Top 5 centers to look out for this NBA season

Center DeAndre Jordan attempting to block Dwight Howard’s dunkThe position of the center is usually filled by the biggest man on the team, and he needs to be extremely strong too because things often get quite physical under the rim. While major responsibilities include winning the jump-ball along with blocking, rebounding and cleaning up offensive mistakes, today’s NBA centers have also started focusing on their outside shots along with a greater post-up game to best use their position offensively.We count down to the five most promising big men in the league this season who will try and fill the shoes of legendary centers like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

#5 DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan

Jordan along with Blake Griffin truly makes the Clippers ‘Lob City’. The high-flying giant returns to the Clippers after a very interesting off-season. Jordan led the NBA last season in Rebounds (15 per game) and Field Goal Percentage (71%).

He clearly has an incredible defensive game but Jordan’s offense is extremely limited to alley-oops, put-backs, dunks and tip-ins. That is primarily the reason that he ranks first in field goal percentage since he doesn’t really have a post up game or mid-range shot. He’s an abysmal free throw shooter and often becomes an offensive liability to his team when the opponents go for the Hack-a-Shaq strategy.

He’s still a lot of fun to watch on the court because he plays with a great attitude and gives us a lot of highlight plays with the help of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul; both of them being amazing passers. If Jordan can get his free throw percentage to a respectable range and make his offensive game a little more versatile, he could potentially join the best Centers of all time.

#4 Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard

Howard is inarguably one of the most impressive physical specimens in the NBA. So much so that in the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, he put on a superman cape and soared through the air from the free throw line.

After his controversial exit from Orlando and a frustrating one year in L.A., Dwight Howard has found another homely place in Houston. Playing alongside one of the current best players in the league, Howard has once again established his game with his defensive prowess over high-flying opponents.

Howard did miss almost half the season due to injuries and it will be a major concern to play through the season healthy. His offensive game is limited to alley-oops and dunks where his post-ups suffer along with his free throws.

His defensive game is still strong and it really helps the Rockets to have him guard the paint. Howard is fun to watch because he’s a fun player with a great sense of humor and he plays with a lot of swagger. His team is again in Championship conversations this season and it would really help if Dwight could find his Orlando game once again.

#3 Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert

This Utah Jazz Center is rapidly getting better and Rudy Gobert is a big reason why (literally). This 7-footer plays like he’s 12 feet tall on the court and all the credit for that goes to his athleticism.

After the All-Star break and the departure of Center Enes Kanter, Gobert became a starter for the Jazz and was given more minutes and more opportunities. He simply shined, ranking second in the league for total blocks. He gels well with Jazz star Small Forward Gordon Hayward, so the team definitely has chemistry.

Gobert has unreal agility and mobility for a 7’1” guy and he’s only 23 years old. If he’s this good right now in a non-playoff team, we can’t even imagine the kind of havoc he’ll create when he gets better on a championship caliber team. Due to this insanely large guy with an unreal wingspan, the Jazz will be a fun team to watch this season.

#2 Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol

We are watching Pau Gasol’s little brother grow up right before our very own eyes, as the Gasol brothers are often cited as the best passing big men in the game today. As a passer, Marc Gasol is especially adept in the high post at playing the angles and finding cutters for easy baskets.

He has averaged roughly four assists per game, over the course of the past three seasons. Gasol’s 7’1″ stature along with his guard-like vision makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league.

Because his presence demands the defense’s respect, Gasol capitalizes on being double-teamed and kicking out to Mike Conley for a three or throwing a behind the back pass to Zach Randolph for an easy two.

Being a relatively late-bloomer in his career, Marc is now approaching his prime where other bigs cannot afford to underestimate him. He’s with a great team that’s expected to make it to the playoffs again in the ruthless Western Conference. The pressure and opportunities will help further shine Gasol’s abilities this season.

#1 DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins

Being the walking definition of a natural talent, DeMarcus Cousins’ abilities were never in question. In one package, Cousins carries a big body that is also exceptionally quick in running the floor and getting off the ground. Being stuck on a below average team has damaged his reasoning for being the best Center in the league, but when it comes to skill and overall production, Cousins is elite.

The two-time NBA All-Star led all centers in scoring at 24.1 points per game. He also leads the league among Centers with the most and1 opportunities. It shouldn’t come as a surprise as he is so quick for his size that his defenders see fouling him as the only solution to put an end to the menace. Unluckily for them, Cousins shot 80% from the charity line which is pretty good for a Center.

The 25-year old is also no slouch on the defensive end, able to block shots, as well as use his hulking size to ground opposition bigs in the paint to a halt. While some of his old temperament issues still remain (to a lesser degree) – and his relationship with current Head Coach George Karl is strained, to say the least – Cousins is without doubt the most talented young Big Man in the NBA, who can take over games on both ends of the floor.