Who will you choose to round out your team? The Top 20 centers are right here for your viewing pleasure.
1. Dwight Howard - Houston Rockets
He's the best. Around. Mike D'Antoni tried to keep him down. But now he's free from all the Hollywood glitz and glamor and will be eager to get back to his unstoppable days.
2. Anthony Davis - New Orleans Pelicans
In four preseason games thus far, Davis has averaged 27.8 mpg, 24.5 ppg, 55.1% FG, 88% FT, 7.0 rpg, 1.8 spg, 2.0 bpg. Granted, it is preseason, but if this is in any way a sign of things to come, Davis will be a perennial all-star as well as a fantasy monster.
3. Marc Gasol - Memphis Grizzlies
Defensive player of the year. Good for 50% from the field and a double-double almost every night. Can't beat that.
4. Al Jefferson - Charlotte Bobcats
Al Jefferson is a fantastic player that has been eternally stuck with horrible teams. Al is another double-double machine and will shoulder the majority of the scoring for the young kitties.
5. DeMarcus Cousins - Sacramento Kings
There's no question DeMarcus Cousins needs to mature but there's also no question about what he does on the court. Entering his fourth NBA season, I expect Cousins to show a bit more maturity and consistency. Last year he averaged 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds, I'd like to see him at 20 & 11 this year. He definitely has the skills to accomplish it.
6. Joakim Noah - Chicago Bulls
Noah has consistently averaged a double-double in 3 out of the last 4 seasons. The one season he missed out, he averaged 9.8 rebounds. So, he pretty much has averaged a double-double in four straight seasons. That's ridiculous and that along with his ability to tally up blocks, some assists (4 assists per game last year) and steals is why he's a great choice for your team.
7. Al Horford - Atlanta Hawks
Horford had a terrific season averaging 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He also shot 54% from the field and contributed in steals and blocks. Horford is a guy you can rely on to be a mainstay on your squad and produce in multiple categories.
8. Andre Drummond - Detroit Pistons
Drummond had an extremely efficient rookie season and opened up some eyes. He has emerged as one to watch for and has the potential to be a top 5 center in this league. He only averaged about 20 minutes a game, so let's take a look at his per 36 numbers: 13.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 1.7 steals and 60.8FG%. THAT'S FREAKIN RIDICULOUS.
9. Brook Lopez - Brooklyn Nets
Brook Lopez is soft. I've encountered toilet paper that was rougher than Brook Lopez. Brook Lopez is so soft his middle name is "Charmin". Ok, I'm done, you get the point. For a center to average just 6-7 rebounds per game is embarrassing. Especially when you're 7 feet tall. There's just no excuse for that. Luckily, Brook can put up 20+ points per game and 2 blocks so he's not completely useless.
10. Roy Hibbert - Indiana Pacers
Hibbert had his worst FG% of his career last season but still managed to post 12pts, 8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He finished second in the NBA for most blocks with 206, just behind Serge Ibaka. I would like to see Hibbert improve his FG%, which should result in a couple more points per game. I expect Hibbert to improve and come close to posting 16 points and 9 boards while maintaining his block totals.
11. Nikola Vucevic - Orlando Magic
Vucevic was a rebounding machine last year. He finished the season averaging 13 points and 12 rebounds. To top it off he added a block and a steal per game and shot 52% from the field. Nikola finished 3rd in the league in total rebounds with 917, behind only Dwight Howard and Omer Asik. Don't sleep on Nikola.
12. Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs
One of the best players to ever play the game is slowly deteriorating. He has not played a full season since 2000-2001 season and he will never play a full season again. He simply can't. His body won't allow it and Greg Popovich is going to be extra careful with his big man so that he can be ready for the playoffs. When he does play, he can still get you a double-double and 2-3 blocks per game.
13. Nikola Pekovic - Minnesota Timberwolves
Pekovic got the pay day he was seeking from the Timberwolves and for good reason. Pekovic emerged as a legitimate fantasy force seemingly out of nowhere. There are concerns with his health as he has yet to play a full season in his first three years in the league. However, he does post some very good numbers when he's on the court. He had a lot more responsibility last year with Kevin Love's long term injury so his 16.3 points per game from last year could see a slight decrease.
14. Anderson Varejao - Cleveland Cavaliers
It was a real shame that Varejao's season was cut short because he was on his way to a monster season. In 25 games played Varejao averaged 14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. The Cavs signed Andrew Bynum but who knows when he will be healthy enough to take the court, and even then, he's a broken nail away from being sidelined.
15. Marcin Gortat - Phoenix Suns
It was a very disappointing season for Gortat owners who drafted him with the hopes he would repeat his 15 points and 10 boards from the season before. Gortat only played in 61 games and finished the season with just 11 points per game and 8.5 boards. I expect The Polish Hammer to come back this season and try to replicate his 2011-2012 numbers.
16. Andrew Bogut - Golden State Warriors
I had my doubts about putting Bogut in my top 20 but so far he's looking healthier than ever. That's the only knock on Bogut -- he cannot stay on the court. When he is healthy, he produces at a high level. I'm gonna take a leap of faith and see if he can do it this season. The only time Bogut played 82 games was his rookie season, I don't think he will play 82 games this season but I'm hoping he can play in 65+.
17. Chris Kaman - Los Angeles Lakers
Kaman will hope to rejuvenate his career with the Lakers and so far in preseason he is looking solid. He is averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3 assists per game thus far. He seems to be working well alongside Pau Gasol and should be able to replicate, if not improve, his preseason numbers.
18. DeAndre Jordan - Los Angeles Clippers
DeAndre is not an offensive force by any means but he does contribute in blocks, steals and rebounds. If he can slightly increase his point totals, he can be a fantasy force because of the double-doubles and several blocks per game.
19. Spencer Hawes - Philadelphia 76ers
Vanilla. That's what comes to mind when I think of Spencer Hawes. And it's not because of his skin color. Spencer played in all 82 games last season and averaged a very steady 14.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The 76ers acquired rookie Nerlens Noel and one would have to think he is going to feature heavily for them. However, Noel is still recovering from his ACL injury and is not expected back until Christmas, barring any setbacks.
20. Andrew Bynum - Cleveland Cavaliers
Ugh. This guy can't be trusted. But, when healthy, he's shown us what he's capable of. 19 points, 12 boards and 2 blocks is not something to scoff at, and that's what Bynum averaged in 60 games back in 2011-12. That was the last time we saw Bynum play.
There it is, folks. We have covered every position and you should be ready to take your league to the cleaners now. I can be reached on twitter @asfarfaketeams if you have any questions.
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