Ranking the top 30 centers in the NBA
110. . C. Miami Heat. Bam Adebayo. 6. player
Top 30 NBA centers — 6. Bam Adebayo, Heat
Bam Adebayo is probably the best switch big in the NBA. He can lock up the league’s best point guards, and he’s equally adept at challenging the league’s elite centers in the post. Adebayo’s sense of angles and relentless hustle makes him a truly singular talent, and it probably should’ve put him more prominently in the DPOY conversation. He needs to be more aggressive on offense, but his playmaking and nimble post scoring are mighty impressive. It’s only up from here.
20. . C. Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis. 5. player
Top 30 NBA centers — 5. Anthony Davis, Lakers
Call this benefit of the doubt. Injuries were once again prevalent in Anthony Davis’ season, but this time in coincided with a noticeable drop in production. A wayward jumper, diminished movement, and the general malaise of a nightmare season made it very difficult to get a read on the Lakers’ star big. When healthy and right, Davis is a borderline top-10 player — one of the NBA’s true two-way superstars. Last season, however, he simply wasn’t that caliber of player. Only time will tell if he can return to that level.
Karl-Anthony Towns. 4. player. 86. . C. Minnesota Timberwolves
Top 30 NBA centers — 4. Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves
Is Karl-Anthony Towns the best shooting 7-footer of all time? Maybe, maybe not. Is Kevin Durant a 7-footer? What’s your opinion on Dirk? In the end, the answer doesn’t really matter — the question does. KAT’s perimeter skill has placed him in the same conversation as multiple all-time greats. He poses a unique challenge for opposing defenses. Put a smaller defender on him, and he will eat in the paint. Put a slower defender on him, and it’s death by a thousand cuts (and 3s and drives). Add in KAT’s improvement as a passer and as a rim protector, and he just doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s a full-blown star, and a championship-caliber star at that.