After a injury plagued short season Jermaine Oneil, Chris Wilcox, Andrew Bogut, Zaza Pachulia, Al Horford and most notably Dwight Howard all had a season ending or season long injury. By mid March Wilcox had a heart Ailment and last season's runner up for best center, Brook Lopez, was still out after breaking his ankle. now this off season is the most up in air off season in years. Bogut will be playing his first season in the Golden state this coming season and No one knows where Howard will be playing but it will not be under the coaching of Stan Van Gundy who was fired earlier this week. On another note Jerry Sloan , the former Jazz head coach, is interested in coaching for the Magic now. Remember i took injuries, age, teams and talent all into account along with stats. I also learned something from doing this: Last years finals teams (Mavs and Heat) both lack a top 35 center. Their starter: Haywood and Turiaf, both struggled all year and aren't young enough to improve into all stars or value players. Though a year ago when Dallas won the championship number 15 Tyson Chandler was on their team. The celtics may have the best big left in the playoffs with Bosh out and Perk hurt who is better KG or Duncan? So who is the Best center in the NBA? Take the poll to the right (please visit my blog, formation may change in E-Mails)and tell me who you think it is here is what I think: (REB is rebounds per game and PPG is points per game MPG is Minutes played in game)
Tier 1
#1. Andrew Bynum
Finally healthy and just 24 years old, Andrew has become a force to be reckoned with averaging 18.7 PPG and 11.8 REB. Those stats are with Star scorer Kobe Bryant (27.9 PPG) and Strong rebounding ( 10.4 REB) and offensive (17.4 PPG) presence Pau Gasol both present. Bynum and Gasol will both be the talk of the west coast this off season as the lakers look the bring in a big name player. Gasol is also owed 20 million a year for the next two seasons. (minnisota and Houston have both expressed interest in Gasol.)
THERE"S A NEW NUMBER 1 IN TOWN BOYS!!!!!!!!!
#2 Dwight Howard
Believe me DH12 would easily be my number 1 but the combined pressure of a new contract and this horrible back injury (herniated disc) have altered his career. Last season wasn't his best nor his worst but this is the first major injury of his career. Last seasons 14.5 REB and 20.6 PPG were dominating but his lack of health and looming contract will contribute to what i believe to be the beginning of his decline. He also but up stellar numbers with less than stellar supporting members. The teams next best rebounder, Ryan Anderson averaged just 7.7 REB and after Anderson their is a huge gap then Hedo Turkoglu who averaged just 3.8 REB. So really out of roughly 40-50 REBs a game Howard has limited competition from his own team. Howard is also Shaq bad at free throws.
#3 Al Jefferson
Yes Big Al is back! After missing most of 2010 due to injury and having a average 2011 Big Al had a great all around season averaging 19.2 PPG and 9.8 REB. Yes Al is starting to show age (8 years pro) but he is only 27. He is presently stuck in Utah with a logiam of elite big men including Paul Millsap (16 PPG, 8.8 REB), Derrick Favors (8.8 PPG, 7.5 REB) and Enes Kanter ( 4 PPG, 4 REB despite playing less than 15 MPG) If A.J has just as good a season next years he is a sure all star.
#4 Al Horford
The Alanta Hawks have 3 top 30 players: Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford! Horford has been a Hawk as long as Garnett a celtic however Horford is a PF sized center who has managed to average 15 PPG and 9 REB over the last 3 seasons. yes Horford missed most of this season with a torn pectoral muscle but played decent in the post season vs a tough celtic defense. Horford is a 1 time all star who plays on a team with limited height (Zaza Pachuila, Eric Dampier, Josh Powell, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams) His numbers dont appear stellar however Joe Johnson scores 20+ PPG and Smith scores about the same so Horford is more of a defense/rebounding presence.
Tier 2
#5 Andrew Bogut
Now playing his first season in a up-tempo team (Golden state lead league in PPG) while he has spent the last few seasons in Milwaukee (least PPG in NBA) Andrew has missed chunks of the last 3 seasons due to a variety of injuries but when healthy he stars. In 2010 while relatively healthy this 6'11 big averaged 11 REB, 15.2 PPG and 2.5 BLK. Now with a up-tempo team he should get more PPG and more shots meaning more points and open rebound opportunities.
#
6 Demarcus Cousins
The sophomore center who can shoot, rebound and play big. This guy may have some maturity problems but the stats he puts up are beast. Last season he averaged 18.1 PPG, 11 REB and 1.5 STL even though his coach got pissed at him mid way through the year. DeMarcus is a solid all around player on a young talented team and should continue his stellar stuff for the next decade.......did i mention he is only 21!!!
