Top 10 Centers Of All Time
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Offense: A
Known for his unstoppable skyhook, Abdul-Jabbar had won two scoring titles in a row averaging 33.2 points over those seasons. He put up 24.6 ppg on 55.9% shooting over his career, leading the NBA in field goal percentage once. Jabbar was a near-perfect center offensively who was efficient on a high volume.
Defense: A+
The 7’2 giant was also dominant on defense. Abdul-Jabbar was named to the defensive first team five times and led the league in blocks for four seasons. Through his first 12 seasons, he averaged a ridiculous 14.1 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals and established himself as one of the best interior defenders ever.
Prime A
Abdul-Jabbar’s best seasons statistically were on the Bucks from 1970-1973. In three seasons he averaged 32.2 points and 16.2 rebounds while winning 2 MVPs and leading the team to a championship. All of this was accomplished before he turned 26 years old.
Postseason Success: A+
Even though he wasn’t always the best player on his team, Abdul-Jabbar has put together an absurd postseason resumé over the course of his career: 5x NBA champion, 2x Finals MVP, 10 Finals appearances
Regular Season Accomplishments: A+
There isn’t much Abdul-Jabbar didn’t accomplish. He has the most MVPs in NBA history along with leading the league in multiple statistics, multiple times: 6x MVP, 10x NBA first team, 5x NBA defensive first team, 2x Scoring leader, 1x Rebounding leader, 4x Block leader.
2. Wilt Chamberlain
Offense: A
Wilt is known for his incredible stat lines, especially in the early 60s. In the first 10 years of his career, he averaged 34.4 points and 4.5 assists. After adjusting for the high pace during that time, his stat line would look more like 29 points and 4 assists. Still very impressive especially considering he led the league in scoring seven times and in assists once. His biggest knock is that his production went way down come playoff time.
Defense: A+
Chamberlain’s unreal athletic ability allowed him to be dominant on the glass and on defense. He stood at 7’1” and 275 pounds and was rumored to be able to bench 500 pounds with a 48-inch vertical. This allowed him to lead the league in rebounds 11 times, averaging 22.9 over his career.
Prime: A
His prime was from 1965-68 while on the 76ers. He averaged 27.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 24.2 rebounds while winning three MVP awards and a ring in a three-season stretch. In terms of personal accomplishments, it was nearly flawless but he could only take his team to the finals once.
Postseason Success: A-
Overshadowed by the Celtics dynasty, Chamberlain still found success in the postseason winning twice late in his career: 2x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP, 6 Finals appearances
Regular Season Accomplishments: A+
Decorated with 4 MVP awards and statistic titles in multiple categories makes Chamberlain is one of the most accomplished players: 4x MVP, 7x All NBA first team, 2x Defensive first team, 7x Scoring leader, 11x Rebounding leader, 1x Assist leader
3. Bill Russell
Offense: B
Russell was not known for being dominant on offense throughout his career. He averaged a mere 15.1 points per game on 44% field goal percentage in the most fast-paced era the NBA has seen.
Defense: A+
Defensively, Russell is arguably the greatest of all time. He is one of the most athletically gifted players ever being 6’10” with Olympic-level high jumping abilities. This helped him lock down opponents each night and secure 22.5 rebounds per game throughout his career.
Prime: A+
Russell’s prime was from 1960-63 where in a three-year stretch he averaged 17.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 23.7 rebounds while winning 3 MVP awards and 3 championships. You can’t get much more perfect than that in three years.
Postseason Success: A+
Even though the league never had more than 14 teams when he played, Russell will go down as one of the most successful players in postseason history winning 11 rings in a span of 13 seasons: 11x NBA champion, 12 Finals appearances
Regular Season Accomplishments: A+
Russell also has an impressive regular season resume having many MVPs and rebounding titles: 5x MVP, 4x Rebounding leader
4. Shaquille O’Neal
Offense: A
In his prime, O’Neal was one of the most dominant big men ever standing at 7’1 325 pounds in his prime. Through his first 11 seasons, he averaged 27.6 points per game while shooting 58% from the field. This stint included 2 scoring titles and 6 seasons where he led the league in field goal percentage.
