Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Top 10 Centers In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) watch the ball during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) watch the ball during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
NBA
Oct 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) celebrates a play in the first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Dwight Howard

2015-16 Stats:  13.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, .620/—/.489 shooting, 18.9 PER

Dwight Howard is such a polarizing figure that some people will think this is far too high, and others will think this is far too low. In his first season with his hometown Atlanta Hawks, however, there’s an undeniable opportunity to show the world that he’s not washed up just yet.

Though his game depends on waning athleticism, the 30-year-old center has looked spry so far in the preseason and is going to FEAST on rebounds for a Hawks team that ranked 24th in rebounds, 30th in offensive rebounds and 28th in total rebounding percentage last year.

He’s not a versatile defender the way that Al Horford was, but he’s a far better rebounder, and his pick-and-roll chemistry with point guard Dennis Schroder is already looking promising. Playing alongside Paul Millsap in the frontcourt, the Hawks should still be a top-10 defense in 2016-17.

Howard’s inability to stay healthy over the last few seasons is alarming, as are recurring back problems for any 30-year-old seven-footer. However, now that he’s moved on to a more positive situation, perhaps we’ll see something of a revival from one of the game’s underrated big men.