NBA's Five Best Centers

This is a list of the five best centers in the NBA, entering the 2009-2010 season, along with some honorable mentions.

I hope you enjoy it, and I would like you to comment on who's too high or too low on the list in your opinion. I will also be writing a list of the twenty-five best players in the league within the next few days.

5 - Nene

Nene had a huge bounce back season last year as he was healthy for the first time since the 2003-2004 season.

He averaged 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in 32.6 minutes per game. He also shot 60.4% from the field and 72.3% from the free throw line.

He was one of the big reasons why the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals as he not only replaced Marcus Camby, but actually was more productive than he was. He is also still getting better as he is only 26 years old.

4- Brook Lopez

Lopez was arguably the best rookie last season besides Derrick Rose.

On a bad Nets team, he averaged 13 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.9 blocks per game in 30.5 minutes per game. He was also efficient as he shot 53.1% from the field and 79.3% from the free throw line.

He showed the ability to become a go to low post player very soon as he is only 21 years old as well as becoming an excellent defensive presence in the middle with his fantastic shot blocking ability. Finally, he is also an above average low post and one on one defender.

3 - Andrew Bynum

Even though Bynum has missed a lot of time during the past two seasons, he is still good enough to be this high on the list.

Last season, he averaged 14.3 points, 8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks while averaging only 29 minutes per game. He also shot a fantastic 56% from the field and 70.7% from the free throw line.

Bynum has the ability to be great at both ends of the floor as he has a solid offensive game in the post and is a solid free throw shooter for a center and he is a fantastic force in the middle defensively as he is a very good shot blocker.

Finally, if he could stay healthy he will become a multiple time all star as he is still only 21 years old.

2 - Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq is still one of the league's best centers as he proved last season he still has a lot left in the tank.

Last season, he averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game in 30 minutes per game. He also shot a great 61% from the field and a poor 59.5% from the free throw line.

He still commands a double team sometimes as there are still only a few players in the league who can effectively defend him one on one.

Finally, he is now only average defensively as he isn't a good enough shot blocker to make up for his poor pick n roll defense.

1 - Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is without a doubt the best big man in the league as he is great offensively and dominant defensively.

Last season, he averaged 20.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steals and 2.9 blocks per game. He also shoots 57.2% from the field and 59.4% from the free throw line.

Dwight is also arguably the best defensive player in the league as he led the league in both rebounding and shot blocking and his Magic were the best defensive team in the league last year due to his great presence in the middle.

Finally, he is still getting better and he never gets injured as he missed only three games in his career so far.

Honorable Mentions

Al Horford

Emeka Okafor

Mehmet Okur

Andris Biedrins

Kendrick Perkins