Who’s the Best Center in the NBA?

It’s a debate that has been had for years, and there is no clear answer. But we’ll take a look at the top five candidates for the title of best center in the NBA.

Introduction

In the National Basketball Association (NBA), there are a lot of phenomenal players. Players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant come to mind. But what about the centers? The guys in the post who do the dirty work? Who are the best centers in the NBA?

The Case for Joel Embiid

There are a lot of talented centers in the NBA today. But if you had to pick one as the best, who would it be? Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has emerged as one of the league’s premier big men, and he has a case for being the best center in the NBA.

Embiid is a gifted scorer, averaging 27.5 points per game this season. He’s also a very good rebounder, averaging 11.8 boards per contest. And he’s an excellent shot blocker, swatting away 2.1 shots per game. Embiid is a true all-around center who can do it all on the court.

What separates Embiid from other centers is his ability to score in a variety of ways. He has excellent post moves and can finish with either hand around the basket. He’s also a very good mid-range shooter, and he’s even developed a three-point shot this season (he’s hitting 34 percent of his threes). Embiid is tough to defend because he can score from anywhere on the court.

There are other talented centers in the league, but none who can match Embiid’s all-around skillset. He’s the best scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker among all NBA centers. That makes him the clear choice as the best center in the NBA today.

The Case for Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is one of the most unique players in the NBA. He’s a 7-foot center who can do it all on the offensive end of the court. He’s an excellent passer, he can shoot from outside, and he’s a solid rebounder. He’s also a very good defender, despite his lack of size and athleticism.

There are a few other centers in the league who are very good offensive players, but Jokic is on another level. He’s one of the best playmakers in the league, and he has the ability to take over a game on offense. He’s also a very efficient player, as he doesn’t take many bad shots.

On defense, Jokic is very solid. He doesn’t have the size or athleticism to be a great rim protector, but he does a good job of using his body to box out opponents and grab rebounds. He’s also quick enough to guard perimeter players, and he does a good job of using his length to disrupt shots.

Overall, Nikola Jokic is one of the best centers in the NBA. He’s an elite offensive player who can also impact the game on defense. He lacks the size and athleticism of some other centers, but he more than makes up for it with his skill level and basketball IQ.

The Case for Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert is not only the best center in the NBA, but he might be the best player in the entire league. That’s right, I said it. The 7-foot-1 Frenchman is averaging a career-high 19.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting an absurd 67.4 percent from the field and 74.4 percent from the free throw line this season. Oh, and he’s also leading the league in defensive rating (101.0) and defensive win shares (3.6).

The Case for Anthony Davis

The New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis is the best center in the NBA. The 6-foot-10, 251-pound Davis is a two-time All-Star and was named first-team All-NBA in 2015. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game last season, while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 79.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Davis has improved his scoring average each season he’s been in the league, and his 27.8 points per game average last season was good for sixth in the NBA. He also ranked seventh in the league in blocks per game (2.0) and 11th in rebounding (10.3).

A true versatile big man, Davis has the ability to score inside and out, as evidenced by his shooting numbers. He made a career-high 34 three-pointers last season and shot 33.8 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also an excellent free-throw shooter for a big man, as his 79.6 percent career clip attests

The Case for Deandre Ayton

The NBA is a guard-driven league. The last few MVPs have been guards, most of the All-NBA teams are filled with them, and the Finals have been dominated by them. But in order for a team to win a championship, they need a good center. A rim protector that can also score is a valuable commodity in today’s NBA.

Deandre Ayton was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He is 6’11” and weigh 250 pounds. He is a physical specimen. He has all the tools to be a great center in today’s NBA. So far this season, he is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game. He is shooting 58% from the field and 34% from three-point range. He is also blocking 1.5 shots per game.

Ayton has shown that he can score with his back to the basket or facing up. He has a nice touch around the rim and can finish with both hands. He is also a good free throw shooter for a big man, shooting 77% from the line. Ayton even shows some range on his jump shot, which will only get better as he develops more consistency with it.

On defense, Ayton is still learning but he has all the tools to be a great rim protector. He has quick feet for a big man and decent instincts as well. With more experience, he will only get better on this end of the floor.

The Suns are not a playoff team right now but they are heading in the right direction thanks to Deandre Ayton. He may not be winning any MVPs anytime soon but he has all the makings of being one of the best centers in the NBA for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that there are a lot of great centers in the NBA. However, it is also clear that there are a few that stand out above the rest. Rudy Gobert is the best defensive player in the league and has shown time and time again that he is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant offensive players in the league and has shown that he can take over a game on both ends of the court. Lastly, Nikola Jokic is one of the most versatile players in the league and has shown that he can impact a game in multiple ways. These three players are clearly the best centers in the NBA and it will be exciting to see how they continue to impact the league in years to come.