The 25 Best Big Men in the NBA Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Team: Nets
Stats: 6.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG

We have KG on here off G.P. because his numbers aren't that good at the moment (and Tyson Chandler has only played in four games). His presence alone moves mountains and those numbers should creep up as he gets used to his new situation in Brooklyn. The Nets are 3-8 but Deron Williams is having ankle trouble and it's still early. So we'll cut Garnett some slack.

Team: Pistons
Stats: 15.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 SPG

Monroe has been consistent for the last three seasons. Playing in Detroit, you kind of forget about him. His game is smooth just like it was in his days at Georgetown. We're surprised he's putting up those numbers playing alongside Andre Drummond and Josh Smith. He might make for good trade bait when the deadline rolls around.

Team: Pistons
Stats: 12.1 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG

This guys is so athletic. He's turning out to be a smart pick by Joe Dumars and the Pistons. But like a couple guys on this list that play for the Clippers, he needs to add more to his game. Ask Amar'e how far living off just athletic ability gets you. Drummond is 6'10" but has long arms and plays bigger than that. He's liable to turn into a beast in the near future. Keep your eyes on him.

Team: Timberwolves
Stats: 14.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.0 APG

Pekovic is hardbody. He looks like he cuts lumber for fun. He can play a little too. He's a nice compliment to Kevin Love. A team needs a tough bruiser to play alongside an offensive threat. He can only get better but for now all he has to do is keep playing hard and protect Love. And for a big, surly guy he has a soft touch around the rim and is a career 74 percent free-throw shooter.

Team: Bulls
Stats: 16.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG

Carlos Boozer has gotten off to nice start this year. He put up 31 on the first night of the season and grabbed 17 boards on Monday night. He still should give Joakim Noah his contract but I digress. The Bulls need him to be the second option because Derrick Rose can't keep holding down the offense by himself. So far, his jumper has been falling and he's only disappeared for one game this year (a loss to Indiana). Those are positives, I guess.

Team: Clippers
Stats: 10.6 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.1 BPG

He, like his partner in crime Blake Griffin, needs to add more to his game; don't be fooled by the numbers. He's putting those up based on God-given ability. Jordan jumps out of the gym and has polished his game a bit since coming into the league in 2009. But his athleticism can only take him but so far. The Clippers will become true contenders when he and Blake add more to their games.

Team: Heat
Stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Our favorite big on this list, Chris Bosh let's his antics get in the way of his skill. He sacrificed the most by joining Wade and LeBron in Miami. However, the Heat don't win back-to-back chips without him. He's one of the best stretch power forwards in the L, he plays good defense, and isn't afraid to rebound. If he was on any other team, he would easily give you 20 and 10 a night.

Team: Lakers
Stats: 13.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.3 BPG

He's soft this, he's soft that. We've all said that about Pau, but honestly, who would you rather have on your team, Pau or Amar'e? Exactly. For all his faults, Kobe and the Lakers didn't return to prominance until he came to town. He can defend, rebound, and score. Other than the "soft" stamp, Gasol has been putting in work his entire career. Stop hating and appreciate him before it's too late.

Team: Grizzlies
Stats: 16.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.7 APG

Z-Bo has been giving us a double-double for damn near his whole career. He's not averaging that at the moment but we expect him to be by season's end. Randolph is a traditional back-to-the-basket power forward that a point guard can feed all game. And don't forget that his play (and his contract) is the reason why Rudy Gay and his inconsistency is in Canada.

Team: Magic
Stats: 14.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Look at those numbers. Dwight Howard who? Vucevic has been a stat machine going on two seasons now. He just wills his way to numbers and he can hit the outside jumper. He's not as special defensively as Dwight but those stats don't lie. We hope the Magic trade him because he can really help a contender.

Team: Warriors
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.2 APG

A poor man's Kevin Love, Lee is a stat machine and has added to his game every season. He's the perfect player to play alongside shooters like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. You need somebody to grab those long rebounds. Who knows how far the Warriors would've gotten if he never injured his hip in last year's playoffs. The only Lee needs to improve is his defense. He's undersized for the four position which makes him easy to back down on the block.

Team: Mavericks
Stats: 20.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Dirk is healthy this year and with Monta Ellis helping him out offensively, the Mavs are off to an 8-4 start. He still has that patented fade-away jumper that's automatic and can still hit the three. If he can stay injury-free, Dallas might have one last title run in them. Never sleep on Nowitzki. Remember 2011?

Team: Nets
Stats: 20.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 BPG

No he doesn't rebound but he plays defense and is probably the best scoring center in the league. Lopez has a real soft touch around the rim. When he's on, he's a real joy to watch. Whenever you get frustrated with his rebounding output, just watch Rik Smits highlights. The Dunkin' Dutchman was a key cog in those Reggie Miller led Pacers teams of the '90s.

