Top 5 Small Forwards of All-Time

As we are moving away from "traditional small forwards" or from traditional positions in all and more into "positionless" basketball. Basketball is steady evolving, and with it players positions are evolving as well. History continues to show that the small forward/wing position are pivotal in winning championships. Here are my top 5 small forwards.

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5. Elgin Baylor

I considered putting either Scottie Pippen or Kawhi Leonard in this spot for my list. However; I believe, Elgin Baylor is one of the most underrated players in NBA history. I don’t care what era you played in, any time you average over 30 points,15 rebounds, and 4 assists over your first seven seasons in the league, while being constant title contenders, you deserve to be on the list. Elgin Baylor have to be in the conversation as one of the greatest players to never win an MVP nor a championship. Even though, he averaged 38.3 points, 18.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during the 61-62 season, incredibly enough, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell were ahead of him in the MVP voting. Although, he never won a championship and lost constantly in the Finals. Impressively enough, Elgin Baylor along with Jerry West elevated that Lakers team to Finals contenders but nobody was beating that Boston dynasty during that era. Career stats: 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, while shooting 43.1% from the field and 78% from the free throw line. Accolades: 11x All-Star, 10x All-NBA selection, All-Star Game MVP, and Rookie of the Year.

4. Julius Erving

Many called him “Dr. J”. He was a cultural icon as he was known as the “Godfather of Dunking” and the “father of the modern NBA”. Dr. J was the one who redefined the small forward position. He took the game off the floor and made it an airborne league. Many would say that the NBA didn’t see the best version of him but the way he dominated the ABA and the things he accomplished during his time in the ABA. No doubt, he was one of the greatest scorers and players during 70s & 80s. As he scored a career total of 30, 026 during his time in the ABA/NBA. One of his signatures moves, which was the reverse up-and-under layup from behind the backboard while palming the basketball with one hand, remains as of the most noticeable and beautiful moves in NBA history. Career stats: 24.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, over a steal & block per game, 50.6% from the field and 77.7% from the free throw line. Accolades: 4x MVP, 16x All-Star, 7x All-NBA selection, 2x All-Star Game MVP, and an NBA Champion.

3. Kevin Durant

Some people might be upset with this one but there’s no doubt in my mind that Kevin Durant deserves this spot. Kevin Durant is the most talented and unstoppable scorer that I have seen as he just makes scoring look so effortless. Durant is a 7-footer with guard skills, as he can get his shot off over anyone and is crafty enough to finish among the bigs in the paint. A couple of underrated feats for Durant is his ability to defend on the perimeter & protect the rim along with his ability to get others involved. I’m sure Durant will continue to get criticized for the move to Golden State. However; he won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP (most likely would have been three-straight if he didn’t get injured), won multiple scoring titles, a 10 time All-Star, 9 time All-NBA, and a part of the 50-40-90 club which only a few players in history have accomplished in a season. Many of his peers have stated that Durant is of the most unguardable players that the game has seen and his stats and accolades prove why he is one of the greats. Career stats: 27.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, over a steal & block per game, 49.3% from the field and 88.3% from the free throw line. Accolades: MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 10x All-Star, 9x All-NBA selection, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 4x NBA scoring champion, Rookie of the Year, and a 2x NBA Champion.

2. Larry Bird

“Larry Legend” is no question, one of the greatest players of all-time and it’s easy to see why. At 6’9, he was one of the premier shooters of his era. He was a threat to score 40 every night and he was a very underrated defender. Also, his basketball IG, passing ability & vision, and his ability to produce in the clutch made him along with Magic Johnson the faces of the NBA during the 80s. Bird instantly made Boston title contenders again as “him & Magic” had classic battles against one another multiple times in the Finals. Bird was one of the most competitive and tough players on the court and led the Boston Celtics to multiple championships during his career. Career stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 49.6% from the field and 88.6% from the free throw line. Accolades: 3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 10x All-NBA selection, Rookie of the Year, and a 3x NBA Champion.

1. LeBron James

Depending on who you ask, LeBron James is arguably the best player of all-time. Once LeBron James is out of the league, I believe that people from all over the world will feel silly to not have appreciate his greatness. LeBron has been a star the moment he came into the league and the influence he had on players empowerment. The fact that he carried the Cleveland Cavilers franchise for so long and the fact that he’s still performing at such a high level in Year 17 is an incredible feat itself. There’s a case to be made that LeBron could have been MVP for eight straight seasons due to how valuable he was to his teams and how well & how long he has performed during those seasons. The combination of size, speed, and strength. Add that with one of the highest basketball IQs the game has seen and these are the feats that separates him from his peers. His career stats and accolades explain as to why he is one of the best players we have seen! Career stats: 27.1 PPG, 7.4 APG, 7.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 50.4% from the field and 73.5% from the free throw line. Accolades: 4x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 16x All-Star, 15x All-NBA selection, 6x All-Defensive, 3x All-Star Game MVP, NBA scoring champion, Rookie of the Year, and a 3x NBA Champion.