With the 2016-17 year finally starting today here is the top five centers. I also ranked the top five point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards.
1. Hassan Whiteside- Miami Heat: With Dwyane Wade gone and Chris Bosh dealing with blood clots, Hassan Whiteside is the star player for the Miami Heat. This season he will have to step up even more than what he did last season, even though he had some killer stats. Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. He set career highs in his shooting percentage (.606), free throw percentage (.650), rebounds (11.8), defensive rebounds (8.6), blocks (3.7), and points (14.2). Whiteside ranked fifth in centers in double-doubles and first in triple-doubles. He also came off the bench for the Heat against the Wizards and scored 25 points and 23 rebounds in one game. This makes him the first player in Heat history to achieve those stats. Whiteside can play both sides of the floor and that’s why he will be a monster this year with the Heat.
2. DeMarcus Cousins- Sacramento Kings: A good big man is hard to find and the Kings are well aware of this. While most teams would get rid of players that would cause problems with their head coaches, the Kings have held onto DeMarcus Cousins. Ever since Cousins joined the team back in 2010, they have fired five head coaches. It was well publicized that Cousins and George Carl did not get along at during their run together. One thing for sure is, the Kings know Cousins is a great player and will keep him at all cost. Cousins led all centers averaging 26.9 points per game and ranked fourth in all players (above LeBron James). He also recorded 47 double-doubles for second consecutive year in a row. Cousins also broke a team record for twenty six thirty point games in Kings history. We will have to see how Cousins and his brand new head coach, Dave Joerger do this season.
3. DeAndre Jordan- Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Jordan is a consistent big man for the Clippers. He shoots at a high percentage while maintaining his defensive presence. Last season he shot 70.3 percent from the field which made him the third player of all time to reach this mark. If those stats weren’t impressive enough, Jordan averaged over 13 rebounds and two blocks for the third consecutive season, which makes him one out of five players to do so since the 1973-74 season. Jordan is a good piece for the Clippers as he propels them offensively and defensively. Also, he is a great team player and the Paul, Griffin and Jordan trio have the potential of going deep in the playoffs and maybe even the Finals.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns- Minnesota Timberwolves: Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns also know as KAT averaged a double double for points per game (18.3) and rebounds (10.5) per game. Rookies normally take time to transition from the NCAA to the NBA but not KAT. He is making an immediate positive impact for the Timberwolves. Playing along Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, KAT is bound for success with the young Timberwolves team.
5. Andre Drummond- Detroit Pistons: When Andre Drummond signed a five year contract worth over $127 million, many questioned if he would live up to it. Over the past few seasons Drummond has made a name for himself and shown he is a top center. Last season, he set career highs in points per game (16.2) and rebounds per game (14.8). Drummond is ranked first for most double-doubles in the NBA since the 2014-15 season. Drummond also ranks second for most games with 15+ points and 15 rebounds by a Piston since the 1985-86 season. His accomplishment are impressive and it should be fun to watch Drummond this upcoming season.
