One of the defining characteristics of the modern NBA is its lack of traditional positions. Sure, we still put a designation next to every player’s name, from point guard through center, but those little letters on a lineup card have never meant less.
Most of the best players are working well outside traditional boxes, making an impact across the positional spectrum not just from matchup to matchup, but, at times, possession to possession. Point guards play off the ball, for instance, and off-guards play on. As such, it’s generally a more accurate representation of role to apply broader designations. Combo guards. Wings. Bigs.
For the purposes of this positional breakout from our top 100 NBA players list, we’re going to focus on the latter. Who are the 10 best big men in the NBA? Generally speaking, big men are centers and power forwards, fives and fours as they are commonly categorized, but it gets tricky with the fours.
Zion Williamson is listed as a power forward, for instance, but is he a big man? He’s only 6-foot-6 and he operates mostly from a perimeter starting point, often as a play initiator. You can damn near call him New Orleans’ point guard sometimes. We feel more comfortable labeling Williamson as a wing. A powerful one who can punish you in the post — the same way that Jalen Brunson can punish his positional counterparts with his back to basket — but a wing nonetheless.
Rewritten Article:
Top 100 rank: 12
Following the All-Star break, Wembanyama maintained an average of 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. It’s astonishing to note that no player has ever achieved this feat for an entire season. Not even close. Even if you reduce each of those numbers by 10%, it has only been accomplished once before… by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at his peak.
Wembanyama was just a rookie playing on a team destined to lose. He doesn’t just represent the next great NBA player, but he embodies a level of talent and skill that the sport has never witnessed before. He combines size and skill in a way that signifies the evolution of basketball over the past decade.
What’s truly remarkable about his post-break statistics is not how impressive they are, but how they will likely pale in comparison to what he can achieve in the future. It might be years before we see another player of his caliber outside of the top 10 rankings. — Sam Quinn
Top 100 rank: 11
The 2023-24 season marked a shift for Anthony Davis towards embracing his role as a center. Almost three-quarters of his shot attempts were in the paint, a significant increase from previous seasons. Davis, known for his mid-range game, reduced his mid-range attempts and focused on dominating the interior, leading to one of his best seasons since winning the championship in 2020.
Despite his preference for playing power forward, Davis recognized the Lakers’ need for him to excel as a center. His performance anchored the team’s defense and showcased his versatility and impact on both ends of the court. — Sam Quinn
Top 100 rank: 5
Arguably the most dominant scorer in the league, Embiid has adapted well to Nick Nurse’s motion-oriented offense. He has improved his passing out of double teams and demonstrated a combination of face-up shooting and post play that is nearly impossible to defend. His prowess as a rim protector adds to his overall impact on the game, making him a force to be reckoned with. — Brad Botkin
Top 100 rank: 2
Giannis Antetokounmpo had another exceptional season, finishing in the top 15 in scoring, rebounding, and assists. His historic achievements put him in elite company with basketball legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. Despite facing playoff setbacks due to injuries, Giannis remains one of the most dominant players in the league on both offense and defense. — Jack Maloney
Top 100 rank: 1
Nikola Jokic stands out as the player who can consistently create quality shots for his team. His versatility as a scorer and playmaker, combined with his improved defense, cements his status as the best player in the world. Jokic’s selfless approach to the game and his pure basketball skills set him apart from his peers. — Brad Botkin
Next five: Karl-Anthony Towns (Wolves), Rudy Gobert (Wolves), Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
original sentence: “The cat lazily stretched out in the sun, enjoying the warmth on its fur.”
Rewritten sentence: “Basking in the sun’s warmth, the cat lazily stretched out, relishing the feeling on its fur.”