#7 Greg Monroe
Another sophomore. yeah Monroe didn't have a great rookie year but 15.4 PPG, 9.8 REB in his second season Pretty solid stuff considering his team waived one of their best players pre-season and benched a couple other good ones. He is one of the only bright spots in Detriot right now. (him and the Lions). Next year should be a carbon copy of last year. Monroe is a athletic big who can bang or post. He is just 21 years old.
Tier 3
#8 Marc Gasol
I truly love Marc Gasol at age 27 he is just entering his peak. He Averaged 14.6 PPG and 8.9 REB and proved to be a solid NBA center. Marc may be in his brothers Shadow but right now he is the better of the two. If Gasol continues to expand his game he could break into the top 5. Man and he is doing all of this on a team jack full of stars!
#9 Roy Hibbert
Roy is like a walking Double Double. He is huge (7'3) and physical (8.8 REB) but he isn't quite dominating. really from Hibbert on their is no center that scores 15+ PPG and gets 10+ REB. Roy did however get 12.4 PPG and 8.8 REB last season and continued to expand his game. He is also a elite defender. (2 BLK) If the Pacers win it all they need him to play his best. Oh yeah he is just 25.
#10 Brook Lopez
Brook would be MUCH higher on this list if he could just stay healthy. He can score (20.2 PPG) and rebound decently (6.0) but he misses so many games and hasn't averaged a double double yet (5 pro seasons) At age 24 he needs to stay healthy and get more rebounds to make the jump. Honestly if he played 70 games a season (out of 82) and averaged 8-9 REB he would be in the top 5. Hopefully he will play at a elite level in his first full year with D-Will. I think a 20-10 season is possible but he is too injury prone to bank on.
#11 Joakim Noah
Noah is a really physical small center. Like Charles Barkley (Not that small) or Dave Cowens. Noah has proven himself when healthy that he can be dominating and star. But he isn't healthy a ton and doesn't need to score much. He is pretty much a walking double double and a good defender. Last season he averaged 10.2 PPG and 9.8 REB however he is no longer young. He is now 27 and hasn't fully lived up to expectations.
#11 Nene Hilario
Nene is a fierce power forward stuck at center. He can score (19.2 PPG (2011)) and rebound (10.2 REB(2011)) but can he stay healthy. At age 29 with 10 seasons under his belt he has played 75+ games in just 4 seasons. He also declined alot last season. His offensive production dropped (to 13.2 PPG) and his REB fell too! (7.5) A full bounce back isn't likely but a small one is. He struggled with the pressure of a shortened season, being traded and a new contract. not to mind he missed 20 games due to injury.
#12 Kevin Garnett
yeah, yeah, yeah.... I know he isn't really a center but the celtics have been using him at center and he is producing big time. 15.2 PPG and 8.2 REB are extremely similar to Marc Gasol However KG is rather injury prone and 9 years older (36) than Marc. If the celtics go deep KG is their "big ticket". Talent wise he is still the same big boy but injuries (missed 15+ games in 2009, 2010 and 2011) and decline have taken their toll on KG. He will always provide high energy, intensity and physicality. And as far as playoffs the 36 year old " Moves like Mick Jagger". He is Also the Best Celtic (with the possible exception of Rondo)
Tier 4
#13 JaVale McGee
High energy+ lots of athleticism + long arms= lots o' blocks.
Javale averaged 2.7 BLKs last season and scored 11.6 PPG. yes he isnt really a banger but he still gets boards (8.6). However his lack of physicality contributes to this rank. He is a young center at age 24 so there is still plenty of time to improve.