Team: Bulls
Stats: 9.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls, Joakim is underappreciated in our opinion. You can't put a price on intangibles and Noah is full of them. He sticks up for his teammates, isn't intimitated at all, and handles all of the dirty work. He also has improved his jumper since he's been in the league and plays hard-nosed defense. He's a throwback to the tougher days of the NBA and it's refreshing to watch.

Team: Thunder
Stats: 14.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 2.1 BPG

In 10 games played, Ibaka has stepped up his production and looks like he bulked up. He's really turning into an all around player. He's grabbing 10 boards a night and is ready to punch cats like Matt Barnes into next week. If Westbrook can stay healthy, Ibaka has a chance to prove the Thunder front office right for trading James Harden away.

Team: Spurs
Stats: 12.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.6 BPG

His numbers are taking an expected dip this season with Pop controlling his minutes as always, but guess what? The Spurs are 10-1 and are poised at defending the Western Conference crown. He still plays reserved, uses the backboard, and protects the rim like the all-time great he is. We hope the Big Fundamental plays forever.

Team: Grizzlies
Stats: 17.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.2 BPG

Last year's Defensive Player of the Year is putting more of a focus on scoring so far this season. He's averaging a career-high 17 points per game and is still holding things down on the block for Memphis. He's one of the best all-around big men in the game today. His rebounding could be better, although playing alongside another big like Zach Randolph can make getting every board difficult. With that said, Marc is one of the best passing big men in the L. He's like a point guard in the post.

Team: Clippers
Stats: 22.7 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.3 SPG

Overrated! Overrated! That's how people feel about Blake Griffin. Guess what? The Clippers are 8-4 and he's putting up 20 and 10. Most of it is based on pure athletic ability but still, how do you explain a 22.5 PER? He's doing something. Except for maybe having post moves or playing defense. Once he adds that to his game, the whispers of being overrated will stop. Although, he has shown some shades of shimmy-shakes, crossovers, and fade-away jumpers this year. Watch out!

Team: Hawks
Stats: 19.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.3 BPG

Out here reppin' for the latinos such as myself, Al Horford has been given the Hawks franchise. The organization traded Joe Johnson and Josh Smith out of town, leaving Horford as the lone star (or good player if you want to be specific) on the squad. Undersized at the center position, Al plays bigger than 6'10". His long arms allow him defend the likes of Dwight Howard and Roy Hibbert, and his consistent jumper stretches the defense.

Team: Kings
Stats: 21.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG

DeMarcus is finally living up to his potential. He always had game but his attitude has always been a question mark. With Shaq coming into the fold as a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings and willing to mentor the young center, the sky's the limit for Cousins. The Kings are 3-7 though but it's still early and they have a young squad. They'll go as far as DeMarcus takes them. He has the skills to pay the bills, let's see if he could keep his shit together.

Team: Pacers
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 0.9 APG, 4.4 BPG

The big tree came to life in last year's playoffs. And he's picked up where he left off this season. Hibbert is averaging 4.4 blocks a contest so far in this young season. Although slow, he has some post moves up his sleeves too. With him and Paul George leading the way, the Pacers are looking like a real threat to the Heat. Their defense alone can get them to the Eastern Conference Finals. It did last year.

Team: Blazers
Stats: 22.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 SPG

LaMarcus and Damian Liillard have the Blazers off to a hot start. They're 10-2 and sitting on top of the Western Conference. At the moment, he's putting up career highs in points and rebounds. With a rising star in Lillard feeding him the ball and attracting attention, LaMarcus will likely make his third consecutive All-Star appearance. Out of all the guys on this list, Aldridge probably has the best mid-range game. He's automatic from 15-18 feet like a young Karl Malone.

Team: Timberwolves
Stats: 25.4 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 4.8 APG

Kevin Love is playing like a damn animal in this young season. But the Timberwolves are only a game over .500 and he can't play defense to save his life. Who cares, though, right? That's what Nikola Pekovic is for. If he and Rubio can stay healthy, Minny is a playoff team. Love grabs rebounds like he played in the Golden Era of the '80s and the '90s. It's a pleasure to watch him grab a board, post up, and shoot threes. He's in the early running for MVP.

Team: Pelicans
Stats: 21.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 4.0 BPG

Take a look at those numbers again. It's only been 11 games but cot damn, the Brow is looking like the first pick. Once he gets his weight up, he'll be damn near unstoppable. People aka Laker fans still scoff at Stern curving the Chris Paul trade, but New Orleans has a bright future ahead of them. That wouldn't have been possible if that trade had went through. A franchise should rather suck than be mediocre. There aren't any Anthony Davis' available in the second half of the first round.

Team: Rockets
Stats: 18.4 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.2 BPG

He's the guy we love to hate, and he definetly needs some more post moves, but don't sit there and act like he's not the best in the game right now. However, to stay at the top, Howard needs to stop relying on his athleticism to get by and listen to Hakeem. Dwight gets those numbers on talent alone. It's gonna be scary once he adds some more to the repertoire.