In a game of NBA basketball, each player has a very important role in the game, crucial to achieving victory. The pivots, for example, are essential for the team to be able to put the ball in the basket.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 15 best pivots in the NBA today for you to get to know and learn more about the sport!
The list includes names like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and many others! In this ranking, then, you’ll find out a little about these basketball players and discover why they’re considered the best. Are you ready?
Check it out 👇
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Best pivots in the NBA today: what does a pivot do?
But before checking out the full list, let’s understand what the role of the pivots is. Basically, the pivots are taller, bigger players, with a more robust structure, who are positioned closer to the basket. So they can play both attacking and defensive roles in the game.
Shall we now understand how their functions work?
The pivot players, then, are those who will protect the area closest to the basket, and this is done by blocking opponents’ passes, rebounding attacks. Thanks to their size, they can intimidate and prevent opponents from scoring points;
But the pivots can also play in attack, receiving passes from other players while they’re in the paint. Also thanks to their physical strength, they score points more easily, whether with shots, dunks or free throws.
Pivots can also distribute passes to the rest of the team, creating play strategies that will help them win. Pivot players are able to collaborate on offensive and defensive rebounds during an NBA basketball game, and with this they recover shots that have been missed, preventing opponents from getting the ball and gaining an advantage.
The pivots can also make riskier plays, such as the “pick and roll”, which consists of marking the player who is closest to the basket and protecting it from him.
Resumindo, portanto, os pivôs são jogadores essenciais em um time de basquete da NBA, pois graças a eles é possível proteger o garrafão contra o time adversário e também contribuir para a marcação de pontos e a vitória de seus times.
The 15 best pivots in the NBA today: complete list
- Nikola Jokic
- Joel Embiid
- Anthony Davis
- Luka Doncic
- Domantas Sabonis
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Rudy Gobert
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Victor Wembanyama
- Stephen Curry
- De’Aaron Fox
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jalen Brunson
- Jalen Duren
- Trae Young
The 15 best pivots in the NBA today: find out more about them
1. Nikola Jokic
- Current team: Denver Nuggets
- Achievements: The player Nikola Jokic is among the 10 best players in the NBA, and has been selected four times for the MVP award in two seasons in the league.
2. Joel Embiid
- Current team: Philadelphia 76ers
- Achievements: He was nicknamed The Process after fans often told him to “trust the process”. Joel Embiid stood out in the NBA for his efficient tactical play. He has been a league All-Star seven times and was the 2023 MVP.
3. Anthony Davis
- Current team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Achievements: Anthony Davis was already one of the best players in the college game, and stood out for representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics. Years later, in 2021, he joined the ranks of one of the greatest players in NBA history.
4. Luka Dončić
- Current team: Dallas Mavericks
- Achievements: Luka Dončić is currently considered one of the most promising players in the NBA. In his short time in the league, he has been chosen for the All-Star Game twice, and for the first team of the All NBA Team twice.
5. Domantas Sabonis
- Current team: Sacramento Kings
- Achievements: Domantas Sabonis entered the NBA in 2016 and has been one of basketball’s biggest stars ever since. He started playing while still at university and today boasts two All-Star Game picks.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Current team: Milwaukee Bucks
- Achievements: Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best power forwards in the NBA today, known for being the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in five statistics: rebounds, points, assists, steals and blocks.
7. Rudy Gobert
- Current team: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Achievements: Rudy Gobert is one of the best power forwards in the NBA today, having made the All-NBA Team four times, the All-Star Game three times and the All-Defensive Team six times.
8. Tyrese Haliburton
- Current team: Indiana Pacers
- Achievements: Tyrese Haliburton, just 24 years old, started playing basketball at university and was selected for the NBA in 2020. Even with a short career, he’s already playing an important role for his team.
9. Victor Wembanyama
- Time atual: San Antonio Spurs
- Achievements: Victor Wembanyama is also a very young basketball player and one of the great promises for the future. Because he is very tall, measuring 2.24 meters, his shots are difficult to block.
10. Stephen Curry
- Time atual: Golden State Warriors
- Achievements: Basketball player Stephen Curry is considered one of the best power forwards in the NBA today, revolutionizing the sport. He is a four-time NBA champion, nine-time All-Star, two-time MVP and many other achievements.
11. De’Aaron Fox
- Current team: Sacramento Kings
- Achievements: De’Aaron Fox is still a very young NBA player with a short career, but in 2023 he stood out with the league’s new honor: Most Decisive Player of the Season. Therefore, his achievements have everything to boost his career in the years to come.
12. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Current team: Oklahoma City Thunder
- Achievements: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just 25 years old, started out in college basketball and soon made a name for himself in the sport. He joined the NBA in the 2018 draft and has already won an All-Star.
13. Jalen Brunson
- Current team: New York Nicks
- Achievements: Jalen Brunson was selected for the NBA in the 2018 draft and since then has been one of the big names in the league. He became the ninth player to score 50 points for his club in 2023.
14. Jalen Duren
- Current team: Detroit Pistons
- Achievements: Jalen Duren was selected for the NBA in the 2022 draft and soon signed a contract with his club. In his debut, he already scored 14 points and has become a promise for the future.
15. Trae Young
- Current team: Atlanta Hawks
- Achievements: Before even entering the NBA, forward Trae Young became one of the greatest athletes in college basketball. Today, he continues to accumulate achievements for his club and has been a two-time All-Star.
The 15 best pivots in the NBA today
- Nikola Jokic
- Joel Embiid
- Anthony Davis
- Luka Doncic
- Domantas Sabonis
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Rudy Gobert
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Victor Wembanyama
- Stephen Curry
- De’Aaron Fox
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jalen Brunson
- Jalen Duren
- Trae Young
This is the list of the 15 best pivots in the NBA today, with some well-known names and others who are on the right path to prominence!
Did you like getting to know the top pivot players in the NBA? Then keep browsing the site to find out more about athletes from basketball and many other sports!
