For a complete picture of the state of the center in today's NBA, CNNSI.com ranks the NBA's 29 teams according to the quality of their men in the middle.
CNNSI.com Power Rankings |
Rank | Team |
1 |  | Los Angeles Lakers |
Shaq isn't only the man in L.A., he's the man, period. |
2 |  | San Antonio Spurs |
With the "Twin Towers" lurking in the middle, opponents' options are severely limited. |
3 |  | Miami Heat |
Lion-hearted Brian Grant has been a giant, and 'Zo is waiting in the wings. |
4 |  | Philadelphia 76ers |
Averaging 15.7 rebounds with the Sixers, Mutombo is endearing himself to his new teammates. |
5 |  | Sacramento Kings |
As the man in the middle in Sacramento, Vlade Divac is the glue that holds the Kings together. |
6 |  | Atlanta Hawks |
They gave up Deke, but they got an All-Star center (Theo Ratliff) and a promising kid (Nazr Mohammed) in return. |
7 |  | Toronto Raptors |
Antonio Davis is starting -- and thriving. Athletic Keon Clark will soon follow. |
8 |  | Orlando Magic |
Three-headed monster of Bo Outlaw, John Amaechi and Michael Doleac hold their own in the East. |
9 |  | New York Knicks |
Camby's rebounding and shot-blocking help key the Knicks' notorious defense. |
10 |  | Detroit Pistons |
Ben Wallace has been one of Detroit's few bright spots. If he could only hit his free throws ... |
11 |  | Portland Trail Blazers |
Arvydas Sabonis isn't what he used to be, but Dale Davis has picked up the slack.
|
12 |  | Golden State Warriors |
If they can keep him healthy, the Warriors have a center with some great upside in Marc Jackson. |
13 |  | Dallas Mavericks |
Juwan Howard moved Dirk Nowitzki to the middle, creating an explosive frontcourt. Now about the defense ...
|
14 |  | Denver Nuggets |
Raef LaFrentz can shoot the 3; Kevin Willis can play in the paint. The Nuggets need a hybrid. |
15 |  | Utah Jazz |
Olden Polynice is most threatening with his police badge; Greg Ostertag doesn't even have that. |
16 |  | Charlotte Hornets |
Offensive-minded Elden Campbell is averaging 12.7 points a game but is being outrebounded by Jamal Mashburn.
|
17 |  | Houston Rockets |
The Dream still shows flashes of brilliance; Kelvin Cato is still a dream unrealized.
|
18 |  | Seattle SuperSonics |
The 38-year-old Ewing is averaging career lows in points, rebounds and minutes.
|
19 |  | Washington Wizards |
Jahidi White ran Ike Austin out of town and is averaging 8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. |
20 |  | Vancouver Grizzlies |
Big Country, Austin are big reason Grizzlies are house hunting. |
21 |  | Milwaukee Bucks |
With the "Big 3" getting all the attention, Scott Williams and Ervin Johnson merely have to stay out of the way. |
22 |  | Los Angeles Clippers |
The Kandi Man -- Michael Olowokandi -- is still looking for the sugar rush that will take his game to the next level. |
23 |  | Chicago Bulls |
Brad Miller may not be a stud, but he is a 7-footer. |
24 |  | Phoenix Suns |
The Suns went out of their way to get Jake Tsakalidis; they don't want to have to rely on Chris Dudley. |
25 |  | New Jersey Nets |
Kenyon Martin makes Evan Eschmeyer's job easier, but the second-year center still has a lot of work to do. |
26 |  | Cleveland Cavaliers |
The Cavs could have been much higher, but Zydrunas Ilgauskas' talent doesn't count for much when he's rehabbing. |
27 |  | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Reliance on KG has weakened the T'wolves' center spot, and Radoslav Nesterovic is coming off the bench. |
28 |  | Boston Celtics |
If Vitaly Potapenko could pick up his game, the Celts would really make some noise. Until then, they'll start Mark Blount. |
29 |  | Indiana Pacers |
With Jermaine O'Neal starting at his natural power-forward position, Zan Tabak and Sam Perkins can't fill Rik Smits' big shoes. |
