These Are the Top 10 BIGS To Watch This Postseason
- Joel Piton
- 7 hours ago
- 7 min read
Playoff basketball is here, and the stakes have never been higher. Every night, the league’s top talent is laying it all on the line in pursuit of the ultimate goal: an NBA title. But behind every deep playoff run is a dominant presence—a big man anchoring the defense, controlling the glass, or stretching the floor. This season, we’ve seen a mix of old-school and new-age versatility from the league’s best bigs, many of whom are now playing pivotal roles for legitimate title contenders. So with the postseason in full swing, let’s spotlight the 10 big men who've balled out this season—and continue to make life miserable for the opposition when it matters most.
Jarrett Allen
28.0 MPG | 13.5 PPG | 9.7 RPG | 1.9 APG
Eighty-two games. Eighty-two starts. Jarrett Allen’s ironman season is a statement. The Cavaliers’ dependable big man brings consistency, toughness, and an old-school playstyle to a team built on discipline. In last year’s playoffs, Allen’s scoring and efficiency both took a notable leap, and Cleveland fans are hoping for a similar surge as the postseason ramps up. With a 7'6" wingspan, Allen is a nightly double-double threat who crashes the glass with purpose and thrives scoring around the rim. Rather than stretching his game beyond the arc, Allen sticks to what he does best—finishing strong inside and anchoring the paint. He ended the regular season as the league’s field goal percentage leader, shooting a blistering 70% from the floor. As the Cavs look to make a deeper run this time around, Allen’s presence on both ends will be crucial every step of the way.
Brook Lopez
31.8 MPG | 13.0 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 1.8 APG
At 37, Brook Lopez remains one of the most reliable two-way bigs in the league even well into his thirties. The 7'1 two-way stretch five continues to play at an elite level, posting his highest minutes per game and usage rate since the 2013–14 season. Lopez anchored the Bucks’ frontcourt this season with poise and rim protection, filling a crucial role during stretches when Bobby Portis has been injured. The former NBA champion is one of the league’s top shot-blockers, but his defensive limitations are still noticeable. Quick, shifty guards and forwards can pull him out of his comfort zone, and when forced to switch or step up to perimeter scorers, his confidence and mobility sometimes falter. For the Bucks to make a deep run, they’ll need Lopez to stay sharp defensively—not just in the paint, but when closing out on shooters and navigating the pick and roll. Nevertheless, his ability to play both sides of the game could be the X-factor in Milwaukee’s aspirations.
Bam Adebayo
34.3 MPG | 18.1 PPG | 9.6 RPG | 4.3 APG
Bam Adebayo remains the heart of the Miami Heat’s defense and the engine behind their interior offense. As the team’s primary defender and secondary scorer, Adebayo continues to deliver on both ends of the court. A skilled mid-range shooter and low-post threat, he ranked fifth among centers in total points this season and finished 12th in rebounding. Standing at 6'9", Adebayo may be undersized compared to others at the five spot, but his strength, agility, and basketball IQ more than make up for it. His ability to read screens, switch onto smaller guards, and distribute from the elbow gives Miami valuable versatility. After earning First Team All-Defense honors last season, Adebayo was surprisingly left off the ballot this year—a snub that’s bound to fuel his fire entering the postseason. With a tough first-round matchup against Cleveland on deck, don’t be surprised if Bam plays with a chip on his shoulder, ready to remind the league why he’s still one of the most complete two-way bigs in the game.
Myles Turner
30.2 MPG | 15.6 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 1.5 APG
A two-time league leader in blocks, Myles Turner continues to be one of the NBA’s most consistent and respected defenders. He finished second in blocks this season and has made a strong case for a spot on an All-Defensive Team regardless of what unfolds in the playoffs. His rebounding numbers have dipped, and critics have questioned his physicality on the boards, yet Turner offsets that with elite floor spacing. He shot just under 40% from three this season, with nearly half of his total field goal attempts (48.6%) coming from outside. That kind of shooting makes him a matchup problem on both ends—protecting the rim on defense while dragging opposing centers out of the paint through the P&R. Turner has also been vocal about Indiana’s defensive shortcomings and his desire for more support in the frontcourt. With Pascal Siakam known more for his offense, Turner has often had to shoulder the defensive load alone—but he’s done so without backing down. As the Pacers push forward, Turner’s skillset could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run.
Ivica Zubac
32.8 MPG | 16.8 PPG | 12.6 RPG | 2.7 APG
Big Zu's year-to-year improvement continues to turn heads—so much so that his name is consistently floated in Most Improved Player conversations. Now in his sixth season as the Clippers’ starting center, the former second-round pick has quietly built one of the more efficient resumes in the league. Zubac has shot over 60% from the field in every season as a starter, and this year, his offensive game took yet another leap. A true back-to-the-basket center in a league full of floor stretchers, Zubac attempts virtually zero threes, which can make his offense feel predictable—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to stop. At 7'0", 240 pounds, Zubac is a physical force who overpowers defenders in the paint and consistently wins on the boards. He averaged 12.6 rebounds per game this season, ranking fourth in the league and tied for second in offensive rebounds—all while maintaining a field goal percentage that his peers can't match. While he won’t space the floor, Zubac brings everything else a playoff team needs from its center.
