Sixers: Ranking Joel Embiid and every starting center in the NBA

Ranking NBA starting centers — 6. Bam Adebayo, Heat

Bam Adebayo is one of several candidates vying for the Defensive Player of the Year award right now. Miami is the top seed in the East and one of the most cohesive teams in the NBA. Adebayo is in many ways the glue that holds them together — a multi-faceted offensive talent and the defensive backbone of a potential title contender.

With his ability to switch on the perimeter and practically guard five positions, Adebayo is impossible to scheme off the floor. His quick recovery speed, long arms, and brute strength make up for what is traditionally an undersized frame at 6-foot-9. On offense, Adebayo continues to gradually expand his repertoire. He’s already an excellent passer on the short roll and a talented interior scorer. For the season, he’s averaging 19.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 54.1 percent shooting.

Ranking NBA starting centers — 5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns, not long removed from his first 60-point game, is about to lead Minnesota to the playoffs. The Wolves are finally kicking into gear, with Towns’ immeasurable offensive talent spearheading their success. He is not only the best shooting big man in the NBA, but an unguardable post-up scorer, a dynamic face-up threat, an increasingly aware passer, and a 7-footer who can sprint in transition with the best of them.

For all his talent on offense, Towns has always been considered “soft” to the untrained eye. He never really deserved that label, but now he has shed it entirely. He’s not only a physical offensive player, but a rapidly growing defensive anchor. The Wolves have one of the best defenses in the West, and it’s hard to get there without a competent rim protector in the middle. Towns is averaging 24.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on .529/.408/.819 splits.

Ranking NBA starting centers — 4. Rudy Gobert, Jazz

Rudy Gobert might win his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award in a couple months, and he would be fully deserving. No player alters the chemistry of the opposing offense like Gobert. Guards don’t drive as frequently, bigs can’t get clean looks at the rim, and Utah benefits immeasurably. The difference between the Jazz with Gobert on the floor versus off the floor is night and day, which has been on full display this season. Utah crumbled when Gobert was injured.

Given his broad-shouldered frame and massive length at 7-foot-1, Gobert is also an elite finisher who can punish ill-timed rotations and smaller defenders at the rim. He’s converting 71.3 percent of his field goal attempts, almost all of which come inside. He’s one of the best pick-and-roll bigs in the NBA. For the season, Gobert is averaging 15.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks.