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

ByKohl 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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METAIRIE, LA – JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
METAIRIE, LA – JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

18. Derrick Favors – NOP

Derrick Favors was a pretty beloved player for the Utah Jazz after playing for them for more than 8 seasons, bridging the gap from the Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko era to the short-lived Gordon Hayward era and into the Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell era. In fact, Favors joined the Jazz just a couple weeks after Jerry Sloan‘s final game coaching the team.

I have never been a huge fan of Favors personally, but he is a good player. I have always pictured him as the type of guy that is best suited to shine on a bad team vs. being a key player on a good team. For that reason, this could be a good year for the big man. The Pelicans could be good this year or they may not do great, but Favors is going to be a leader for this team and I expect it to go well for him.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 03: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dunks against the Boston Celtics during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 03: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dunks against the Boston Celtics during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

17. Bam Adebayo – MIA

Bam Adebayo is another one of those players who’s impact on the game is not going to be seen on the stat sheet. In his two years with the Miami Heat, he has averaged a slightly underwhelming 8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game. Despite low numbers, Adebayo has found himself more and more a key part of the rotation and success of the Heat.

A lot of Adebayo’s impact comes from hustle plays and defensive effort. I have no problem saying that Adebayo is probably a top 5 defensive center in the league at this point and that stems from his intelligence and instinct when facing guys that are quite a bit bigger than him. At 22 years old, there is still a lot of room for growth here and I think Bam is going to be someone to keep an eye on.

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