Say what you will about the emergence of the “small ball” era in the NBA, but there are still a handful of big men in the league who have proven to be invaluable.
Here are the top 10 projected centers heading into the 2015-2016 NBA season:
10. Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah has never been a dominant force on the offensive end of the ball. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more consistent defensive threat in the league. The University of Florida product just gets it done — plain and simple. Look for him to bounce back in 2015-2016 after posting a career-low in points last season.
Next: Rudy Gobert
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9. Rudy Gobert
Utah is all in on Rudy Gobert this season. The Jazz even traded away center Enes Kanter midway through the 2014-2015 campaign upon realizing the sky-high potential of Gobert’s game. In the final 24 games of his sophomore season, the “Stifle Tower” averaged 11.4 points and a staggering 14 rebounds per game. All signs point to him improving upon those numbers beginning in October.
Next: Hassan Whiteside
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8. Hassan Whiteside
The emergence of Hassan Whiteside for the Miami Heat in 2014-2015 was no anomaly. Leading all NBA centers in player efficiency rating doesn’t just happen by accident. This is a mountain of a man who clogs the lane and stacks up rebounds and blocks like a man possessed. Don’t be surprised if the 7-foot, 265 pound big man evolves into the NBA’s top rebounder and shot blocker this upcoming season.
Next: Nikola Vucevic
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7. Nikola Vucevic
It seems hard to believe that Nikola Vucevic has yet to become a household name. Last season, he finished fifth in PER among centers, averaging 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds. According to sources, he has been working to improve his offensive skill set all summer long and has even put on a few pounds of muscle in order to bang down low with the league’s top big men.
Next: Dwight Howard
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6. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard seems to have gotten his groove back in Houston. With his days in Los Angeles and Orlando in the rear-view mirror, the former number one pick is nearly back to his dominant ways. Howard has the size and skill to lead the league in rebounds every year as long as he stays healthy. Despite rumors of an “attitude problem,” most NBA teams would jump at the opportunity to land a player of Howard’s caliber.
Next: Al Horford
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5. Al Horford
The eight-year veteran out of the University of Florida is a model for consistency. Al Horford has pulled down his fair share of double-doubles for the Atlanta Hawks, as he boasts career averages of 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. While he’s never been the biggest or baddest on the block, he’s a three-time NBA All-Star and a top-tier talent.
Next: Marc Gasol
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4. Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol could’ve landed anywhere between the one and five spot on this list. A perennial fantasy stud, the big man out of Spain is quite possibly the most versatile center in the league. His stat sheet will never blow you away, but he consistently racks up numbers in virtually every statistical category. He will undoubtedly have another dominant year in Memphis.
Next: DeAndre Jordan
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3. DeAndre Jordan
After verbally agreeing to sign with the Dallas Mavericks this past offseason, it only took DeAndre a couple of days to change his mind and re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Hopefully this won’t prove to be a distraction as Jordan gears up for training camp and looks to improve on a spectacular 2014-2015 outing. Last season, he led the NBA in rebounds and was a premier center in the game. Yes, he might be the worst free-throw shooter of all time but if you believe the notion that his production in that category couldn’t possibly get worse, he has a great chance of finishing the upcoming season as the number one big man in the league.
Next: Andre Drummond
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2. Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond is seven feet tall and weighs a staggering 280 pounds. “Big man” would be an understatement for the 22-year-old Detroit Piston. After averaging 13.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his third season last year, Drummond plans to catapult those numbers into the league-leading realm, especially given the fact that centers are known to thrive under head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Next: DeMarcus Cousins
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1. DeMarcus Cousins
Who else but big “Boogie Cousins” could round out our top ten list? An offensive juggernaut and a menacing physical presence down low, no center produces like Cousins on both sides of the ball. Last year, he averaged monster numbers in a multitude of categories. He finished the season with an average of 24.1 points, leading all centers by a landslide. Throw in 12.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, all while shooting over 78% from the free-throw line, and you’re looking at the league’s highest producing player at the five position.
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