Top 10 NBA Centers Of The Last Decade By logblobo [9 more lists]

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Jermaine O'Neal

While he hasn't always played primarily as a center, he does now, and he does it well. He used to be the best player on The Pacers. He lead the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. He was also among the league's best defenders for a while. He's a consistent shooter and always has a good field goal percentage. He's a 7x All-Star, all of which were consecutive. I'd go as far to call him one of the most underrated players of the decade. Injuries and suspensions have prevented him from becoming one of the best.
His career stats are 14.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.5 apg.
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Emeka Okafor

He may not be on everyone's list, but he's deserving of a spot at number 10. He's not the best scorer at the center position and he's not the most aggressive, (He's the only good big man on his team every year, of course he has good stats.) but he is determined enough to earn a double double just about every game. He won rookie of the year and has been under the radar every since.
His career stats are 12.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg.
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Dikembe Mutombo

He too is a 4x Defensive Player of the year. He's also a 6x All Defensive selection, 2nd all time in Blocks, and an 8x All-Star. I had the honor of meeting him in person. I toured The Houston Rockets locker room back in 06, I also got to try on his shoe. He's an extremely nice guy and is aggressive and powerful on court, humble and caring off court. He's also a giant.
His career stats are 9.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 1.0 apg.
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Marcus Camby

His numbers aren't going to impress you, but the little things are the big things and he gets those done. Every year he's been healthy, he's among the best defenders in the league, even winning defensive player of the year once. Scoring was never his strong suit. Rebounding, defense, off ball play, blocks, that's more like Marcus Camby. Even at 37 he still averages 10.3 rpg. He's possibly one of the best players ever to never make the All-Star team. Scoring is what everybody looks at I guess. If people voted for the best off ball players, Shane Battier would be on every All-Star game.
His career stats are 10.0 rpg, 10.0 ppg, 2.5 bpg, 1.9 apg,
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Ben Wallace

You know why he looks so bored in the picture? Because it was the 4th time he won it. He's an undersized center and he's offensively challenged, but his defensive presence and leadership are nearly unmatched. His emotions can get the best of him sometimes - Malace at The Palace - I think it's funny that he went undrafted. How could anybody ever pass up on him? He's 5x All-Defensive First Team. For 5 years he was the best defensive center in the NBA. That's special.
His career stats are 6.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg.
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Žydrūnas Ilgauskas

There haven't been allot of great centers over the last decade, that's well known. Žydrūnas has been good. That's pretty much it. He's very tentative, not a great rebounder or defender either. I have absolutely no idea how he made it to the All-Star team. Twice! He's also extremely slow. I realize that I've just been pointing out his flaws. His positives are his good nature and good scoring touch and range for a center. That's about it.
His career stats are 13.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 1.1 apg.
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Yao Ming

It feels like a sin to place The Gentle Giant this low. I was a huge Rockets fan at one point, Yao was a contributing factor in that. When healthy, he can score, rebound, defend, block shots, and virtually lead his team to become better overall. Tragically he's been injured too many times and has played a mere 486 games in a 9 year career. He missed the entire 2009-2010 season and only played 5 games in the 2010-2011 season. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that he's going to end his career on that note.
His career stats are 19.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.6 bpg.
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Alonzo Mourning

He had more success before the 2000s but he still did pretty good in them. He played defense. he didn't care a whole lot about scoring, he just wanted to make sure his match up didn't. Even at 39 he still had 1.7 bpg. His rookie season he had 3.5 bpg! That's very good. At one point, he averaged 3.9 bpg. Unfortunately that was his only strong suit later on. His defense remained strong with age. His offense, not so much. Averaging around 11.0 ppg in the decade isn't that good. I suppose you've got to judge them for what they are. A 2x Defensive Player of the Year is known for his defense.
His career stats are 17.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 1.1 apg.
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Dwight Howard

Call me a criminal, call me an idiot, I think Dwight's an immensely talented center, he's just not as good as others. He's 25 and he's earned defensive player of the year 3x in a row. No doubt he's the best center in the NBA right now, he's just not among the top 3 centers of the decade, barely! There's no doubt in my mind that he will end as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. For now, he's at number 4.
His career stats are 18.2 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg.
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Shaquille O'Neal

This is kind of a no brainer. He's undoubtedly one of the top 3 centers ever to play the game. He's the most aggressive, most powerful, most talented, and most creative players ever to play the game as well. Throughout his career, he bullies his way to the top. In the early 2000s he was the best player in the game. Everybody knew it, there was not a doubt in anybody's mind. It's mentally challenged that people think Shaq couldn't have won without Kobe. Look what happened when Shaq left The Lakers. Kind of pathetic, isn't it?
He's a 15x All-Star, 8x All NBA first team, NBA MVP, 3x NBA Finals MVP, and he's hilarious. Best center of the decade, without a doubt.
His career stats are 23.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 bpg.

Honorable mentions: Vlade Divac, Andrew Bogut, Brad Miller .

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