The Top Ten NBA GIANTS!

Posted by Matt McCready on 01.26.2007

A new breed of NBA center is starting to take over the NBA. They are titanic men who combine athleticism, skill and, most importantly, immense size. 411mania.com's Matt McCready looks at the top 10 big giants in the NBA today. See which young stars dominate the game and see why Shaquille O'Neal doesn't even crack the list!

Hi it's 411mania's resident snowshoeing orange farmer, Matt McCready, back with one of his trademark ZANY LISTS~!

Well, where this list lacks in the ‘zany' it makes up for in the ‘lists'. This is pretty much part two of ‘Death of the NBA Big Man Part 2' which is what it would've been listed under if such a headline generated readers.

I wrote part one a while back, profiling the breakout interior giants of the early NBA. I also lamented on the idea that there aren't any real good big men in pro basketball these days, a notion that I found absurd. To prove a point, here are the top 10 big men in the NBA today, profiling mainly centers, but also power forwards. And as for people I left off…

Shaq is still dominant when healthy, but I decided to leave the All-time great off the list until he returns from injury. There's no such thing as minor knee surgery for a 34 year old 325 pound athlete.

Marcus Camby was left off due to his consistent injury problems throughout his career. Dominant defensively, his offense is too mediocre to overlook his brittle bones.

Shawn Marion plays primarily as a power forward for the Phoenix Suns, but his body is that of a small forward and was left off for that reason alone. Talent wise he would belong on the top half of this list.

To say that there's a dearth in talented centers in the NBA with the names listed above and below is ignorant. Each one of these players has a unique game that would dominate regardless of which era they belonged to. But enough with the gripes, here's the list.


Number 10
Pau Gasol

"Hey ladiiiiiiies!" – Pau, apparently on his way to Paul's Boutique

It seems like Gasol just can't get any respect from the mainstream US media. He's got a sweet, unorthodox mid-range shot, can score in the post, hits his free throws, rebounds well, blocks shots and has developed a toughness over the years. Well, if not a toughness then at least facial hair. Gasol can do everything that could be asked of a center and he can do it well, but not great. He's one of those players whose good at everything, but exceptional at nothing.

Gasol's numbers have not really changed that much since he won the rookie of the year award in 2001 but he has improved his team play dramatically, nearly doubling his assist totals since his rookie year. I toyed with moving him higher on this list but couldn't justify it, seeing the uncertainty of his foot and all.

Gasol's international play is what secured him a spot on the list. As the best player on the best team in the world, Gasol played with a crazy Spanish intensity that befuddled any country he was matched up against in the world championships as Spain cruised to the gold medal. Memphis GM Jerry West has denied rumors of dealing Gasol, and with good reason, he's a guy you can build a team around.


Number 9
Jermaine O'Neal

Other NBA stars, like Dwayne Wade, sometimes subtly steal the spotlight away from Jermaine (left)

It seems like Jermaine O'Neal has been in the league forever, but he's still only 28 years old. Drafted straight out of high school ten years ago, JO really broke out of his shell when he was dealt to the Indiana Pacers for Dale Davis. It was one of the many questionable moves the Portland front office made that turned the franchise from perennial contender into the Giglified butt implant disaster it is today.

At 6-11 and 260 pounds, JO has the size of an NBA center, but plays a lot smaller offensively. As most prep-to-pros tend to be, Jermaine is an athletic freak with deceptive strength and great quickness. He tends to favor the mid-range but has developed some nice post moves in the last few years.

Defensively, Jermaine is playing like a traditional NBA center more than ever, averaging a career high in rebounds and blocks with more than 3 a game, leading the entire NBA. He credits this to watching tapes of the all-time NBA shot block leader, Hakeem Olajuwon.

It seems like Jermaine's best shot at an NBA championship probably passed him by when Reggie Millar retired and Ron Artest went insane. It's too bad, a player with his work ethic and talent deserves more success.


