In the past 11 years, six NBA champions have not had an MVP type center. Five teams have. And four of those are accounted by Shaquille O'Neill. The other was Robinson. (I don't count Ben Wallace as a MVP type center, although a reasonable person could make the argument).
Shaq is the most dominant center of his era.
If you think about the days of yesteryear, Olajuwon, Jabbar, Ewing, Robinson. The 5 was the most important position. It's significance has declined.
And with zone defenses allowed, a good 5 is worth even less IMO.
At the end of the day, basketball is a team sport. It's the whole package that matters.
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