The Pivot : Basketix Glossary

Let’s sit down, take two minutes and analyse the fifth position on a basketball court. We’re talking about the big guys, the really big guys: the centres. Rebounders, dunkers, blockers, they can be spectacular, powerful, dominant, technically questionable… and increasingly good shooters.

What is a pivot in basketball? 🤔

The centre is the control tower of a basketball team. The centre is usually the tallest and most powerful player, positioned at the heart of the key. Their role? To defend the circle, grab rebounds, protect the paint (the area near the basket) and intimidate the opposition. Offensively, they are an anchor point: they are in the low post (with their back to the basket) to score or distribute the ball.

What role do pivots play in basketball culture?🧐

Centres have historically been symbols of leadership and strength. They are often the ones who set the defensive tempo. On the court, they embody power and solidity, but they can also be true maestros when they master passing or vision (hello Niko). They are also celebrated for their ability to slam home monster dunks, block shots and stand up to the toughest opponents in the paint. The centre is a bit like the soul of the team: as soon as they impose their presence, the whole team rises to the occasion.

5 legendary pivots 🌟

1. Bill Russell: An icon of the Boston Celtics and a true basketball legend, Bill Russell laid the foundations for defensive leadership. With 11 NBA titles to his name, he remains the symbol of victory and collective commitment, values that are still very much alive at the Celtics. He was also the team’s coach, proving that a centre is not just a big brute.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (KAJ): Inventor of the ‘skyhook’, the unstoppable shot, Kareem was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (before LeBron recently dethroned him). He had impressive technical skills and unparalleled longevity.
3. Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq): The brute force that reigned supreme in the 2000s. His devastating dunks and larger-than-life personality left their mark on the NBA and pop culture. Shaq is the equation ‘power + charisma’.
4. Wilt Chamberlain: Mr. 100 points in one game. An incredible athletic presence for his time, he shattered the stats and left a unique mark on basketball history. Never say never, but averaging 50 points in an NBA season is not likely to happen anytime soon. The ultimate steamroller of the regular season.
5. Hakeem Olajuwon: ‘The Dream’ and his famous ‘Dream Shakes’. A technical and elegant centre, champion with the Houston Rockets, known for his dancer-like footwork. A centre can be a beautiful thing to watch.
   

Nikola Jokic, an extraordinary centre who is redefining the position in modern basketball 😈

In today’s increasingly fast-paced game focused on three-point shooting, Nikola Jokic is shaking things up. The Serbian centre for the Denver Nuggets is a passing maestro, a space creator and a scorer capable of shooting from distance. His game intelligence and timing are incredible: he’s a bit like a playmaker… in centre form.

Where does Jokic rank among the legends? He already has three MVP (Most Valuable Player) titles and one NBA ring, which already echoes the greatness of some historic centres. His way of revamping the position, focusing on vision and versatility, has led to comparisons with legends for his unique impact. Basketball fans love to debate: can he one day surpass giants like Shaq, Hakeem or Kareem? He’s in the discussion, but to make it into the top three centres of all time, he’ll need to win more rings.

Victor Wembanyama: The next generation of centres 👽

Victor ‘Wemby’ Wembanyama embodies more than just hope: he is the perfect example of the centre of the future. With his towering height (2.21m), incredible mobility and outside shooting, the French prodigy is pushing the boundaries of the position even further.

Wemby is a centre who can do it all, making the necessary and expected impact from the five spot, playing low post (sometimes too little in his games), handling the ball and shooting from long range. And with his size, he was the NBA’s best shot blocker in his rookie season with 3.6 blocks per game, and he is improving again this year with 3.8 blocks per game. He is an offensive weapon with 24 points per game in the 2024-2025 season. He has everything (and everyone says so) to be one of the greats of the sport.