As I sit here watching another dominant performance from Nikola Jokić, I can't help but marvel at how the center position has evolved in today's NBA. We're currently witnessing what might be the golden era for big men, with a remarkable blend of traditional post players and modern unicorns who can handle the ball like guards while protecting the rim like classic centers. Having followed the league for over fifteen years, I've never seen such depth and versatility at the five spot. The conversation about the best centers in basketball today isn't just about who can score in the paint anymore - it's about who can run offenses, space the floor, and anchor championship-level defenses.
When I think about dominant big men right now, my mind immediately goes to Nikola Jokić. The Denver Nuggets star isn't just the best center in the league - he might be the most uniquely talented player I've ever seen at his position. Last season's numbers were absolutely ridiculous: 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game while shooting 63.2% from the field. What blows my mind isn't just the stats but how he achieves them. He sees passing lanes that don't exist for mere mortals, and his basketball IQ is off the charts. I've watched him completely dismantle defenses without ever looking like he's breaking a sweat. His footwork in the post reminds me of vintage Hakeem Olajuwon, but his playmaking is something we've never seen from a seven-footer before.
Right there with Jokić in the conversation is Joel Embiid, who brings a completely different style of dominance. Where Jokić is finesse and craft, Embiid is pure power and athleticism. The Philadelphia star put up 33.1 points per game last season while anchoring one of the league's best defenses. His ability to score from anywhere - bullying defenders in the post, hitting mid-range jumpers, or drawing fouls - makes him virtually unguardable when he's healthy. I've always been fascinated by how Embiid combines old-school back-to-the-basket game with modern perimeter skills. His three-point shooting has become a legitimate weapon, forcing defenders to respect him beyond the arc while still being able to dominate inside.
What's fascinating about today's center landscape is how international players have transformed the position. Beyond Jokić, we have Domantas Sabonis putting up triple-doubles for Sacramento, Karl-Anthony Towns revolutionizing the stretch-five concept in Minnesota, and Rudy Gobert changing games defensively for Minnesota without needing offensive touches. This global influence reminds me of something interesting I came across recently - Nao Okamoto, executive officer for international business of Japan's B.League, mentioned they're working with Asia's pioneering play-for-pay league for possible exhibition games featuring teams and players from both leagues. This kind of international cross-pollination could further elevate the center position globally, exposing different styles and techniques that might produce the next generation of dominant big men.
My personal favorite to watch might be Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis, who led the league in rebounds last season with 12.3 per game while also dishing out 7.3 assists. He's not the flashiest player, but his fundamentals are textbook perfect. The way he sets screens, finds cutters, and controls the glass is just beautiful basketball. I've noticed how he uses his body to shield defenders on rebounds - it's an art form that younger centers should study. Then there's Bam Adebayo in Miami, who might be the most versatile defender at the position. His ability to switch onto guards and hold his own is something that would have been unheard of for centers just a decade ago.
The evolution of the center position has been remarkable to witness firsthand. I remember when big men were expected to just rebound, block shots, and score in the paint. Now we have players like Karl-Anthony Towns shooting over 40% from three-point range while still grabbing 10+ rebounds per game. The modern center needs to be a complete basketball player, and the ones who can't adapt are getting left behind. What's particularly interesting is how the international game has influenced this evolution. The potential collaboration that Nao Okamoto mentioned between the B.League and other Asian leagues could create more opportunities for big men to develop diverse skill sets, potentially producing more versatile centers who can impact the game in multiple ways.
Looking at the younger generation coming up, I'm excited about players like Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama who represent the next evolutionary step for centers. Wembanyama's combination of length, shooting touch, and defensive instincts is something we've literally never seen before in basketball history. He could realistically average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks while shooting 35% from three as a rookie - numbers that would have been science fiction for centers just a few years ago.
Ultimately, what makes this era of centers so special is the diversity of skills and styles. We have traditional bruisers like Steven Adams coexisting with floor-spacing bigs like Myles Turner and all-around talents like Jokić. There's no single blueprint for success at the position anymore, and that variety makes every game fascinating to watch. As the game continues to globalize, with initiatives like the exhibition games Nao Okamoto mentioned between the B.League and other Asian leagues, I expect we'll see even more innovation at the center position. The big man isn't just back - he's evolved into the most versatile and exciting position in modern basketball.
