Per Sources’ 2019-20 NBA season preview continues. I started by giving my predictions as to who the Western Conference playoff teams were going to be. Now, I move to my positional rankings. I’ll go through each position and give my opinion/analysis for the top-10 at each position. We’ll then cap it off by giving my top-10 players for the new season. After ranking my top-10 power forwards, I end my positional ranking with my top-10 centers for 2019-20.
#10: DeAndre Jordan
2018-19 season stats: 69 games played, 11.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, 0.6 steals, and a 63.9 field goal percentage.
DeAndre Jordan has taken a massive drop-off from the player he was on the Clippers. At this point, he’s a solid big man that anyone can benefit from having on their team. However, he hasn’t gotten better after being the monster he was in Los Angeles. Jordan, at least to me, isn’t as great as he once was. That’s what puts him at the #10 spot for me. However, who knows what can happen with Kyrie Irving as his teammate.
#9: Steven Adams
2018-19 season stats: 80 games played, 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.5 steals, and a 59.5 field goal percentage.
Is Steven Adams underrated? No. There are plenty of big men who are better than him. Adams is able to score, rebound, and be the energy guy for the Thunder. But, those aren’t things that he does better than the other players ahead of him. Adams might have himself another solid season considering he’s going from one elite playmaker in Russell Westbrook to another in Chris Paul.
#8: Nikola Vucevic
2018-19 season stats: 80 games played, 20.8 points 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steals, 51.8 field goal percentage and a 36.4 three-point percentage.
Nikola Vucevic had himself a breakout season for the Magic. Although he didn’t show up in the playoffs for Orlando, he had a pretty solid year. He notched his first All-Star appearance. Vucevic is legit. The Eastern Conference is significantly weaker. You’ll find teams make the playoffs that wouldn’t cut it in the West. They have a roster that’s capable of surprising many people. It’s up to Vucevic to bring Orlando back to the playoffs once again.
#7: Andre Drummond
2018-19 season stats: 79 games played, 17.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.7 steals. 53.3 field goal percentage, and a 13.2 three-point percentage.
Andre Drummond is arguably the league’s best rebounder. His work with the Detroit Pistons has been something to marvel at. With Blake Griffin, he forms a dynamic duo that’s been potent during their time together. The fact that he’s been as consistent as he has puts him at seventh, for me. If he can develop into a better scorer this season, I see no reason why Drummond can’t be considered a top-five center in the league.
#6: Clint Capela
2018-19 season stats: 67 games played, 16.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, 0.7 steals, and a 64.8 field goal percentage.
I’ve been low on Clint Capela due to the fact that he’s had the opportunity to play off of James Harden and Chris Paul. Now, I’m low on him again because he has a better player in Russell Westbrook sliding in for Paul. However, I almost have to put him at the number six spot. His talent is undeniable but a lot of his numbers have been from the easy looks he receives. Despite that, it’s enough to warrant this standing. I expect Capela to be his usual self. That’s him being a solid big man for a Rockets team that’s probably going to have a lot of missed shots this season. He may never be an All-Star, but the Rockets won’t win without him.
#5: Al Horford
2018-19 season stats: 68 games played, 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, 0.9 steals, 53.5 field goal percentage, and a 36.0 three-point percentage.
Al Horford has maintained a steady pace as one of the league’s best centers. He’s one of those energy guys that any team should want to have on their squad, similar to Draymond Green. Horford will handle some of the toughest defensive assignments all while being able to score and rebound for you at an efficient pace. Once an All-Star, always an All-Star, and that’s something that needs to be emphasized with Horford. If you don’t see the Celtics doing well this season, blame it on the fact that the Celtics aren’t only without Kyrie Irving but Al Horford as well.
#4: Rudy Gobert
2018-19 season stats: 81 games played, 15.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 blocks, 0.8 steals, and a 66.9 field goal percentage.
Rudy Gobert will probably three-peat as Defensive Player of the Year. Why? Because on the Jazz, he’s just been that dominant. This year, Gobert is surrounded by a team that looks like a legit title contender. If anyone can surprise the Lakers, Clippers, or even Nuggets this season, it’s Utah. From top to bottom, they’re talented. Gobert isn’t known for his offensive attributes but rather for what he brings on the defensive side of the ball. He’s proven to be one the league’s best defenders. I project the Jazz to be a top-four seed in the Western Conference. That’s largely due to what we all know Gobert can bring to the table.
#3: Nikola Jokic
2018-19 season stats: 80 games played, 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.4 steals, 51.1 field goal percentage, and a 30.7 three-point percentage.
To many, Nikola Jokic is the best center in the NBA. That’s not the case for me. Jokic is a beyond talented player who’s scoring and passing ability may be the best in the league. However, where he excels on offense, he lacks on defense. Unlike the two players ahead of him, Jokic’s performances at both ends don’t balance out. He’s probably the center I’d take on my NBA superteam because of his passing ability. However, if we’re comparing just the player, Jokic certainly isn’t the best in the NBA. He’s the difference between the Nuggets making it to the Western Conference Finals and losing in the first round. The depth that Denver has is ridiculous. They have all the tools needed to win an NBA Championship. However, Jokic is going to have to have himself a special season.
#2: Karl-Anthony Towns
2018-19 season stats: 77 games played, 24.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, 0.9 steals, 51.8 field goal percentage, and a 40.0 three-point percentage.
Karl-Anthony Towns is the reason you probably shouldn’t sleep on the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Towns is coming in with a vengeance, with his skill set improving each year. He didn’t average 24 and 12 for no reason. He’s a dominant scorer, aggressive rebounder, and reliable defender. On top of that, he doesn’t miss many games. 77 games is a whole lot more than the player in front of him. Towns is a player you can count on for constant production in all facets. I see him as an All-Star, dark-horse MVP candidate, and someone who’ll have their best year yet.
#1: Joel Embiid
2018-19 season stats: 64 games played, 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.9 blocks, 0.7 steals, 48.4 field goal percentage, and a 30.0 three-point percentage.
Joel Embiid is the best center in the NBA. It’s not debatable. When healthy, he’s an MVP candidate and the best player on my Eastern Conference favorite. Embiid’s game speaks for itself, and that was on display all of last season. His season ended earlier than expected due to the emergence of the Toronto Raptors. However, that didn’t take away from the fact that Embiid really separated himself from the other centers in the game. He isn’t a one-dimensional player who can only compromise you in the paint. Embiid has been shooting the ball more and more from behind the arc, and I expect the same this year. What’s my season outlook for Embiid? An NBA Finals appearance. For that to happen, Embiid is going to need to play more than 64 games which means staying healthy.
e. Let me know what you think of my center rankings. Should certain centers be ranked higher than others? Let me know.
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