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In the fourth installment of HOOPSWORLD's series ranking the top five players at each position in the NBA, today we look at the center position. In today's NBA it is difficult to determine who is a center and who is a power forward. Is Tim Duncan a center or a power forward? How about Al Horford? Well, thankfully, Alex Raskin did all the work for me and the differentiation is right here.
Obviously Yao Ming is one name that would have been at, or at least near, the top of the list will be left off completely due to injury. But with the seven-time All-Star out for the season a spot opens up in what is a fairly thin group of NBA centers.
Without any further ado, let's get the ball rolling:
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando: It is impossible to ignore the rare combination of power and athleticism that Howard brings to the game. Howard came to the Magic straight out of high school as the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and has exceeded expectations. Just 23 years old, Howard has already been named All-NBA First Team twice ('08 and '09) and was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season. Howard led the Magic on a surprising run to the NBA Finals, he posted career highs in blocks (2.9) and steals (1.0) per game. As Howard continues to develop an offensive repertoire to go along with his game changing defensive ability he will become not only the best center in the game today, but will secure a spot among the greatest big men of all time.
2. Al Jefferson, Minnesota: The 24-year old Jefferson was in the midst of a career season before a ruptured ACL in his right knee ended the 2008-09 season for the Timberwolves center. You can say what you want about posting big numbers for a bad team, but Minnesota appeared to be making strides after an awful start to the season (4-23) by winning 13 of the team's final 23 games with Jefferson in the lineup, including wins over playoff-bound New Orleans and Chicago. Jefferson has a nice post game based on fundamentals more than athleticism so his knee injury shouldn't stunt his growth terribly and he will continue to become one of the best big men in the NBA.
3. Shaquille O'Neal, Cleveland: The perception of Shaq's game at his advanced age is less than accurate in my opinion. Is he still the dominant force that won three consecutive NBA Finals MVPs? Not at all. Is he still one of the best centers in the NBA? There is absolutely no doubt. Shaq saw his scoring jump over four points per game from '07-'08 to '08-'09 while shooting a career best .609 from the field. The 15-time All-Star helped the Suns win 46 games last season, narrowly missing the playoffs despite playing the final eight weeks of the season without fellow All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire. Shaq also played in at least 75 games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season and only the fifth time in his career last season. With LeBron James and Mo Williams around to keep defenses from keying on him, Shaq figures to remain a highly efficient and productive player in 2010.
4. Emeka Okafor, New Orleans: Okafor has been one of the league's best kept secrets over the last couple of seasons while being stashed on one of the NBA's worst teams in Charlotte. The former University of Connecticut star has averaged a double-double in each of his five NBA seasons. Durability became a question mark surrounding Okafor early in his career, but the 2005 NBA Rookie of the Year has played in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons, starting all but one, and posted a career high .561 field goal percentage last year. While his career numbers aren't eye-popping (14 points and 10.7 rebounds per game), he has turned into one of the game's most steady big men. With a new team in New Orleans playing alongside Chris Paul, expect to see Okafor's scoring improve dramatically this season.
5. Andris Biedrins, Golden State: One of the most under-appreciated players in the NBA, Biedrins isn't the most polished offensive player on this list but the 23-year old Latvian posted career-highs in five statistical categories last season while averaging a double-double (11.9 points, 11.2 rebounds per game) for the first time in his career. At 6'11", 240 lbs., Biedrins has been in the top three in the NBA in field goal percentage each of the last three years, leading the league (.626) in 2007-08. On a Golden State squad with so many capable scorers (Corey Maggette, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, etc.) Biedrins might not register huge offensive numbers, but his impact on both ends of the floor is simply too much to be ignored.
Honorable Mention: Mehmet Okur, Utah; Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee; Brook Lopez, New Jersey; Nene, Denver; Al Horford, Atlanta
I left some people off of this list that it was really difficult to omit. Marcus Camby has been such a presence on the defensive end of the floor for so long but he is 35, oft-injured and saw his assists, rebounds and blocks drop off precipitously last season. Chris Kaman can't seem to stay out of the training room and on the court. Ditto for Andrew Bynum and Greg Oden - if those two stay healthy they will definitely move on up the ladder.
Memo Okur is something of an enigma, doing the majority of his damage from the perimeter, shooting nearly 45 percent from three-point range last season. He isn't a traditional center but has played a big role for perennial playoff contenders.
Former number one overall selection Andrew Bogut averaged a double-double for the first time in his career last season, shooting a career high .577 from the floor but playing only 36 games. The Bucks were in playoff contention prior to Bogut's season coming to an end due to a stress fracture in his lower back.
Brook Lopez was thrust into the starting lineup early in his rookie season when Josh Boone was injured and Lopez never looked back. The former Stanford star showed immediately that he is a force on the defensive end and his offense improved steadily as the season moved on.
After several seasons in which injury kept Nene from reaching the potential that made him the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Nene seems to have turned the corner after a career year in 2008-09. The Brazilian posted career-highs in seven statistical categories last season while becoming one of the game's top defensive centers.
