Center of attraction

Picking the All-NBA First Team shouldn’t be too difficult for the first four positions.

The top four MVP candidates happen to be point guard Chris Paul, shooting guard Kobe Bryant, small forward LeBron James and power forward Kevin Garnett. There, the ballot is nearly done.

But what about center?

In one corner stands Dwight Howard, Orlando’s 6-foot-11, 265-pound fourth-year pro, who leads the league with 14.4 rebounds and is averaging a career-high 20.9 points. In the other stands Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix’s 6-foot-10, 245-pounder, who in his sixth season averages 25.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Those two have distinguished themselves as this season’s elite.

Houston’s Yao Ming made a strong case with 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.02 blocks … but he lasted just 55 games before suffering a season-ending stress fracture.

But who’s better? Dwight, with his high-flying power game? Or Amare, also a monster dunker, a little more polished offensively but not quite as fearsome defensively?

Now, some don’t consider Stoudemire a true center. They say he’s a power forward who played center this season. But the NBA — which last week sent out the All-NBA ballots— instructs voters to “vote for the player at the position that he plays regularly.” Only since the February trade for Shaquille O’Neal has Stoudemire moved to power forward during this season.

In 50 games as the Suns’ starting center, Stoudemire averaged 23.0 points and 9.3 rebounds. In 23 games as starting power forward, he has averaged 29.1 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Howard, meanwhile, is a true center, no question about it. In today’s game of 7-footers who try to hang out on the perimeter, he’s a throwback. He rules the paint with a blend of quickness, strength and athleticism that makes him a nightmare of a matchup.

Howard averages roughly five more rebounds a game. But Stoudemire averages nearly five more points.

Stoudemire is an 80 percent free throw shooter while Howard makes nearly 60 percent of his attempts. Howard averages 2.23 blocks and Stoudemire notches 2.14.

Stoudemire’s production has come in the more competitive Western Conference, but he also has the luxury of playing alongside two-time MVP Steve Nash.

Howard, on the other hand, carries his Orlando supporting cast, which is nice but inferior in comparison with Phoenix’s roster.

And how about when they face off?

Howard has outplayed Stoudemire in both meetings this season. In the first matchup, SuperDwight scored 33 points and pulled down 18 rebounds while Amare posted 13 points and six rebounds. In the rematch, Howard finished with 30 points and 23 rebounds to Stoudemire’s 19 and 10.

So that makes it rather simple, doesn’t it? The winner is Dwight Howard. True center, carrying a heavier load, bigger, stronger, more dominant — and he wears a cape and an “S” on his chest, too.