#14 Marcin Gortat
No longer the Shadow of DH12, Gortat has played marvelously scoring 12.4 PPG, grabbing 8.6 REB and blocking 1.3 shots a game since the trade. (December 2011 season). This season Marcin scored 15.4 PPG and grabbed 10 rebounds a game. Marcin is a solid scoring big man however his size affects his game (6'10). He makes the Suns look like geniuses for the trade that brought in Vince Carter, Pietrus and Gortat for just Jason Richardson, Earl Clark and Hedo Turkalugo
No longer the Shadow of DH12, Gortat has played marvelously scoring 12.4 PPG, grabbing 8.6 REB and blocking 1.3 shots a game since the trade. (December 2011 season). This season Marcin scored 15.4 PPG and grabbed 10 rebounds a game. Marcin is a solid scoring big man however his size affects his game (6'10). He makes the Suns look like geniuses for the trade that brought in Vince Carter, Pietrus and Gortat for just Jason Richardson, Earl Clark and Hedo Turkalugo
#15 Tyson Chnadler
Yes, At last Tyson is getting the appreciation he deserves after the mavericks won their 2011 title and he won the praise of Mike Dantoni, Dirk Nowitski and a NBA defensive player of the year award. Can you believe He was once a Bull (2008) only to sign with New Orleans and be traded for Emeka Okafor (2009) and later Eric Damiper (2010). Then Mark Cuban refused to sign him. wow! Four teams gave up on Tyson before NY released Chauncey (Billups) to get him. Chandler averaged 11.4 PPG, 9.9 REB, 0.9 STLs and 1.4 BLK as he won defensive player of the year. I disagreed with this award as DH12, Noah, McGee and Hibbert all had better defensive seasons.
Yes, At last Tyson is getting the appreciation he deserves after the mavericks won their 2011 title and he won the praise of Mike Dantoni, Dirk Nowitski and a NBA defensive player of the year award. Can you believe He was once a Bull (2008) only to sign with New Orleans and be traded for Emeka Okafor (2009) and later Eric Damiper (2010). Then Mark Cuban refused to sign him. wow! Four teams gave up on Tyson before NY released Chauncey (Billups) to get him. Chandler averaged 11.4 PPG, 9.9 REB, 0.9 STLs and 1.4 BLK as he won defensive player of the year. I disagreed with this award as DH12, Noah, McGee and Hibbert all had better defensive seasons.
#16 Andrea Bargnani
Tier 5
#17 Chris Kaman
Kaman has been worse but injuries, age and Trades has altered his career. The 30 year old Kaman averaged 13.2 PPG and 7.7 REB in his first season in New Orleans but constant trade talks benched him throughout the first half season. and struggled the rest of the way. Kaman should bounce back a little but he first must out play Emeka Okafor for the starting Job. If he can revive his career it's now.
#18 Spencer Hawes
Hawes was thought to be a bust (like Milinic) before the trade that sent Dalembert to Sacramento and him to Philly. In his second season in Philly he secured the starting Job over Mareese Spieghts (traded) and had his best season so far. He scored 9.6 PPG and grabbed 7.7 REB. He also played solid defense blocking 1.3 shoots pergame. But again he missed time due to injury and is a F/A this summer. He is also pretty young (24).
#19 Deandre Jordan
DeAndre is a solid center but the stats don't lie he only scored 3 baskets a night (7.4 PPG) and failed to dominate the boards (8.7) but for a young upcoming center those stats a decent. He was often in foul trouble but that's expect from any physical young big. His 2 blocks a game were nice but again not dominating like some believe. I like Jordan but not enough to put him in the top 15. He has PLENTY of room to improve and has the time at age 23. If this was was strictly talent he'd be top 5!!!
#20 Anderson Varejao
It's Now or never for the 29 year old Cleveland caviler. He has decent stats but for the second straight season missed 1/2 of the year. This time a wrist before that a cheek. If he stays healthy he would be 5 spots higher. He averaged 10 points per game and 11 REB a game while playing at center despite his PF size. He now is a long time cavs similar to "big Z" who played 13 season as a cav.
#21 Marcus Camby
The former defensive player of the year turned NBA journey man. Since his dominating days as a Nugget (2003-2007) he has signed as Clipper traded to Portland and eventually sent to Houston. Now he's a F/A. He is now 38 and on the verge of retiring but he still out plays half the centers in the NBA. He had a decent season averaging 9 PPG with the Rockets and 3 with Portland (4.9 total) and 9.9 REB (8.9 with the Rockets). By seasons end he was starting over Samuel Dalembert. He has reported that he wants to comeback to Houston next season.
Tier 6
#22 Emeka Oakafor
The seven year vet was once one of the most durable NBA center but a sudden injury streak altered his career. His missed parts of 2011 and the end of last season. He may miss the begging of this coming season with a knee issue however when healthy Emeka Okafor is a top 20 center. He averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.9 REB while competing with Carl Landry, Chris Kaman and Lance Thomas (Thomas made USA select team and played 42 games for the Hornets) dor starts and minutes. Quick fact he is the first player to be a teammate of someone else on this list (Chris Kaman) So one of them will play big the other will be a bench man....Good Luck Emeka. At age 29 it's money time!
