NBA centers stand out as some of the most remarkable athletes globally.

To be considered among the elite is to reach the pinnacle of basketball excellence, particularly as the 2023-24 NBA playoffs captivate the sports world.

While Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar often dominate discussions about the greatest NBA centers of all time, their legendary careers unfolded in a vastly different era compared to today’s game.

In today’s NBA, the value of 3-pointers is paramount, and versatile big men who can effectively stretch the floor are indispensable assets.

Nikola Jokic is etching his name into the annals of modern basketball history, sparking fervent debates, including those involving Shannon Sharpe. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama has garnered universal acclaim, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year title with statistics that outshine even LeBron James.

Although Wembanyama still requires some seasoning in the league, the French prodigy is already ascending the ranks of elite big men.

10. Patrick Ewing

Hall of Famer.

An 11-time All-Star and seven All-NBA selections.

Throw in his Georgetown domination, and the native of Kingston, Jamaica helped define basketball in the 1980s and ’90s, along with Michael Jordan.

The only accolade absent from Ewing’s remarkable record is an NBA Finals championship.

He maintained averages of 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, earning him three selections to the All-Defensive teams.

Ewing served as the formidable cornerstone of the New York Knicks, demonstrating leadership prowess and pioneering approaches ahead of his era.

9. Nikola Jokic

Shaq’s opinion differs on whether Jokic deserved his third MVP award.

However, many basketball enthusiasts beg to differ, citing extraordinary statistics that have already propelled the Serbian native to the pinnacle of all-time PER (player efficiency rating) leaders.

Indeed, Jokic’s PER stands at an impressive 28.08, surpassing the likes of Jordan (27.91) and LeBron James (27.06).

Despite Denver trailing 2-0 in the second-round series against Anthony Edwards and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic’s consistent presence as a top-two MVP finalist for four consecutive years solidifies his status as one of the premier centers in NBA history.

8. Moses Malone

The Chairman of the Boards has become underrated in 2024.

Malone was even more ahead of his time than Ewing, dominating the NBA with 13 All-Star selections and three MVPs.

He averaged 31.1 points in 1981-82, despite attempting just six 3-pointers.

Just image the numbers that Malone could have produced in the modern NBA.

For a decade, Malone was on an all-time best pace and put up better stats than Jokic.

He deserves more credit nowadays.

7. David Robinson

Before Wemby, there was Tim Duncan.

Before Duncan, there was The Admiral.

Robinson had to wait two years to enter the NBA because of his Naval Academy commitment.

Once he joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1989, it was on. Ten All-Star selections, two world championships, eight All-Defensive team honors and an MVP. Not bad for a big man who only played 14 seasons before giving way to the Big Fundamental.

6. Hakeem Olajuwon

The Dream once absolutely dominated The Admiral and there are brilliant YouTube highlights to prove it.

That’s how good No. 34 for the Houston Rockets was.

Olajuwon, like Ewing, starred and dominated in college.

Then The Dream kept fine-tuning his many skills, evolving into an offensive nightmare for opposing defenses.

During an era when constantly shooting 3s wasn’t an option, Olajuwon perfected his work in the paint and turned low-post movements into an art form.

Wembanyama also has a lot of Olajuwon in him.

The Dream, who hailed from Lagos, Nigeria, made 12 All-Star teams, was twice named Defensive Player of the Year, and won two NBA Finals MVPs.

He averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks over 18 seasons. Current centers could learn a lot by studying Olajuwo

5. Bill Russell

The Boston Celtics legend finished in the top-seven in MVP voting in every season but one during his time in the NBA.

From 1956-69, Russell was an absolute force while Boston won, won and won again.

For many, the 12-time All-Star and five-time MVP will always be on top of the big man mountain.

Russell won 11 NBA championships while the Celtics raised banner after banner.

It’s hard to compare eras in The Association because the league has changed so much.

Russell will always be one of the all-time elites.

Then there’s the amazing fact that he averaged more rebounds (22.5) than points (15.1).

4. Tim Duncan

For almost two decades, the Big Fundamental was the defining name at the toughest position in the NBA.

Duncan rarely drew attention to himself and always made it about his team.

He ended up with 15 All-Star selections, five NBA world titles, 15 All-Defensive team honors, three NBA Finals MVPs and two NBA MVPs.

It can be argued that Duncan should be even higher on this loaded list.

He was still impressive in his late 30s and finished 10th in MVP voting during his 18th season.

Factor in that Duncan spent every one of his NBA years with the Spurs, and there’s a special place in history for the quietly dominant big man.

3. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt the Stilt averaged 50.4 points in one season and finished his career with a 30.1 scoring average.

In his final playing year, he finished fourth in MVP voting and made the All-Defensive team.

It’s hard to be better than that, and the only thing holding back Chamberlain is time.

He was drafted in 1959, only shot 51.1 percent from the free-throw line, and never had to run the court while Stephen Curry was rapidly firing 3 after 3.

Like Russell, Chamberlain is on the Mount Rushmore of big men.

He also scored 100 points in a game, which is unthinkable in 2024.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Sharpe was right in some ways.

Shaq could have been even better.

O’Neal had the talent to be the greatest center of all-time.

No one was more powerful, as the LSU star journeyed from a franchise-changing No. 1 pick for the Orlando Magic into a new Lakers legend.

Broken backboards, rim destruction and three NBA Finals MVPs are proof of how monstrous the NBA’s Superman was.

O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, and played until he was 38. With a little more GOAT commitment, Shaq would have rivaled Jordan and James as the greatest player ever.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Some players transcend time and bridge eras.

No one better captures that than a man who basically patented his own shot.

Once known as Lew Alcindor, Abdul-Jabbar entered the league as a No. 1 pick by Milwaukee in 1969 and finished as the greatest center in history.

He made 19 All-Star teams, won two scoring titles, was a part of six championship squads and won six MVPs.