The 5 or center position in the NBA.

[Vol4ever]

I've been around a while.  Grew up in the 70s as a youngster following the Hawks and the NBA.   Back then the 5 position was a defensive shot blocking, rebounding, defensive center and some big centers that could score: Kareen, Parish, Moses, Olajuwon, Walton, Robinson.  These were tough in the paint guys, and in today's game the 5s are guards out on the perimeter shooting 3 pointers.   I'm not sure you even need a 5 anymore, anybody could play the position now, I've said all along I thought we needed a big, but they are few and far between now.  

Guess I'm old school but I revert back to many of the Hawks that played.   I'm not old enough to really remember Petit, but I remember Bellamy, Tree, and Mutombo.   

I wish to see those days again...........

[Final_quest]

The MVP race has been between Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid.  With the Lebron, Curry, and Durant era ending soon the top players are actually guys who play the 5.  

[Gray Mule]

Yep.  I've noticed some big centers who do not hesitate to go out and shoot the three ball.  Yet those same 7 ft centers run over our smaller centers and make us look bad.