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Today we look at the future Bill Russells, Wilt Chamberlains, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's, Shaquille O'Neal's and Hakeem Olajuwon's of the League. The monstrous guys who bully opponents in the paint. The number 5's who can score at will. The players who block weak layups and knock a shot into the bleachers.
However, very few teams are relying on the position that has dominated the NBA through the decades. The role of Center has evolved over the years and it has become more than just blocking shots and dunking over smaller guys. Mobility, ball-handling and draining jumpers have become must-haves in a Centers Arsenal.
Here are top 5 Bigs who are taking care of business in the paint (and around the perimeter too). Here are some honourable Mentions before we get started:- DeMarcus Cousins (not included because he will miss a majority of the season next year with an Achilles injury), Andre Drummond, Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela
#5 Karl-Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves
2017-18 Regular Season Per-Game Stats: 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, 54.5% shooting
KAT made his first All-Star appearance last season and it's time people start giving him the respect he deserves. He's averaging 20 and 10 and he is highly versatile. He has been taking better shots and shooting at a higher clip.
With that being said, the defensive end is where KAT needs to work this off-season. He often falls for pump fakes and gets into foul trouble. He is not the best defender in a classic miss-match situation.
But by adding new post moves to his bag of tricks and renewed winning mentality, Towns is slowly but surely emerging as a future superstar of the League.
#4 Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
2017-18 Regular Season Per-Game Stats: 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, 49.9% shooting
Nikola Jokic, at just 23 years of age, is already one of the greatest passing big men in NBA history. We have never seen a Center passing the ball so elegantly and with so much purpose. Watching a big man pass the ball well is just as exciting as watching a 6-foot guard dunk hard. Add his post moves to the picture and Jokic is one of the best big men in League.
If you've seen Jokic play, there's one weakness that is fairly explicit. He doesn't really have the best footwork. That makes him relatively easier to guard if you compare him to DeMarcus Cousins and Joel Embiid. Secondly, Nikola Jokic is not really an athletic player. He's not quick enough and he lacks the vital lateral quickness.
Despite this, the opponent teams still find it hard to guard Jokic. You double team him, he will wait for the right moment to get an assist. You let him play iso, he will take on whatever the defence has to offer.
#3 Al Horford - Boston Celtics
2017-18 Regular Season Per-Game Stats: 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.1 blocks, 48.9% shooting
Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals (without Kyrie Irving) and Al Horford had a lot to do with it. Do not let his stat-line fool you into thinking that he's not an elite player. Al Horford is a great pick and roll player setting up strong screens for an easy mismatch. He can guard almost all positions and he can shoot (and shoot really well). He was a machine shooting from deep and usually delivers in clutch situations.
Al Horford, though he's a great player, is not "intimidating". Horford would be a better player if he's more aggressive. He's capable of beating taller guys 1 on 1 and he needs to do it more. Brad Stevens will have to bring the best out of Al if they want to dethrone the Golden State Warriors, who have now acquired DeMarcus Cousins.
His stats don't have "All-Star" written all over them but Al Horford is the guy every coach wants in his team and the guy everyone wants to play with.
#2 Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
2017-18 Regular Season Per-Game Stats: 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.8 blocks
Joel "The Process" Embiid possesses has a ridiculously diverse skill-set. He's a modern-day big. He's the modern-day version of Hakeem Olajuwon. The talent, the moves, the smoothness, the strength; everything about his game reminds us of Hakeem.
Make no mistake, Embiid is already a top-tier elite player. He was injured through 2 seasons but now he's an All-Star. Embiid is also a top level defensive player (arguably as good as Rudy Gobert). He is a gifted player with moves and footwork that are as good as anybody in the league. He's most dangerous when he's sharing the floor with Ben Simmons because they make a great 1-2 punch (like Magic and Kareem).
However, there are certain areas where Embiid can still improve. For starters, he needs to become a better passer. He attracts a lot of double teams and hence, there's always a free man on the floor for Embiid to find. Other 2 areas would be being fitter and reduce turnovers (3.7 per game).
He is the GOAT of social media, flawlessly trolling everyone with his witty comebacks and funny captions but he backs it up with great performances every night. He has the right mix of flair and skill which makes him an instant hit!
#1 Anthony Davis - New Orleans Pelicans
2017-18 Regular Season Per-Game Stats: 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.6 blocks
The Brow started at the Power Forward spot for the Pelicans last season but having DeMarcus Cousins out (torn Achilles tendon) he shifted to a different style of play playing as Center for the rest of the regular season and throughout the playoffs. He has
This shift of roles has been nothing short of spectacular. With Cousins out, Anthony Davis had a sharp increase in touches and drives. AD has emerged as a solo star since. Anthony Davis has exceeded all expectations and was a Top 3 Candidate for MVP last season. He is surprisingly fast for a Big Man and is deadly finishing around the ring. What makes him really special is his movement without the ball filling pockets of space and draining the long-range shots off the dribble. Anthony Davis is also just as good defensively as he was a Top 3 Candidate for Defensive Player Of The Year.
If he continues to put up these solid numbers throughout the next season, he will be a strong favourite to take home the MVP award.
Guess the Lakers players!
