Centers: 
Dwight Howard >>> I picked the Houston Rockets to go to the NBA Finals last year. I predicted that last season would be the year that Dwight Howard would dominate the hardwood like a vintage Shaquille. Obviously, I was wrong about them reaching the Finals and Howard didn’t break any backboards. But he did show why he is still the best center in the league while playing in the playoffs.
He averaged 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks against the Portland Trailblazers in the first round. Although I believe the Rocket’s defeat had more to do with the red-hot shooting of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard than it have to do with them being an inferior team. The bottom line is those two guys couldn’t miss a shot the whole series. The consistent knock on Howard has been a limited skill set and lack of killer instinct. My argument for that is a passive Howard who only dunks the ball all game is still better than every other center in the league.
Career Stats: Points: 18.3 Rebounds: 12.9 Blocks: 2.2
Al Jefferson >>> you guys don’t know how difficult this top ten selection can be at times. Al Jefferson the big man for the Charlotte Hornets came after I subtracted DeMarcus Cousins from the list. It just didn’t feel right putting Cousins in this slot. When I was writing my rationale for expecting consistency from the young lad, it seemed weak and timid.
D. Cousins is only 24 years old, in comparison to Jefferson, Noah, and M. Gasol who are all 29. Although I feel Cousins will emerge as one of the top 2 Centers in the league; I don’t think he is one right now. Plus I’m not sold on him being a franchise player; All-Star yes; superstar no. That separation of status would have given me more confidence to put him here at this very moment. The reason I selected Big Al here is that I love him, I really do. It is truly a pleasure to watch his big slow-ass kill people on the block every single night. He doesn’t miss a beat and that’s another reason I put him here. He is as just as consistent as DeMarcus is inconsistent. Yeah, Gasol and Noah are better defensively but Jefferson is a double-double machine.
Career Stats: Points: 17.1 Rebounds: 9.1 Blocks: 1.3