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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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Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Seraphin, New York Knicks
Dec 4, 2015; New York, NY, Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) dribbles the ball around New York Knicks center Kevin Seraphin (1) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Brook Lopez

This guy is one of the best scoring centers in the NBA.

He is kind of in the Kevin Love Timberwolves situation. He puts up elite numbers on a non-playoff team. It would be interesting to see this guy on a contending team to see if he can remain this high level of offensive production when the pressure is on.

Lopez averaged more points per game than any center in the league besides DeMarcus Cousins, yet he is not in anyone’s top-five center list.

He was one of only two centers who averaged more than 20 points per game for the year. Last year in January, Lopez registered 24 points and 15 rebounds against the Magic. He also went for 26 points in a losing effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One of Lopez’s strengths is his mid-range shot and his post moves on either block. His offensive repertoire is what keeps him in the top-10 conversation.

His weakness, unlike most of the other top-10 centers, is his rebounding. He has made strides with his defense and is still making improvement on that side of the ball.

Although Lopez is a 7-footer, he only averaged 7.8 rebounds per game in 2016. He is one of the league’s worst rebounding centers.

The Nets are banking on Lopez developing this team into a contending team in the East. However that seems like a long shot after losing Thaddeus Young to the Pacers this offseason.

Next: The shot blocker