Number 8
Amare Stoudemire

Whether he's playing or not, Amare hurts the eyes of opposing defenders

Amare Stoudemire is a beast, possibly the most athletically gifted player on this list. Amare combines the strength of a grizzled veteran, with the quickness and explosiveness that only come from 24 year old legs. He's returned from his knee injury (the only thing keeping him from being higher on this list) to banana-slam the entire association with the ferocity of a young Donkey Kong Jr. Steve Nash's favorite target's game is built around quick post moves and muscling the ball through the basket before the defense even has time to react.

It's arguable that Amare might even be BETTER at this point than he was before the knee injury. In the past month he is averaging better than his career numbers in points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage. Of course in his last playoff series before the injury, Amare aveaged a whopping 42 points against arguably the best post defender in the NBA; Tim Duncan, so it's scary to think what this young man might turn into if he knee completely heals back up.


Number 7
Elton Brand

Elton, showcasing his CRAZY long arms

Elton Brand might have gone from the most underrated player in the NBA to the most overrated in the span of a year.

Actually that's overstating things, Brand just suffered from an early season funk, but the days of labeling the Duke grad as an underachiever are over. As the franchise player for the gangrenous, post MJ Bulls and then the anemic Clippers, there were doubts that the dependable, yet unspectacular Brand had the potential to be the main man for a playoff bound NBA team. Last year Brand shut up the haters as he played out of mind, willing the Clippers into the post season for the first time since Bob Barker got a Viagra-less erection.

One of the few power forwards on this list, Brand used his combination of strength, bulk and quickness to create matchup problems with anyone who guards him in the world. His diverse fundamentally sound game (and relationship with coach Mike Krzyzewski) helped him earn plenty of playing time for Team USA at the world basketball championships, at the expense of Chris Bosh, a player ranked higher than Brand on this list. Coach K definitely realized what a unique weapon Brand is, with strength, quickness, a soft touch and incredibly long arms that allow him to block shots and grab rebounds.

Brand needs to put his early season troubles behind him or the haters might have a new slander; one-year-wonder.


Number 6
Dwight Howard

With stellar defense, rebounding, physical tools and a developing offensive game, Dwight Howard seems like a future NBA MVP.


In my NBA pre-season report I expected a plethora of twenty point, twenty rebound games for Dwight this year. He made me look a little Steven Hawkings when he put up three of those Barbara Walters in his first eleven games.

He's cooled down since but the impression was made, the 21 year old Dwight Howard will be around for a long time. He might actually become this generation's best rebounder. A rash statement? Maybe, but first consider it's a statistic that's generally monopolized by more physically mature players; Howard leading the league in boards at 21 is outstanding.

How does he do it? Well the former number one overall pick possesses a physical set that would make even Amare Stoudemire jealous. Howard is a chiseled 6-11, 265 pound man-child-beast-monster-totem pole with an upper body that's more Bill Goldberg than Bill Walton. He has a tenacious demeanor when on the court, positions himself well and he competes every play. Off the court he's an upbeat locker room presence who doesn't take himself too seriously despite his dominance and youth. The biggest deficiency in Howard's game is his free-throws, where he's shooting a measly 63 percent this year.

Why is Dwight so high on this list while the number two selection Emeka Okafor fails to crack the list? Well despite playing on a roster where Jameer Nelson is the second best player, the Magic lead their division. Meanwhile, despite his excellent season, Charlotte has a respectable amount of talent and Emeka hasn't changed the old Bob Johnson Bobcats tradition of being a really bad basketball team. With stellar defense, rebounding, physical tools and a developing offensive game, Dwight Howard seems like a future NBA MVP.


Number 5

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh, displaying the humility needed to be a NBA Star

Chris Bosh packs the physical attributes of a shooting guard into a six foot eleven frame. Bosh's quickness is unmatched by anyone on this list, including Garnett. He'll kill the slow footed Erick Dampiers of the world with his killer first step and steady outside shooting (Bosh has extended his range nearly out to the 3 point arc) while his post moves have improved tremendously since his arrival in the league, keeping opposing teams from playing small forwards on him. Defensively Bosh isn't nearly as dominant, although he can block shots and he plays with an intensity that has transformed him into a verified demon on the boards.

The underrated addition of Rasho Nesterovic has been a boon for Bosh's game. Don't forget that Nesterovic has played with two other members of this top ten in Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. Rasho's a player who'll never complain about his touches or minutes and has saved the svelte Bosh from having to bang with the Eddy Curries of the NBA.