Naz Reid
27.5 MPG | 14.2 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 2.3 APG
Everyone’s favorite sixth man has continued to prove why he’s one of the most valuable bench players in the league. Naz Reid brought energy, versatility, and production all season long for the Timberwolves, finishing fifth in total bench points while recording career highs in both scoring and assists. A spark plug, Reid kicked off Minnesota’s first-round series against the Lakers with a statement performance—dropping 23 points and drilling six threes. With the Timberwolves looking to silence the haters and make a deep postseason run, they’ll need Reid—along with fellow sixth man candidate Nickeil Alexander-Walker—to continue scoring efficiently and keeping the second unit afloat. Reid’s rare blend of outside shooting and rebounding gives Minnesota the kind of hybrid center-forward every contender dreams of having: Naz Reid has become an essential piece in the Wolves’ playoff puzzle.
Alperen Sengun
31.5 MPG | 19.1 PPG | 10.3 RPG | 4.9 APG
Alperen Sengun continues to cement himself as one of the most promising young talents in the league, earning an All-Star nod respectively. Affectionately nicknamed “Baby Jokic,” Sengun has drawn early comparisons to Domantas Sabonis and Bam Adebayo for his blend of vision, footwork, and feel for the game. Sengun entered the league with advanced playmaking instincts, and this year, he’s taken another step in refining his decision-making. While his scoring took a slight dip, it was more a reflection of Houston’s evolving offense—with Jalen Green emerging as the primary scorer—than any regression in ability. Sengun embraced his role within the Rockets' young core, ranking ninth in rebounds league-wide. Though fans would love to see him attack more confidently from the midrange—a zone where he’s analytically effective, Sengun still finds ways to score and make a difference.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
29.8 MPG | 22.2 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 2.0 APG
Jackson Jr. may be a far cry from his 2023 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, only putting up half of the blocks he did then. However, in Ja Morant’s absence, Jackson’s offensive game has quietly stepped up. He continues to display a soft touch around the rim and stretch the floor with a reliable, albeit unorthodox, three-point shot. Statistically, his numbers mirror last season’s output almost identically—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. At just 25 years old, Jackson is still scratching the surface of his potential, but the lingering question remains: when will that next leap come? Through all the ups and downs, Jackson shows up when it matters most, delivering a strong performance in the play-in game against Dallas that helped keep Memphis alive. Without his production on both ends of the floor, it’s hard to say if the Grizzlies would even be in the postseason picture.
Karl-Anthony Towns
35.0 MPG | 24.4 PPG | 12.8 RPG | 3.1 APG
The debate rages on over who won the offseason trade between the Knicks and Timberwolves, but one thing’s clear—Karl-Anthony Towns is exactly what New York needed. Towns has brought energy, firepower, and comp back to Madison Square Garden and Knicks fans are loving every bit of it. There’s little mystery about what Towns brings to an NBA team: elite scoring, dependable rebounding, and the kind of floor spacing that keeps defenses on edge. He finished the regular season second in total rebounds and fourth in double-doubles. But what makes KAT truly special is his offensive versatility. There’s almost no containing him—he’s a matchup nightmare for traditional bigs and his 40% shooting from beyond the arc makes him one of the most dangerous inside-out threats in the league. His shot selection is sharp, his confidence is high, and he’s embraced the moment under New York’s brightest lights. As the Knicks make their postseason push, there’s no doubt Towns will be a driving force in whatever success comes their way.
Nikola Jokic
36.7 MPG | 29.6 PPG | 12.7 RPG | 10.2 APG
The top spot on any list of elite bigs practically has Jokic’s name pre‑engraved. A perennial MVP candidate, Jokic is on a mission to prove that what the Nuggets did in 2023 was no one‑off miracle. Jokic closed the book this season averaging a triple‑double—making him just the third player in league history to manage the feat, and with efficiency greater than ever seen before. Jokic's vision, shot selection and soft‑touch forces defenses to pick a poison that never tastes good. In short, he remains the league’s most dominant big man. Against the Clippers he’ll be Denver’s pressure valve and catalyst all at once. If the Nuggets are to beat out L.A. and keep their championship hopes alive, the journey runs straight through the big man who bends the game to his will.
Each and every one of these guys are vital to their team’s identity, chemistry, and postseason hopes. Can they rise to the challenge when it matters most? With playoff basketball going underway, the true test begins now. Whether it’s protecting the rim, dominating the boards, or spacing the floor, these big men are built for the moment and ready to expose their opponents. We'll be watching every inch of the postseason unfold, so stay tuned in to fansonlysportz.com for continued coverage!
That's the buzzer 🚨
Until next time,
— JP
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