The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks: Ranking the projected starting centers across the NBA

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 01: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game on April 1, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 01: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game on April 1, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Karl-Anthony Towns – MIN

There are some holes in the game of Karl-Anthony Towns, but not many. At 23 years old, Towns has become one of the most versatile big men in the league. In fact, I do not believe it is a stretch to say that Towns is the best scoring big man in the NBA right now. His ability to create his own shot, to hit from three and from the post, etc. are all reasons he found his way to number 4 on the list.

Towns also happens to be an elite rebounder. He has proven time and time again that he can do everything on the court at the highest level, but the one area he has lacked in from the past is that he struggles under the bright lights. Big games have not been his forte and until he proves he can win playoff games, he is stuck at number 4.

DONGGUAN, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of France dunks the ball against USA during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Quarter-Finals on September 11, 2019 at the Dongguan Basketball Center in Dongguan, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
DONGGUAN, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 11: Rudy Gobert #27 of France dunks the ball against USA during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Quarter-Finals on September 11, 2019 at the Dongguan Basketball Center in Dongguan, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Rudy Gobert – UTA

Switching from the best scoring center in the league, we now move on to the best score preventing big man in the league. Rudy Gobert is definitely the best defensive big man in the league, proving this with his back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. Anyone who wins an NBA award multiple times is the real deal.

Gobert is by no means an offensive force, but he is not completely inept on that end. He has had the benefit of having good creators on his team for most of his career, so he has gotten the role of batting cleanup with a lot of his points coming from put-backs and alley-oops. Either way, his defensive ability seals his spot at number three.

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