Who are the best centers in NBA history?

In an era of positionless basketball, it can be hard to remember the days when you were a powerful center returning to the basket.

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The days when the biggest man on the court manhandled his smaller opponents, carried him to the basket and easily disposed of him.

Nowadays, it seems like every lineup must have a stretched five, as the game has evolved toward more of a shot-and-space equation, and less of a bare-knuckle brute-force fight.

That’s not to say that the centers of today’s game don’t compare to those of the past. In fact, there is a big man on this list who has become one of the most dominant and efficient players in the game. NBA have you ever seen.

It just looks different now.

For the purposes of this exercise, Tim Duncan is classified as a power forward and therefore is not on the list.

Honorable Mentions: Dwight Howard, Dikembe Mutombo, Bob McAdoo, George Mikan, Robert Parish

Without further ado, here are the 10 best centers in NBA history.

10. Bill Walton

Averages and accolades: 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 blocks, two-time champion, 1978 MVP, two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive, 1986 6MOY

The late Walton was unique, both on and off the court. Known for his exuberant personality, Walton was dominant when he stepped on the court. He led the Portland Trailblazers to their only championship in franchise history.

Unfortunately, Walton’s career was marred by injury, leaving everyone wondering how much more he would have accomplished if he had stayed healthy.

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9. Patrick Ewing

Averages and accolades: 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.4 blocks, 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive

Ewing directed the New York Knicks to great success during his time with the iconic franchise. Unfortunately for him, he played in the era and conference in which michael jordan played in.

Ewing is the only player on the roster without a championship to show for it.

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8. Moses Malone

Averages and accolades: 20.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks, one-time champion, three-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive

Malone was the most dominant player there was in the 70s and 80s. Originally from the ABA, along with his teammate Julius Erving, Malone dominated the Association.

At his peak, Malone averaged 26.8 points and 15.4 rebounds per game while winning three MVPs and the Philadelphia 76’ers’ last championship, in 1983.

Malone has his number retired by both the Houston Rockets and 76’ers.

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7. David Robinson

Averages and accolades: 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.0 blocks, two-time champion, 1995 MVP, 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive, 1992 DPOY

The Admiral was the OG big man in San Antonio before it became popular.

Before Tim Duncans and Victor Wembanyamas, it was Robinson.

He led San Antonio to great success in the ’90s, before winning two titles after Duncan was drafted, proving to be the perfect match.

Robinson remains the last player to record a quadruple-double, recording 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks in a game against the Detroit Pistons in 1994.

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6. Nikola Jokic

Averages and accolades (through 2023-24 season): 20.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists, only champion, three-time MVP, six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA

The only current player on this list, Jokic has proven himself to be today’s perfect big man. He can handle the ball, is considered the greatest big man of all time and can score when necessary.

Jokic has the fourth most triple-doubles in history, behind only Magic JohnsonOscar Robertson and now current teammate, Russell Westbrook.

It makes the game look easy and, most importantly, it makes everyone around it infinitely better.

There’s a reason the Serbian big man has three MVPs and a Finals MVP in his trophy case.

Oh yeah, he’s only 29 years old, which leaves him plenty of time to move up the list.

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5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Averages and accolades: 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.1 blocks, two-time champion, 1994 MVP, 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive, twice DPOY

Olajuwon patented one of the most unstoppable moves in league history, ‘The Dream Shake’.

It was a nightmare on both ends of the court.

When Jordan briefly retired in the mid-90s, it was Olajuwon and his Houston Rockets who stepped into the power vacuum, winning back-to-back titles and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest big men to ever do so.

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4. Bill Russell

Averages and recognitions: 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 11-time champion, five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA

The final winner.

If winning were the only criterion, Russell would be number one and it wouldn’t be close.

Russell has eleven world championships to his name, the most in NBA history, and nearly doubling Jordan’s six.

He was as dominant as he was a winner.

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3. Shaquille O’Neal

Averages and accolades: 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, four-time champion, 2000 MVP, 15-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive

The Great Diesel, the Great Aristotle, Superman, call O’Neal whatever you want, just make sure you call him dominant.

Regarded as possibly the most physically imposing force to ever see an NBA court, O’Neal entered the league and immediately blew away everyone in front of him.

However, it was not until he left Orland Magic and came to the Los Angeles Lakerswhere he ascended to the upper echelon of NBA greats.

Paired next to a young man Kobe BryantO’Neal and the Lakers recited the last three NBA games, where the big man simply destroyed everything in his path.

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2. Wilt Chamberlain

Averages and recognitions: 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, two-time champion, four-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA

If you ever looked at Chamberlain’s stats, you wouldn’t believe them.

You should think twice.

Chamberlain put up eye-catching numbers, similar to those of a video game.

Not to mention his legendary 100-point performance, if there is a record or list for points and rebounds, Chamberlain’s name is probably at or near the top.

The only blemish on Chamberlain’s career would be that he lost to Russell seven of eight times in the playoffs.

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1. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Averages and accolades: 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 blocks, six-time champion, six-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Defensive

Considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, regardless of position, and at worst number three, Abdul-Jabbar is in a class of his own when it comes to centers.

His trademark skyhook gave defenses nightmares as he dominated the league for the better part of two decades.

Not to mention that the three in a row NCAA He won championships at UCLA, where he was so dominant that the skyhook had to be banned at the collegiate level.

Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time leading scorer when he retired in 1989, and only recently handed the crown to LeBron James the last season.

The championships, the MVPs, the All-Star Game appearances, the NBA Game nominations, there was no one like the Captain and there never will be again.

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There you have it.

The 10 best centers of all time.

It’s a huge list, full of men the size of mountains.

As the game evolves and moves away from the traditional big man, this list is an important reminder of what the game used to be.