Top 5 Centers: Name them!

[ianboyextreme]

Talents for centers are diminishing, hard to find a good quality center

but I'd say

1. Dwight Howard
2. Andrew Bynum
3. Al Horford
4. Tyson Chandler
5. Marc Gasol/Andrew Bogut

special mentions DeMarcus Cousins can be top 5 if he matures

You mean if he conforms to societal norms. All i care about is if you play hard and dont kill people.

[Kiorrik]

This year, Howard, Bynum, Bogut, and probably Nene then Gasol.

I'd consider swapping the latter two, and maybe substituting one with Chandler, since they are pretty much even to me.

[Kiorrik]

This year, Howard, Bynum, Bogut, and probably Nene then Gasol.

I'd consider swapping the latter two, and maybe substituting one with Chandler, since they are pretty much even to me.

.edit: a post so nice, I posted it twice!

[Kane3387]

Hawes and Monroe have been great this season, and Marcin Gortat hasn't been too shabby either, but we'll put them down as still unproven.

Howard, Bynum, Big Al, Bogut, Chandler

It's really hard to make the list after Howard, Bynum, and Big Al, though -- the field is filled with guys who are solid starters but not dominant players.

I agree with this order 

[Kane3387]

And Hibbert, although I'd put him closer to hawes/Monroe right now

Hawes and Monroe have been great this season, and Marcin Gortat hasn't been too shabby either, but we'll put them down as still unproven.

Howard, Bynum, Big Al, Bogut, Chandler

It's really hard to make the list after Howard, Bynum, and Big Al, though -- the field is filled with guys who are solid starters but not dominant players.

Bogut is ahead of big al. Less impressive stat line for eons better defense, both individual and as an anchor.

I disagree.

[Kane3387]

And Hibbert, although I'd put him closer to hawes/Monroe right now

Hawes and Monroe have been great this season, and Marcin Gortat hasn't been too shabby either, but we'll put them down as still unproven.

Howard, Bynum, Big Al, Bogut, Chandler

It's really hard to make the list after Howard, Bynum, and Big Al, though -- the field is filled with guys who are solid starters but not dominant players.

Bogut is ahead of big al. Less impressive stat line for eons better defense, both individual and as an anchor.

Eh, considering how rare it is to find a center capable of being a number 1 scoring option in this league, I place Big Al ahead of Bogut.  In other words, Big Al brings to the table what almost nobody else at his position can bring.  You can't say the same for Bogut, though what he does bring to the table is quasi-elite.

Co-sign

[Spilling Green Dye]

As I expected there is a pretty wide variation of who the other top 4 centers are after Howard.

And we also see that many PF's are asked to play Center because of the lack of depth at Center.  I personally wouldn't classify Jefferson as a Center, and even think Bogut is better than him.

Center is the only NBA position that isn't loaded with talent!  I hope the Celtics can draft or obtain a high quality center in the next few years. 

[2short]

When you look at the list what comes to mind for me is Mr Bird in Indy has a very good young center in Hibbert who is improving and isn't far from 5 now.
guys I'd start a team around
howard
bynum (punk)
bogut
marc gasol
tie for 5th with 3-4 guys that I can't seperate

[clover]

Hawes and Monroe have been great this season, and Marcin Gortat hasn't been too shabby either, but we'll put them down as still unproven.

Howard, Bynum, Big Al, Bogut, Chandler

It's really hard to make the list after Howard, Bynum, and Big Al, though -- the field is filled with guys who are solid starters but not dominant players.

I agree with this order 

I don't know Big Al gets ranked so high--defense is just too important in the center spot.

[GreenFaith1819]

I see the young DeMarcus Cousins breaking into this top ten or so ranking within the next 2 years.

The young fella, once engaged, has a fire in him. All I saw was that one game vs LA this year, and the Big Man impressed me...he hustled, dove for lose balls, you name it.

Once he matures, then he's well on his way. Sacramento would be foolish to trade him.

[CelticG1]

Very shocked that Perk hadn't even been mentioned especially with people talking about how important defense is.

Not that I think he is, but the man had received an absurd amount of love on this board.

Also if still take Tim Duncan over a lot of these guts especially if we are talking about for the playoffs

[LarBrd33]

The center position has changed.  Guys like Pau Gasol and Duncan would have probably played center back in the old days.  

For what it's worth, ESPN's fantasy basketball listed the following players as either C or PF/C and these were the top statistical performing "centers" last year:

#1 - Dwight
#2 - Pau Gasol
#3 - Amare
#4 - Aldridge
#5 - Horford
#6 - Big Al
#7 - David Lee
#8 - Chris Bosh
#9 - Noah
#10 - Bogut
#11 - Nene
#12 - Duncan
#13 - Bynum
#14 - Brook Lopez
#15 - Tyson Chandler
#16 - Marc Gasol
#17 - Varejao
#18 - Bargnani
#19 - Okafor
#20 - Chuck Hayes
#21 - Serge Ibaka
#22 - JaVale McGee
#23 - Marcin Gortat
#24 - Roy Hibbert
#25 - Demarcus Cousins
...
#42 - Kendrick Perkins

A lot of these guys are probably straight up "PF", but a lot of them pretty much play the center position as the center position is defined today.  I mean, Bill Russell 6'9", 215 ... Dave Cowens was 6'9", 230 ... for reference, David Lee is 6'9, 250.

[Roy H.]

This year, Howard, Bynum, Bogut, and probably Nene then Gasol.

Chandler, deandre Jordan, and al Jefferson round outthe top 8.

Joakim Noah has been just awful, and Hibbert is the other top 10 guy. (I'm missing someone I'm sure).

Spencer Hawes and Greg Monroe both making strong showings as well. Horford should be there too, but injured now.

When he's playing, Brook Lopez (2nd best scoring center) deserves to be in there. 

[clover]

I see the young DeMarcus Cousins breaking into this top ten or so ranking within the next 2 years.

The young fella, once engaged, has a fire in him. All I saw was that one game vs LA this year, and the Big Man impressed me...he hustled, dove for lose balls, you name it.

Once he matures, then he's well on his way. Sacramento would be foolish to trade him.

He's already got the highest rebounding rate in the league.  If I were Danny I'd be trying hard for him, but I doubt Danny is.

[EdoG89]

your problem is that you read only the statistics , but you don't think about how a player is really good. For Example, I read that Ellis is better then Ray. So... WHAT ?

Is This  a Joke ?

And...  truly, what a negativity and pessimism.


For Me, at this moment of their careers, the Top 5 Centers are :


1)Tyson Chandler ( He was THE DIF in the last playoff's run... Do yuo remember ? The Key for dallas was his defense and his his ability as a blocker in the Pick And Roll)
2) Dwight Howard : The best "presence", but without some skills. Maybe, after 2 years, will be  the best in the league
3) Andrew Bynum : He is a fakers. Ok. He is Injury Prone , but what a body, and what an rebounds ability. For Me is a very great Center.
4) Andrew Bogut.
5) DeMarcus Cousins