RealGM

Considering only 2009-10 to 2018-19, who is the best center of the decade? Combining both accumulative value and peak.

I consider Anthony Davis as PF for this, but Tim Duncan as C.

Probably Gasol or Horford

I went Marc Gasol.

17.6 pp75 on leave average TS% for the decade. With a high of 22 pp75.

He’s a good passer for a C, and developed a 3 ball late in the decade.

He’s a solid FT% guy, so harder to play off the court at the end of games.

Defensively, he led strong defensive lineups, peaking at -5.6 rDRtg in 12-13.

It's probably Howard, but he doesn't feel like a great pick given he was a journeyman for half the decade.

But if it isn't Howard, you are left with the likes of Horford, Jordan and Gasol.

Truly an atrocious generation for centers.

Inclined to say Howard because his 2010-15 was so strong, but will note that Horford was a more consistent top thirty player and had a decent peak in 2018.

I guess I'd go Gasol as it matches his prime perfectly. I'd take Duncan's decade over Howard's since I think he was more valuable from him from 13-15.

Dwight for peak, Gasol for cummulative value. I think the spirit of the question would lean more towards the latter, so Gasol.

Woof, brutal period for the position

Dwight's 2011 was unmatched, no doubts.

I love Gasol but think I still lean Dwight.

Pre-Lakers he was just on another level, a one man army.

It is kinda funny that there were a few years there were the narrative was that centers were a dying breed, and then we got 3 straight years of the Jokic/Embiid MVP rivalry and a generational C drafted. I think it just took a while for the center position to catch up to the skill-ball revolution, but now that it has, man these 7 footers with ball skills are just incredible

Saints14 wrote:It is kinda funny that there were a few years there were the narrative was that centers were a dying breed, and then we got 3 straight years of the Jokic/Embiid MVP rivalry and a generational C drafted. I think it just took a while for the center position to catch up to the skill-ball revolution, but now that it has, man these 7 footers with ball skills are just incredible

I've been banging this gong for years. People basically watch one or two teams, and ESPN highlights, and think they know what they're talking about with the league, which is hysterical to me. There's a lot of good classic post talent in the league right now.

Saints14 wrote:It is kinda funny that there were a few years there were the narrative was that centers were a dying breed, and then we got 3 straight years of the Jokic/Embiid MVP rivalry and a generational C drafted. I think it just took a while for the center position to catch up to the skill-ball revolution, but now that it has, man these 7 footers with ball skills are just incredible

Unfortunately, Steph couldn't stay 27 forever

Forgot to mention Bosh who played center for most of the decade, he deserves at least HM