Ranking NBA starting centers — 24. Mason Plumlee, Hornets
Mason Plumlee’s numbers do not leap off the page. He’s averaging 6.5 points and 8.1 rebounds for Charlotte, and now, he’s regularly outshined by his backup (and Sixth Man of the Year candidate) Montrezl Harrell. That said, there is a reason Plumlee has started every game since departing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in 2020.
Despite his hefty limitations, Plumlee is an efficient rim runner (64.4 percent on 2-point field goals) who sets strong screens and displays excellent instincts on the roll. He can pass the ball better than your average big, he plays excellent vertical defense at 6-foot-10, and he does the dirty work on both ends. The Hornets really benefit from Plumlee’s presence, even if he’s the least flashy member of a very flashy team.
Ranking NBA starting centers — 23. Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
Mitchell Robinson is a tricky player to wrap one’s head around. On one hand, he’s an absurdly efficient scorer — 8.4 points on 76.9 percent shooting. His elastic arms and elite athleticism make Robinson pretty much unstoppable once he catches it at the rim. On the other hand, he still gets into foul trouble from time to time, and isn’t the most reliable decision-maker. That limits his playing time.
In time, Robinson should continue to polish his game and become more reliable for long stretches of time. Even in a more limited 20-25 minutes per game, however, it’s hard to deny Robinson’s sheer productivity as a rim runner and shot blocker.
Ranking NBA starting centers — 22. Steven Adams, Grizzlies
Steven Adams continues to provide reliable two-way production in the middle, even if he’s not quite the player he was at his peak in OKC. Still possibly the strongest player in the NBA, you won’t find many better post defenders than Adams. He’s a stone wall at the rim, making it difficult for opposing centers to carve out position for easy baskets.
For the season, Adams is averaging 7.2 points and 9.8 rebounds on 52.3 percent shooting. He’s still limited in scope as a scorer, but his sublime passing and feather-soft touch at the rim make him useful nonetheless. He’s also one of the best rebounders in the game, especially on the offensive glass.