Ranking the top five centers in Nets history

When the New York Nets joined the NBA after winning the 1976 ABA Finals, centers were anchored to the paint. Now it’s common to see big men pull up from long-range nightly.

Though, that’s not necessarily the case with Brooklyn’s big men. Jarrett Allen can defend centers and power forwards who are able to stretch the floor, but The Fro isn’t pulled from deep — not yet at least. DeAndre Jordan certainly isn’t.

How the two will coexist in Brooklyn is up in the air, given Jordan’s relationship with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and how similar the centers’ games are. But if the Nets go on to win a title with the two superstars in town, one or both centers could earn a spot among the franchise’s best bigs ever.

Having already gone through the Nets’ point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards, Nets Wire determined who are the best five centers in the franchise’s history through the novel coronavirus-induced NBA hiatus.

5. Jayson Williams

Nets Stats: 8.3 PPG | 8.9 RPG

Williams had a checkered career, and it took time for him to earn a major role in the Nets lineup.

After averaging 13.1 minutes per game in his 75 appearances for New Jersey throughout 1994-95, Williams saw his role off the bench increase the next season. The same thing happened from 1995-96 to 1996-97, earning a starting spot. However, he only played in 41 games.

The 1997-98 season was Williams’ best, earning his one NBA All-Star nod as he averaged 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. The Nets also snapped their three-year playoff drought this season.