The 1995-96 NBA season marked the end of an era for big men in the league. Players like Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal were dominating the paint with their back-to-the-basket games, establishing themselves as superstars in the league. However, as the seasons progressed, the NBA began to shift towards a more perimeter-oriented style of play, with teams looking to find the next Michael Jordan rather than focusing on dominant centers.
In the 1995-96 season, seven of the top-10 scorers were big men, showcasing the dominance of players like Charles Barkley, even though he was undersized for a traditional big man. However, as the years went by, the league saw a decline in the number of dominant centers, with Shaquille O’Neal being the only center listed among the top-10 scorers in the 1999-2000 season.
Fast forward to the present day, and the landscape of the NBA is once again changing. With players like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way as top scorers, the return of dominant big men in the league is becoming more evident. Young players like Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, and Alperen Şengün are showing promise and potential to become the next generation of big men superstars.
Alperen Şengün, the No. 16 pick in the 2021 draft, has been making waves with his performance for the Houston Rockets, averaging career-highs in points, assists, and rebounds. His recent 45-point game against the San Antonio Spurs showcased his potential as a dominant force in the paint.
The resurgence of big men in the NBA is not limited to Şengün, as players like Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jalen Duren are also making their mark on the league. Established superstars like Nikola Jokić, Domantas Sabonis, and Karl Anthony-Towns continue to excel in their roles as versatile big men, showcasing the evolution of the position in the modern NBA.
The game has evolved, and big men now play a more diverse style, incorporating three-point shooting and versatile offensive skills into their repertoire. Players like Jokić and Embiid are leading the way with their unique styles of play, while young talents like Wembanyama and Şengün are proving that the future of the center position is bright.
In a league where versatility and skill are valued above all else, the return of dominant big men is a testament to the ever-changing nature of the game. With players like Wembanyama, Şengün, and others leading the charge, the era of the dominant center in the NBA may be making a comeback.
