NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid is living up to the hype and then some. The only thing that can prevent the Process from putting himself firmly on the Hall of Fame track is the injury bug, which he started to squish in 2017-18 by playing in 63 games and averaging 30.3 minutes a night.

In that time, he was exceptionally productive, averaging 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for the Philadelphia 76ers. His 3-point shooting dropped to 30.8 percent, but he was taking 3.4 attempts per game. Considering he posted those numbers in just his second season, after only playing 31 games as a rookie, and Embiid is on the track to superstardom.

With talented youngsters like Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Markelle Fultz around him, Embiid could lead the Sixers to contention for the Eastern Conference belt. He’s still only 24 years old, he’s already an elite defender and his skill-set extends to nearly every area of the floor. He should contend for not only the Defensive Player of the Year award in his third season, but MVP as well.