Slam it Down, Big Man, Slam it Down!: Top Five Centers in the NBA
Finding true centers in the NBA is getting harder by the day. The blame should be targeted partly at the college game but the European influences has also played a factor in the dying breeds of true center.
A true center should be able to play in the post, usually with their back to the basket. They should be able to control the paint (they don't have to be dominant) on offense and defense. Rebounding is crucial and if your center can block shots, that's an added plus.
Many fans would tell you that they missed the old rivalries between centers. There was Bill Russell vs Wilt or Ewing vs. Olajuwon. Those were some legendary battles but you won't see that type of rivalry in the NBA today.
It's unfortunate that the NBA has become more perimeter oriented but there still are some pretty good centers. Here is the list of the top 5 centers in the NBA today.
5. Chris Kaman
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Kaman doesn't get a lot of attention because he plays for the cursed Clippers. It's unfortunate because the guy is a great center when healthy. He is one of the rare back to the basket type of players. Kaman does have a decent jump shot but does most of his damage in the paint.
He can rebound efficiently and is a decent shot blocker. Kaman averaged around 18 points and a little over 9 rebounds a game last season. I believe he made his first All-star game last season (as a injury reserve) and it was well deserved. He had a fantastic season last year for the Clippers and if Kaman continues to stay healthy, he'll form a nice duo with Blake Griffin.
4. Andrew Bogut
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Andrew Bogut is another underrated center that many fans don't get to see on a nightly basis. He plays for a small market team in the Bucks, and while the guy isn't completely polished on the offensive end, he more than makes it up on the defensive end.
The Bucks really missed Bogut's presence in the paint when they faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs last season. He's a fantastic shot blocker and rebounder. His offense game isn't great but it has definitely improved since his rookie season.
He average around 16 points and a little over 10 boards a game last season. The biggest issue in the last couple of years has been his health. In 2008, he only played in 36 games and while he played in 69 games last season, he still missed the playoffs with a freak injury. Hopefully Bogut will stay healthy for the rest of his career because if he does, the 7 footer has great promise.
3. Brook Lopez
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While Lopez has an efficient mid range shot, he can play with his back to the basket as well. This young 7 footer is very skilled. He can play in the low post and has a couple of consistent post moves. Lopez can hit hook shots, perform up and unders, and shoot from the post. He's a decent passer and solid shot blocker.
Lopez isn't the best defender but he's still so young, that you can't imagine he won't improve in that area. He had a great statistical season and might have deserved all-star consideration, but the Nets were just awful last season. Once the Nets improve in the win column, then that's when Lopez will receive all the recognition that he definitely deserves.
2. Andrew Bynum
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Andrew Bynum is one of the most frustrating and talented players in the NBA today. The young 7 footer has an array of post up moves. He can perform up and unders, hook shots with both hands, spin offs, etc. He can be lackluster in the rebounding department but I think that's more so because of Gasol and Odom's presence.
Defensively, Bynum can frustrate players with his shot blocking but he hasn't been consistent in that area of his game. Before Gasol arrived, Bynum was a terror on the defensive end but his improvement in that area of his game has slowed down.
What worries Laker fans the most is Bynum's constant injuries. He suffers injury after injury, especially to the knee area and you have to wonder if he'll ever be completely healthy. Even on a stacked Lakers team last year, Bynum still averaged around 15 points and close to 9 rebounds a game. As a third and sometimes fourth option, those are some impressive stats.
As long as Bynum stays healthy, he should continue to improve his overall game and the 7 footer might one day reach his limitless potential.
1. Dwight Howard
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Do I really need to explain? Howard is the best defensive center in the game. His offense game needs work (What does this guy do in the summer?) but he's so far ahead defensively, that there's no way he isn't number one on this list.
Howard is a fantastic rebounder and shot blocker. He's almost unstoppable near the rim area and can dunk the ball with the best of them. Howard does need to develop some consistent post moves to be truly dominant but I doubt that will happen. Analysts always say that Howard is still young and that eventually he'll learn some post moves, but he just doesn't have the footwork to be dominant in post.
Even if he doesn't learn any post moves, his play now has helped the Magic become one of the primer teams in the NBA.
