NBA 2018-19: Top 3 Centers so far

The Center is the backbone of any team's backline of defence. They are supposed to be legit seven footers who can protect the paint on defense as well as play in the post with authority on the offensive end of the floor.

They work hand-in-hand with the power forward on the team to secure the boards at every possession and are commonly referred to as the five or big men.

Being the tallest players on the team, they are frequently known as the 'stretch fives' if laced with the ability to shoot threes in the modern day and age.

Emerging with the rise of George Mikan back in the '50s and carried forward by the likes of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, then Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and our very own Shaquille O'Neal as the latest Hall of Famer in line, the center position has seen a rising prominence in the five-man lineup of an NBA roster.

Let's head into the stat sheets for the 2018-19 season for now and pull out the three best individuals at this position so far.

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#3 Karl Anthony-Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Towns was the first overall pick by the T-Wolves back in 2015

Before the season kicked off, Minnesota had made it clear that they want KAT as their longterm cornerstone, by offering him a supermax contract of five-year/$190M.

Even though the Timberwolves have been disappointing as a unit, Towns' individual accomplishments tell a different story.

He just got picked to his second straight All-Star game at the age of only 23 and is averaging a solid double-double along the 57 games played this season.

Anthony-Towns is averaging 23.1 points and 12.0 rebounds per game this year, with this not even being his career-best.

Having put together an even better 25.1 ppg and 12.3 rpg a couple of years ago in all of 82 played that season, we can only imagine where this man's ceiling lies.

Highlight: Against the Pelicans in January, KAT recorded a monster double-double of 27 points and 27 rebounds(season-high), along with four blocks in a 110-106 win.

#2 Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

The Serbian carries a unique style of craftiness at the center position.

After being picked in the second round as the 41st overall pick to the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic's rise to glory is one worth cherishing.

The Serbian center has brought forward a completely distinctive approach to operating the game from the center position on the court, both on offense and on defense.

He is leading all bigs with a career-high assists average of 7.7 in 56 games thus far. Having being named the 'Serbian Player of the Year' in 2018, the Joker quickly followed it up with his first All-Star berth this year.

The seven-foot center for the Nuggets has so far recorded 12 triple-doubles in the 2018-19 season, a stat never-before-seen from any player of his size and utility.

He is averaging career-highs of 20.4 points, 10.6 assists and a statement-setting 1.4 steals per game en route to Denver's Championship bid this season.

Highlight: The Joker posted an impressive triple-double of 32 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in a win against the Sixers last month.

#1 Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Joel Embiid's control of post-up plays is unlike any other big in the league.

Embiid's points and rebounds per game average this season are both top 10 in the league currently, with his 13.5 rpg being the second best of all players.

He is the spine of the Sixers' offense. Even on his days when his shot is not falling, he makes up for it in rebounds, blocks, steals and securing the paint for his team.

The Cameroonian has been on a tear lately, averaging 28 points and almost 15 rebounds a game across his last 10 matchups.

Embiid houses the fourth most second-chance points(4.4) in the league, along with being the league-leader in defensive rebounds(11.0) per game.

He is scoring at a brisk pace of 27.3 points(career-high) along the 54 games he has played so far.

Highlight: JoJo posted a season-high points total and an imposing double-double of 42 points and 18 rebounds, along with 2 blocks and 3 steals, in a January win against the Suns.