Who Are the Top Centers in the NBA Right Now and How They Dominate the Game

As I sit down to analyze the current landscape of NBA centers, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the position has evolved. When I first started covering basketball professionally about a decade ago, the center position was undergoing what many called an "identity crisis" - traditional back-to-the-basket big men were becoming increasingly obsolete. Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing what I believe is the golden age of versatile big men who fundamentally reshape how the game is played on both ends of the court.

Let me start with Nikola Jokić, who in my opinion has revolutionized what we expect from a center more than any player in recent memory. The Denver Nuggets star isn't just putting up impressive numbers - he's averaging around 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists this season - but he's doing it with a style that defies conventional basketball wisdom. What makes Jokić truly dominant isn't just his statistical output, but his basketball IQ that allows him to control the game's tempo like a chess grandmaster. I've watched countless games where Denver seems stuck, only for Jokić to engineer a 10-0 run through his decision-making alone. His passing vision from the post is something I haven't seen since the great Arvydas Sabonis in his prime, and his ability to score efficiently from anywhere on the court makes him virtually unguardable in single coverage.

Then there's Joel Embiid, whose physical dominance reminds me of the classic centers I grew up watching, but with a modern skillset that includes three-point range. The Philadelphia 76ers star is putting up historic numbers - I'd estimate he's on pace for another season averaging over 30 points and 10 rebounds - while anchoring one of the league's best defenses. What separates Embiid from other physically gifted big men is his footwork and shooting touch. I've studied his post moves extensively, and his combination of power and finesse is something young centers should be required to watch on repeat. Defensively, his presence alone alters opponents' entire offensive schemes - teams consistently shoot about 8-10% worse at the rim when Embiid is patrolling the paint.

The international influence on the center position has been remarkable, and it's fascinating to see how global basketball continues to evolve. Just recently, I came across news about Nao Okamoto, executive officer for international business of Japan's B.League, discussing potential exhibition games between Asian and NBA teams. This development underscores how basketball's globalization continues to shape the game at the highest levels. Having watched international big men like Jokić and Domantas Sabonis develop outside the traditional American system, I'm convinced these cross-league collaborations will only accelerate the evolution of skilled big men worldwide.

Speaking of Sabonis, he represents another fascinating archetype of the modern center - the offensive hub who may not be a traditional rim protector but contributes in countless other ways. The Sacramento Kings big man is averaging what I'd estimate to be about 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists while serving as the central cog in one of the league's most dynamic offenses. His screening, passing, and rebounding create advantages that don't always show up in traditional box scores. Having charted several Kings games last season, I noticed how Sabonis' constant movement and decision-making forces defenses into impossible choices - help off him and he'll find the open man, stay home and he'll carve out position for easy baskets.

What fascinates me about today's elite centers is how they've adapted to the pace-and-space era without sacrificing the traditional big man skills that made the position special. Anthony Davis, for instance, combines the shooting and switching ability required in modern defenses with the shot-blocking instincts of classic centers. His defensive versatility - I've seen him effectively guard all five positions in crucial moments - makes him uniquely valuable in playoff settings where matchups become increasingly important.

The center position's evolution reflects broader changes in basketball philosophy, and honestly, I prefer today's versatile big men to the limited role players of the past. These modern centers aren't just tall athletes occupying space - they're offensive initiators, defensive anchors, and often the primary decision-makers for their teams. As the game continues to globalize through initiatives like the B.League collaborations mentioned by Nao Okamoto, I expect we'll see even more innovative big men emerging from diverse basketball backgrounds. The future of the center position looks brighter than ever, with these talented players proving that skilled big men remain invaluable in today's NBA landscape.