A lot of the NBA big guys today are developing more of European style of play. A lot of big guys like to to step out for the mid-range jump-shot and some even developed a consistent three point shot like Andrea Bargnani. Other types of big guys like Joakim Noah and Brendan Haywood have adapted the hustle and dirty work style of play. One breed of big guys are dying out, the old classic dominant post-up Centers. In this league its not very essential for the Center to give you solid post-play to win a ring. Look at Tyson Chandler, just last year the Mavericks won it all with Chandler's style of play which was only rebounding and defense. Having a traditional Center is a luxury in this era of basketball, teams like Lakers and Spurs have proven multiple times with multiple championships. Players like Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and Roy Hibbert have made the lives of their teammates much easier because it opens the floor. So who is the best offensive post Center the league has now?
List of Top 5 Traditional Centers. (List is based only offensive post play)
- Andrew Bynum- The Laker's Bnyum is a true Center. He can take it in the post and finish with either hand. His post moves are endless. He can score in many ways like his spin move and hook shot or slamming it down.
- Al Jefferson- May not have the body of Bynum or Howard, but Jefferson can torture you in the post. He plays very smoothly like jazz, ironic because he plays for the Jazz. He has not got the credit he deserves because he played for a horrible Wolves team and the Jazz aren't on NBA analysts top team to talk about. He can face up and score and could back down and score with a hook shot.
- Roy Hibbert- I will probably get a ear full putting Hibbert before Howard and Duncan but hear me out first. This list is based off of offensive post play, not overall play. Hibberts defense does not compare to Howard or Duncan, but Hibbert's offense does. Roy Hibbert has legitimate post-moves that Howard lacks. Hibbert over the past three years has developed multiple go-to moves and is only getting better each day. The Pacers are one the top teams in the East because they can relay on Hibbert in the post.
- Dwight Howard- I felt reluctant to put Howard on the list because he only has three post moves. He is the best Center in the league, but hes not the most talented offensively though. He has a running hook-shot that works for him time to time, and majority of the time he gets hammered in the paint which ends up with missed free-throws.
- Marc Gasol- I really wanted to put Nene in the top five, but Marc is slightly better in the post. Marc's style of play is much different from Pau, and he makes it work. Marc is a big guy, he can back a player down almost any player down and shoot over the top. He may not have a ton of post moves but he makes it work.
Notable Mentions: Tim Duncan, Andrew Bogut, Brook Lopez, Nene, Al Horford, Demarcus Cousins.
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Tags: Al Horford, Al Jefferson, Andrew Bogut, Andrew Bynum, Brook Lopez, Centers, Demarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard, Indiana Pacers, lakers, Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzles, NBA, Nene, Orlando Magic, Roy Hibbert, Tim Duncan, Utah Jazz
The Center is passe. Nowadays, he's tantamount to another power forward.
i agree, the traditional Center position is dying out.