Ranking the Best Centers in the NBA

Once it’s all said and done, Nikola Jokic may go down as the premier passing Center in the history of the NBA. He is one of the best passers in the game today and edges out Joel Embiid for the right to be considered the best Center in the league due to his high level of consistency. Nuggets fans have become accustomed to the Serbian big man putting up a 20-10-7 stat line on a nightly basis.

His massive size helps him control the paint, while his smooth shooting touch and passing ability make him tough to guard on the perimeter. At 24 years old and already a two-time All-Star, the Joker is looking to build off Denver’s 2019 WCF appearance and lead something special in the Mile High City alongside promising young talent Jamal Murray.

Joel Embiid has the potential to be the best basketball player on any given night he steps on the court. The issue is that he hasn’t played at that high level on a consistent basis. After missing his first two seasons with foot injuries, Embiid made an immediate impact in the 2016-17 season, averaging 20 PPG, 8 RPG, and 2.5 BPG in a scarce 31 games.

He can score in the post, shoot from the perimeter, and block anybody who tries to score in the paint. Embiid has the foundation to be one of the greatest Centers ever, but he must start performing consistently and efficiently in order to be acknowledged as such.

Putting up 49 points on 70.8% shooting and 14 rebounds is excellent. But being responsible for 17 points on 29.4% shooting to go with 11 rebounds is what needs to change. Those were his last two full games before missing two weeks prior to the season suspension. Developing his conditioning (30.2 MPG) and focus on a nightly basis will help him reach his Hakeem Olajuwon-type ceiling and complete the process in Philadelphia.

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best young stars in the league today. The first overall pick in the 2015 draft is a highly efficient scorer as he averaged 26.5 PPG on 50% FG, 41% 3P, and 80% FT this season. Excluding this year, Towns has been very durable as well, as he played in all 82 games his first three years in the league, and played in 77 games his fourth year.

He is a versatile Center, as shown by his well-balanced production – 11 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.2 BPG this season. KAT is the best player on one of the worst teams in the league (19-45) and is eager to get Minnesota more wins with new running mate D’Angelo Russell. As his team starts winning, he’ll be more recognized as the best Center in the NBA.

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Rudy Gobert has not averaged below two blocks per game since his rookie season (0.9). His spectacular defensive prowess has earned him two consecutive DPOY awards (2017-18 & 2018-19) and he’s in the running for a third this year. Although not known for his scoring ability in any capacity, Gobert has made a drastic improvement in that category from his first season (2.3 PPG) to now (15.1 PPG).

He also led the league in FG% last season (67%) and is second all-time in career FG% at 64%. The Stifle Tower is one of the best Centers in the league but his scoring deficiencies and lack of versatility prevent him from ranking higher on this list.

Andre Drummond has flown under the radar in the league the last seven years because he excels in an area which is the most underrated component of basketball – rebounding. He was leading the NBA in rebounding this season (15.2 RPG) and has already done so three times in his career (2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19). Drummond is also seventh all-time in RPG in NBA history (13.8).

Although Drummond is an expert at rebounding, his scoring isn’t near an elite level (17.7 PPG) and he doesn’t contribute much from a playmaking perspective (2.7 APG). If he can improve his offensive skillset, Drummond could help make the Cleveland Cavaliers a relevant team again and cement himself as a prominent Center going forward.

Once it’s all said and done, Nikola Jokic may go down as the premier passing Center in the history of the NBA. He is one of the best passers in the game today and edges out Joel Embiid for the right to be considered the best Center in the league due to his high level of consistency. Nuggets fans have become accustomed to the Serbian big man putting up a 20-10-7 stat line on a nightly basis.

His massive size helps him control the paint, while his smooth shooting touch and passing ability make him tough to guard on the perimeter. At 24 years old and already a two-time All-Star, the Joker is looking to build off Denver’s 2019 WCF appearance and lead something special in the Mile High City alongside promising young talent Jamal Murray.

Joel Embiid has the potential to be the best basketball player on any given night he steps on the court. The issue is that he hasn’t played at that high level on a consistent basis. After missing his first two seasons with foot injuries, Embiid made an immediate impact in the 2016-17 season, averaging 20 PPG, 8 RPG, and 2.5 BPG in a scarce 31 games.

He can score in the post, shoot from the perimeter, and block anybody who tries to score in the paint. Embiid has the foundation to be one of the greatest Centers ever, but he must start performing consistently and efficiently in order to be acknowledged as such.

Putting up 49 points on 70.8% shooting and 14 rebounds is excellent. But being responsible for 17 points on 29.4% shooting to go with 11 rebounds is what needs to change. Those were his last two full games before missing two weeks prior to the season suspension. Developing his conditioning (30.2 MPG) and focus on a nightly basis will help him reach his Hakeem Olajuwon-type ceiling and complete the process in Philadelphia.

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best young stars in the league today. The first overall pick in the 2015 draft is a highly efficient scorer as he averaged 26.5 PPG on 50% FG, 41% 3P, and 80% FT this season. Excluding this year, Towns has been very durable as well, as he played in all 82 games his first three years in the league, and played in 77 games his fourth year.

He is a versatile Center, as shown by his well-balanced production – 11 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.2 BPG this season. KAT is the best player on one of the worst teams in the league (19-45) and is eager to get Minnesota more wins with new running mate D’Angelo Russell. As his team starts winning, he’ll be more recognized as the best Center in the NBA.

Rudy Gobert has not averaged below two blocks per game since his rookie season (0.9). His spectacular defensive prowess has earned him two consecutive DPOY awards (2017-18 & 2018-19) and he’s in the running for a third this year. Although not known for his scoring ability in any capacity, Gobert has made a drastic improvement in that category from his first season (2.3 PPG) to now (15.1 PPG).

He also led the league in FG% last season (67%) and is second all-time in career FG% at 64%. The Stifle Tower is one of the best Centers in the league but his scoring deficiencies and lack of versatility prevent him from ranking higher on this list.

Andre Drummond has flown under the radar in the league the last seven years because he excels in an area which is the most underrated component of basketball – rebounding. He was leading the NBA in rebounding this season (15.2 RPG) and has already done so three times in his career (2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19). Drummond is also seventh all-time in RPG in NBA history (13.8).

Although Drummond is an expert at rebounding, his scoring isn’t near an elite level (17.7 PPG) and he doesn’t contribute much from a playmaking perspective (2.7 APG). If he can improve his offensive skillset, Drummond could help make the Cleveland Cavaliers a relevant team again and cement himself as a prominent Center going forward.