Defense: B+
Early in his career he was also dominant on defense. It wasn’t easy to score on or outrebound the 7’1” 325 pound, big man. During his time in Orlando and Los Angeles, he averaged 2.6 blocks and 12.1 rebounds. As good as the stats looked, his interior presence wasn’t always felt due to effort which is why he only made 3 defensive teams and had unimpressive advanced stats.
Prime: A+
From 1999 to 2002, Shaq had one of the most dominant three year runs ever. He was in the best shape of his life physicall and mentally which led to 28.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. He also led the Lakers to three rings winning Finals MVP each time.
Postseason Success: A
O’Neal was the leader of one of only 4 dynasties to ever three-peat, winning finals MVP for all championships and then winning another ring in Miami with Dwyane Wade: 4x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 6 Finals appearances
Regular Season Accomplishments: A-
One of his biggest faults is his longevity. After he turned 30 years old, he wasn’t considered the best big man in the league which results in fewer accomplishments: 1x MVP, 8x All NBA first team, 2x Scoring leader
5. Tim Duncan
Offense: B+
Known as Mr. Fundamentals, Duncan was dominant in the post. He averaged 21.8 ppg over his first 10 seasons and only averaged less than 13 ppg once in his 20 season career. He had every post move in the book including his patented bank shot. As smart as he was, Duncan was never asked to carry the scoring load or playmake at an elite level.
Defense: A+
Duncan was also a force defensively. Over his first 10 seasons, he averaged 11.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. His efforts got him on a defensive team an outstanding 15 times. He’s widely considered one of the best defensive post players ever even having never won Defensive Player of the Year.
Prime: A
Duncan’s three best seasons came from 2002-05 where he averaged 22.1 points and 12.2 rebounds. That stretch also came with an MVP award and two trips to the finals where he came away Finals MVP both times.
Postseason Success: A
He was the face of the Spurs dynasty that won 5 rings from 1999 to 2014 with the help of Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Man Ginobili, and David Robinson: 5x NBA champion, 3x Finals MVP, 6 Finals appearances
Regular Season Accomplishments: A+
He was also dominant for a very long time as shown through his many selections on All NBA teams: 2x MVP, 10x All NBA first team, 15x All NBA defense
6. Hakeem Olajuwon
Offense: A-
Known for his “Dream Shake” Hakeem had every post move in his arsenal. He was only in the hunt for a scoring title twice, but he was still able to average 24.3 points and 2.7 assists in his first 12 seasons with decent efficiency. Olajuwon was also always able to elevate his game in the playoffs.
Defense: A+
Hakeem is arguably the greatest defender of all time. He was a mobile post defender who was consistently one of the leaders in both blocks and steals. Along with this, he led the league in rebounding twice, averaging 12.2 in his first 12 seasons. He is well accomplished in this department as well having 2 Defensive Player of the Year Awards and 9 All Defensive Selections.
Prime: A+
His best three year stretch came from 1992-95 where he averaged 27 points, 3.6 assists, and 12 rebounds. He also took the Rockets to two Finals wins while winning MVP and two DPOY awards.
Winning Success: A-
Hakeem took advantage of Jordan’s retirement winning rings in both years he was out of the league: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3 Finals Appearances
Accomplishments: A-
Olajuwon was able to rack up accomplishments on both the offensive and defensive side: 1x MPV, 2x DPOY, 6x All NBA first team, 9x All NBA defensive team, 2x Steals leaders, 3x Blocks leaders
7. Moses Malone
Offense: A-
Moses was known for his scrappy finishes under the rim especially coming from offensive rebounds. He averaged a ridiculous 6.5 offensive rebounds per game in his first 6 NBA seasons. His best seasons he would average around 26 points and 2 assists.
