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Top 5 Centers Of The First Quarter

By Kyle Tomasi

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) 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) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Small ball has taken the league by storm the last couple of seasons but the center position is not dead. There are still a handful of centers that are dominating under the radar.

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) 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) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

In a guard-heavy league, the center position has gone a little under the radar as of late. This could be due to the fact that there are few true centers in today’s NBA, unlike in years past.

Many centers play the power forward position and vice versa so the lack of a back-to-the-basket center is very apparent.

It starts with college. Few are poised to play from block to block for an entire game so you see a more hybrid position being born. A center that can score from the block, but also knock down a three every now and then is imperative to success it seems.

Very few offenses run through the center position in today’s NBA. Instead, the guard/forward position dominates possession in the half-court. This makes it tough for centers to shine in the traditi

Also See: 50 Most Underrated Players In NBA History

Here are the top five centers in the first quarter of the season who have proven that the center position is still relevant in today’s guard heavy league.