Nov

28

Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard - best center in NBA?

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main 

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard

I realize it is still early in the NBA season, yet one must wonder who is the most dominant center in the NBA at the moment. And there are some worthy big men out there, make no mistake about it. I cannot speak for other media’s criteria, but I can speak for myself when I mention the following criteria as my own when determining who is the best center in the NBA: points per game, rebounds per game, field goal percentage and blocks per game.Here are some worthy centers and their 2007-08 stats thus far:

- Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic; 22.5 PPG, 14.4 RPG, .611 FG%, 2.56 BKPG
- Yao Ming, Houston Rockets; 21.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, .506 FG%, 2.07 BKPG
- Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers; 18.6 PPG, 13.8 RPG, .482 FG%, 2.46 BKPG
- Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns; 18.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, .534 FG%, 2.09 BKPG
- Eddy Curry, New York Knicks; 17.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, .584 FG%, .62 BKPG

Now the pros and cons of each center:

Howard - In his 4th season, he simply is getting better with time. His stats have improved over time, as well. What also helps is that he’s playing on a team that is currently 13-3 (Orlando) and has a decent supporting cast around him. The scary part is that he’s only 21 (22 in December). Sky’s the limit for Dwight.

Ming - Good overall game. Needs to, in my opinion, gain some weight. Should have, for a man of his size, more blocked shots (he’s 7′6″, for Pete’s sake!!). Good shooting touch for a man of his size. A good complementary player to T-Mac in Houston.

Kaman - Underrated in my underestimation. Whether he can remain at this level for an entire season is up for discussion. Good physical presence in the blocks, not easily intimidated. This could be his breakout year.

Stoudemire - Almost 100% recovered from knee injury, as his minutes seem to dictate. When he is fully healthy, should supplant Kaman as the best center in the Western Conference. Probably the fastest center (again, when healthy) in the NBA.

Curry - Still young. Unfortunately for him, plays on a team with no sense of direction. Needs to work on his rebounding phase of his game and learn to block shots (a tutorial by Knicks great Patrick Ewing would be nice, but Ewing is employed by Orlando). Still early for Curry, but the potential is there.

Some honorable mentions:

Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers; 11.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, .585 FG%, 1.43 BKPG
Only 21 years old, Bynum should gradually get better over time; is growing into his role on the team (25 minutes a game). Nice shooting touch for a big man (7′0″, 285). Should log starter minutes relatively soon since Kwame Brown can’t stay healthy.

Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks; 12.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, .488 FG%, 2.08 BKPG
Career is progressing nicely. Needs some consistency to his game as he vanishes at times. While technically a center, he probably is a better fit at power forward.

With the above player comparisons, it is clear as to why Dwight Howard is the dominant center in the NBA right now. Tim Duncan would be here, but he now is listed these days at forward, so don’t blame me - blame the suits at NBA headquarters. If you think that I omitted someone, fire back to us here at Slam Dunk Central. When you do, let us know why you think that player is worthy.


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