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DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F

Top 10 Centers in the NBA

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The final list... There were a lot of guys who didn't make it because of injuries.

 

As always, criticisms, and your own lists are welcomed.

 

12. Nikola Pekovic

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17.5 PPG/ 8.7 RPG/ .4 BPG

20.7 PER/ 58% TS/ 15.3 REBR/ 13.1 ORR/ 17.6 DRR

 

Why he isn’t in the top 10:

Pekovic is very strong, and knows how to use it for his advantage down low. He’s great at playing bully ball, and allows him to put up 17 PPG on great efficiency. He creates his own offense. Which is a plus in today’s NBA with the amount of players incapable of doing so at the center position. He’s also a very gritty rebounder and pick and roll man. He’s a terrible passer though, and his defense is very lacking. He shies away from guys on defense, and doesn't give you anything in terms of rim protection.

 

11. Andrew Bogut

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10.0 PPG/ 13.7 RPG/ 1.7 AST/ 1.8 BPG

17.0 PER/ 61% TS/ 20.7 REBR/ 11.4 ORR/ 29.7 DRR

 

Why he’s not in the top 10:

Bogut does a ton of good work on defense. One of the most underrated players in the NBA in that area. He is probably the biggest reason why GSW had one of the better defenses in the NBA. He’s a defensive specialist, and a great rim protector. Without him in the game you could see a real difference in the team, and how they operated. He is also a hell of a rebounder from the center position. The reason he doesn't make it any higher is the same reason a lot of guys didn't make it. He’s very one dimensional. Doesn't give you much on offense. He’s efficient, but that’s about it. He can’t pass well out of the post, or out of double teams. He also struggles to stay healthy. And while that's not really his fault, it is holding him back.

10. Andre Drummond

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13.5 PPG/ 13.2 RPG/ .4 AST/ 1.2 STLs/ 1.6 BPG

22.6 PER/ 60% TS/ 22.3 REBR/ 17.5 ORR/ 27.7 DRR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

Drummond was probably the best rebounder in the NBA last year, and as it stands now has an argument for being the best overall and best offensive rebounder (highest rate in the league by 3 points) in the NBA, period. He grabs offensive boards at a ridiculous rate, and there are games where he seems to be competing against himself for boards. From the outside looking in, it may seem like all of his points are garbage points, but you’d be wrong. He’s a great pick and roll finisher, and has developed great touch around the rim and he is developing a pretty decent post game. He upped his attempts per game, and per minutes, while still managing to increase his percentages finishing at a great rate around the rim. As his role on offense increases, he’ll just keep rising along with it. He’s also probably the best athlete at center in the NBA, and can move around like a guard which helps him play well in iso and on ball situations.

 

Why he isn’t higher:

Defensively, Drummond is like any other young talented big man, in that while he has shown flashes of dominance on that side of the ball, he’s still learning the ins and outs. His anticipation can be lacking at times, doesn’t have a strong understanding of working the pick and roll, and his rotations aren’t the best. He plays very undisciplined on defense, often causing goaltending, and not being in position for guys cutting into the lane. Offensively Drummond is still learning the game as well. He has improved at creating his own shot, but that’s still a work in progress. He also struggles massively as a passer. Finally, his free throw percentage, and ability from the line are just… Brutal.

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9. DeAndre Jordan

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10.4 PPG/ 13.6 RPG/ .9 AST/ 2.5 BPG

18.2 PER/ 63% TS/ 21.6 REBR/ 13.3 ORR/ 29.3

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

This spot was almost given to Drummond, then almost given to Hibbert, but I decided to give it to Jordan. Unlike Hibbert who scores almost the same amount of points, and gives you almost the same in terms of points, Jordan is way more efficient with his points. Neither one of them are capable of creating their own offenses, but I’ll take Jordan getting his off of assists and in transition over Hibbert struggling to score 10 points on a decent amount of attempts. Jordan is also a far better rebounder, mostly due to being a lot more athletic and more explosive in the lower body. He was the league leader in rebounds last year, and even while competing with Blake for the board managed to grab a high amount of rebounds. Defensively, under the tutelage of Doc Rivers and the on field coaching of CP# a lot of the things Jordan struggled with in the past, he no longer struggles with today. He’s become a lot better at handling rotations, he’s no longer late to them and he’s become adapt at handling on ball situations.

