Is Dwight Howard a Top 5 Center?

I have a confession to make.  I like the NBA.  I think that there are few things more exciting than playoff basketball when they actually play defense.  I am even not upset with the way the NBA has evolved into having Super teams who get at least 3 superstars and build a champion around them.  I do think the lottery has a few flaws, but I will leave that for another post.  I have been watching the way "As Dwight Turns" has been playing out and it is making me sick.  First off, if I were the Magic or the GM for the Magic (which, lets face it, I am not) I would have shipped him the moment I got wind of him wanting out.  No one is above the team, and that is what he is saying.  Again, to trade or not to trade is not the focus of this rant, so I digress...I want to give you a list (because everyone loves a good list!) of the 5 centers I would rather have on my team INSTEAD of Dwight.  Is Dwight a top 5 talent center in the league? No doubt.  Would I want him on my team?  That is a different story

5) Tim Duncan.  Yes, even at his age, I would take him over Dwight at this point.  A one-team guy who takes much less money than he could get form other teams in order to bring in quality talent around him.  He makes everyone around him better.  Lets face it, did anyone else expect Danny Green or Matt Boner or DeJuan Blair to be relevant in the NBA?  I didn't think so.  Timmy is a master of a bank shot, a true old school player who loves the game.

4) Tyson Chandler.  Think of him as Dwight Howard without as much muscle.  2-time member of team USA and a defensive powerhouse, he is aggressive and helped anchor a defense in Dallas all by himself once Haywood went down that won a title.  That is more than Dwight has.

3) Brook Lopez.  Young, big, and can finish around the rim.  Put a supporting cast around him (like the one he has in place now) and he will play well.  The New-Look Nets agree with me, signing him and forgetting about the trade with Orlando.

2) Marc Gasol- The big reason the Grizzles were able to make it as far as they did in the playoffs 2 years ago.  Marc has all the tools and the potential to be better than his brother.  Plus, no attitude.  I like that last part!

1) Andrew Bynum- What is not to love about this guy.  Size, skill, and he has been in the league since he was 17.  Give him 3 years and he may be the best big man in the NBA.  I would love to have that on my team!

For the record, Dwight has game.  There is no doubt in that.  I hate his attitude.  I think the Spurs are a testament to the way basketball should be played.  Hard. As for where Dwight would rank on my list of the top centers in the league overall?  He would round out the top 12 along with Hibbert, Jefferson, Horford, Noah, Cousins, and Jordan, not in that order.

-Hammer