Who’s the greatest Sixers’ center of all time?

If you’re a product of the 1960s and 70s, Wilt Chamberlain likely would be your immediate answer, even though the “Big Dipper’s” time wasn’t long in Philly. He did help bring the franchise’s first title in 1967.

Now, some of you may respond with Moses Malone, who was an integral part of their last championship in 1983. Like Chamberlain, Malone’s stay in town was short.

Or is it, or will it be, Joel Embiid?

Through the years, the Sixers’ center hasn’t been as prominent as a forward or a guard post, where Dr. J or Hal Greer would be near the top of a competitive list.

In this version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll take a look at past Sixers centers as well as some “big men” in other sports.

Also, was there ever a pro wrestler whose height was 8-2? Who was Morris Stroud? Did anyone have the “Up N’ On Sports Center” game from the 70s? Who did the Sixers get from the Lakers in the Chamberlain trade?

And finally, what band sang the song “Centerfold” in 1981?

Center of Attention ... In his four years, Chamberlain averaged 27.6 points and 23.9 rebounds. Yet, Chamberlain played three seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors from 1959-62, winning the Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player award the same season. In his last year with the Warriors — before they moved to San Francisco — Chamberlain averaged 50.1 points and 27.4 rebounds.

His honors are lengthy, but Chamberlain was the league MVP for three consecutive seasons as a Sixer.

Malone was dominant in his own fashion, and his game slipped in his second stint in Philly. In four years, Malone averaged 23.8 points and 13.4 rebounds. He was a league MVP in the 1982-83 season.

Ironically, both of them played the same amount of years in their prime with Malone returning at 38 in his penultimate season.

It’s hard to believe that Embiid has the longest tenure among Sixers centers with this being his 10th season. If he can stay consistently healthy for the next few seasons, Embiid could be the greatest Sixers’ center of all time.

He has the numbers, averaging current career marks of 27.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Seeing Red ... Johnny “Red” Kerr is on the periphery, as he averaged 14 points and 11.4 rebounds. Kerr played nine seasons with the Syracuse Nationals and then two with the Sixers.

There also was “Red” Rocha who played four seasons with Syracuse and averaged 11.3 points and seven rebounds.

Yes, They Played ... Over the years, some of the other Sixers’ pivotmen were Dolph Schayes, Darrall Imhoff, LeRoy Ellis, Caldwell Jones, Darryl Dawkins, Mike Gminski, Samuel Dalembert, Theo Ratliff, Luke Jackson, Connie Dierking, Shawn Bradley, Clem Johnson, Manute Bol, Dikembe Mutombo, Harvey Catchings, Spencer Hawes, Dennis Awtry, Al Henry, Bob Rule, Mel Counts, Manny Leaks, Dale Schluter, Clyde Lee, Mark McNamara and Earl Cureton to name a handful.

You may have to dig out your basketball cards (especially the rectangular ones) or a Basketball Digest to look up some of those guys.

WWE/WWWF Wrestling Wrap ... In keeping with the theme, Max Palmer was the tallest wrestler on record and had a brief career in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

Palmer measured 8-2 and weighed 499 pounds. He went by the moniker “Paul Bunyan” and had a 14-16 career record from 1956-60. Palmer also had a cup of coffee with the Rochester Royals.

He also had a brief acting career and made appearances on the “Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis Comedy Hour,” The Jimmy Durante Show,” and “The Spade Cooley Show.” (Anyone watch them?)

Later in his life, Palmer became an evangelist and was known as a “Goliath for Christ.” He passed away at age 56 in 1984.

Too Tall ... The NFL has had its share of players at the “center” of attention, whether their height made them distinctive or they actually made their mark as a center. Here are some that you may call to mind.

In terms of height, we can all recall Ed “Too Tall” Jones, who at 6-9 was the Cowboys’ top pick in the 1974 draft. Jones played a total of 15 seasons, taking a few years off to try a boxing career before he returned to Dallas.

Another tall player I remember vividly was Ernie “The Big Cat” Ladd, who also at 6-9 spent time with the Chargers, Oilers and Chiefs. He was elected to the American Football League Hall of Fame. Ladd also made his mark as a pro wrestler for 21 years.

The tallest NFL player on record was 7-0 Richard Sligh, who was a 10th-round pick of the Raiders in 1967. Sligh was a reserve and played in the Super Bowl that season against the Packers. He was selected by the Bengals in their expansion draft the following season, but Sligh was waived before the season.

How about Morris Stroud? The former Chiefs’ tight end topped out at 6-10, and was a third-round pick in 1969. Stroud had a modest six-year career in Kansas City.

Center of the Eagles’ Nest ... Over the years, the Eagles have had some notable centers, led by legendary Chuck Bednarik, who also made his mark as a linebacker.

In recent years, Jason Kelce has been highly recognized, but there were others before him who garnered less of a profile and did a productive workmanlike job.

David Alexander started 96 straight games in the 1980s and the 90s, and others around his time were Gerry Feehery, Dave Rimington, Matt Darwin, Mark Dennard, Hank Fraley and Jamaal Jackson.

In the 70s, Guy Morriss was a mainstay, and some of you may remember Mike Evans.

Aside from Bednarik in the 60s, Phillipsburg High graduate Jim Ringo anchored the middle for four seasons after a stellar 11-year stay with the Packers.

If you dip back in the 1950s, you may recount the play of Bob Kelley, not the former Flyer.

Quick pre-Christmas Quiz ... What was the Grinch’s dog’s name? Answer below.

By the Tape ... When thinking of tall players, I would be remiss not to mention former Eagles 6-8 wide receiver Harold Carmichael, whose height was ahead of his time. One Phillie that came to mind was 6-6 Ron Reed, the former Pistons’ player.

On the ice, you have to put on your thinking cap to remember 6-7 Hal Gill, who spent one year with the Flyers in 2013-14. There also was former goalie 6-7 Ivan Fedotov and 6-6 Chris Pronger, and 6-4 Eric Lindros.

Another Classic Game ... In 1974, Munro Games introduced “Up ‘N On Sports Center,” a game with boards for baseball, basketball, hockey, bowling, football, shuffle board, the Up ‘N On game and horseshoes. It came with nine roller pucks — four yellow, four red, and one blue.

To me, it’s a rarity, and a precursor to the pending video game explosion.

On the Big Screen ... In 1959, the movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was released. It starred James Mason and Pat Boone and was based on Jules Verne’s 1864 novel.

Some of you may recall the cartoon under the same title that aired on ABC Saturday mornings from 1967-69. It featured Professor Lindenbrook and his family racing to get to the center of the earth before villain Count Sacknussem.

Name That Tune ... Two songs that popped in my head about centers are “Stuck in the Middle with You,” by Stealers Wheel in 1972, and “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band in 1981.

Memory Lane ... Each column, I look back at a former player, coach, manager or game situation from our yesterday.

Who did the Sixers trade to get Wilt Chamberlain, and who did they get when they traded him? You get a double gold star if you know more than two of the players.

When the Sixers got him from San Francisco, they traded Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Schaffer and cash.

Sending him to the Lakers, the Sixers acquired Imhoff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers.

Imhoff and Clark are the most recognizable, and if you got any of the rest, you got out your Basketball Digest again.

Quick pre-Christmas quiz answer ... It was Max. Anyone have it?

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