The 2014-15 season is roughly 25 percent complete, which means we’re starting to get a reasonable handle on who’s who this year. Based on the numbers to this point, below are the top five big men in the NBA so far this season.
With the ever-diminishing role of centers across the league, I use the term “big men” to avoid any controversy regarding who qualifies. Also, this analysis falls under the category of “Stat Central,” so statistics are the only criteria used when comparing each player.
Not On The List:
Dwight Howard: The Houston Rockets center is averaging 18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game with a 57.5 field goal percentage. But he’s suited up for just 10 of the Rockets’ 21 contests and hasn’t played since Nov. 17.
Honorable Mention:
Tim Duncan: At 38 years old, Duncan is still putting up 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. Those stats alone aren’t enough to merit consideration for this list. However, Duncan is the only big man in the NBA this year to post a triple-double.
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He’s also averaging more blocks (2.2) per game than fouls (2.1). Last season no player besides Duncan was able to accomplish that feat.
Nikola Vucevic: A surprise to even be mentioned in the company of elite big men, Vucevic’s numbers for the Orlando Magic this year are outstanding. He’s scoring 18.6 points per game and is fifth in the NBA in rebounding with an average of 11.7.
DeAndre Jordan: The L.A. Clippers center is leading the league in rebounds (12.6) per game and is second in blocks (2.6). Jordan is also shooting an absurd 73.4 percent from the field. Unfortunately his 8.9 scoring average keeps him on the outside looking in.
The Top 5:
No. 5 – DeMarcus Cousins: Cousins is averaging 23.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest for the Sacramento Kings. He’s shooting 51.2 percent from the floor and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line. Cousins has some of the best all-around numbers of any big man in the NBA, but he’s been out of action since Nov. 28 and has missed Sacramento’s last seven games.
No. 4 – Chris Bosh: His rebounding average (8.1) is low in comparison to the other players on this list. Bosh makes up for it by shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and making 1.5 three-pointers a night. Bosh is also averaging 21.5 points, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals.
No. 3 – LaMarcus Aldridge: The Portland Trail Blazers big man is putting up stats very similar to Bosh’s–21.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks. Aldridge gets the edge by virtue of his higher rebounding number, as well as his 82.9 free-throw percentage, the best of anyone on this list.
No. 2 – Pau Gasol: The 13-year veteran is off to a very impressive start with his new team, the Chicago Bulls. He’s scoring 19.8 points per game and is third in the NBA in rebounding with an average of 12.2. He’s also dishing out 2.1 assists and blocking 1.9 shots, fifth best in the league.
No. 1 – Anthony Davis: What Davis is doing at just 21 years of age is downright scary. His 25.1 points per game rank third in the NBA behind only James Harden and Kobe Bryant. Davis is leading the league in blocks with an average of 2.9, and is also tied for fifth in steals at 2.0. He’s pulling down 10.6 rebounds per game with a field goal percentage of 56.9.