{"id":322214,"date":"2026-08-15T19:56:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T19:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/322214\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T19:56:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T19:56:10","slug":"who-are-the-5-best-centers-in-brooklyn-nets-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/322214\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Are the 5 Best Centers in Brooklyn Nets History?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each NBA team has several big men responsible for controlling the glass and providing low post scoring.<\/p>\n

One center is the Brooklyn Nets’ all-time leading scorer, ahead of a beloved power forward<\/a> in franchise history.<\/p>\n

Who are the best centers in Nets history? Let’s take a look.<\/p>\n

5. Jayson Williams\"Jayson\"<\/p>\n

Dec 9, 1997; Washington, DC, USA; Nets Jayson Williams (55) in action against the Wizards at MCI Center in Washington, DC. Mandatory Credit: Porter Binks-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Jayson Williams spent seven years with the New Jersey Nets, as he was known for his incredible rebounding, interior defense and energy. <\/p>\n

Williams was named an All-Star during the 1997-98 season, when he averaged 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n

4. Billy Paultz\"Billy\"<\/p>\n

March, 1971; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Nets center Billy Paultz (5) against the Kentucky Colonels at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Billy Paultz possessed a smooth shooting stroke and solid interior scoring, as he made three ABA All-Star teams as a member of the Nets.<\/p>\n

Paultz was part of the first Nets’ ABA championship team in 1974, as he put up 21 points and 12 rebounds in the Nets’ Game 5 series clinching win over the Utah Stars.<\/p>\n

Paultz was largely known for doing all of the dirty work, setting hard screens and controlling the glass on teams led by Julius Erving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Darryl Dawkins\"Darryl\"<\/p>\n

Unknown date 1985; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; New Jersey Nets center Darryl Dawkins (53) stands next to Portland Trail Blazers forward Ken Johnson (00) during the 1985 season at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Darryl Dawkins was an athletic, forceful center, consistently averaging double digits in points throughout his five seasons in New Jersey.<\/p>\n

Dawkins was part of the Nets team who defeated the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 1984 playoffs.<\/p>\n

2. Jarrett Allen\"Jarrett\"<\/p>\n

Mar 8, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen (31) goes up to dunk the ball in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Jarrett Allen’s stay in Brooklyn wasn’t very long, but he was on track of becoming a multiple time All-Star while holding it down at center for the Nets.<\/p>\n

He became a fan favorite with his powerful slams and gravity defying blocks on some of the league’s biggest stars, including LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n

Allen was eventually dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a multi-team deal that brought James Harden<\/a> to Brooklyn to team up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. Brook Lopez\"Brook\"<\/p>\n

Jan 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) moves against New Orleans Pelicans power forward Terrence Jones (9) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Brook Lopez is the Nets’ all-time leading scorer with 10,444 points, spending nine years with the franchise after being selected No. 10 overall out of Stanford in 2008.<\/p>\n

Lopez provided plenty of excitement despite spending several lean seasons in New Jersey and Brooklyn, as he was an automatic bucket with his patented midrange jumper and hook shot.<\/p>\n

Lopez helped the Nets get back to the playoffs during the 2012-13 season, as he was named an All-Star for his efforts.<\/p>\n

Lopez developed into a lights out 3-point shooter in his final season in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

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