With the NBA season right around the corner, now is as good a time as any to take stock of the best talent around the league. So before the regular season officially begins, Sports Illustrated will be ranking the top five players at every position in the NBA. Here, we are focusing on centers, a position made cool again after a brief lull in the middle of the last decade.
Apologies to: Brook Lopez, Rudy Gobert.
5. Domantas Sabonis
Armed with a lightning-fast point guard, Sabonis was a key cog in the Kings’ high-powered offensive machine last season. He put up a 19.1/12.3/7.3 slash line while shooting over 61% from the field—all while playing with a mangled hand for the second half of the season. Sabonis is gifted offensively, and I’d been waiting to see him play in meaningful games for years. Unfortunately, the Warriors found ways to make him ineffective in the postseason, attacking him defensively and sagging off him on the other end of the floor. Perhaps the injury played a role in his diminished output, but Sabonis—already very talented—should have something to prove this season.
4. Bam Adebayo
On many nights, Adebayo plays like he should be the No. 2 player on this list. Few players in the league have as much responsibility as he does. He’s a screen setter and table setter on offense, required to find his own shot (he hit a career-best number of unassisted field goals last year) while springing the Heat’s shooters free, either through his passing, picks or handoffs. On the defensive end of the floor, nobody on Earth can guard five positions better than Adebayo. His switching prowess is the key to Miami’s annually stingy defense. Simply put, Adebayo is a unique talent in the NBA. The only thing even slightly holding him back is his offensive repertoire, which continues to evolve.
3. Anthony Davis
AD may protest playing center—he refers to himself as a big—but that’s where he plays most of his minutes, and it’s where he’s most effective. Davis is a rugged, rim-protecting monster who can go off for 30 on any given night. When Davis’s jump shot is falling consistently, be it from midrange or three, he looks like an MVP candidate. He’s a little too inconsistent there to fully reach his ceiling, but the fact that he can still put up nearly 26 a night while shooting over 56% and scaring people from entering the paint makes him a force.
2. Joel Embiid
Embiid is an absolute bruiser who puts immense pressure on defenses. He dominates from the elbow in the pick-and-roll, using his feathery touch to sink free throw line Js, punishing defenders who are rightfully terrified of letting him roll all the way to the rim. Embiid can hardly be guarded one on one in the post, and, when he is, more often than not he’s putting opponents quickly into foul trouble. Defensively, it is rare to see anyone attempt to challenge Embiid at the hoop. He won MVP last season for a reason.
1. Nikola Jokić
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Jokić is the best player in the universe right now, and it’s not a debate. Nobody exerts more control over a game than the Joker. He is the most devastating offensive force in basketball. Unguardable in the pick-and-roll, highly efficient in the post, capable from three, unlimited bag of floaters and runners … you name it, Jokic can do it, and do it efficiently. And on top of all of that, he’s an underrated defender who makes players uncomfortable in the paint with his smarts and positioning. Any team that wants to win a championship right now has to wonder what their answer is for Jokić. You cannot let his self-deprecating attitude fool you. His talent is no joke.