#23 Drew Gooden
The Journey man had a fine season that took off after Andrew Bogut got injured and he soared from there. He averaged 13.4 PPG and 6.5 REB while playing 90% of his minutes at center where he is out matched by players like Deandre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and Emeka Okafor or really any physical specimen. He is 30 so a slight drop in production is foreseeable but another good year is possible.
#24 Nikola Pekovic
This may come as a surprise but i think had he played more he deserves to be a top 20. At age 26 he broke out of his shell out played Darko Milinic (once drafted over D-Wade/ Chris Bosh and Chris Kaman) to start and he produced 13.6 PPG and 7.6 REB. He played decent when the wolves lost Kevin Love too!! But then he had Bone spurs removed from his ankle and thats never good. He should break into the top 15 by the end of next season.
#25 J.J Hickson
Not your prototypical center however a physical specimen non the less, Hickson was traded before the season and struggled behind Chuck Hayes, Demarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson His release changed his season. After the Trail blazers picked him up he averaged 15.5 PPG and 7.7 REB. He would be a top 20 if he had produced this well all season. If Portland decides to tender him he could breach the top 15 next year. The Cavs may have made a mistake shipping him away but the Kings are the ones regretting releasing the 23 year old Hickson.
Tier 7
#26 Channing Frye
Frye is a rare three point shooting center (a matter of fact he is the second on this list (Bargnani)) who is arguably the best 3pt shooting forward in the league (34.6 percent/ 1.5 per game). Frye isn't the best defender (1.1 Blocks) or rebounder (5.5) despite his scoring edge he is stuck in a center platoon with Gortat (also PF like Frye), Hakeem Warick (PF/C) and Robin Lopez (yes Brooks Brother). His 10.5 PPG weren't even close to his career marks but he was healthy all year and should play just as well in his age 29 season.
#27 Tiago Splitter
The Spanish superstar turned Spurs starter.....At age 26 he couldn't score 5 PPG or grab 4 REB a game now he can get 5.5 REB and 9.3 PPG. It's been just one year but he has developed. If Splitter becomes the next Tim Duncan The Spurs will be dominate for another 10 years. If not this may be their last run. They have alot riding on the 2 year vet.
#28 DeJaun Blair
The 6'7 center. The Modern Charles Barkley. The San Antonio Spur big time backup big. All fit DeJaun however he is the perfect fit for San Antonio. A scrapper who doesn't need to score but can (9 PPG) and provides rebounds(5.5) His main weakness is playing against bigger big men ((.2 BLKS per game) which is lowest on this list so far). He is just 6'7 and at age 23 he needs to begin to develop his shot. He also wins shortest player on this list and least blocks.
#29 Kendrick Perkins
Perk Should be lower (or un rated) but his amazing defense is a huge benefit. He helped Durant and Westbrook defeat the Lakers in rd. 2 of the playoffs and shut down Bynum (number 1 on list) next comes .....Tim Duncan. Perk scored 5.1 PPG and grabbed 6.6 boards while maintaining his status as one of the best defenders in the NBA. He is now 27 and shouldn't continue improving but a bounce back to 2010 form is possible. He also shut down Dirk Nowitski in the first round.
#30 Mareese Speights
The 24 year old 4th year was traded for the first time in his career. He made a name for himself in Philly as their future Brand (Elton) replacement but that never came so they traded him to Memphis for Xavier Henry and a trade exception. Speights started for Z-Bo when he was injured and then played Darell Arthurs (Achilles) bench role. Speights' physicality and rebounding allowed him to score a career high 8.8 PPG and grab a career high 6.2 REB in a breakout season. He is young and will improve however he is more a PF than a center (but plays both)
#31 Samuel Dalembert
Former longtime No injury Philldelphia starter turned injury prone Houston Backup. Averaged 7 and 7 but was benched for Marcus Camby. Camby was 38 compared to Dalembert's 31 and camby was newly traded.
Tier 8
#32 Jermaine O'Neal
Yes he is a F/A and was waived but before the season ending injury the 34 year old was averaging 7 PPG and 7 REB. His wrist is troublesome but so is his injury frequency. He can play but even if he plays next season and starts at best 5 PPG and 5 REB.
#33 Greg Oden
Yeah, he missed almost all of the last 5 seasons and is the second most injury prone player of the decade (no offense Yao) If Oden plays for the right team (a contender) he could put them over the top. In few minutes in 2009 he averaged 11 PPG and 8 REB. He is just 24 and he once was so dominating that he went before NBA MVP canidate Kevin Durant in the NBA draft.
