NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Centers
By Shane Young
1. Dwight Howard — Houston Rockets
There’s always one center that differs from the rest of the pack. Howard would be the answer of anyone in top 10, since his attitude is usually one of joy, rapture, and kittenish behavior.
Never was it a foregone conclusion (to me, at least) that Houston would be the greatest place for Howard to land. For a defensive-minded center that’s won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, why would it be favorable to enter a team that doesn’t defend?
Houston allowed the seventh-most points throughout the league last season, and some of it can be attributed to the high-paced offense that Kevin McHale pushed for. When you’re running at an unhinged pace, of course you’re going to allow more points. But, the only member of the starting lineup that genuinely put defense higher on his level of importance … was Howard. Mid-way through the season, Patrick Beverley did enough to earn a starting role, and the perception was supposed to change. It still didn’t happen, and Portland exposed James Harden’s carelessness in getting stops.
If I’m Howard, I’m wondering why I ever wanted to be a part of it. There’s so much defensive responsibility resting on him. Tell me, who’s relied on immediately after Harden and the backcourt lets guys blow right past them, or when Houston’s guards are daydreaming and out of position? It’s the rim protectors.
Howard’s peak level of Defensive Win Shares (DWS) hit 7.7 for a season, during the 2010-11 year with Orlando. He was in the Eastern Conference, where the thought of these prolific offenses in 2014 wasn’t imaginable.
Last season, he recorded his second-lowest season in DWS, only achieving 4.1 for the year, which ranked him 14th overall in the league.
On the other, more impressive hand, working with Hakeem Olajuwon will continue to be the most helpful part of Howard’s career.
Superman’s first portion of his career was predicated on receiving lobs at the rim, overpowering folks on the boards and getting put-backs from missed triples. With the Magic, he eventually implemented his famous sweeping hook shot, which is still sketchy in how efficient it is.
Now, 11 years into his career, Howard has finally figured out the necessary steps to be unstoppable on the block. Having the help of the most profound post talent in history (Olajuwon), there shouldn’t be any excuses for Howard during his tenure with the Rockets.
He performed slightly better on the offensive end with Houston than he did in his first season with the Lakers, scoring 1.2 more points per game and shooting 1.3 percent better from the field. All things considered, 18.3 points per night is still impressive while playing next to a ball-dominant shooting guard.
Howard’s had the best of both worlds with two in Harden and Kobe Bryant, wouldn’t you say?
He still remains as the only one out of the top seven to lead a team to an NBA Finals. Noah can’t say that, as he couldn’t get over the Miami hump. Jefferson clearly can’t say that, as he’s been stuck in a world of messes since entering the league. Cousins isn’t there yet, and just take a look at how difficult that will be for him to achieve.
Jefferson is the most skilled offensive center on Earth, but there is more to that in basketball. Howard remains your top big man if you’re heading to the playground, or an organized game, and need a two-way player.