2012-2013 NBA Predictions: Top 5 Centers

2012-2013 NBA Preseason Position Rankings: Top 5 Centers: Once the most important position in the game, the traditional center is a dying breed in the NBA these days. Heck, the defending champion Miami Heat played LeBron James at the “center” spot during the playoffs last season. With more and more teams moving to up-tempo, guard-driven offenses, there is no room for big men that can’t get up and down the court. That being said, the true centers that are left can still make an impact, and the few teams with dominant players at the position, tend to be successful. In fact, the best centers in the league today can control a game both defensively and offensively at times. With that in mind, here is a look at the NBA’s best centers heading into the 2012-13 season.

2012-2013 NBA Preseason Position Rankings: Top 5 Centers

1.      Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

It looks like his back is healthy, and that means Howard should go right back to being the most dominant center in the game. He has averaged 20-plus points in four of the last five seasons, and he has averaged more than 13 rebounds in each of those seasons, as well.  During the same stretch, Howard has also average more than two blocks per game and has been named Defensive Player of the Year three times. On the offensive end, he is an efficient scorer and a devastating finisher around the rim. On the defensive end, there is nobody better at patrolling the paint and protecting the rim. Add it all up, and Howard is the NBA’s best center.

2.      Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia 76ers

The offseason trade to Philadelphia makes Bynum the unquestioned No. 1 option on a team for the first time in his career, and it could be just what the young player needs to unleash his full potential. Focus and consistent effort were issues for Bynum during his tenure with the Lakers, but last year, he posted career highs in points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8) per game. With his new role with the 76ers, Bynum should emerge as the top offensive center in the game this season. His impact on the boards and on defense will depend mainly on his own dedication, but in terms of talent and potential, he has the tools to dethrone Dwight Howard in the coming years.

3.      Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Unlike his brother Pau, who has a very polished offensive game, Marc is more of physical bruiser in the paint for Memphis. Over his four year career, Gasol has averaged 13.1 points on 52.8 percent shooting, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Last year, he posted career highs in points (14.6) and blocks (1.9), and he has shot 75 percent from the foul line in each of the last two seasons. Gasol is a consistent scorer and rebounder from the center position, and his strength has made him one of the best on-ball defenders at the position. He isn’t a flashy player, but he gets the job done.

4.      Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

Last season, the Knicks’ defense went from being a joke to being one of the best in the NBA, and Chandler was the main reason why. He averaged nearly a steal per game to go along with 1.4 blocks and 9,9 rebounds, and those numbers don’t take into account his excellent on-ball defense and all the shots he redirects. Chandler took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award for his efforts, and while his offensive game is very limited, he did average 11.3 points while shooting an NBA-best 67.9 percent from the field. The guy doesn’t take a bad shot, and he makes the ones he is supposed to. Throw in his defensive impact, and Chandler has shed his bust label to become one of the NBA’s best centers.

5.      Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets

Although he was limited to just five games with a foot injury last season, Lopez is back at 100 percent for the 2012-13 season. His career averages include 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds to go along with 1.6 blocks, and in 2010-11, he averaged more than 20 points a game. Lopez is more of a scoring big man than a bruiser in the paint, but with a 50.4 career field goal percentage and a 79.6 free throw percentage, he is one of the most polished scorers at the center position. Let’s face it. There aren’t many centers in the NBA these days that can go out and give you 20 points a night and hit free throws down the stretch. Lopez does both, making him a top-five player at the position.

Get the 2012 NBA vegas odds on NSAwins.com plus visit for 2012 NBA expert picks and updated 2013 NBA Finals Futures Odds.