#34 Zaza Pachulia
he should be higher on the list because of his 7.8 PPG and 7.9 REB but i belive those numbers are greatly inflated because Horford missed the entire season (Horford is number 4) Last season with a healthy Horford he managed just 4.6 PPG and 4.8 REB. yes he is well round but not a great. He is also starting to age at 28.
#35 Greg Stiemsma
The former Caviler practice squad participant is great defensively (1.5 BLK in 14 MPG) which to his credit is amazing but struggles with injuries (ankle) and scoring) He should develop into a solid backup but really it's a stretch to put him here but Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace both may retire and honestly he is better defensively than any other center left. Seriously consider this a three way with before Jeremy Tyler, Wilcox and Greg
Bargnani is a rare 3pt shooting center but that means less REB (5.5) and more PPG (19.5). Andrea is young and still developing (26) so it's possible he could become a strong rebounder in the future. Coaches have also began speculating that he could become a solid defender too! But for now Bargnani is a scoring center that should play PF, not center
Tier 5
#17 Chris Kaman
Kaman has been worse but injuries, age and Trades has altered his career. The 30 year old Kaman averaged 13.2 PPG and 7.7 REB in his first season in New Orleans but constant trade talks benched him throughout the first half season. and struggled the rest of the way. Kaman should bounce back a little but he first must out play Emeka Okafor for the starting Job. If he can revive his career it's now.
#18 Spencer Hawes
Hawes was thought to be a bust (like Milinic) before the trade that sent Dalembert to Sacramento and him to Philly. In his second season in Philly he secured the starting Job over Mareese Spieghts (traded) and had his best season so far. He scored 9.6 PPG and grabbed 7.7 REB. He also played solid defense blocking 1.3 shoots pergame. But again he missed time due to injury and is a F/A this summer. He is also pretty young (24).
#19 Deandre Jordan
DeAndre is a solid center but the stats don't lie he only scored 3 baskets a night (7.4 PPG) and failed to dominate the boards (8.7) but for a young upcoming center those stats a decent. He was often in foul trouble but that's expect from any physical young big. His 2 blocks a game were nice but again not dominating like some believe. I like Jordan but not enough to put him in the top 15. He has PLENTY of room to improve and has the time at age 23. If this was was strictly talent he'd be top 5!!!
#20 Anderson Varejao
It's Now or never for the 29 year old Cleveland caviler. He has decent stats but for the second straight season missed 1/2 of the year. This time a wrist before that a cheek. If he stays healthy he would be 5 spots higher. He averaged 10 points per game and 11 REB a game while playing at center despite his PF size. He now is a long time cavs similar to "big Z" who played 13 season as a cav.
#21 Marcus Camby
The former defensive player of the year turned NBA journey man. Since his dominating days as a Nugget (2003-2007) he has signed as Clipper traded to Portland and eventually sent to Houston. Now he's a F/A. He is now 38 and on the verge of retiring but he still out plays half the centers in the NBA. He had a decent season averaging 9 PPG with the Rockets and 3 with Portland (4.9 total) and 9.9 REB (8.9 with the Rockets). By seasons end he was starting over Samuel Dalembert. He has reported that he wants to comeback to Houston next season.
Tier 6
#22 Emeka Oakafor
The seven year vet was once one of the most durable NBA center but a sudden injury streak altered his career. His missed parts of 2011 and the end of last season. He may miss the begging of this coming season with a knee issue however when healthy Emeka Okafor is a top 20 center. He averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.9 REB while competing with Carl Landry, Chris Kaman and Lance Thomas (Thomas made USA select team and played 42 games for the Hornets) dor starts and minutes. Quick fact he is the first player to be a teammate of someone else on this list (Chris Kaman) So one of them will play big the other will be a bench man....Good Luck Emeka. At age 29 it's money time!
#23 Drew Gooden
The Journey man had a fine season that took off after Andrew Bogut got injured and he soared from there. He averaged 13.4 PPG and 6.5 REB while playing 90% of his minutes at center where he is out matched by players like Deandre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and Emeka Okafor or really any physical specimen. He is 30 so a slight drop in production is foreseeable but another good year is possible.
#24 Nikola Pekovic
This may come as a surprise but i think had he played more he deserves to be a top 20. At age 26 he broke out of his shell out played Darko Milinic (once drafted over D-Wade/ Chris Bosh and Chris Kaman) to start and he produced 13.6 PPG and 7.6 REB. He played decent when the wolves lost Kevin Love too!! But then he had Bone spurs removed from his ankle and thats never good. He should break into the top 15 by the end of next season.
