The Evolution of the Center Position: How NBA Big Men Redefined Their Role

The transformation of the NBA's center position represents one of the most dramatic shifts in modern basketball. What was once the league's most traditional role has become its most versatile, with today's elite big men possessing skill sets that would have seemed impossible just a generation ago.

Nikola Jokić exemplifies this evolution better than anyone. The three-time MVP orchestrates Denver's offense from the high post, delivering passes that rival any point guard in the league while maintaining the traditional big man's presence in the paint. His ability to score from all three levels, combined with court vision that consistently leads the league in assists among centers, has forced teams to completely rethink their defensive schemes.

The shift didn't happen overnight. For decades, centers were defined by their dominance near the basket. Players like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal built Hall of Fame careers on size, strength, and post play. The formula was straightforward: establish position, punish smaller defenders, and protect the rim on the other end.

The modern game demands more. The league's emphasis on pace and space, accelerated by the success of perimeter-oriented offenses, has fundamentally altered what teams need from their big men. Centers who can't defend switches or step beyond the three-point line increasingly find themselves on the bench during crucial moments, regardless of their traditional skills.

Joel Embiid represents the complete modern center. At seven feet and 280 pounds, he still dominates in the post with footwork and touch that recalls previous generations. During his 2023-24 MVP campaign, he averaged 34.7 points per game while shooting 39 percent from three-point range. He creates his own shot off the dribble, runs pick-and-rolls as both screener and ball-handler, and anchors Philadelphia's defense. This combination of skills simply didn't exist in centers two decades ago.

The position now encompasses multiple archetypes, each valuable in different contexts. Rudy Gobert has built an elite career almost entirely on defensive impact and efficient finishing, winning four Defensive Player of the Year awards to tie the NBA record. Bam Adebayo provides defensive versatility that allows Miami to switch everything, comfortable guarding point guards on the perimeter or protecting the rim. Anthony Davis operates fluidly between power forward and center, equally effective facing up or posting down.

Victor Wembanyama may represent the next phase of this evolution. At 7'4" with extraordinary mobility and a refined skill set, he's blocking shots from distances that seem to bend the laws of physics, then bringing the ball up the floor himself and pulling up from well beyond the arc. He's not simply a tall player with guard skills—he's something the league hasn't categorized yet.

Teams are adjusting their strategies accordingly. Front offices now prioritize centers who can contribute across multiple dimensions rather than excel at one specific skill. The draft increasingly features international big men who developed in systems that emphasized versatility over specialization. Even traditionally-minded post players entering the league are expected to at least threaten from three-point range and demonstrate the ability to defend in space.

This transformation has changed which skills are valued. The post-up, once basketball's most reliable offensive action, now accounts for a small fraction of possessions. Centers who would have thrived in previous eras will struggle to find rotations in today's game. The change has been swift enough that some players have seen their role diminish significantly within just a few seasons.

Yet the position retains its fundamental importance. Elite centers still alter games through rebounding, rim protection, and physical presence. They've simply expanded their influence beyond the paint. Jokić's three MVP awards demonstrate that a center can be the most valuable player in the league while operating in ways that barely resembled the position a generation ago.

The center position in 2026 exists on a spectrum. Some teams still value traditional rim-runners who set screens and finish around the basket. Others have built their entire offense around a big man who functions as the primary playmaker. The most successful teams have found centers whose specific skills complement their system, whether that's a defensive anchor, a spacing threat, or a complete two-way player.

This evolution continues. Young centers entering the league possess more diverse skill sets than ever before, shaped by development systems that emphasize versatility from an early age. The position that once seemed most resistant to change has become the most dynamic, adapting to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated game.

What remains constant is the center's impact on winning. Teams still need size, still need rim protection, still need someone who can control the paint. The difference is that today's elite centers do all of that while also stepping out to shoot threes, facilitating offense, and defending in space. They haven't abandoned the traditional responsibilities of their position. They've added an entirely new dimension to what those responsibilities can include.