These are the big men in the NBA that have transformed the position from a solely rebounding and block, to the do-it-all and play a big role in the offense and defense.
The following list, which was hard to come up with, is made of the Top 5 centers in the NBA today and the centers that will continue to carry their teams in the 2012-2013 season.
In no particular order:
Al Jefferson
You can call him a nobody or what I prefer to call him, a silent killer. He was one of the top scoring centers in the NBA in 2011-2012 while playing for the Utah Jazz. This big man can do it all. He is 6'10" and can rebound, block, score and pass.
In 2011 he averaged 19.2 points a game, 1.7 blocks a game, 2.2 assists and 9.6 rebounds a game.
Andrew Bynum
No longer under Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O'Neal's shadow, Andrew Bynum is set to have a career year with the Philadelphia 76ers. The face of the franchise, Andre Iguodala, is not there anymore, so Bynum has the opportunity of being the leader in the Sixers' locker room. Bynum is also a versatile young center. He averaged career highs after averaging 18.7 points, 1.9 blocks, 1.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game.
Marc Gasol
Probably the most surprising one on the list, but Marc Gasol is one of the most versatile of versatile centers in the NBA today. He might not go crazy scoring like a Dwight Howard, but he is always good at finding the open man. Last season, Gasol led all centers in assists, averaging 3.1 per game. Mix in his ability to block and rebound and Gasol is all of a sudden a traditional center. Last season he averaged 1.9 blocks and 8.9 rebounds a game. His scoring is not too shabby as you can count the Spaniard to drop around 14 points a game.
Dwight Howard
This should come as no surprise and we'll keep it brief. Stat line speaks for itself. Howard is a force. Averaged 20.6 points, 2.2 blocks, 1.9 assists and 14.5 rebounds a game.
Brook Lopez
Though Lopez was not around much for the 2011-2012 season, I predict he will be a major scorer alongside Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. He might even lead the team in scoring. In 2010-2011 Lopez averaged 20.4 points a game, which was good enough for third amongst centers only behind Howard and Toronto Raptor's Andrea Barganani. In five games last season, he averaged 19.2 points a game and 1.2 assists. His rebounding and blocking we subpar and below average, but after a new season he will likely come back strong.
Honorable Mention
Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett
Denver Nuggets JaVale McGee
New York Knicks Tyson Chandler
