2039 Day 60 Top 10s - Part 1 - Cs

Glossary:
PER - an attempt at combing all stats into one, per minute rating. Meh, not that applicable here, but I listed it anyways. Average is 15.
fbb_oRtg - a player's points produced per 100 possessions used, taking into account shooting efficiency, turnover rate, and offensive rebounding. League average is 112.4.
Poss% - The percentage of a team's possessions that a player used, primarily by taking a shot, getting to the free throw line, or turning the ball over.
TS% - A true measure of shooting efficiency, similar to eFG% except it also factors in free throws. League average is 53.6%.
TO/poss - The percentage of possessions a player turned the ball over. Again, assists are not factored into possessions. League average is 11.2%.
REB% - The percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while on the court. League average is 10%.

C Top 10 Rankings
These rankings do not take contract or age into account, only who the best players in the league are right now, at this very moment. To decide that, I've used stats primarily from this season combined with ratings and a given player's statistical history.

1. Nate Thurmond C 28 6'11'' 231 A- C D A- A B
-Early in his career Nate had some issues with efficiency, and I wondered whether he'd ever get over the hump. Well, it's clear as day now. Nate is as dominant as any big in the game, with no real discernable weakness, and the best combination of skills at the center position.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 22 7'2'' 225 A C- D A- A- A
-To be this good this young is pretty ridiculous. I'd be absolutely shocked if Kareem doesn't break just about every record imaginable by the time he retires, he's simply incredible. His TS% could be a bit higher I suppose, but he's got plenty of time to work on that in the next few TCs.

3. Zelmo Beaty C 30 6'9'' 235 B+ C D+ A- A- C
-Most people know Zelmo is good. Very few realize just how good though. Mentioning him in the same breath as Alf wouldn't be a mistake, and though most will be surprised to see him above a guy like Wilt on this list, statistically it isn't all that close. Zelmo does it all, there really isn't a hole in his game, other than the unfortunate fact that he's stuck in Toronto.

4. Billy Cunnigham PF 26 6'6'' 218 A- C C+ A A- B
-I was originally going to rank Cunningham as a PF, battling it out with Lucas for the top spot, but I didn't want to have two Wolves on that list. The 6'6" big has spent the season manning the 5 spot, and doing a damned fine job of it. The guys around him on this list are better offensively, but Cunningham is absolutely elite when it comes to shot blocking and rebounding. I'm sure CC is happy with Rick Barry, but Cunningham ended up far and away the more valuable player.

5. Willis Reed C 27 6'9'' 241 A- C F+ A A- B
-It would appear that Willis Reed has surpassed Wilt's current production. Much like Zelmo and the others ahead of him, there isn't anything to really complain about with Willis. He's not a totally dominant scorer or shot blocker, but he's damned good in both areas.

6. Wilt Chamberlain C 33 7'2'' 296 A- C C+ A- A F
-Wilt being ranked 6th isn't a detrement to the player he is today, but a statement on how good the top tier of centers currently are (this incoming draft class isn't about to change that either). Wilt can still do it all, but he isn't quite the dominant scorer or shot blocker he was in the past, and statistically he just isn't quite the player I expected him to be this season.

7. Elvin Hayes C 23 6'9'' 235 B+ C D+ A A A
-There's a decent sized drop off after Wilt, as none of the remaining centers are true do it all types. I went with the more offensive Hayes in this spot over Russell, but it really just depends on personal preference. Hayes' oRtg is as good as any big man's, as is his rebounding, and though he isn't an elite shot blocker, he isn't a total slouch defensively either.

8. Walt Bellamy C 30 6'11'' 234 B+ C- C- A A B
-Bellamy is pretty similar to Hayes, both are solid scorers and rebounders who aren't quite elite statistically on the defensive end. Bellamy scores a bit more, and does so less efficiently, but on the whole their impacts are pretty similar.

9. Bill Russell C 34 6'9'' 244 B C C A- A- F
-Bill isn't the player he once was on the offensive end, but there's no denying that he's still an absolute beast defensively and on the glass. Fortunately that's all the Hornets need from him, but it's a bit disappointing to see him take such a steep dip offensively this season.

10. Rudy LaRusso C 32 6'8'' 228 B+ C C A- B+ C
-Rudy's the closest thing to a do it all center at this point. He's still capable of getting the job done offensively, though he isn't what he once was on that end. Defensively and on the glass he's still a huge plus, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him off this list by next season.

Honorable Mention
Luke Jackson - Has never quite performed up to his ratings, but he's efficient offensively.
Hank Finkel - Doesn't hurt you on offense and is a quality shot blocker.
Zaid Abdul-Aziz - See Finkel.
Jim Washington - See Aziz.
Dale Schlueter - Has been pretty efficient offensively.
John Block - Solid player.
Mike Lewis - See Block.
Jim Eakins - Not quite there yet, but has a nice all around game.
George Patterson - Awesome shot blocker.
Bumper Tormohlen - Terrible offensively, great otherwise.
Ray Scott - See Bumper.
Darrall Imhoff - See Scott.
Bob Netolicky - Nice offensive player, and a good fit on the Knicks.

Dishonorable Mention
Lamar Green - Definitely isn't ready for the prime time yet.