Top 10 centers heading into the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz

There is no better center in the NBA at protecting the rim than Rudy Gobert. He has won the Defensive Player of the Year three times in the last four seasons and has been on the NBA All-Defensive First Team since 2017.

However, he is not the most effective on offense compared to the centers on the list. Despite his offensive deficiency, he is still one of the best centers in the NBA right now.

Gobert finished the 2020-21 NBA season with 14.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. The two-time All-Star had the best totals in rebounds (960) and blocks (190). Although he finished with a career-high 2.7 blocks per game, it wasn't enough to topple Myles Turner and his average of 3.4 blocks.

---

#2 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is defended by Bam Adebayo

Joel Embiid has drawn comparisons to the great Hakeem Olajuwon because of his versatility and skillet. He is the best two-way center in the NBA right now.

Injuries have been a major hindrance to Embiid's development as the big man is yet to play 82 games in a season. Although he finished as a finalist in the 2021 NBA MVP race, he had a good shot of winning the title if he stayed healthy for longer.

FAKE it and then MAKE it ft. Joel Embiid! pic.twitter.com/DchyiFPLC8

— NBAIndia (@NBAIndia) September 4, 2021

Embiid can do it all on offense, which is an advantage he has over other centers in the NBA. In the 2020-21 season, he shot 37.7% from the perimeter and ended the season with a career-high .513 field goal percentage.

Regardless of the outcome of the Ben Simmons saga, Embiid will play with a chip on his shoulder as he has a lot to prove. We just might see him unlock new levels in a bid to lead the Sixers to the elusive NBA Finals.

---

#1 Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic deservingly won the 2021 NBA MVP award for his incredible run throughout the 2020-21 season. It was an efficient all-around game from the big man who was all over the court night after night.

Simply put, there was nothing Jokic did not do for the Denver Nuggets as he embodied the roles of all five positions and executed them effectively. He recorded career-high averages in points (26.4), rebounds (10.8), and assists (8.3).

Dazzling dimes from Joker 🃏Nikola Jokic’s TOP-10 assists from his #KiaMVP season! pic.twitter.com/0k35P2yUac

— NBA (@NBA) September 5, 2021

Jokic still has a lot to prove in the NBA as the Nuggets will be looking to run it back for a chance at the championship. With Jamal Murray not expected early in the season, Jokic will have to single-handedly carry the Nuggets again.