Top 3 centers in the NBA this season

The modern NBA is gradually becoming a guard dominated league. Teams are trying to enforce their most crucial plays through guards. They are tantalised by the prospect of guards pushing up the pace for a run and gun offense.

But despite the modern NBA teams focusing more and more on 3PT shooting, there is no dearth of talent on display from the center position. These centers are dominating the opposition teams both from inside the paint and also from outside the 3PT line.

The modern NBA centers need to play at a frenetic pace to adjust with the pace of play. They also need to have a jumper to provide spacing for their team and not get involved in clogging the lane.

There are plenty of top centers in the league right now. Let's have a look at the top performing centers in the NBA this season:

#3 Nikola Jokic

Jokic has been superb for the Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic has been absolutely instrumental to the success of Denver Nuggets this season. The Nuggets currently sit at the 3rd position in the Western Conference.

Jokic is simply the best passing big man in the NBA right now averaging 7.1 assists per game this season. He is also averaging 16.4 PPG to go along with 9.8 Rebounds. He is also a threat from outside which creates ample space for the guards to drive.

Nikola Jokic had his best game against the Phoenix Suns this season recording a historic perfect triple double. He ended the game with 35 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds to go along with 4 steals on 11-11 shooting from the field and 3-3 shooting from the deep. The Denver Nuggets will be looking to Jokic to guide them to the playoffs this season after narrowly missing out last season.

#2 Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the NBA

Anthony Davis has become a household name by now. Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis has never ceased to amaze the NBA world.

Anthony Davis has been consistently putting up huge numbers over the years and has become one of the top 5 players in the world. His defensive tenacity means he is always in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year honors. In the last few seasons, he has also become an elite offensive player and is now always in the running for the NBA MVP award.

Davis is averaging 27 PPG, 12.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists to go along with 2.7 Blocks and 1.6 steals per game. Davis is currently third in the league in Blocks per game. His stats are just mind boggling. The Pelicans reached the Western Conference semis last year behind some excellent plays from Davis. They will be hoping for something similar this year.

#1 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has become one of the most dominant centers

Joel Embiid is very quickly becoming one of the most unguardable players in the league. Embiid has been responsible for the success of 76ers since last season. The 76ers are currently placed at the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference standings and look like a team with a real shot at the NBA championship.

Joel Embiid is averaging 28.1 PPG and 13.3 rebounds per game this season. He is ranked third in scoring and fourth in rebounding in the league. He has also drawn the most fouls this season and has taken and made the most free throws.

Embiid also has an outside shot making him practically impossible to defend. Embiid has become one of the MVP front runners behind some unbelievable displays and if he continues to perform at this level, the 76ers have a great chance of challenging for the championship this season.