Constructing the Best All-Star Center NBA Starting Lineup

The Key Center Position in Basketball

In basketball, each team has five players on the court: a point guard, a shooting guard, a small forward, a power forward, and a center. The center is usually the tallest player on the team and holds down the key position near the basket. Centers are often relied upon for rebounding, interior defense, setting screens, finishing around the rim, and providing inside scoring. Assembling the right center to anchor your starting five is crucial for any NBA franchise with championship aspirations.

Top Center Options in the NBA

There is no shortage of talented big men in today's NBA capable of dominating in the post. Let's take a look at some of the top options teams have to choose from at the center position:

• Joel Embiid - The heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid averages nearly 30 points and 11 rebounds per game by overpowering defenders down low.
• Nikola Jokic - The reigning two-time NBA MVP is a triple-double machine running the Denver Nuggets offense with his elite court vision and scoring ability.
• Rudy Gobert - Gobert is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year for the Minnesota Timberwolves, protecting the rim better than anyone.
• Karl-Anthony Towns - Another Timberwolves big man, Towns can stretch the floor with his three-point shooting or score with his back to the basket.

Building the Best Starting Five

Constructing the perfect NBA starting lineup is no easy task. You need the right blend of playmaking, perimeter scoring, wing defense, interior scoring, and rim protection. The center you choose as the anchor of your lineup sets the tone for the rest of the team. So what would the best center-focused starting five look like in today's NBA?

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

We will start by penciling in young Thunder center Chet Holmgren in at the five spot. The number two overall pick in the 2022 draft has yet to suit up in the NBA due to injury but offers tantalizing two-way potential. At 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, his shot-blocking and three-point shooting ability at center could make him a unicorn in the mold of Kristaps Porzingis. Once healthy, he seems poised to become a highly impactful two-way force in the middle.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Next up, we will slot Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in at the power forward position. The Greek Freak is a dominant interior force, getting to the rim at will while also anchoring the defense. His rare blend of size, skill, and athleticism puts constant pressure on the opposition. He can score inside, run the break, and lock down multiple positions with his Defensive Player of the Year impact.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

At small forward, we have the King himself - LeBron James. Even in his 20th NBA season, LeBron remains of the the league's most unstoppable offensive talents. His combination of power, speed, court vision and basketball IQ allows him to control the flow of games and make his teammates better. The primary initiator running the offense, LeBron is still elite at getting to his spots and finishing through contact.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

In the backcourt, we will add the greatest shooter basketball has ever seen - Stephen Curry. The baby-faced assassin from the Golden State Warriors has unlimited shooting range, pulling up from anywhere inside the half court logo. His quick trigger and dead-eye accuracy forces the defense to key in on him 35 feet from the hoop, creating space for the entire offense. The greatest scoring point guard of all time and the architect of Golden State's dynasty, Curry's presence gives any starting five an immediate boost.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Rounding out the lineup at shooting guard is Minnesota's Anthony Edwards. One of the best young scorers in the NBA already, AntMan uses explosive athleticism and shot creating ability to put up 22 points per game early in his career. Still just 21 years old, his two-way upside and highlight reel athletic plays make him an ideal running mate next to Curry in the backcourt. This starting five now features perhaps the best player at every position in today's NBA.

How This Starting Five Dominates

This carefully constructed NBA starting lineup would be nearly unstoppable on both ends of the court. The combination of all-time great scoring and playmaking in the backcourt offensive wings capable of taking over games with scoring bursts, and two-way big men controlling the paint provides the ideal blend required to make a title run.

With Curry and Edwards raining threes in the backcourt, LeBron orchestrating the offense, Giannis attacking downhill, and Chet protecting the rim, this starting five poses problems for the defense on every possession. There is no good matchup for the opposition to key in on and exploit. The scoring prowess eliminates the concept of a bad shot on offense. Someone is open on every play.

Defensively, the length and activity making ball movement difficult. Attempts at driving to the basket are thwarted by the imposing frontline. Curry and Edwards hold their own on the perimeter, allowing LeBron to roam and make plays. This unit has all the necessary ingredients - shooting, playmaking, rebounding, rim protection, isolation scoring, transition scoring, and defensive versatility. It is the perfect NBA starting five.

Building a Contender in the NBA

Constructing a championship contender in the NBA is easier said than done. The salary cap, injuries, egos, and pressure make it incredibly difficult to unite enough elite talent on one roster. Sacrifices must be made and roles accepted. A harmonious blend of personnel transcending pure talent is required.

As this hypothetical starting five exercise shows, the center position remains a critical building block piece. The best teams feature an anchor in the middle that can score inside, rebound, block shots, and unlock spacing. Finding and empowering a two-way inside presence to bring the rest of the talented pieces together is key.

While this roster looks flawless on paper, translating that into reality if these players were truly united on the same franchise would be far from guaranteed. Overcoming the injury to Chet, meshing together usage between Curry and LeBron, and asking Giannis to play more power forward than center all pose potential issues. But from a pure talent perspective, it represents a dream starting five with all the ingredients of the great NBA dynasties we have witnessed through history.

FAQs

Who are some of the best centers in the NBA today?

Some of the top centers in the NBA right now include Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns. These big men are elite on both ends of the court and critical to their team's success.

What makes an ideal center to build a starting lineup around?

The best centers to build a lineup around are two-way players who can score, rebound, block shots, and space the floor. You want someone who can anchor a defense but also unlock easier scoring for teammates on offense.

Why is the center position still important in today's spaced out NBA?

Despite more teams shooting threes now, the center spot remains critical. Interior scoring, rebounding, pick-setting, and rim protection provided by a quality center helps balance out the perimeter oriented attack of most contenders.

What are the biggest challenges in constructing a dream starting five?

Bringing together so much elite talent poses challenges related to usage, chemistry, and roles. Staying healthy is also difficult. Egos and playing time demands also must be managed by the coaching staff and front office.