Best Passing Center Ever?

[Bahku]

1. Bill Walton
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Patrick Ewing
4. Robert Parrish
5. Wilt Chamberlain

[Tw1x990]

Divac was a great passer for the Kings back in the day.

In 03-04 he averages 5.3 assists per game. Thats crazy right there.

Brad Miller who learned from him aint bad either, with a career average of 3 APG.

[Mr October]

1. Bill Walton
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Patrick Ewing
4. Robert Parrish
5. Wilt Chamberlain

Sabonis doesn't crack your top 5? 

[Eja117]

I used to love the way the Kings passed

[Mr October]

I used to love the way the Kings passed

That Kings team was a joy to watch. Excellent passing at all positions. Too bad they didn't have closer.

[Bahku]

1. Bill Walton
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Patrick Ewing
4. Robert Parrish
5. Wilt Chamberlain

Sabonis doesn't crack your top 5? 

I think I'd put Sabonis at 6 or 7, higher if we're talking about passing only[i/] ... I assumed we were talking about the best centers who were also great at assists/passing.

[Mr October]

1. Bill Walton
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Patrick Ewing
4. Robert Parrish
5. Wilt Chamberlain

Sabonis doesn't crack your top 5? 

I think I'd put Sabonis at 6 or 7, higher if we're talking about passing only[i/] ... I assumed we were talking about the best centers who were also great at assists/passing.

Ah ok, that makes more sense. I think by best passing center, we're just talking about the center that passed the best.

[bdm860]

1. Bill Walton
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. Patrick Ewing
4. Robert Parrish
5. Wilt Chamberlain

Sabonis doesn't crack your top 5? 

I think I'd put Sabonis at 6 or 7, higher if we're talking about passing only[i/] ... I assumed we were talking about the best centers who were also great at assists/passing.

Ah ok, that makes more sense. I think by best passing center, we're just talking about the center that passed the best.

Mr. October got it.  That was definitely my intention with the question, the center that passed the best.

Divac is definitely worth considering too, forgot about him initially.
To those who mention Duncan, I'd have to say I'd consider him a PF.

[Bahku]

1. Bill Walton
2. Arvydas Sabonis
3. Hakeem Olajuwon
4. Patrick Ewing
5. Vlade Divac

On passing alone (Forgive my misinterpretation of the question.)

[GreenFaith1819]

What about Brad Daugherty? From the Cleveland Cavaliers? He played at Center along with Larry Nance at PF, Mark Price at PG and I believe Ron Harper at SG. Can't remember who the SF was, though.

I always liked his passing. His career was limited due to injuries, but he was a solid passer when he played.

[hwangjini_1]

Wilt's the only center to lead the league in assists, so you've got to include him in there somewhere. But I never saw him play so I don't know how much of that was system-related.  Shaq deserves an honorable mention too.  The best I ever saw was Sabonis.


Edit: Check out Brick's postcount - I love that the system does that 

for what it is worth. chamberlin was without doubt the greatest center so far in history. i love russell, but chamberlain was more dominant in more areas.

chamerlain led the league in scoring seven consecutive seasons (1959–65), was the leader in field goal percentage 9 times, the top rebounder 11 times.

he scored 100 points in one game and averaged 50.4 points a game one season. i believe no TWO players on a team have passed 100.

rebounds? he had 55 in one game. he decided he would show everyone he could rebound, and he averaged 27.2 in his best season.

some pretty prrty people then accused him of only thinking of himself. so he decided to show everyone he could also provide assists, leading the league in 1968.

by the way, he showed his versatility by scoring 22 points, grabbing 25 rebounds, and dropping 21 assists in a game in 1968.

so, best passing center? when chamberlain wanted to pass he could do it.

[RAcker]

Bill Walton was the first one that came to my mind, so I'm glad to see a lot of support for him.  Chamberlin was not far behind.  For as much as he could score at will, he was well respected as a passer which made him extremely hard to deal with.

[GreenFaith1819]

According to NBA.com player career stats, Wilt Chamberlin averaged 4.4 assists for his career, followed closely by Bill Russell with 4.3.

Bill Walton averaged 3.0 and Brad Daugherty averaged 3.7.

Olajuwon averaged 2.1. Man blocked a LOT of shots, too....

Chief averaged 1.4. Sabonis averaged 2.1 assists for his career.

Garnett is up there too with his assists, but I guess PF's don't count..
 

[Toine43]

Zach Randolph

[greenwise]

Sabonis was probably the best passing center. What a pleasure to watch him play. Too bad the injuries slowed his game so much. There were some legends about his ankles after the games when he played in Madrid, because they were incredibly swollen all the time. Still he dominated in Europe and had a good career in the NBA even though he should have been there before.

His passing skills were amazing, but just a little part of his game.