#25 J.J Hickson
Not your prototypical center however a physical specimen non the less, Hickson was traded before the season and struggled behind Chuck Hayes, Demarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson His release changed his season. After the Trail blazers picked him up he averaged 15.5 PPG and 7.7 REB. He would be a top 20 if he had produced this well all season. If Portland decides to tender him he could breach the top 15 next year. The Cavs may have made a mistake shipping him away but the Kings are the ones regretting releasing the 23 year old Hickson.
Tier 7
#26 Channing Frye
Frye is a rare three point shooting center (a matter of fact he is the second on this list (Bargnani)) who is arguably the best 3pt shooting forward in the league (34.6 percent/ 1.5 per game). Frye isn't the best defender (1.1 Blocks) or rebounder (5.5) despite his scoring edge he is stuck in a center platoon with Gortat (also PF like Frye), Hakeem Warick (PF/C) and Robin Lopez (yes Brooks Brother). His 10.5 PPG weren't even close to his career marks but he was healthy all year and should play just as well in his age 29 season.
#27 Tiago Splitter
The Spanish superstar turned Spurs starter.....At age 26 he couldn't score 5 PPG or grab 4 REB a game now he can get 5.5 REB and 9.3 PPG. It's been just one year but he has developed. If Splitter becomes the next Tim Duncan The Spurs will be dominate for another 10 years. If not this may be their last run. They have alot riding on the 2 year vet.
#28 DeJaun Blair
The 6'7 center. The Modern Charles Barkley. The San Antonio Spur big time backup big. All fit DeJaun however he is the perfect fit for San Antonio. A scrapper who doesn't need to score but can (9 PPG) and provides rebounds(5.5) His main weakness is playing against bigger big men ((.2 BLKS per game) which is lowest on this list so far). He is just 6'7 and at age 23 he needs to begin to develop his shot. He also wins shortest player on this list and least blocks.
#29 Kendrick Perkins
Perk Should be lower (or un rated) but his amazing defense is a huge benefit. He helped Durant and Westbrook defeat the Lakers in rd. 2 of the playoffs and shut down Bynum (number 1 on list) next comes .....Tim Duncan. Perk scored 5.1 PPG and grabbed 6.6 boards while maintaining his status as one of the best defenders in the NBA. He is now 27 and shouldn't continue improving but a bounce back to 2010 form is possible. He also shut down Dirk Nowitski in the first round.
#30 Mareese Speights
The 24 year old 4th year was traded for the first time in his career. He made a name for himself in Philly as their future Brand (Elton) replacement but that never came so they traded him to Memphis for Xavier Henry and a trade exception. Speights started for Z-Bo when he was injured and then played Darell Arthurs (Achilles) bench role. Speights' physicality and rebounding allowed him to score a career high 8.8 PPG and grab a career high 6.2 REB in a breakout season. He is young and will improve however he is more a PF than a center (but plays both)
#31 Samuel Dalembert
Former longtime No injury Philldelphia starter turned injury prone Houston Backup. Averaged 7 and 7 but was benched for Marcus Camby. Camby was 38 compared to Dalembert's 31 and camby was newly traded.
Tier 8
#32 Jermaine O'Neal
Yes he is a F/A and was waived but before the season ending injury the 34 year old was averaging 7 PPG and 7 REB. His wrist is troublesome but so is his injury frequency. He can play but even if he plays next season and starts at best 5 PPG and 5 REB.
#33 Greg Oden
Yeah, he missed almost all of the last 5 seasons and is the second most injury prone player of the decade (no offense Yao) If Oden plays for the right team (a contender) he could put them over the top. In few minutes in 2009 he averaged 11 PPG and 8 REB. He is just 24 and he once was so dominating that he went before NBA MVP canidate Kevin Durant in the NBA draft.
#34 Zaza Pachulia
he should be higher on the list because of his 7.8 PPG and 7.9 REB but i belive those numbers are greatly inflated because Horford missed the entire season (Horford is number 4) Last season with a healthy Horford he managed just 4.6 PPG and 4.8 REB. yes he is well round but not a great. He is also starting to age at 28.
#35 Greg Stiemsma
The former Caviler practice squad participant is great defensively (1.5 BLK in 14 MPG) which to his credit is amazing but struggles with injuries (ankle) and scoring) He should develop into a solid backup but really it's a stretch to put him here but Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace both may retire and honestly he is better defensively than any other center left. Seriously consider this a three way with before Jeremy Tyler, Wilcox and Greg