Erick Blasco's Top 30 NBA Centers

If Rasheed Wallace wanted to, he could easily be number one on this list. His post moves and reverse-pivot counters are infinitely more advanced than anything Ming or Howard can put up in the low post.

He has range out to the three-point line. He’s a physical rebounder and screen-setter who can also handle some and pass. He’s an elite defender, both on-ball and on help.

Too bad he’s a coward who prefers to wallow aimlessly at the three-point line, and blames others (teammates, coaches, referees) for his shortcomings.

4) Tyson Chandler—New Orleans Hornets

Sure, his only offensive moves include dunks and tip-ins, but his defensive skills and athleticism are second-to-none.

The best all-around defensive center in the game, Chandler can guard the post, block a shot from the weak side, and even hang on the perimeter against big men with face-up skills.

Chandler is also smart enough to know when to set screens, and when to slip them and catch Chris Paul’s lob passes for dunks. He changes games with his defense and his athleticism alone.

5) Zydrunas Ilgauskas—Cleveland Cavaliers

Ilgauskas’ massive frame and long wingspan make him an elite post defender and rebounder, even against players with quicker first steps and first jumps. Zyggy Il also features a feathery jumper and an array of nifty hooks, turnarounds, and reverse pivot fadeaways with his back to the basket.

Unfortunately for Cavs fans, injuries have wrecked his feet, and Ilguaskas is a challenger for slowest player in the league. And while his post-up game is refined, it isn’t really potent.

Still, his power defense has been one of the main components to Cleveland’s exceptional defensive squads the last handful of seasons.

6) Shaquille O’Neal—Phoenix Suns

Shaq’s proven that he can still score around the basket with tremendous success, bang with slower players in the post, and take up space in the paint—which by itself is an effective form of defense.

As always, any opponent who can turn-and-face, and any screen/rolls targeting the Big Diesel will undoubtedly result in open shots. The difference was that in the past, teams could live with the tradeoff, since Shaq was single-handedly decimating opposing frontlines.

If not for the inconsistencies, the question marks, and the downright lack of prolific centers below Shaq on the list, he’d probably be farther down.

7) Andrew Bynum—Los Angeles Lakers

Bynum has a blooming right handed sky-hook, and a duck-under counter going back to his left, but all his post moves are predicated on finesse. He’s too small to be an effective screen-setter, though he’ll slip and cut with the best of them.

On defense, he’s frail and easily confused, traits that should gradually improve with age. Boxing out is another aspect Bynum hasn’t grasped yet.

What Bynum does have is valley upon valley of untapped athleticism, and the speed and agility to succeed off the ball in the triangle. He’s still a work in progress—albeit a talented one.

8) Al Jefferson—Minnesota Timberwolves

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