might want to see or use it.
Or you might just want to see it. My email is boblisss@aol.com.
That ceremony was just wonderful last week. What a man!
I just read your assessment of Nate vs. other greats. Covers the waterfront really well. My nay hesitations about whether his offensive skills were better than Willis's and that he was a better defender than Walton (leave out the longevity part). But even to be their equal in those areas is incredible, as was he, as player and gentleman.
Bob
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