Best Centers in the NBA: All-Time Greats by Arena Plus

Let's talk about centers in the NBA who have truly left an indelible mark. I mean, who doesn’t get jazzed up at the thought of those colossal figures dominating the paint? Let’s kick this off with Wilt Chamberlain. Do you know how impressive it is to average 50.4 points per game in a season? Wilt did that during the 1961-62 NBA season! Not to mention, he once scored 100 points in a single game. That's an absurd number, right?

Then we have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With that iconic skyhook shot, Kareem tallied a total of 38,387 points over his 20-year career in the league. He’s also a six-time NBA champion. When people think of unstoppable scoring machines, they often reference Kareem. His longevity and efficiency were next level. By the way, have you ever tried imagining an NBA without his skyhook? Impossible.

Now, Shaquille O’Neal was pure power. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch and weighing 325 pounds, his superiority in the post was almost a guarantee. O'Neal secured four NBA championships, three with the Lakers and one with the Heat. Shaq's dominance in the paint helped him achieve an astounding career field goal percentage of 58.2%, which is the highest of all time for players who have taken over 10,000 shots. That’s not a typo!

Hakeem Olajuwon's finesse and footwork were out of this world. Earning the nickname “The Dream,” Olajuwon recorded 3,830 blocks during his career, which is the most in NBA history. Imagine going up against someone who could effortlessly swat away your shots. Plus, he led the Houston Rockets to two NBA championships in the mid-'90s. Houston’s basketball legacy runs deep because of players like Olajuwon.

When discussing centers, one can't overlook Bill Russell’s impressive defensive prowess. Russell won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, which is still an unbroken record. His rebounding prowess was phenomenal; during his career, he averaged 22.5 rebounds per game. By the way, think about how crazy this statistic is: In today's game, leading rebounders often average 12-15 rebounds per game. Russell played on a different level altogether.

Our list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Tim Duncan. While often categorized as a power forward, Duncan played center for much of his career. His five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs, not to mention his two MVP awards, make him legendary. Duncan’s remarkable consistency helped him become one of the most effective players in NBA history, with a career win shares of 206.4. That term win shares is a metric used in basketball to quantify a player's contributions – Duncan had plenty of them.

Patrick Ewing is another name that resonates with fans. Throughout his career with the New York Knicks, he accumulated 24,815 points and 11,607 rebounds. Ewing was synonymous with the Knicks' fierce competitive spirit in the '80s and '90s. He may not have won a championship, but his contributions were immense. For instance, have you seen the battles he had with the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs? Talk about NBA drama at its finest.

We can't forget about the younger stars, though. Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ current center, has been redefining the role with his playmaking abilities. Jokic was the MVP of the 2020-21 NBA season, and his ability to rack up triple-doubles is unparalleled for a big man. Speaking of efficiency, he also has a career assist percentage of 29.1%, which is unheard of for a center. If you keep an eye on him, you’ll realize that he's constantly reshaping how we think about the center position.

Joel Embiid is another current player who deserves mention. His combination of size, skill, and agility makes him a nightmare for any defender. During the 2020-21 season, Embiid averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. If you watch his games, his presence on the court is palpable. Embiid’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting (hitting 37.7% from beyond the arc that season) is changing the archetype for centers.

Historically, few names shine as bright as David Robinson’s. The Admiral, as he’s often called, was a ten-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA champion with the Spurs. His presence on both ends of the floor was immense. Robinson scored 71 points in a single game to secure the scoring title for the 1993-94 season – then consider he was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. Balance in excellence, right?

Dwight Howard’s career also stands out among the greats. With an impressive eight All-Star appearances and three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards, Howard’s dominance in his prime was unquestionable. In the 2008-09 season, he helped lead the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals. Just to give you a sense, Howard's career total of over 14,000 rebounds ranks him among the best rebounders in NBA history.

Think about Alonzo Mourning's heart and intensity on the floor. Mourning won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006 and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. His career was characterized by his shot-blocking ability, totaling 2,356 blocks, putting him in the top 15 for most blocks in NBA history. Even after battling kidney disease, Mourning’s comeback and subsequent championship win serve as an inspiration.

Moses Malone’s contribution to the game can’t go unnoticed either. This guy was a relentless force on the boards, amassing over 17,000 career rebounds and earning three MVP awards. Malone's journey from high school straight to professional basketball paved the way for future generations. Not to forget, he led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA championship in 1983, famously predicting a “Fo’, Fo’, Fo’” playoff sweep.

And how can we forget Dikembe Mutombo? Famous for his finger-wagging shot rejections, Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. His big heart extended off the court as well, making significant contributions to humanitarian efforts, particularly with his foundation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mutombo's legacy as a shot-blocker earned him 3,289 career blocks, second only to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Speaking of defense, let’s not overlook Ben Wallace. During his career, Wallace was named Defensive Player of the Year four times and was an integral part of the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 NBA championship team. His rebounding and shot-blocking were immense. Wallace holds the record for most career rebounds per game (12.9) of any undrafted player in NBA history. Watching him in action was like witnessing a human wall in defense.

Yao Ming’s impact reaches beyond just his on-court achievements. Ming, an eight-time All-Star, brought the NBA to a global audience, especially in China. His career averages of 19 points and 9.2 rebounds per game are impressive, but his true legacy lies in bridging cultural gaps and making the sport more accessible globally. Could you imagine the outreach the NBA got through his presence? Immense.

As we talk about these all-time great centers, let’s remember the countless unforgettable moments they brought to the hardwood. For fans who wish to relive those golden moments, and explore in-depth analyses, definitely check out arena plus for all things basketball.