Back from the future

The ’90s was a big time for basketball globally and the NBA was in the spotlight. Not surprising for a league deemed the best in the world. Michael Jordan emerged as the face of the league and guard play became more prominent but even with the shift in paradigm, the game was still played inside out. Big men had to get touches in the paint every time down the floor.

Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Tim Duncan led the ranks as forces to reckon with during this time. They were the backbone of their teams until the evolution of the game slowly fizzled out the dominance of Bigs across the league. Perimeter play became the most important aspect of the game; the guard skillset elevated and became what every team cherished.

Fast forward to 2022, 20 plus years of basketball evolution, 20 plus years of guards and wings being the face of NBA franchises… The resurgence of the Big man Era.

(L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic

This is the first time since 2004 we have big men rank 1-3 in the MVP race. Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are frontrunners for the league MVP this season. Embiid is the only one in this group who is yet to win the award (Antetokoumpo 2019, 2020, Jokic 2021) but they haven’t made the decision easy on voters.

Jokic is averaging 27.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, ranking 12th, second and eighth, respectively, and is the only player in the top 12 in all three categories. Embiid is averaging 30.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, as he pushes to become the first center to lead the NBA in scoring since O'Neal in 2000. Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

All three have excelled while dealing with challenges and whoever wins the award deserves but they are not the only bigs to put the world on notice. Kevin Durant is Kevin Durant, Karl Anthony Towns is the reigning three-point champion and his team sits in the 7th position in the western conference looking to get back in playoff action since 2018, Pascal Siakam is the face of the Raptors franchise, Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Ayton, all dominating in the roles.

Top (L-R) Kevin Durant, Pascal Siakam, Karl Anthony Towns

Bottom (L-R) Rudy Gobert, Bam Adebayo, DeAndre Ayton

With the likes of Evan Mobley, Zion Williamson, Charles Bassey, and a bunch of overseas talent still developing, the game will once again look towards the lengthy, athletic, and skilled as we have today.

It’s only a matter of time.