5. Bam Adebayo
Despite being a little undersized at the center spot, Bam Adebayo is the most versatile defender at the five position in the NBA. He’s also an excellent playmaker, rebounder, screener, and finisher around the rim as well. If he develops a 3-point shot then he could move up even higher on this list.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
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In terms of pure scoring versatility, there’s non better than Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s can score from anywhere on the court, but his problem isn’t on offense, it’s his defense. There’s no denying that Towns has gotten better on that end of the floor through the years, but he’s still not an average defender at that position on a consistent basis. If he finally becomes that, then he’d make a case for the best center in the NBA.
3. Rudy Gobert
The Utah Jazz has the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert. Gobert impacts the interior defense at such a high level, it makes him a great team defender. He can also be a good finisher around the rim so he’s not a negative offensively. The only knock on him is that he can get played off the court in certain playoff matchups against teams that player smaller to space the floor.
2. Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers fan inside me is hating this decision right now. Joel Embiid is the most complete and physically dominant center in the NBA. That’s not the issue, the problem is that he can’t seem to stay healthy. It stopped him from winning the MVP last season and it’s keeping him from being number one on this list until proven otherwise.
1. Nikola Jokic
Before Sixers fans come to protest at my home, hear me out. Nikola Jokic is the reigning MVP and is the best passing big man of all time. He’s also a three-level scorer and has active hands defensively. Despite his deficiencies on defense, the Nuggets are going to lean on him more this season due to the Jamal Murray injury. He’s in line to have a career season and that can’t be ignored.
Does Embiid deserve to be number one on this list? Comment below your thoughts and continue to visit The Sixer Sense for more Philadelphia 76ers content.