Defense: B+
Malone was an absolute force on the glass averaging 14.5 rebounds per game in his first 9 seasons. As an interior defender he wasn’t as dominant which is why he only made 2 All NBA defensive teams.
Prime: A-
His prime was from 1980-83 on the Rockets and 76ers, where in three seasons he averaged 27.8 points, 1.6 assists, and 14.9 rebounds. In that span, he also won two MVP awards and was Finals MVP on the 1983 76ers roster.
Winning Success: B+
Moses was able to find playoff success once he joined the 76ers. During his first year joining their roster, he led the team to a title: 1x NBA Champion, 2x Finals Appearance, 1x Finals MVP
Accomplishments: A-
Malone was dominant on the awards in the early 80s, winning back-to-back MVPs even on two different teams (Rockets and 76ers): 3x MVP, 4x All NBA first team, 2x All defensive team, 6x Rebounding leader
8. Robinson
Offense: B+
David Robinson was an elite post-scorer. Being 7’1 and one of the strongest players in the NBA he was able to average 25.6 points per game in his first 7 seasons and led the league in scoring once. His downfall was that those statistics didn’t translate well into the playoffs as he consistently performed worse.
Defense: A+
The combination of size, strength, and mobility made David Robinson one of the best post defenders ever. Advanced stats, defensive awards, and other accomplishments all agree that he was a tank on the defensive side of the court.
Prime: B
David Robinson’s prime was from 1993-96 when he averaged 27.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs and 24 points and 11.1 rebounds in the playoffs. He also won MVP but never made it to the finals in that stretch.
Winning Success: B+
Robinson won both of his rings with Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan on the Spurs. Neither time did he win Finals MVP: 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals Appearances
Accomplishments: B+
Robinson was consistently recognized as one of the best centers of the 90s and was recognized as the best 4 times: 1x MVP, 1x Defensive Player of the Year, 4x All NBA first team, 8x All NBA defensive team, 1x Scoring leader, 1x Rebounding leader, 1x Blocks leader
9. Jokic
Offense: A
Whether it’s his inside scoring, play making, or ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting, Jokic affects the offensive side of the floor in almost every way. He has broken almost all advanced stat metrics and if he can string together more successful seasons, could be seen as one of the best offensive centers ever.
Defense: B+
Jokic is also a solid interior defender and a great rebounder. He’s averaging a career 10.3 rebounds but has never found himself winning any defensive awards.
Prime: A-
His best years so far have been from 2019-2022 where he has been near perfect statistically and looking at awards. He averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 11.2 rebounds per game while winning back-to-back MVPs. However he has had little success in the playoffs, never making it to the NBA Finals.
Winning Success: B-
Jokic has yet to have much playoff success having never been to the finals, but has still led some good Nuggets teams.
Accomplishments: B
Jokic has many awards in his so far short career, and will be expected to win much more as he continues: 2x MVP, 3x All NBA first teams
10. Walton
Offense: B+
Bill Walton was a great interior scorer and underrated playmaker. During his time on the Blazers he averaged 17.1 points and 4.4 assists. He was also not the most efficient averaging a 52.1 FG% but was still a threat in the post.
Defense: A
Walton was more known for his great defense. In 177 he led the league in both blocks and rebounds. After his foot injuries, he wasn’t as dominant but still a great spark off the bench.
Prime: B
Walton’s prime was from 1975-78 when he averaged 18 points, 4.3 assists, and 13.7 rebounds in that span. He also won an MVP and finals MVP, both in 1977.
Winning Success: B+
Walton was able to find playoff success in his short time injury-free on the Blazers. He was also able to help the Celtics win a championship as a role player. Free from injury Walton would’ve had a lot more impressive resume: 2x NBA Champion, 3 Finals Appearances, 1x Finals MVP
Accomplishments: C+
His award resume also could’ve been a lot more impressive if he could’ve stayed healthy, but he still accomplished a lot nonetheless: 1x MVP, 1x All NBA first team, 2x All NBA defensive team, 1x Rebounding leader, 1x Block leader
