Ranking NBA starting centers — 3. Anthony Davis, Lakers
Injuries have really gotten to Anthony Davis and the Lakers this season. We just haven’t seen the best version of AD lately. Maybe that’s the toll of copious lower-leg maladies, maybe that’s the toll of the Lakers’ broader incompetence, or maybe it’s just a temporary aberration. Whatever the case may be, we can only hope Davis gets back to 100 percent next season.
Even in his diminished state, however, Davis has been productive when on the court for LA. He’s averaging 23.1 points and 9.7 rebounds on .537/.182/.709 splits. The obvious red flag is Davis’ 3-point percentage. His jumper has been wayward and out of sync all season. That said, when he’s right, Davis is probably the best No. 2 star in basketball (and a pretty damn good No. 1 star). His rim protection shouldn’t go overlooked either. Davis can still lock all windows and doors when called upon.
Ranking NBA starting centers — 2. Joel Embiid, Sixers
Joel Embiid is an indelible offensive talent and one of the best rim protectors in the NBA. He’s having one of the best offensive seasons in recent memory, averaging 29.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on .485/.366/.822 splits. He draws more fouls than any NBA player because he’s bigger and faster than everyone else. Embiid’s constantly evolving skill set — step-back jumpers, Kobe-esque fades, playmaking from the elbow — has made him arguably the most difficult one-on-one matchup in the NBA. He’s listed at 7-foot, 280 pounds, and he spends multiple possessions per game bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense. It’s absurd to witness.
That said, while Embiid could justifiably win MVP and is probably a definitive top-5 player at this point, he doesn’t quite get the top spot. Not due to a lack of talent or accomplishment, but because there are two historically great centers in the NBA right now. Embiid’s historic campaign has only been matched in magnitude by…
Ranking NBA starting centers — 1. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Nikola Jokic might be the best passer on the planet. His court vision at 7-foot, 284 pounds is basically unheard of. He’s a legitimate point center, running the Denver offense and puncturing defenses in ways we’ve never really seen before. He can play bully ball inside, run off pin-downs like a guard, hit spot-up jumpers — you will struggle to completely lock Jokic out of a game. His offensive skill set is too varied and dynamic.
For the season, Jokic is averaging 26.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on .572/.349/.804 splits. When you consider his usage rate and the difficulty of his shot attempts, it is hard to fathom how efficient Jokic is from the floor. Even more difficult when you consider how equally liable he is to break out the most impressive pass of the season on any given possession. Nobody can leave it right in the shooter’s pocket quite like Jokic. His 360-degree vision, elite efficiency, dominant rebounding, and underrated interior defense leave him in the No. 1 spot, despite real competition from Embiid.