Blake Griffin and the Top 10 Big Men in the NBA
In the NBA, it can be extremely hit or miss when it comes to the big guy on your team.
They are usually the most coveted players, because as the saying goes, you can't teach height.
Sometimes you get lucky and end up with a guy like Blake Griffin, but a lot of the time, you end up with a guy like Kwame Brown.
As it can be seen, great big men don't come too often, and not every team is able to have one.
Here, though, are the 11 best currently in the game.
Note:
For those of you who are returning readers, I have updated the list. I appreciate the debate that has been created in the comments, and it made me reconsider some of the positions of the players. Honorable mentions have been added to accommodate players that were absent, but were reasonably explained to deserve position on the list.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Bogut
1 of 14Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Stats: 12.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG and .525 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: None
Why
Andrew Bogut is a great player, but he has yet to stay healthy. The only reason Bogut makes this list and why he isn't higher than the others is because when he plays, he is great, but he just hasn't played enough. If he would stay healthy, perhaps he would be even higher.
The Milwaukee Bucks had their best shot in the playoffs during the 2009-10 season, but without Bogut, they were hopeless. The Bucks need Bogut to stay healthy, and so does Bogut to make his career memorable.
Honorable Mention II: Brook Lopez
2 of 14Team: New Jersey Nets
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG and .504 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: None
Why
Although there has been nothing much to say about the New Jersey Nets over the last few years, they always had Brook Lopez as a bright spot. Lopez has been one of the more consistent, but under the radar big men in the NBA. In 2008, he was a surprise runner up to Rookie of the Year to Derrick Rose. With a full season of Deron Williams, expect big things out of Lopez this coming season.
Honorable Mention III: Marc Gasol
3 of 14Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Stats: 12.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG and .545 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: None
Why
After being swapped for his brother Pau (don't worry, you will see him later), Marc Gasol has taken advantage of his new opportunity. Gasol has become the face of the Grizzlies, basically just carrying on the tradition of his big bro. Gasol may never reach the same level as his brother, but he has been as consistent as any could ask for.
11. Zach Randolph
4 of 14Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Stats: 20.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG and .474 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: One-time NBA All Star and NBA Most Improved Player (2004)
Why
Randolph has started to become a huge threat in the West. The combination of Randolph, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol have made the Memphis Grizzlies once again a dangerous team. Randolph is a unique big man, as he can find his shot from many spots on the court. He was arguably one the most important pieces to the Grizzlies season after Rudy Gay went down, and was their main man for the playoff run during the 2011 NBA Playoffs.
10. Kevin Love
5 of 14Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Stats: 15.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG and .461 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Most Improved Player and All Star
Why
Kevin Love has been the most consistent piece to the Wolve's over the last three seasons. After they lost Kevin Garnett, Love entered and replaced the popular power forward. Kevin Love had a streak of 53 straight double-doubles. Love has yet to take the Wolves to the playoffs, but perhaps they are getting close.
9. Joakim Noah
6 of 14Team: Chicago Bulls
Stats: 8.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and .516 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: None
Why
His career numbers don't show it, but Noah has been a double-double machine the last two seasons. In 2009-10, Noah averaged 12.8 PPG and 13.2 RPG. He matched his points per game in 2010-11, but his rebounds fell to 11.4 per game. Injuries have slowed down Noah, but when he is out there, he is a beast on the glass.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge
7 of 14Team: Portland Trailblazers
Stats: 17.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG and .492 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: None
Why
LaMarcus Aldridge has taken the fall of Greg Oden. The Blazers were hoping for big things when they drafted Oden after they already had Aldridge, but Oden has yet to stay healthy. Aldridge, in the meantime, has carried the front court in Portland while players like Brandon Roy have been out. In the playoffs, Aldridge has averaged 19.8 PPG.
7. Kevin Garnett
8 of 14Team: Boston Celtics
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG and .498 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: NBA Champion, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and 14-time All Star
Why
Kevin Garnett is not the same player he was five years ago, but he is still one of the best. Garnett is heading towards the end of his career, but he still could start on just about any team in the NBA. After many personally great seasons in Minnesota (yes, they made the playoffs a few times), Garnett didn't fulfill team success until he won a NBA Championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. Garnett has had a hall of fame career, and that alone deserves a spot on this list.
6. Chris Bosh
9 of 14Team: Miami Heat
Stats: 20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG and .493 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Six-time NBA All Star
Why
Chris Bosh may be the "little" man within the Big Three, but he has always been a threat down low and has a pretty nice jumper, too. Bosh struggled to get it going with LeBron and Wade for the first part of the season, but towards the end, he started to find his groove. There are still question marks regarding how these three will work together next season, but a trip to the NBA Finals in their year says a lot. Bosh's numbers went down with Miami, but I'd expect to see him become more effective next season.
5. Pau Gasol
10 of 14Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Stats: 18.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG and .522 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Two-time NBA Champion and four-time NBA All Star
Why
Pau Gasol was the face of the Memphis Grizzlies for six seasons. After the Grizzlies figured they'd best get some value for their star power forward, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers to become Kobe Bryant's new "Robin." Gasol has proven to be a consistent piece to both teams he played for, and is arguably one of the best international players of all time. Gasol and the Lakers won two championships in a row, and they hope to add more with new coach Mike Brown.
4. Blake Griffin
11 of 14Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Stats: 22.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG and .502 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Rookie of the Year and one-time All Star
Why
Blake Griffin may have missed his official rookie year, but he sure made an impact in his first season. Griffin won the ROY award and also was named to the All Star team as a rookie. Griffin may only have one season under his belt, but he is perhaps one of the most dangerous players down low on offense and defense. It will be exciting to watch Griffin in this coming season, as 2010-11 was just a preview of what this kid has coming to us.
3. Amare Stoudemire
12 of 14Team: New York Knicks
Stats: 21.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG and .537 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Rookie of the Year and six-time NBA All-Star
Why
Stoudemire had a career scare a few years back when he had micro fracture surgery. While players like Tracy McGrady and Greg Oden have never returned to form, Stoudemire has made a strong return. With the New York Knicks, Stoudemire carried the Knicks for the first half of the season until they traded for Carmelo Anthony. Stoudemire will be as strong as the rest for many years to come.
2. Dirk Nowitzki
13 of 14Team: Dallas Mavericks
Stats: 23.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG and .476 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, NBA MVP and 10-Time NBA All-Star
Why
Nowitzki finally got what he deserved. After 12 seasons, many making deep playoff runs, Dirk finally won his first NBA Championship. Nowitzki is not only one of the best post players in the NBA, but he also has a great shot. No one can hate Dirk, as he is a great talent and a great personality for the NBA and its international exposure. Dirk has been around for 13 years, but he just never seems to lose any ability.
1. Dwight Howard
14 of 14Team: Orlando Magic
Stats: 18.2 PPG, 12.9 RPG and .578 Field Goal Percentage
Awards: Five-time NBA All Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year
Why
Dwight Howard is the most dangerous player in the league. He can score at will down low, and he has the strength to get by players on the offensive and defensive boards. Howard has yet to win an MVP, but he certainly has made an argument for why he should win one in the near future. Whether Howard stays in Orlando or goes somewhere else, he will continue to dominate the front court of the NBA for many, many years.
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