The Top 10 Centers In The NBA
The point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards are done, so it's time for the centers. As usual, there will be some honorable mentions before the top 10 list begins. Without further ado, here are the top 10 centers in the NBA today.
Honorable Mentions
Jarrett Allen, CLE
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
Rudy Gobert, MIN
10: Myles Turner, IND, Age: 28
Myles Turner continues to be a vital piece of the Indiana Pacers and that will continue to be the case. Turner became one of the NBA's elite shot blockers a few years after entering the league, but his offensive game continues to improve. He is a good shooter for a big man and his last two seasons have been his best based on points per game.
Stats: 77 G, 17.1 Pts, 6.9 Reb, 1.3 Ast, 1.9 Blk, 52.4% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 77.3% FT
Playoffs: 17 G, 17.0 Pts, 6.6 Reb, 2.1 Ast, 1.5 Blk, 51.7% FG, 45.3% 3PT, 76.0% FT
Accolades: 2x Block Leader
9: Kristaps Porzingis, BOS, Age: 28
Kristaps Porzingis loves to shoot the ball, whether he's operating in the mid-range area or beyond the three-point line. He was a perfect pickup by the Celtics and he helped greatly in their title run even if he dealt with injuries in the playoffs. Porzingis is a good interior defender and shot blocker. He's also a smart player, often taking advantage of switches and shooting over the top of smaller defenders.
Stats: 57 G, 20.1 Pts, 7.2 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 1.9 Blk, 51.6% FG, 37.5% 3PT, 85.8% FT
Playoffs: 7 G, 12.3 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 1.1 Ast, 1.6 Blk, 46.7% FG, 34.5% 3PT, 90.9% FT
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x NBA Champ
8: Chet Holmgren, OKC, Age: 22
Chet Holmgren has already established himself as one of the best shot blockers in the NBA and he fits perfectly with the young Oklahoma City Thunder team. Holmgren also has the potential to be the best three-point shooting big man in the league. It was great to see him appear in all 82 games after missing the entirety of his first year. Holmgren and the Thunder have a bright future ahead of them.
Stats: 82 G, 16.5 Pts, 7.9 Reb, 2.4 Ast, 2.3 Blk, 53.0% FG, 37.0% 3PT, 79.3% FT
Playoffs: 10 G, 15.6 Pts, 7.2 Reb, 2.1 Ast, 2.5 Blk, 49.6% FG, 26.0% 3PT, 75.8% FT
Accolades: N/A
7: Alperen Sengun, HOU, Age: 21
Alperen Sengun has improved immensely over the first three seasons of his career and finished in third place for the Most Improved Player award this year. Sengun is a great offensive weapon who uses a variety of moves to score and is also one of the best passing big men in the NBA. If Sengun can improve his defense, he may very well enter into top five arguments within a few years.
Stats: 63 G, 21.1 Pts, 9.3 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 53.7% FG, 29.7% 3PT, 69.3% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: N/A
6: Domantas Sabonis, SAC, Age: 28
Domantas Sabonis is one of the best offensive players in the league, he is an elite post player and is the second best big man passer behind Nikola Jokic. Sabonis led the league in double-doubles and triple-doubles this year thanks to his elite passing and rebounding. The Kings just added DeMar DeRozan, which will give Sabonis many more opportunities for assists. He may be a threat to average a triple double next season.
Stats: 82 G, 19.4 Pts, 13.7 Reb, 8.2 Ast, 59.4% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 70.4% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 2x Rebound Leader
5: Bam Adebayo, MIA, Age: 26
Bam Adebayo is one of the best defenders in the NBA and it's hard to believe he hasn't won Defensive Player of the Year yet. He can truly guard any position on the court because of his instincts, versatility, and athleticism. Adebayo is great on offense as well, he can handle the ball, knock down the mid-range and is a great lob threat. He has always been a good passer as well, which shows his versatility.
Stats: 71 G, 19.3 Pts, 10.4 Reb, 3.9 Ast, 52.1% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 75.5% FT
Playoffs: 5 G, 22.6 Pts, 9.4 Reb, 3.8 Ast, 49.5% FG, 20.0% 3PT, 71.4% FT
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 5x All-Defense
4: Victor Wembanyama, SAS, Age: 20
Victor Wembanyama's rookie year was unbelievable to watch, he was runner-up in the Defensive Player of the Year race and showed his generational ability. Wembanyama is great near the basket and is going to be an excellent shooter once he becomes more consistent with it. The Spurs are trending in the right direction and it's only a matter of time before Wembanyama is argued as the best player in the world.
Stats: 71 G, 21.4 Pts, 10.6 Reb, 3.9 Ast, 3.6 Blk, 46.5% FG, 32.5% 3PT, 79.6% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, 1x All-Defense, 1x Block Leader
3: Anthony Davis, LAL, Age: 31
Anthony Davis has been a top player in the NBA for around a decade and it will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future. Davis is one of the best defenders in NBA history and is a dominant scorer when he has the ball. Davis has had some injury problems over his career but he just played 76 games, which is great. He is another guy who should have a Defensive Player of the Year to his name.
Stats: 76 G, 24.7 Pts, 12.6 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 2.3 Blk, 55.6% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 81.6% FT
Playoffs: 5 G, 27.8 Pts, 15.6 Reb, 4.0 Ast, 1.6 Blk, 63.4% FG, 80.8% FT
Accolades: 9x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 3x Block Leader, 1x NBA Champ, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
2: Joel Embiid, PHI, Age: 30
Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history and he was headed for back-to-back MVP wins this year before his injury. Embiid has all the ability to be the best player in the NBA, but his injuries and playoff struggles have prevented that. He is a true three-level-scorer and is one of the best defenders in the NBA. The only thing Embiid needs to cement himself as one of the greatest players ever, is an NBA Finals victory.
Stats: 39 G, 34.7 Pts, 11.0 Reb, 5.6 Ast, 52.9% FG, 38.8% 3PT, 88.3% FT
Playoffs: 6 G, 33.0 Pts, 10.8 Reb, 5.7 Ast, 44.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 85.9% FT
Accolades: 1x MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Title, 3x All-Defense
1: Nikola Jokić, DEN, Age: 29
No surprise here, Nikola Jokić is still the best center in the NBA. He is one of the best offensive players the NBA has ever seen due to his three-level-scoring ability and his passing. Jokić is not only the best passing big man ever, but he's one of the best passers of all time period. Jokić and the Nuggets will be at the top of the Western Conference for several more years.
Stats: 79 G, 26.4 Pts, 12.4 Reb, 9.0 Ast, 58.3% FG, 35.9% 3PT, 81.7% FT
Playoffs: 12 G, 28.7 Pts, 13.4 Reb, 8.7 Ast, 54.5% FG, 26.4% 3PT, 90.1% FT
Accolades: 3x MVP, 6x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, 1x WCF MVP, 1x NBA Champ, 1x Finals MVP
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