By Cash Heilman Sports.ws Analyst

Cash Heilman's Center Predictions, 2004-2005
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio

With all the trades going on in the off-season, San Antonio is once again the best team in the NBA, no offense to Detroit. Duncan is coming into the prime of his career and will continue to be the best player on the best team. With Shaq in the East, he'll have an easier time dominating the West. Duncan will be good for 24 and 12 this season.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 38.7 (3) 1.06 (2) 69 36 2001-2004 Seasons  40.4 (2) 1.04 (3) 232 38

2. Shaquille O'neal, Miami

He's in Miami and he's mad. He wants to prove that he was under-appreciated in L.A. He'll be back with a vengeance to prove he's still the man. He's in the Eastern Conference where centers wouldn't start on the local AAU team. He won't get beat up every night like he did in the tougher Western Conference. Expect Shaq, if he stays healthy, to have a monster season.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 36.0 (4) 0.98 (6) 67 36 2001-2004 Seasons  39.3 (4) 1.07 (1) 200 36

3. Jermaine O'neal, Indiana

Young and improving every season. He's becoming one of the NBA elite. With great centers so hard to come by, it'll be hard to let this guy slip too far in the draft. Get him while you can. His numbers are going to continue to improve. He wants to be the go-to guy, the man with the ball in his hands. He will continue to flourish.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 33.1 (10) 0.93 (8) 78 35 2001-2004 Seasons  32.8 (11) 0.90 (9) 225 36

4. Elton Brand, LA Clippers

Brand is becoming one of the elite big men in the NBA. Has missed a few games over the past couple of years, but when healthy, he is a top 10 PPG player. As he gets more comfortable with an improving Clippers team, look for continued development and production.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 33.8 (9) 0.87 (14) 69 38 2001-2004 Seasons  33.3 (10) 0.86 (13) 210 38

5. Yao Ming, Houston

Always a solid PPM guy, and that's the name of the game. Now paired with a superstar in McGrady and we have our next version of Shaq/Kobe minus the drama. If McGrady learns that the big man can help him, Yao's numbers should improve. Marked improvement every year as he now is familiar with Jeff Van Gundy and more comfortable in the U.S.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 27.6 (34) 0.84 (20) 82 32 2001-2004 Seasons  25.5 (46) 0.83 (17) 163 30

6. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix

This guy is exciting to watch. Very productive in the paint. High PPM is what helps his ranking stay ahead of an up and comer like Randolph. His PPG may actually rise with the departure of Marbury and the addition of a better passer in Nash, although Quentin Richardson will need his touches too. Don't let him slip too far -- he has the potential to explode.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 30.5 (20) 0.83 (21) 55 36 2001-2004 Seasons  25.8 (43) 0.77 (38) 136 33

7. Zach Randolph, Portland

Portland is unstable and hard to predict. They are always better on paper than in reality. If they realize that Randolph is their superstar, then they have a foundation to build on. Randolph really came into his own last year and there's no reason to think his productions won't continue to rise. Unless there's more drama in Portland, Randolph is a keeper.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 30.8 (18) 0.81 (32) 81 37 2001-2004 Seasons  22.2 (74) 0.81 (24) 157 27

8. Brad Miller, Sacramento

The rankings at center begin to drop off here. Improved his numbers last year in Sacramento and showed the type of player he can really be. A hard worker and excellent passer for a big man. Numbers should stay similar to last year, although they took a dip when Webber returned last season. Higher PPG, but lower PPM than Ilgauskas, not to mention he'll stay healthier.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 28.7 (26) 0.79 (46) 72 36 2001-2004 Seasons  25.3 (49) 0.78 (33) 221 32

9. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland

Always a high PPM guy. He's always shown flashes of greatness, but never sustains it on a night to night basis. Having LeBron on his team helps as LeBron will draw lots of defensive attention and is an excellent passer. The offense will go through LeBron, but Ilgauskas is too good not to get his touches.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 25.6 (48) 0.82 (28) 81 31 2001-2004 Seasons  23.6 (59) 0.84 (15) 223 28

10. Erick Dampier, Golden State

Led the league in offensive rebounds last season. With PPM being king, this guy is a solid fantasy center. He works hard and is a legitimate big man. If he gets traded to Dallas, he'll fill a hole there, but his numbers will decline because the only way he'll touch the ball is if he gets a rebound.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 25.6 (48) 0.79 (46) 74 32 2001-2004 Seasons  18.7 (117) 0.70 (86) 228 26

