The golden era for big men in the NBA came to a close during the 1995-96 season. Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal were overpowering their opponents with their unstoppable post-up tactics. They were the standout performers in the key, while Alonzo Mourning, Rik Smits, and numerous others ruled a league where offense primarily originated inside before extending outward.

Following Robinson’s foot injury in the subsequent season, the league gradually shifted towards perimeter play. Teams were searching for the next Michael Jordan, and few young big men possessed the skills of O’Neal or Tim Duncan, who entered the league in 1997.

In the 1995-96 season, seven of the top-10 scorers were bigs — Charles Barkley performed like a big despite his height of just 6 foot 5. Four years later, O’Neal was the only center listed among the top-10 scorers in the 1999-2000 season.

With Joel Embiid limited to 34 games this season due to injury, Giannis Antetokounmpo currently stands as the sole prominent big man among the top-10 scorers. His dominance on the court is more about powering towards the basket rather than utilizing physical force against defenders before executing a jump hook.

Nevertheless, there is optimism from the younger generation. The matchup between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama in Game 3 last week was delightful. Both prospects appear to be on their way to achieving superstardom. Wembanyama faced off against another skilled big man, Alperen Şengün, on Tuesday night.

The No. 16 pick in the 2021 draft, Şengün may not have been as highly rated as the French native or the former Gonzaga standout, but he exhibited promise right from the start during the summer league. In his third season with the Houston Rockets, Şengün is posting career-highs in points (21.3), assists (4.8), and rebounds (9.3.)

On Tuesday, he delivered the best scoring performance of his career with 45 points and also secured 16 rebounds in a victory against the San Antonio Spurs.

Unlike Chet and Vic, Şengün entered the league with a sturdier build. He utilized his body mass to maneuver through the paint, where he scored the majority of his points. Wembanyama did not shirk his defensive responsibilities against Şengün, managing to record seven blocks that night. However, despite his exceptional defensive prowess, his slender frame was thoroughly challenged throughout the game.

An overview of the league indicates that the resurgence of large individuals is palpable, extending beyond the Red River Rivalry states. Evan Mobley is a promising young talent on one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, Jaren Jackson Jr., the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 22.4 points per game this season, and Jalen Duren is a powerhouse, despite the Detroit Pistons currently struggling as a franchise.

The emerging stars include Embiid, Nikola Jokić, and Antekounmpo, while Domantas Sabonis, Bam Adebayo, and Karl Anthony-Towns are also showcasing outstanding performances.

Today, big men play distinctly diverse roles. Ewing, O’Neal, Robinson, and Olajuwon all shared a common objective. They aimed to place the opposing defender in a vulnerable position near the rim, albeit employing different methods.

Ewing mastered the turnaround jump shot, Olajuwon possessed a versatile array of moves, Robinson was a solid figure with a silky jumper, and O’Neal’s name became synonymous with strength.

Jokić serves as the catalyst for the Denver Nuggets’ offense, while Embiid operates as the backbone of the Philadelphia 76ers’. Wembanyama embodies all the enhancements of a vehicle, whereas Şengün is as steady and robust as all-weather tires. And, of course, Towns, with his three-point shooting skills, can be likened to a convertible sports car.

There was a period not too long ago when Dwight Howard reigned as the premier big man in the NBA. An exceptional defensive player, Howard utilized his athleticism against lesser opponents to achieve 20-plus points for multiple seasons despite lacking a versatile offensive repertoire. Times have certainly changed.

In the present day, big men operate across the entire court, offering diverse contributions to the game. Whether launching three-pointers or overpowering defenders in the post, these towering figures once again hold the game within their colossal hands.