The Top 10 Centers in the NBA
By Tom Atkinson
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Hassan Whiteside – Miami Heat
Age: 27
2015-16 Per Game Averages: 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 offensive rebounds, 3.7 blocks.
Career Per Game Averages: 11.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 offensive rebounds, 2.9 blocks.
With Dwyane Wade gone and Bosh’s status uncertain, all eyes will be on Hassan Whiteside in Miami this year.
You might not agree with the Heat big man being higher on this list than Towns or Drummond. Honestly, I’m not sure either.
However, considering that just two years ago Hassan Whiteside was a non-factor in the NBA, his transition to star has been jaw-dropping. This is a guy who was waived by the Kings and Grizzlies, plagued by uncomplimentary labels about his mindset and effort.
Wow, huh? Whiteside is now an absolute beast at the center spot. Count Blockula is a terrific player and he has a highlight reel to himself. On a regular basis, Whiteside puts up eye-watering slams off the alley-oop or with monstrous blocks. That nickname isn’t for nothing, you know. Whiteside is the only player who is a threat to get a triple-double with blocks every game. It is something he has done more than once despite not even having two full years as a star.
“Right now, he’s the premier rim protector in the league. It changed the game when he came in,” Hornets Coach Steve Clifford said, via the Sun Sentinel, after Whiteside put up one of those triple-doubles in February.
That Whiteside is the premier rim protector in the NBA today is not in doubt. It takes a truly special player to put up 3.7 blocks per game for a whole year but that’s what he did.
Other than that, Whiteside is not a guy who defines the new NBA. He does not have great hands, his range is way short of the three-point line and his perimeter defense isn’t amazing. In many ways, other than his unbelievable speed and athleticism, Whiteside is a tradition center. He rebounds excellently, he blocks excellently and his offense near the rim is excellently solid.
Clearly, he does not have the developed offensive arsenal of Towns. Still, Whiteside is an immense threat for dunks and putbacks and that helps him get 14.2 points per game, shooting at a .606 clip. Using his dominant inside scoring or the pick-and-roll, Whiteside will remind you not to sleep on him on offense.
As I said, though, Whiteside is far from perfect. His game does not have the completeness of Towns, Horford or Marc Gasol. He might struggle to keep his head at times. He might not even be a total advantage on defense.
However, when you look past that, you get the best rim protector in the NBA and an elite rebounder and inside scorer. In Hassan Whiteside, you get a star, well deserving of this spot in the rankings.
Next: No. 2