 

Why he isn’t higher:

Extremely limited offense, to the point where the only way he’s impacting that side of the ball are his efficient 10 points a game. He can’t pass to save his life, nor does he have a great understanding of the passing game. He also still kinda struggles with versatile centers who are active, and can move around, which really shouldn’t be the case with his explosiveness.

 

8. Pau Gasol

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17.4 PPG/ 9.7 RPG/ 3.4 AST/ 1.5 BPG

19.3 PER/ 52% TS/ 16.4 REBR/ 25.9 DRR/ 7.0 ORR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

Gasol has a great fundamental game that he can always fall back on when he struggles, like he did to start off the season. He can score from all over inside the paint, with one of the best mid-range jumpers for a big man and great moves with his back to the basket. He is capable of creating his offense, and unlike a lot of big men, he is a great passer, and very savvy, capable of passing the ball out of double teams and the post. He is a great defensive rebounder, and has shown a lot of ability on that side of the ball on the boards.

 

Why he isn’t higher:

Gasol can be pretty weak on defense. Outside of being able to handle the basic assignments, he has shown the tendency to struggle when asked to do too much, and has been abused by some of the quicker big men. He also doesn’t give you much on the offensive glass. Gasol probably won’t get any better at this point in his career, but even at this point, he is better than a lot of the big men in the league.

 

7. Chris Bosh

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16.2 PPG/ 6.6 RPG/ 1.1 AST/ 1.0 BPG

19.0 PER/ 60% TS/ 13 REBR/ 5.1 ORR/ 20.3 DRR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

Bosh is a PF at heart, but at this point, it’s pretty obvious that he is a center now in the NBA by default of the roster he plays in, and the type of offense it is. Bosh has shown the ability last season to be a third or a second fiddle to whoever the #1 or the #1 and 2 are in Miami’s offense. He’s developed a pretty good outside jumper that now extends to the three point line. In fact, last year Bosh was an elite shooter from the midrange area, and from the left corner of the 3 point line and center. The shooting game he’s developed has really allowed for the Heat’s offense to explode, and gives him another dimension for opposing defensive players to worry about when playing against him. Bosh is also extremely smart and savvy on the defensive side of the ball, which helps him be great against pick and roll situations. His mobility and athleticism also allows him to play up on ball pretty well.

 

Why he isn’t higher:

Bosh doesn’t give you much as a rim protector, which is a must for the position he plays. He also isn’t a great rebounder, which is pretty amazing considering his size, and explosiveness. Bosh has really been forced into the role of a garbage man when LBJ was still in Miami because of the amount of usage that he and Wade required. Should be interesting to see what he does now that he’s back to being a centerpiece on that team.

 

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Hopefully Bosh goes back to the PF position in the new look Miami team.

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Yea, should be interesting to see how much center he plays this upcoming season. I'll probably finish this today. Last three later tonight.

 

 

6. Tim Duncan

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15.1 PPG/ 9.7 RPG/ 3.0 AST/ 1.9 BPG

21.3 PER/ 54% TS/ 18.8 REBR/ 8.6 ORR/ 28.3 DRR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

Duncan is probably the most complete player on this list. His usage and minutes have gone down, but he is still a valuable part of the Spurs team and he continues to show it. We all know about his deadly mid range game, and his ability to score from anywhere within the 3 point line. He’s also gives you the total package outside of scoring on offense. Sets picks well, grabs a lot of offensive boards, and is a great/savvy passer from the paint and out of double teams. He is also a great defensive player, even at his age. He isn’t as quick laterally as he was before which somewhat limits his role on defense, bt we see him shutting down guys all the time. It’s pretty incredible to think that despite his age, and time, Duncan continues to play at an elite level.

 

Why he’s not higher:

There really aren’t many aspects of Duncan’s game to be critical of. He doesn’t play as much anymore, so unlike the others on this list, he gets a lot of rest. But overall, there aren’t any issues with his game. Why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.

