Fox Sports: Best NBA Frontcourts

Well its Rosen so what do you expect. Personally I think the Rockets should be fighting for 1st with Detroit. This year all the haters will be awakened though so Im not worried.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5026576

Ranking the best and worst frontcourts
Story Tools: Print Email XML
Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago



Small forwards are easily the NBA's most versatile athletes. Their job description requires them to do everything from rebounding (one carom per six minutes of playing time is the norm) to running (it's the No. 3 who puts the zip in a fast break). From handling — at least well enough to create his own shots and also to help overcome pressure defenses — to passing; from shooting to defending; small forwards are actually big-littles, and, along with the guards, are deemed one of the skill positions.

Defense-oriented small forwards (like Bruce Bowen) are highly valued by coaches, but their lack of offense must be compensated by a power forward who can light up a scoreboard. Still, most of the outstanding small forwards in NBA history (Paul Arizin, Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Bernard King, Bobby Dandridge, et al) were primarily celebrated for their scoring prowess.
2005 NBA Preview


Top preseason storylines

Big questions: East | West


Photo Gallery...
NBA Media Day



Division previews


Atlantic | Central | Southeast
Southwest | Pacific | Northwest



Power forwards used to be called hatchet men. The blunt edges of their talents hewed out rebounds, picks, defense, and the kind of selective brutality essential to any contact sport. Guys like Antonio Davis, Dale Davis, Danny Fortson, Eduardo Najera, Malik Rose, and Kelvin Cato are cast in the traditional mode. But in recent years, the practitioners of the No. 4 spot have become more like oversized small forwards. This new wave of powerless power forwards include Dirk Nowitzki, Troy Murphy, Eddie Griffin, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Shawn Marion.

Neither of these two classifications is intrinsically better than the other. Indeed, the biggest measure of a power forward's worth depends upon the complimentary talents of his center, as well as his particular function in his team's game plan.

By definition, centers are in the middle of the action. Bigs who can score in the pivot cause defenses to make risky adjustments simply because the ball is so close to the basket. Because such monsters-in-the middle generally attract double-teams, they must also be adequate passers. Centers who can shoot from the perimeter put enormous pressure on their opposite numbers, who are rarely comfortable playing defense beyond the shadow of the basket. Since No. 5s are the last line of a team's defense, shot-blocking centers can always find a job.

If Shaq represents the old-time Mikan-Chamberlain tradition of dreadnaught pivot men, Amare Stoudemire just might be a sign of things to come. Quickness overcoming power. Finesse trumping bulk. Versatility vexing lane-bound scorers.

In determining the best and the worst of the NBA's frontcourts, the emphasis is on the balance of the collective talents rather than on the individual brilliance of any one player.


Best frontcourts
1. DETROIT — Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace

Prince and R. Wallace provide the offense, while all three are superlative defenders. The only pertinent question is this: Is this trio better than the Bird-McHale-Parish triumvirate? On defense, the Pistons are clearly superior, while the Celtics frontline rates a similar edge on offense. The deciding difference in Boston's favor is that Dennis Johnson was light years better than any of Detroit's current guards.

2. INDIANA — Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jeff Foster


For the Pacers to be successful, Ron Artest needs to control his emotions. (David Sherman/NBAE via / Getty Images)

A potentially potent combination of scoring, defense, rebounding, and role playing. This, however, is a critical season for the Pacers' front-court. Can Artest behave himself? Can O'Neal survive the regular season and be healthy in the playoffs? Can Foster hit more than an occasional jump shot? Given three affirmative answers, Indiana's baseline players will evolve from potential to actual greatness.

3. MIAMI — James Posey, Udonis Haslem, and Shaquille O'Neal An outstanding point-maker flanked by a pair of outstanding defenders. The X-factor here is Posey's ability to regain not only his shooting touch, but his commitment to playing hard. Should Antoine Walker supplant Posey in the starting lineup, then Miami will drop out of the elite rankings.

4. SAN ANTONIO — Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, and Nazr Mohammed/Rasho Nesterovic

Bowen gets paid for playing defense, yet his ability to sink 3-balls is particularly suited to the routine double-teams faced by Duncan. Mohammed's mediocre skills — offensive rebounding, hustling, and staying out of TD's way — are likewise more functional with the Spurs than they would be elsewhere. Nesterovic remains an underrated center who can score, pass, and set timber-shivering picks. But it's the all-around game of Duncan that maximizes his teammates' effectiveness.

5. HOUSTON — Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, and Yao Ming

Scoring is their common forte, and upon occasion T-Mac can do a reasonable impersonation of an NBA defender. Also, McGrady is the only one of the three who has any lateral movement. But, man, these guys can fill the basket!

On the verge — DENVER (Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby would be appreciably better with Nene in the mix), UTAH (Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Jarron Collins).


Worst frontcourts
1. ATLANTA — Josh Childress, Al Harrington, and Zaza Pachulia

Some day Childress will be able to differentiate between a good and a bad shot. Godot might show up sooner than Harrington's offense. And Pachulia still avoids going to the beach lest some bully kick sand in his face.

2. TORONTO — Jalen Rose, Chris Bosh, and Rafael Araujo

A selfish play-breaker, a young stud, and the reincarnation of the Invisible Man. Put them all together in one body and the resulting Frankenstein would still be defenseless.

3. PORTLAND — Ruben Patterson, Zach Randolph, and Joel Przybilla


Here's your chance to fire back at Charley Rosen. Got a question or a comment
Subject:

Comment/Question:

Name: (ex, john doe)
Email: (ex, a@b.c)
Hometown:




A dysfunctional sandwich: An excellent defender and rebounder surrounded by a pair of immature malcontents. Heavy on the mustard and sour pickles.

4. MINNESOTA — Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak, and Michael Olowokandi

If Tim Duncan can do enough to bring his frontcourt mates into harmony, Garnett can't do the same. So far, KG has not demonstrated the ability to be a big-time clutch performer in the postseason. Also, Szczerbiak is too immobile to hitch a ride to glory with the Big Ticket. And Olowokandi's game is as substantial as cotton-Kandi.

5. N.O. — Bostjan Nachbar, P. J. Brown, and your guess is as good as mine

Nachbar is a sleeper, but the 36-year-old Brown is playing on fumes. Replacing Jamaal Magloire (who was traded to the Bucks) with any combo of Chris Andersen, Maciej Lampe, and Jackson Vroman, and/or re-shifting Brown to center is a recipe for another 18-win season. There won't be any quality bigs on the waiver wire, and whom else can the Hornets use as trade bait? Replacing Nachbar with Desmond Mason is an upgrade, but the Hornets' front line remains a disaster.

On the precipice — LA LAKERS (Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm, and Kwame Brown), ORLANDO (Kelvin Cato, Pat Garrity, and the remains of Grant Hill), CHICAGO (Luol Deng, Darius Songalia, and Tyson Chandler lack firepower), GOLDEN STATE (Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle could comprise the worst defensive combo), and PHILADELPHIA (Kyle Korver, Chris Webber, and Samuel Dalembert).



Rosens knock on our front court defense is freakin ridiculous . With only T-Mac being able to do "a reasonable impersonation of an NBA Defender" it must have been dumb luck that we leg the league in interior defense.