A Distinct Measure

In the NBA, centers have tended to lead champions over the decades. Bill Russell, with more titles as a player than anyone else, has to be considered an all-time great along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with a longevity of excellence that is almost unmatched. Then, one has to measure Wilt Chamberlain among the best ever, though he lags somewhat in titles. He was the greatest offensive force in history. Shaq was the dominant 5 of his era. Hakeem Olajuwon won the two titles when Michael Jordan tried his hand at baseball. David Robinson won a pair as well. Moses Malone belongs on the greats list too. Willis Reed earned two titles as the Knicks big man, and Patrick Ewing was arguably the best ever to not snatch a pro title, though Bob Lanier was a tough five also. Artis Gilmoe was the tower of power in the American Basketball Association and continued to be very competitive in the NBA. Robert Parish is a Celtics great who views with Kareem for longevity. Dave Cowens was terrific for Boston as well, as was Bill Walton, who without injuries would surely be near the top of the list. George Mikan was the original leader in the post to multiple titles. Nickola Jokic is the Bill Walton of the current era as you can run your offense through him at a level of sustained excellence. Arvydas Sabonis was a very good NBA player even after his body was broken down by being forced to play for the Soviet Union in international games, where he had copious injuries with poor treatment and little time to heal. Bob McAdoo is undersized for the center spot but was always very effective nonetheless. This is by no means all the great post players but is a good representative sample. The other metric beyond being carried to championships by the bigs is the greatest as other positions. 

 She's a Gujarati hottie// She'll Kama Sutra all day

Best Running Backs

I will not call this a comprehensive and thorough going study of the greatest running backs in professional football history. This is merely my opinion since I have been watching active players and in the case of (Number 1) Jim Brown, highlight reels as I was too young to admire his on field exploits. I would have to rate the Syracuse fireball number one as he led a team to three titles and achieved records that still survive over a half century. To me, (2)Walter Payton comes in a close second, as he secured a Super Bowl title and was the heart of a Chicago team that often otherwise was not very good. I rate (3) Emmitt Smith at number three, equivalent to the championships he helped earn, on a Cowboys' team that dominated an era. LaDainian Tomlinson (4) was another outstanding back on mediocre teams, who achieved several records without much help. Marshall Faulk (5) was amazing as well. Earl Campbell (6) was a wrecking ball of a running back. Eric Dickerson (7) gobbled up lots of yards and made some breathtaking runs for the Rams. Barry Sanders (8) was the one highlight of some awful Lions' squads, but to me was moving backwards too much trying to break big plays, sometimes resulting in a large and unnecessary loss of yards, where other backs would have gotten what they could and avoided a negative play. Franco Harris (9) was the critical offensive component of those Steelers' championship teams. Derrick "King" Henry (10) is the only active runner on this list, and the only one I have had the privilege of seeing play in person. I am saddened that this powerhouse who may ultimately be the greatest of the greats left my hometown Titans. 

I have quite a tale to tell// So listen well/ I have these words to say// Never stand between a fat man and a buffet// I learned my lesson the hard way// So you don't make my mistake// And find you have to pay// Leave that big fella a clear path any day 

It's so dandy, just like cotton candy// That when I feel randy, I found you

I try to keep my demons in a bottle/ But out they come, going full throttle

Silver and Cream

Why do you want the plastic man, with the plastic heart and the plastic hand?// He will never have the soul of the poet, the warrior's sinews, or the philosopher's mind// Will he be cruel or kind?// Does he see bright colors or is he blind?// Did you want flesh and bone?// Or the plastic man with the heart of stone?