When it's all said and done, Bosh will compete with LeBron, Carmelo and Wade when it comes to the title of the best player in the best draft class ever.


Number 4

Yao Ming

Do I really need to point out which one in this photograph is Yao?

Number four on this list is number one in terms of pure size. At 7-6 and 310 pounds, Yao Ming is the largest player in the NBA, his physical stature so overwhelming that there's actually a book out there suggesting he was ‘created' by the Chinese government as a basketball Frankenstein. That's reasonable though, I believe that Shawn Bradley was ‘created' by our previous generations' basketball poster manufacturers.

I personally think that Yao is just a one of a kind type of physical specimen, like the old saying goes ‘In China if you're one in a million then there's a thousand guys just like you'.

Ming has since suffered a fractured right tibia, marking the second straight year that the friendly Chinaman has suffered a lower body injury. It would be a shame if such a dominant player, marketing phenomenon and most importantly a good person's career was marred by a series of unfortunate injuries.


Number 3

Kevin Garnett

KG showcasing that trademark intensity

Kevin Garnett is a basketball scout's Viagra. There isn't an element to The Big Ticket's game that wouldn't leave any basketball General Manager throughout the world creaming their jeans.

Athleticism? Boundless. Length? Six foot eleven. Defense? One of the best inside/outside help/man defenders in the world. Offense? He can post up, hit the jumper, put the ball on the floor and find the open man with crisp accurate passes.

So why isn't Kevin Garnett number one on this list?

Well, he's never really been a member of a winning team. However, it's arguable that the best second option he's ever had during his twelve years in Minnesota was Sam Cassell and that sucks. With possibly the most versatile player in the world to build a team around, the Timberwolves front office have given exorbitant amounts of money to Marko Jaric, Wally Szczerbiak and Troy Hudson. Until KG can prove that he could keep up his otherworldly play on a team that legitimately contends for an NBA title, he's number 3 with a bullet.


Number 2

Tim Duncan

Good looks?
A sense of humor?
Forget it, Tim Duncan apparel will ensure that you project the number one thing women look for in a man: Fundamentalness.

Listing Tim Duncan as your favorite NBA player is like listing Boggle as your favorite sport, Bea Arthur as your ideal pinup or the Cabbage Patch as your dance move of choice.

Respectable on a certain level, but undeniably lame.

Duncan seemingly plays the game of basketball with as little emotion as any other player in the NBA. But what some might view as a lack of passion is a dead-eyed assassin's concentration to do whatever it takes to win a game. Duncan simply plays a thinking man's game and uses his seven foot frame to score in the most efficient way he can. Former Air Force Academy graduate Greg Popovich is the perfect choice to coach a player known as ‘The Big Fundamental'.

Tim Duncan will undoubtedly go down as a NBA legend. Respect him, his cabbage patch and his game while it's still around.


Number 1

Dirk Nowitzki

Even Dirk can't believe he's listed ahead of the names above

Dirk Nowitzki, along with Steve Nash, is the consensus MVP favorite of the 2006/2007 NBA season. It's easy to see why. The 7 footer with the silky smooth jumper continues to work on his game like a tireless madman and his continued improvement shows. The reigning NBA 3 point shootout champion is the best player on arguably the best team in the league. Always demanding of a quality effort of his teammates this season, Dirk sets the example with clutch shooting, hard work and an intense persona. Fiercely passionate, unlike the stone faced Duncan, it's easily apparent when Dirk Nowitzki is German pissed off.

Dirk's offense is borderline unstoppable. Despite the accolades, ‘Disco' continues to work on his jumper daily. Truly a thing of beauty, Dirk can create his shot off the dribble and has a virtually unblockable fade away jumper. Combine that weapon with his 3 point range and continually improving post game and Dirk is arguably the most complete offensive player in basketball. Although his assists are low (he averages slightly over three a game) Dirk is an unselfish basketball player but is not afraid to take the last second shot.


A very difficult list to write, anyone of the top four could easily be the number one on any other list. Please send whatever beefs you have about this list to [e-mail]