Breaking Down the Big Men: The Top 5 Centers in the NBA Today

Contributor Written on August 07, 2009

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OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 15: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on March 15, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

In the NBA today people always seem to give allot of credit to the guards of the game. Yet they seem to always forget the "bigs". The guys that are going to open up the opponents defense, the guys that are going to get those hard to get rebounds and feed the guards. The guys that are the focal point of your interior defense. This is a slide show breaking down the best big men. Though there are many bigs there are only a handful that get it done consistently and on a high level.

5. Shaquille O'Neal

30 Jan 2002: Close up of center Shaquille O''Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers. The picture was taken during the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at the TD Waterhouse in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers defeated the Magic 111-93. NOTE TO USER: User expr

Not a star anymore by any means Shaq is still one of the best. Last year he was a constant double-double machine. He can still score well and he rebounds like no other. Not to mention he is a very gritty defender, you have one of the best big men in the game. (Not to mention history).

4. Yao Ming

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets moves the ball against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 6, 2009 in Los Angeles,

As much as I hate it, I had to much Yao on this list. Though he is very good, in fact he is probably a top 3 center in the game, the guy can't stay healthy. I have a hard time putting a player who seems to miss half a season every year in the top 5. With his enormous 7'6 frame Yao is a force on both ends of the court. He can shoot, he can rebound and he can play some awesome "D". The only problem with Yao is his durability.

3. Tim Duncan

DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.

Very controversial, Tim Duncan is seen more as a 4 than an actual 5. Yet because San Antonio has no legit 5 Duncan has to act like one. Arguably one of the best player of all time this player gets it done every way. He is consistent, not very injury prone and can be the focal point of an offense.

2. Amare Stoudemire

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 8: Chris Wilcox #54 of the Seattle SuperSonics posts against Amare' Stoudemire #1 of the Phoenix Suns on February 8, 2008 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

One of the few elite players in the game Amare is one of the best scoring 5's in the game. He can score from anywhere in the paint and every way. He can shoot the hook, the jumper, and oh boy he sure can dunk. To say he isn't a top 3 big man would be an insult.

1. Dwight Howard

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media after the Magic lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86. NOTE TO USER

Who else? dwight is young and in his prime. He is the leader of his team and has been putting up elite caliber numbers for a few years now. Dwight Howard is the poster child for centers in the league today.

Begin Slideshow

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