While his numbers don't jump off the page at you, Al Horford has quietly averaged 10.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during his two seasons in Atlanta. Horford is an unassuming, team-first guy who is playing out of position because the Hawks need him at the center.
Feel free to tell me why you agree or disagree below but if you disagree, you better tell me WHY. Don't just hit me with, "You're an idiot! Marc Gasol should've made this list!" Let's get the conversation started.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13644
This list shows how perimeter oriented the L has become...
Here's the one absolute in comprising a "Top 5" list these days: not everyone is going to leave a winner.
Richard Jefferson and Gerald Wallace will cry do-over. Memphis (Rudy Gay) and Golden State (Corey Maggette) won't like what they read. And even the Shawn Marion loyalists will question the end results. Because not only did those small forwards not make the "Top 5" cut here, but their positions at the "Honorable Mention" table aren't even reserved.
So what's a guy to do?
In this case, it's examine the five best small forwards in the league today - complete with a combination of fact and opinion - while using the upcoming season to engrain them into stardom.
Debate, discuss or disagree, here is HOOPSWORLD's list of "Top 5 Small Forwards":
1. LeBron James, Cleveland: As if there was any doubt whom would be mentioned first in this discussion. At 24-years-old and an MVP candidate, James is the best player at his position and averaged 28.4 points per game, shooting 48 % from the field for the Cavaliers while also being named to the NBA All-Defensive Team for the first time in his six-year career. While confiscating dunk tapes and defending snubbing handshakes dominated James' summer, this coming season - and with the help of Shaquille O'Neal in Cleveland - LeBron will once again be all about chasing a ring. But for now, he's simply the best small forward in the NBA. No question about it.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Denver: Following "King James" is never easy. Yet if there was one guy who is familiar with the role (after he was selected two spots after James in the 2003 NBA Draft) and capable of playing second fiddle at small forward in this league to LeBron, it's Melo. Last season, Carmelo not only led Denver to the second-best record in the Western Conference, but he did so with his most well rounded season as a pro. He showed improvement defensively (even though no one is going to confuse him with Ron Artest) and averaged 22.8 points per game, while putting up his best numbers from beyond the arc at roughly 37%. How the Nuggets fair this coming season though - and towards a playoff push - will once again be a reflection of Anthony and his ability to keep adding to an already impressive resume. Something says Carmelo will be down for raising his game.
3. Paul Pierce, Boston: In this "Top 5" list - and excluding honorable mentions - Pierce is the lone player with a championship ring, not to mention NBA Finals MVP honors. An eight-time all-star and one of Boston's "Big Three, Pierce's numbers are simply impressive throughout his 10-seasons in the league. With a career-average of 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, Pierce is one of the more complete players in the game today given his ability to defend, rebound and score. If - and that is the key word here - Kevin Garnett sheds his fragility and Rasheed Wallace adjusts well to the Celtics, it's possible Pierce - who shot 45% from the field and averaged 20.5 points per game last season - could be in-line for another ring fitting. And that's "The Truth."
4. Ron Artest, Los Angeles: You may not like him or the way he plays, but you sure as heck have to respect and appreciate Ron Artest for what he brings to the small forward position. At 6'7 and 260 pounds, he is still the league's best defender. No doubt about it. As for his offense, Artest shot 40% from 3-point land despite his scoring average dipping to 17.1 points per game (which is down from his two previous seasons). Yet Artest's smothering defense remains his calling card and certainly gives the Los Angeles Lakers a leg-up in coming out of the West again next season. Right now, they are the team to beat. And while the Lakers lineup of Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol was outstanding last season, the addition of Artest makes Los Angeles a team poised to repeat.
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City: The Portland Trail Blazers will never admit they should have selected Durant with the first overall pick back in 2007. But the way this kid put up numbers in his second year, it's worth arguing someone missed the boat. The 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year, Durant averaged over 25 points per game last season and easily made his mark at all-star weekend in Phoenix by taking home the MVP trophy from the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. It was that February that Durant blew up: for the month, he averaged 30 points per game, shot 54% from the field, 51% on 3-pointers and 88% from the line. Now many will debate Durant's place on this list, likely arguing a number of honorable mentions should be here instead. But after seeing what the 6'10 small forward has done in two years, and knowing he'll only get better with age and experience in Oklahoma City, Durant is worthy of a perfect pick.
Honorable Mentions: Danny Granger, Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince, Hedo Turkoglu, Shane Battier.
Indiana's Danny Granger was this close to cracking the "Top 5" list. He is coming off a career-year with the Pacers where he averaged 25.8 points per game, leaving one question to be asked: where does last season's Most Improved Player go from here?….Washington's Caron Butler is perhaps one of the most underrated players in the league today, let alone at small forward. Hopefully a return to all-star status will change that perception….With everything Detroit went through last season, Tayshaun Prince stayed an iron man. He appeared in all 82 games for the sixth straight season and started every game for the fifth straight season....Even though Hedo Turkoglu went sideways on the Portland Trail Blazers this summer, finishing last season as Orlando's best offensive threat was no joke. But can he do it again for Toronto?....Shane Battier, Shane Battier, Shane Battier.
Disagree?... make your case below.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13628
Artest over Granger?
