Centers of Attention: the 2008 NBA Draft's Best Center Prospects

Much of the NBA game is being played in a perimeter-oriented style, but the big man, the center, is still necessary when it comes to scoring, defending and ultimately winning championships. While the pro game has seen a number of hybrid big man shift to play the center position (like the Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire), the true big man is usually the key for champions -- Tim Duncan (a power forward/center), Shaq and Yao Ming are the most dominant post players of the current era, but this year, the Draft is heavy on centers, which a rarity in the past decade for first-round prospects.

Robin and Brook Lopez are the leaders in the class of centers, as they both hail from Stanford University and have a chance to both be among the NBA Lottery's first fourteen selections. While both are centers, each is known for different things -- Robin for defense and Brook for offense, but they have the ability to really develop the other parts of their games. Robin is often compared to the Cleveland Cavs' Anderson Varejao, for their crazy, long hair, but Robin is seen a jewel to some organizations. Having had to play off of Brook as a second option, Robin had to concentrate more as a defender, but has an athleticism that is uncommon among men at 7'0" and 260 lbs. and looks to be a real player. Brook, was seen as a top-three pick, but has been heavily scrutinized for being for not having enough upside, but being of high ability himself and measuring with a long wingspan and 7'1" height is going to keep him as a top selection. They both will have to prove that they can be contributing players and effective scorers and defenders, but they are at the top of the class.