(1) Introduction to the center:

The center (Center), as the name implies, is the central figure of a team. A position in a basketball lineup; generally held by the tallest player on the team, traditionally emphasizing defense at the basket and protection of defensive rebounds. Due to their height advantage, some center players with offensive talents often become the main offensive points for shooting and scoring near the penalty area.

Although there is no fixed "height standard" for centers, according to the general level of today's world basketball, the height of men's basketball centers is generally above 2.08 meters (6 feet 10 inches), and the height of women's basketball centers is generally Above 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches). In terms of technical statistics, centers can usually contribute the most blocks and often achieve higher field goal percentage and rebounding performance.

Since the number of basketball players who can reach more than 2.13 meters (7 feet) in height and still retain good athletic ability is limited, a small number of center players with both height and flexibility can often determine the outcome of the game. important factors. Taking the NBA, the American professional basketball league, as an example, a center with athletic talent, spirit, skills and good physique is often the key to forming a strong team.

(2) Responsibilities:

First of all, he moves in the penalty area, rebounding is absolutely indispensable. Next, the penalty area is a battleground for each team's military strategists. Of course, opponents cannot easily attack here, so the ability to block attacks and block the hot pot is also indispensable. When attacking, the center often has the opportunity to stand in the penalty area near the free throw line (this is the center of the entire offensive field) to receive the ball. At this time, he should also have good ball-guiding abilities and send the ball to a more appropriate corner. . The above three items are the basic skills that a center should possess. In the team, the center is often responsible for scoring. He is the main inside scorer, corresponding to the small forward inside and outside. Because he needs to be able to play in isolation, his shooting percentage requirements can be lower, but his shots are often closer to the basket, so his shooting percentage should be higher. Generally speaking, 52% can be used as a standard. The requirement for a center's shooting percentage is second only to that of a power forward.

(3) Technical requirements:

A good center must also be versatile. In terms of offense, the center must have the ability to play singles close to the basket. He must be able to perform singles actions with his back to the basket. Turning and shooting is the most common one, while jump hooks and hook shots are more difficult to defend. How to score. Defensively, to be called a good center, in addition to guarding the players you should watch, you must also help your teammates with defense in a timely manner. To put it simply, if the enemy player bypasses his teammates' defense and goes to the basket, the center must have the courage to defend his own penalty area. Of course, it doesn't mean that every game can be flawless, but there must always be the ability to "help". If a center can only guard his own man, it is not enough (unless the opponent is a super offensive center).

There is a variant of the center, which is the so-called outside center. The difference between him and a normal center is that his offense mainly involves running outside to shoot outside, and does less work in singles in the penalty area. Because the center is tall, other short people can't defend at all, so shooting from the outside can draw out the opponent's center, so it is also very useful when the forward is strong. When defending, he is no different from an ordinary center. Defend the opponent's center and still grab rebounds. Bargnani of the Raptors is an example.

(4) Representative figures:

Many strong teams in history were built on the league's top center players, such as Bill Russell in the 1960s. Russell's Boston Celtics contemporary Wilt Chamberlain, the Los Angeles Lakers with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980s, etc. Now retired (he once led the Lakers to win 3 championship rings) Shaquille O'Neal also uses his huge body (height 2 meters 16, 7 feet 1 inch; weight over 300 pounds) and the skills to make good use of his body advantages. He posed a great threat to his opponents in the penalty area and was able to lead three different teams to the NBA Finals. The one we are most familiar with is the Chinese superstar Yao Ming, who once played for the Houston Rockets. During his time with the Rockets, the YM combination at that time dominated the league. Later, due to injuries at the same time, both of them failed to lead the team to win the championship in team history. Rockets fans and the majority of Chinese fans feel sorry for their third championship. In today's international basketball and professional leagues, centers and power forwards are often played by players with similar conditions or given similar tasks, so it is difficult to clearly distinguish them.