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NBA Position Rankings: Top 10 centers in the NBA

By Spencer R. Henderson

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons, Kyle O'Quinn, New York Knicks
Dec 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) prepares to shoot the ball as New York Knicks power forward Kyle O’Quinn (9) defends during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Andre Drummond

This player is one of the best centers in Pistons’ history, and that is saying a lot. Drummond burst onto the scene and has out rebounded every person he has matched up against.

This player looks like a more offensively polished Ben Wallace, although he is not as great on the defensive end as Wallace. That is a great sign for Pistons fans.

It seems as if Detroit has found the key piece in its quest back to the top of the East.

Although Drummond shoots a horrible 35.5 percent from the free-throw line, he is the most valuable player on Detroit’s roster. He has become a leader for his team in his short time in the NBA.

Drummond led the league in rebounding in 2016 and looks to continue dominating the boards in 2017. He averaged 16.2 rebounds per 36 minutes. His scoring also increased to 17.0 points per game.

One of the reasons he is such a dominant rebounder is because of his size and agility in the paint. Most opponents have trouble blocking him out and fail to get a body on Drummond because of his rare attributes in the paint. His foot speed and quickness is underrated for the position.

Although he is not the best defender on this list, this center is above average on the defensive end. Drummond averaged 1.5 blocks per game, and led the Pistons to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Pistons were eventually swept by the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

The Pistons may have won one of those games if Drummond shoots 60-70 percent from the charity stripe. If Drummond can manage to improve from the free throw line he could potentially average 20 points per game.

Next: The rookie