11. Ben Wallace, Detroit

Coming off a trip to the all-star game and an NBA title, Wallace is a force. He's tough, he's durable, and he can rebound. Continuing to improve his shot. Numbers are fairly stable over the past few years. With Wallace you know what you're getting. He'll play every game and he'll be a solid fantasy player.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 26.8 (40) 0.71 (98) 81 37 2001-2004 Seasons  26.7 (35) 0.71 (77) 235 37

12. Jamaal Magloire, New Orleans

Showing improvement every year in becoming a solid young big man. As a young player he's only going to get better, and with a star in Baron Davis and a strong core along side him, the Hornets should be solid. Magloire will minimally repeat last year's production, but he has the potential for further growth and improvement.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 24.2 (63) 0.71 (98) 82 33 2001-2004 Seasons  19.5 (103) 0.71 (77) 245 27

13. Marcus Camby, Denver

Denver is one of the most improved teams in the league over the last year, and now with the addition of K-Mart, they'll be even better. With a solid core, Camby will continue to put up solid numbers in a high powered offense. Every year it seems like this guy is going to fall by the wayside, and every year he puts up respectable fantasy numbers.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 22.9 (71) 0.76 (62) 72 30 2001-2004 Seasons  22.1 (77) 0.75 (57) 127 29

14. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats

This rookie will get the chance to start and put up numbers right from the start. He'll be a reliable fantasy player as long as he stays healthy, a problem that plagued him in college. As with most rookies his PPG will be higher than his PPM, but he'll get so many minutes with Charlotte that he'll be worth having on your team.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 0.0 (N/A) 0.00 (N/A) 0 0 2001-2004 Seasons  0.0 (N/A) 0.00 (N/A) 0 0

15. Kurt Thomas, New York

Amid all the big changes in NY, someone still needs to hold it down in the paint. They may have a crowded backcourt, but Thomas will still produce in the frontcourt. They have some young guys who will get minutes, but Thomas is a veteran who can score and rebound.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 21.2 (79) 0.67 (147) 80 31 2001-2004 Seasons  23.1 (64) 0.71 (77) 243 32

16. Eddy Curry, Chicago

Chicago added some more young, talented players. They will continue to struggle because of their youth. In the middle, though, Curry still has the makings of a star. If he can shed some pounds and continue to work hard, Curry has the ability to be one of the best big men in the East. He's a risky pick. He could explode into a star, or he could totally tank and find a seat on the bench behind Chandler, Davis, Mutombo, and Harrington.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 20.8 (88) 0.70 (109) 73 29 2001-2004 Seasons  15.4 (156) 0.72 (72) 226 21

17. Vlade Divac, LA Lakers

Guess what? The Lakers don't have a big man. Vlade is a crafty veteran who will likely split time with Mihm and Grant. He'll be a solid PPM player, it will just depend on how many minutes he gets on the revamped Lakers. This will be an athletic team with Bryant, Odom, and Butler, so Vlade's lack of athleticism may find him watching more than he'd like.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 20.3 (92) 0.71 (98) 81 28 2001-2004 Seasons  21.5 (81) 0.73 (66) 240 29

18. Kwame Brown, Washington

Ok, we're starting to stretch here. Quite honestly you can pick up a much better player that's a CF listed in the forwards list. Brown is only 22 years old and getting better every year. He now has Antawn Jamison in town and Etan Thomas just got a huge contract (which nobody in their right mind can figure out why). He's still too talented to keep off the court.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 19.5 (97) 0.65 (183) 74 30 2001-2004 Seasons  14.3 (175) 0.63 (177) 210 22

19. Mehmet Okur, Utah

May not start there if Boozer does, but a big contract is going to put him on the court. He's got lots of potential, and the Jazz are hoping he can solidify the middle with Boozer. This could be a very good team this year, and Okur has a chance to take a big jump in fantasy production.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 16.4 (133) 0.74 (71) 71 22 2001-2004 Seasons  14.3 (175) 0.70 (86) 142 20

20. Michael Olowokandi, Minnesota

When healthy, he gives Minnesota a legitimate center. Minnesota is an unselfish team, so Kandi man will get his touches, but primarily he'll be valuable as a rebounder and shot blocker.

FPPG (NBA Rank)   FPPM (NBA Rank)   Games  Min/Game 2003-2004 Season 13.4 (180) 0.63 (199) 43 21 2001-2004 Seasons  19.3 (107) 0.63 (177) 159 30

Best of the rest: Raef LaFrentz, Rasho Nesterovic, Theo Ratliff, Tyson Chandler, Etan Thomas, Brian Grant.