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NBA: Ranking the NBA’s Top 10 Current Centers

By Blake Holmes

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to play a ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) tries to defend during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to play a ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) tries to defend during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting off the list is a young big man from the Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas.

During his four-year NBA career, Valanciunas has been an under the radar type of center. He puts up very respectable numbers for the perennial Eastern Conference contending Toronto Raptors, but many do not give him the respect and recognition that he really deserves.

For his career, Jonas has averaged about 11 points and 8 rebounds per game, so he is pretty close to averaging a double-double. In this past season, he averaged about three offensive rebounds per game, giving the Raptors more chances for second chance points. One of the biggest aspects about Vals game is his field goal percentage. Throughout his NBA career, he has shot close to 56 percent from the field, so over half of the shots that he attempts find their ways into the net. When it comes to offensive efficiency, there aren’t too many centers that are better.

The reason that he is not higher on this list is simple. We have seen him do plenty of good and maybe great things in Toronto, but what about his defense? That’s right, he hasn’t been a great defensive player in his short NBA career. He will need to pick it up and prove to the NBA that he can be a valuable defender when it is necessary.

Even with his shortcomings on defense, Valanciunas has a great upside, and potential to be one of the more reliable and valuable big men in the NBA.

Next: 9. Nikola Jokic

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