In this Position
Battle post, we will focus on the top five centersat this point in the season. We
will take into account just the players’ stats for the latest five games of
their respective teams. This will, hopefully, give us a more current picture of
each player’s production.
Needless to
say, unless you’ve been doing nothing but play Clash of Clans all day long, you
should be aware that Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins has been tearing it up in the
Association. Looks like the whiny and childish misfit has blossomed into an
equally whiny and childish star. Should be an All-Star this season. And the
other four? Well, all I can say is there are a few surprises.
Note: All of the following stats are based on each
player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on January
17, 2014 (Manila time).
5. Nikola Pekovic (MIN) – 19.0ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2spg,
1.2bpg, 52.8 FG%, 95.0 FT%, 23.2 EFF
The T-Wolves
are struggling to get wins, but it’s not for Pekovic’s want of trying. The
28-year-old Montenegrin has been rock-solid for Minnesota, averaging a near
double-double and being ultra-efficient on both ends. And will you look at his
free throw percentage, please? Yes, folks, that’s a center shooting 95%!!!
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| Nikola Pekovic continues to play a big role for the Minnesota Timberwolves. (image from the US Presswire) |
4. Tim Duncan (SAS) – 17.6ppg, 11.0rpg, 3.2apg,
2.2bpg, 57.9 FG%, 25.0 EFF
The Spurs
have won six straight contests, and Duncan has been great in each one. We all
sound like broken records saying the same thing every single year – Duncan just
defies his age and brings it every single game. His biggest game of late? How
about dropping 24 and 17 as San Antonio nipped Memphis? #Timeless
3. Anderson Varejao (CLE) – 11.2ppg, 13.4rpg,
4.4apg, 1.2spg, 58.5 FG%, 25.6 EFF
Who needs
Andrew effin’ Bynum when Anderson Varejao is playing like the way he did last
season (whenever he was healthy, of course)? The Brazilian behemoth is going
after those loose balls, finding open teammates, and letting his hair fall all
over the place. Looks like the Cavs have benefited, too, winning three of their
last five.
2. Joakim Noah (CHI) – 15.0ppg, 15.0rpg, 5.2apg,
1.4spg, 1.8bpg, 28.2 EFF
Don’t look
now, but the Bulls have won seven of their last ten and are still in the thick
of the Playoff race out East. Noah has just switched to devil-may-care mode,
and, consequently, he’s back as one of the league’s top centers. The question
is can he be healthy for the remainder of the season and push the Bulls back
into the postseason? I’m sure he misses Luol Deng, though.
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| Wasn't this the guy who beat up Gaston in that Disney movie? (image from MemeCrunch.com) |
1. DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) – 25.2ppg, 12.4rpg,
1.2spg, 1.4bpg, 51.6 FG%, 28.8 EFF
I still
don’t think the Kings have the chutzpah to make the Playoffs, but at least they
can take pride in being one of the most watchable teams out there, what with
Isaiah Thomas’s breakout season, Rudy Gay finding a niche, and Boogie Cousins
blossoming (finally) into the center we all thought he could be. The way he
runs down the court and jams the rock through the iron is reminiscent of the
Big Diesel, wouldn’t you say? Oh, and Boogie is the Shaqtin’ a Fool type, too.
Outside
looking in:
DeAndre Jordan (LAC) – 22.6 EFF
JJ Hickson (DEN) – 22.4 EFF
Al Jefferson (CHA) – 22.0 EFF
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