Man, remember when NBA centers just camped near the basket? Those days are gone. Today's top centers in the NBA are like Swiss Army knives – they shoot threes, run offenses, and switch defensively. Crazy evolution.
Having covered the league for 12 seasons, I've seen this transformation firsthand. I'll never forget watching Nikola Jokic dismantle my hometown team with no-look passes that made defenders look silly. That game changed how I evaluate big men.
2023-24 Season's Elite NBA Centers: Stats Don't Lie
These guys aren't just tall timber – they're franchise cornerstones. Performance stats from NBA Advanced Analytics as of March 2023 (per game averages):
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | FG% | Impact Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 26.4 | 12.4 | 9.0 | 0.9 | 58.3% | +17.2 NETRTG |
| Joel Embiid | 76ers | 34.6 | 11.8 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 53.3% | 31.7 USG% |
| Anthony Davis | Lakers | 24.7 | 12.8 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 55.6% | 114 DEFRTG |
| Bam Adebayo | Heat | 20.4 | 10.4 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 52.1% | +5.3 DBPM |
| Rudy Gobert | Timberwolves | 13.4 | 12.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 65.9% | 99.3 DEFRTG |
Notice something? Only two guys average over 2 blocks. That's the modern game – centers now impact possessions beyond rim protection.
Critical Skills for Modern Top Centers:
- Perimeter switching ability
- Pick-and-roll/pop versatility
- Playmaking vision (4+ assists/game)
- Floor spacing (35%+ from 3)
- Screen assist creation
- Short-roll decision making
Breaking Down the Best Centers in the NBA
Nikola Jokic: The Offensive Supercomputer
Jokic makes me rethink what's possible at center. His passing? Unreal for a 7-footer. Watched him live against Phoenix last season – 14 assists without breaking sweat. Defenses know what's coming but still can't stop it.
Signature Move: High-post elbow passes through traffic
Contract: 5yr/$270M (through 2028)
Hidden Impact: Generates 18.7 screen assists/game
Flaw: Lateral quickness against guards
His advanced metrics are silly: 32.8 PER (#1 in NBA), 17.2 win shares. Just wins basketball games.
Joel Embiid: The Scoring Machine
Embiid's footwork? Chef's kiss. But man, those knee injuries scare me. Saw him limp off in Philly last March and knew they were done. When healthy though...
Signature Move: Dream Shake into foul-drawing fadeaway
Contract: 4yr/$213M (player option 2026)
Scoring Breakdown: 12.2 PPG in paint · 8.1 PPG midrange · 3.7 FTA/game
Defensive Shift: -7.4% opponent FG at rim
His MVP case is strong but playoff consistency? Still questions.
The Defensive Anchors
Teams like Minnesota built their identity around Rudy Gobert. His defensive stats:
| Metric | League Rank | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Contested Shots/Gm | 3rd | 14.7 |
| Defensive Win Shares | 1st | 5.2 |
| Opponent FG% at Rim | 2nd | 48.1% |
But here's the rub: Minnesota's defense collapses without him (-12.7 points/100 possessions). Worth that massive contract? Debate rages.
Rising Stars Among NBA Top Centers
Keep these names on your radar:
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 7'4" with guard skills. Saw him block 3 threes in one game. Unreal ceiling but needs muscle. Rookie stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.6 BLK.
Alperen Şengün (Rockets): Jokic-lite playmaker. Averaging 5.1 assists but defense? Work in progress.
Walker Kessler (Jazz): League's best per-minute shot blocker (2.9 BLK/36min). Needs offensive polish.
Position Revolution: Centers Aren't Just Big Anymore
Compare eras:
| Era | Primary Skills | Play Style |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s Centers | Low-post scoring · Rim protection · Rebounding | Back-to-basket · Paint-bound |
| 2020s Centers | Perimeter defense · Playmaking · Floor spacing · Screening | Facilitators · Pick-and-pop · Perimeter switches |
The three-point revolution changed everything. Elite centers now shoot 5+ threes per game. Brook Lopez took 6.3 threes per game at age 35!
Scouting Future Top Centers in the NBA
What front offices value now:
1. Switchability: Can they guard perimeter players? Bam Adebayo switches 34% of PNRs.
2. Short-Roll Playmaking: Jokic averages 1.27 PPP as roll man (97th percentile)
3. Stretch Gravity: KAT's 41.8% 3PT forces centers outside paint
4. Screen Efficiency: Gobert creates 23.4 PPG via screens
5. Defensive Versatility: AD guards all five positions
Saw a scout's notebook last combine: "Mobility > Height" circled three times. Times change.
Top Centers in the NBA: Your Burning Questions
Who's the best center for winning championships?
Jokic currently. His playoff stats: 28-13-9 on 60% TS. Elevates teammates unlike anyone. Though Davis' 2020 playoff run (27.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 57% FG) was legendary.
Do centers still need post moves?
Counterintuitive answer: Yes, but differently. Modern posts are quick-hitters, not 10-second backdowns. Embiid scores 1.18 PPP on post-ups (top 5%) because he attacks fast.
Why do some top centers struggle in playoffs?
Three reasons: 1) Switching schemes expose foot speed 2) Physical wear-and-tear 3) Limited skillsets get targeted. Saw Gobert get played off floor against Clippers small-ball.
Who's the most underrated center?
Bam Adebayo. Doesn't have flashy stats but does everything. Guards 1-5, facilitates offense, elite screener. Heat's defensive rating drops 8.6 points with him off court.
Contract Value: Paying Elite Centers
Are max deals worth it for big men? Breakdown:
| Player | Annual Salary | Win Shares/$M | Team Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jokic | $51.4M | 0.33 | Championship |
| Embiid | $48.9M | 0.28 | 2nd Round Exits |
| Gobert | $41.0M | 0.19 | Playoff Contender |
| Sabonis | $30.0M | 0.41 | Playoff Team |
Sabonis might be best value among top centers in the NBA today. Triple-double threat on mid-tier contract.
Final Thoughts on Top NBA Centers
After watching hundreds of games, here's what matters: impact beyond box scores. Jokic's hockey assists. Adebayo's vocal leadership. Lopez's vertical spacing. These create winning basketball.
The position keeps evolving. Victor Wembanyama represents the next phase - 7-footers with guard skills. Scary thought.
Want to argue about the best centers in the NBA? Hit me on Twitter. Saw Shaq play live in his prime - today's centers are different but equally fascinating.
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