Pick 'Em: Top 5 Centers in NBA

As I write entries for this blog, I find a ton of problem coming up with new and interesting things to write, so I'm starting a new staple: Pick 'Em. It'll be top fives or tens or however many, of anything from athletes at positions (like today's top 5 centers) to cheesesteak places to who knows. So let's kick it off with today's Top 5 Center's in the NBA:

1. This one is a no-brainer and if I didn't have Dwight Howard here, I would undoubtedly and rightfully be bludgeoned in the head by Matt or Vineesh. Superman is across the board dominant on defense and his budding offensive game is shinning almost every night. Dwight is posting 20.2 points and 13.8 rebounds a night and adding a ridiculous 3.2 blocks a game. Also, Howard alters approximately 39.1 shots a game (I just made that up, but it's probably close). I have a question though, I have trouble thinking that he can fit through doors without turning sideways. On tv he looks 5 feet wide. Does his house only have double doors? Moving on, Dwight is only 23 and will most likely top this list for the next 5-8 years as he gets better and better.


2. I think that Yao Ming is currently the two-man here, but not for long. Have watched him on the court recently? Well, chances are that you haven't because he's constantly getting injured. I don't think Yao's body is going to hold up too much longer. Couple that with the fact that the game has been changing away from big, sloth-like, centers for quite some time and Yao's days are numbered. His numbers are still great, but there's just so much not to be excited about with Yao. The Rockets lack of playoff success (that's on T-Mac too), his lack on intensity/personality, and his lack of athleticism. However, for the time being, he reigns number two.


3. Third, is vastly underrated and personal favorite (by this I mean: I love him in NBA 2k9), Al Jefferson. Al's offensive game is technically sound and fluid, he averages 22/10 on a piss-poor Timberwolves squad where everyone knows than he's the only player worth covering. If Al wasn't toiling in mediocrity (much like our man, Danny Granger), he'd be getting some big time media love. Hopefully, Kevin McHale resigns sometime soon so the city of Minnesota can move forward with Jefferson's prime.


4. The way he's playing, you can't leave the Diesel off the list this year. Shaq has been awesome this year and who saw this coming? I guess with a few days off here and there, Shaq is ready to roll like it's 2004. It helps that the Suns have slowed the pace, but by and large it's been all about the Diesel. The only reason he isn't higher is because he just isn't built to play every night anymore.
5. I can't believe I'm writing this, but next up I gotta take Andrew Bynum. I still remember watching an awkward Bynum play in high school, thinking how the hell did this joke get drafted 10th overall in the NBA! Low and behold, he grew into his body, got some good coaching and is emerging as a big-time center. As a senior, he was second-team all-county in Middlesex, NJ! That isn't exactly a basketball haven, correction, it is embarrasing that Bynum didn't dominate playing against unsuspecting pimple-faced kids (like our own poster Vineesh, now there's a fantastic high school basketballer for you. he was my pick if I'm the Lakers GM) in Central Jersey. Anywho, the only reason Bynum's numbers aren't near the top of the league at center is because he is the third, maybe fourth option on a great team. It makes sense that he doesn't score too much when he plays alongside Kobe and Pau Gasol. But he is ever-improving and should remain on this list for years to come, with his great defensive play as the focal point of his game.