Centers are often overlooked in fantasy basketball because of their relatively low offensive output. Most Centers score under 12 points per game. However, the difference between a championship fantasy basketball team and a mediocre team usually comes down to the Center position. This is because Centers usually decide which team wins the Blocks, Rebounds, and Field Goal Percentage categories. That's more than a third of the categories counted in most fantasy basketball leagues. If you lock up these three sections with dominant big men, you only have to win one or two other categories to win each week.
Without further adieu, here are the best Centers for your second half NBA fantasy basketball draft.
Top Tier
1. Pau Gasol, LA Lakers, PF/C - Gasol really plays the Power Forward position. However, due to an early season injury of big man Andrew Bynum, Gasol has taken over at the 5 slot. Take advantage of this in your NBA fantasy league if he is available as a Center. Gasol is consistent, plays major minutes, and doesn’t get hurt often. Here are his numbers from the first half of the season:
18.5 ppg, 2.0 bpg, 51.1 FG%, 10.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, .7 spg, 1.9 TO, 82.4 FT%
Gasol's high scoring, assist, and free throw percentage totals make you forget about his poor shooting average. That should pick up in the second half of the season as Bynum returns, opening up better looks for Gasol.
2. Amare Stoudemire, NY Knicks, PF/C - Same thing as Gasol. He should play the 4, but in Mike D'Antonoi's offense, Amare fits the Center position. He will continue to dominate the rest of the season.
26.4 ppg, 2.4 bpg, 50.5 FG%, 8.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, .9spg, 3.6 TO, 78.5 FT %
Turnovers are high for Amare, but so are points and blocks.
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, PF/C - Horford is the glue that holds the Hawks together. He has been a phenomenal low block scorer since coming into the NBA.
16.5 ppg, 1.2 bpg, 56.9 FG%, 9.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, .7 spg, 1.4 TO, 82.1 FT%
Horford, like Gasol, has monster assist totals. His rebounds are right around 10 a game and he shoots the ball efficiently.
Not Quite Elite
4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic, C - This is hard to figure out. Dwight Howard is the most imposing Center in the NBA, but he plays too soft. It's like his friendly personality carries over to the floor. I think he lacks the toughness that makes great big men in the NBA. However, he can still help your fantasy team, you just shouldn't spend a top draft pick on him.
22.0 ppg, 2.2 bpg, 56.7 FG%, 13.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 3.6 TO, 59.4 FT%
Low assists, high turnovers and very low free throw shooting makes Howard a less valuable fantasy player than his real life counterpart.
5. Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz, PF/C - Jefferson is having a monster first year with the Jazz. If he can stay healthy, he will continue to produce at a high level. Another great PF/C combo player for your fantasy basketball team.
16.8ppg, 1.9 bpg, 48.7%, 8.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, .5 spg, 1.3 TO, 76.9 FT %
The Best of the Rest
Here are other players that are worth picking up in your NBA fantasy basketball draft. Look for one of these players in middle to late rounds, where they have real value. You'll have to look up their stats on your own.
- Tim Duncan, SA Spurs, PF/C
- Nene Hilario, Denver Nuggets, C
- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies, C
- Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons, C
- Andrew Bynum, LA Lakers, C
- Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, PF/C
- Luis Scola, Houston Rockets, PF/C
- Brooke Lopez, NJ Nets, C
- Serge Ibaka, OKC Thunder, PF/C
- David Lee, GS Warriors, PF/C
- Emeka Okafor, NO Hornets, C
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