Roy Hibbert is the latest in a long line of great Georgetown centers. He really came into his own during last season's playoffs.After averaging 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in the regular season, he stepped it up in the postseason to the tune of 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds per contest. Like Howard, Hibbert also has the ability to get it done on the defensive end. His 206 blocks (2.6 per game) were second only to Serge Ibaka, and his 96.9 defensive rating trailed only Tim Duncan. A couple of things work in Hibbert's favor going forward.
First, at 7'2" and 290 pounds, he is one of the league's biggest centers. He is a tough man to move out of the paint, which makes it difficult for teams to defend him on offense or keep him off the boards. Secondly, under Frank Vogel, the Pacers are going to continue to be among the league's best teams, especially on the defensive end. That is only going to play to Hibbert's strengths, and he'll become more of a household name as the team continues to make deep postseason runs.
Here's a look at one of Hibbert's best games from last season. On March 13, Hibbert unleashed on the Timberwolves, finishing with 27 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Throughout the video, there is one main constant: Minnesota was no match for Hibbert's size and strength. They struggled to keep the big man off the glass, and his size advantage made him look like a college senior playing against high school freshmen. You'll see, when he gets the ball down low, he favors a little jump hook. His offensive game isn't polished, but it gets the job done.
On defense, one particular play that caught my eye comes at the 2:05 mark. T'Wolves forward Derrick Williams attempts to attack the basket and seemingly runs into a brick wall. Despite being 6'8" himself, Williams looks like a child jumping into his father's arms as he is engulfed by Hibbert.That kind of presence inside is what makes Hibbert special. He doesn't have the speed that Howard possesses, but he's a mountain of a man who makes opponents think twice about coming into the paint.
Perhaps it is because he plays with higher-profile teammates or struggles to stay healthy, but Chicago's Joakim Noah doesn't get the attention he deserves as one of the game's best big men. Like Roy Hibbert, Noah has the advantage of playing for a great defensive coach who brings the best out of him. The biggest obstacle standing in Noah's ascent to greatness is his body.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has molded the team into a defensive machine with Noah at the forefront. The former Florida Gator led the team in steals (1.2), blocks (2.1) and rebounds (11.1) per game during the regular season. In six years, he has yet to play a full NBA season. His 66 appearances last season were his best output since the 2008-09 season. When healthy, Noah brings a rare blend of speed, energy, athleticism and toughness. He has tremendous moxie for a big man with a rail thin body, and he can be downright pesky in the paint. Defensively, he's one of the game's best shot-blockers and gets his hands on a few steals with his uncanny hand speed.
Let's take a look at perhaps one of the best single-game performances of any player from last season. On Feb. 28, Noah put up video game numbers on the Philadelphia 76ers. He finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, 11 blocks and three steals in a 93-82 win. One of the big takeaways from the highlight reel is how over-matched Spencer Hawes looked going up against Noah. At times, he was a step too slow defending the Bulls big man on the pick-and-roll, and he just couldn't compete on the glass. Next, at the 2:23 spot, watch how Noah smothers the ball on the perimeter. Even after the switch off of the pick, he doesn't back down on defense and uses his long arms to force a bad pass. Speaking of defense, Noah's timing on all 11 of his blocks is impeccable. He knows right when to jump to get his hands on the ball and avoid a foul. The key for Noah will be staying on the court.
With the return of Derrick Rose coming back next season, the Bulls will be regarded once again a championship contender. As with Hibbert, the team's success will only increase Noah's profile. With his tenacity and personality, he's bound to get the respect he rightfully deserves.
DeMarcus"Boogie" Cousins is the leader of the new school. The 23-year-old is arguably the best among a talented class of young big men. Last year, he had a solid season with an average of 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. The year before, however, was the former Kentucky Wildcat's coming-out party.He contributed 18.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in what was the best season of his young career. He also added 1.2 blocks per contest for good measure.
There are few things standing in Cousins' way on the road to the NBA's elite. First, like any entitled youngster, there are maturity issues. In just three seasons in the league, he's managed to feud with coaches as well as teammates. He's also been known to make trade demands when he's feeling out of place. Next, he plays on a Sacramento Kings team that doesn't get a ton of attention or wins. Since Boogie came to town in 2010, the team has yet to eclipse 30 wins in a single season. The Kings also play in a state with three other teams that have had a greater amount of recent success. Lastly, Cousins isn't one for defense.
His 1.2 blocks per game in 2010-11 was his best attempt at hindering an opponent's offense. Last season, he had an Effective Field Goal Percentage Allowed of 52.6 percent. When he was off the court, that number dropped to 50.5 percent. On the bright side, at least he has some geographical stability. The team gave Cousins a four-year, $62 million extension this offseason with the intention of building around their mercurial big man. That gives Boogie an advantage over the others on this list. Unlike the other three, Cousins is his team's top option. While the others will enjoy more immediate success, Cousins will spend the next few years building his legacy as a terror—hopefully, more so on the court than off of it.
Physically, he's the total package. At 6'11" and 270 pounds, he has the size and power to be a force in the paint. He also has the intensity and athleticism to go with his uncanny strength. His offensive game is coming along.Last season, he shot 32 percent from 10-16 feet while shooting 33 percent from between 16 feet and the three-point line. He may not be the second coming of Tim Duncan as an outside shooter, but there are reasons to be optimistic.
In this video from his 36-point, 22-rebound performance against the Clippers, you will see all of the things Cousins can do. The video starts off with Cousins nailing a long jumper. The rest of the reel is just a showcase of power and determination. He seems to get to the basket whenever he wants and even shows off a little bit of ball-handling skill (at the 1:48 mark).
Cousins has the talent to be the league's best. It is all contingent on what's between his ears. If he acts less like a petulant child and more like the face of a franchise, he can carry this Kings team out of the basement and get more positive attention. It will take time to rebuild Sacramento, but the Kings made the first step in the right direction by committing four years to their prized center. As they continue to mold this young core, the Kings could be respectable again. However, they will only go as far as Cousins takes them.