 

5. Al Jefferson

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21.8 PPG/ 10.8 RPG/ 2.1 AST/ 1.1 BPG

22.7 PER/ 53% TS/ 17.5 REBR/ 6.9 ORR/ 28.3 DRR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

Jefferson can be unstoppable from the left block. He is one of those old school guys who are capable of backing up any guy regardless of size or athletic ability. With his back to the basket, he’s got multiple ways to beat guys either with taking it up to the basket, finishing around it, or passing. He is good enough down there that teams have to respect him, drawing a lot of attention and giving space for others to get into the lane. He also has a pretty decent jumper from the midrange area on the corner right and left side. He’s also always been a pretty good rebounder, but last season he took up to another level. There were many times where he was carrying Charlotte.

 

Why he’s not higher:

Jefferson’s offense, while important, tends to be a bit inefficient at times, because he tends to be a black hole when his offense isn’t working. Taking excessive shots instead of deflecting to someone else. The other area where he’s never been any good, but in the past he was a liability. He has managed to improve on his defense, but it’s still far from any good. He gives you nothing in rim protection, and he gives you even less in rotations and overall off ball defense.

 

4. Joakim Noah

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12.6 PPG/ 11.3 RPG/ 5.4 AST/ 1.5 BPG

20.0 PER/ 53% TS/ 18.2 REBR/ 11.6 ORR/ 24.5 DRR

 

Why he’s in the top 10:

In many ways, last year was a breakout year for Noah. With the amount of losses (depth wise) the Bulls endured throughout the season, he was looked upon to take a lot of responsibilities on both sides of the ball. He averaged almost 7 assists per game when Deng left, and before that he was averaging over 5 assists a game. His assist rate last year sits at 27%, the closest starting center to him is Marc Gasol, who happens to be almost 10 points worse. He is also one of the better rebounding big men in the league. Where Noah makes his money however is on the defensive side of the game, where he is exactly the kind of player Tom Thibodeau needs. Giving you great on ball, off ball defense and very good rim protection. If advanced stats are your thing, he led the league in both defensive rating, and defensive win shares. Which speaks volumes of the many ways he works on defense. You won’t find a player with more heart, hustle, and determination to win then Noah. In a league where the superstars tend to be divas, Noah is very different. Willing to do the dirty work, and excels at it.

 

Why he isn’t higher:

ATL is going to hate me for this, but Noah has many shortcomings that prevents me from putting him any higher. For starters, on offense he is extremely limited because he doesn’t give you much else outside of his passing due to terrible shot. Even his passing numbers, while impressive were inflated and aren’t indicative of his abilities as a shot creator, but more of a stagnant offense that relied on him camping on the high post and waiting for someone to get open, and feeding him the ball. His rim protection, while pretty good, is not elite. In fact, watching him play, he does a lot of things well, but I don’t really think any part of his game is elite. Even on defense, perhaps it’s because he exerts so much energy on that side, but there are occasions where he will be late on rotations, and occasionally giving up open jumpers. His defensive RPM is also very unimpressive for someone who is supposed to have a defensive player of the year type of impact. None of this is really all that big of a deal, but the guys who make up the top 3 are in their own tier.

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Marc and Dwight are obvious, but unless I'm just tired and can't think of who the third guy is, I think it's up in the air for 3 or 4 dudes.

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Hibbert is the third guy,I guess.

 

Where would you put Horford and Gortat?

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I honestly don't think it's Hibbert. I'm actually wondering if it's Horford, DMC, or Brook.

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Hibbert is the third guy,I guess.

Where would you put Horford and Gortat?

Horford and Lopez weren't healthy enough to make the list.

 

With Gortat, I messed up. I probably would of put him ahead of Drummond now that I think about it. I've never been the biggest fan of his defense, but he certainly gives you more then Drummond right now.

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I knew it wasn't Hibbert. Glad to see somebody acknowledge DMC. That, and it really isn't close between Dwight and the rest, right now. Nobody dominates both sides of the floor like that at the center position. All this talk about Joakim Noah being a better player was downright hilarious. Thank you, DMac, for being a true basketball mind. I'd love to post my own lists, but you do it so damn well, what's the point?

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I got laughed at when I said Cousins will be the best Center in the league this year. I think he will keep getting better.

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I got laughed at when I said Cousins will be the best Center in the league this year. I think he will keep getting better.

 

Well, it's going to be funny until he dominates the defensive side, too. He could be the best, pretty soon, but I really doubt it. Dwight is a generational talent.

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Yea I'd have to say right now, its pretty much Howard in a tier, then the two guys in a tier below him. But Boogie is great defense away from surpassing him.

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