2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Although Gobert and Jordan are above-average offensive players, the offense doesn’t run through either standout. Gasol is the rare breed of center who dictates the flow on both ends of the court, leading his team in scoring while simultaneously anchoring the defense.
“Gasol is not the prototypical NBA star,” Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck said. “But he has earned a stronger label: the best two-way center in the league.”
Gasol racked up a career-best 17.4 points per game last season, but he also connected on 49.4 percent of his attempts, grabbed 7.8 boards, dished 3.8 assists and blocked 1.8 shots. The 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year earned first-team All-NBA honors and solidified himself as a top-5 center for the foreseeable future.