Who Is The Best Center From The 2010s?
Today I will be finding the best center from the 2010s.
Today we are concluding the series where I find the best player from the 2010s at each position. If you have been keeping track, this is the lineup so far.
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: James Harden
SF: Lebron James
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: ?
So, lets find the best center from the 2010’s to complete our dream 2010 lineup.
#3 – Marc Gasol
Memphis Grizzlies & Toronto Raptors
Gasol is one of the old guys to play the big man position. Gasol has been playing this entire decade, and has brought up an impressive resume in the process. Gasol is also one of the more impressive bigs because he evolved his game to fit the modern play-style. He now is a solid 3-PT shooter.
Gasol was a 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Member, 1x All-Defensive Member, a Defensive Player of the Year and he has a ring.
Gasol averaged 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with 1.5 blocks. He shot 47.1% from the field and 35.0% from 3.
Gasol was sneakily one of the best defensive guys in the league. He has 1 DPOY and only one All-Defensive Team, but he was a great interior force with the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol was one of the more underrated players with Memphis, and was a key player in their success in the Western Conference. While Gasol is now injured and hardly plays for the Raptors, he did help a lot during the 2019 title run. I think that we can all say that Gasol has definitely earned his keep, and is deserving of the #3 spot.
#2 – DeMarcus Cousins
Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers
This one kind of makes me just feel bad. Sure Cousins is not the most like-able guy to an opposing team or their fans, but you have to feel bad for the guy. He was the best center in the NBA for some time during the decade, but then injuries derailed a promising career. And not just any injuries, serious injuries that would end your career, but to have multiple of them is just bad. While I never particularly liked Cousins, he had a chance to contribute to a team that would have won the Finals barring any injuries. Then he gets another chance with a title contender, and gets himself hurt again. Tragic.
Cousins was a 4x All-Star and a 2x All-NBA Member during the decade. He should have a ring, but injuries derailed that.
Cousins averaged 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds with 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks. He shot 46.1% from the field and 33.2% from 3.
Cousins was the best center in the league with the Kings, but being the Kings, things just never worked out. He was traded to the Pelicans to team up with AD, and he tore his Achilles. He signed with the Warriors for cheap hoping for a ring. He played ok, and then he hurt himself in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Warriors lost, so Cousins went to the Lakers. Cousins looked for a good year, but tore his ACL before the season started. Now Cousins is without a team. What basketball gods did he anger? What did he do to deserve this? While many peg Cousins as a bully and a jerk, you don’t wish this upon anybody, no matter who it is. Hopefully Cousins can start to stay healthy and find some success in the 2020’s, but the once promising career for Cousins in likely over.
#1 – Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, LA Lakers
Howard was the best big guy to end the 2000s. With Shaq out of the picture, Dwight was the new #1 with the Orlando Magic. He had quick paint moves and was a lethal defender. After making the Finals in 2009, the future looked bright for Dwight. Then he tried to win a ring. He went to the Lakers and that failed. He went to Houston for 3 years and that failed. He bounced around from team to team, and it looked like his career was done and that he was washed. But, that’s not the case as with the Lakers, he has found his footing once again. But lets not forget what Dwight accomplished.
He was a 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Member, 3x All-Defensive Member, and a 2x Defensive Player of the Year.
Howard averaged 17.3 points and 12.6 rebounds with 1.0 steals and 1.8 blocks. He shot 59.0% from the field.
Howard was one of the most dominant big guys to start the decade. He was a great inside scorer and an elite defender. But after he left the Magic, things started to go down hill until he was considered washed. But as he has gone to the LA Lakers, he was found his footing and we have seen his worth once more. While Prime Dwight Howard will never been seen again, we still might see some productive years from Dwight Howard. And if the cards fall right, he might even get that elusive ring.
What do you think? Who is on your top-3 list. Other than Dwight Howard, who would be your #1? Leave all of your comments down below.
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