Top 10 NBA Power Forwards of All Time

One of the strongest rebounders of his era and one of the strongest leaders in basketball history, Dave DeBusschere is usually very underrated in historical respects.

His career numbers are impressive (16 points per game, 11 rebounds per game), especially considering he was only 6'6". Furthermore, while with Detroit he was named player-coach at the age of 24, the youngest coach ever in league history.

In 1968, he was traded to the New York Knicks, and helped lead the Knicks to two titles in the 1970's.

His list of accomplishments includes eight All Star games, All Defensive first team six times and the All NBA second team once.

One of the leagues great scorers and rebounders in the 1970's, McAdoo led the league in scoring three times.

His accomplishments include five All Star games, one MVP and two All NBA first or second team selections.

Although he did not win the title early on, he won two while playing a secondary role on the Lakers in the 1980's.

One of the all-time great rebounders in NBA history and one of the smartest players in the league, Lucas paired with DeBusschere to win his only NBA title in 1973. However, very few people realize that he was the first player to win titles at all four levels (high school, college, olympics and pros) in basketball history.

Lucas was an interesting character to say the least. He was famous for memorizing phone books, and dazzling friends and strangers alike his card tricks.

However, Lucas was also obsessed with stats, often counting rebounds and arguing with officials over his exact counts. But his rebounding prowess was amazing, averaging over 15 per game to pair with 17 points per game.

His accomplishments include seven All Star games, Rookie of the Year, All Star game MVP, All NBA first or second team five times and two time college player of the year.

One of the most dominating post players in league history, Kevin McHale was one of the main pieces in a dominant Boston Celtics team that won three titles in the 1980's.

Known for his ugly, but deadly scoring style in the paint, McHale scored nearly 18 points per game for his career, paired with a field goal percentage of 55%. Furthermore, McHale was also known as one of the leagues top sixth men.

He was also a tremendous rebounder and defender, helping to anchor an offensive minded Celtics team with his career rebounding average of seven per game and nearly two blocks per game.

His list of accomplishments include six time first or second All Defensive team, seven time All Star, All NBA first team once and NBA Sixth Man of the Year twice.

Dolph Schayes may have played in a different era than many of the players on this list, his accomplishments are just as impressive.

His averages include 18 points per game and over 12 rebounds per game. His accomplishments include 12 All Star teams, 12 All NBA first or second teams and one NBA Championship.

Arguably the best power forward of the 1970's, the "Big E" dominated the league. His scoring average was 21 points per game and he grabbed over 12 rebounds per game for his career. He also blocked two shots per game.

His accomplishments include 12 All Star games, All Defensive second team twice, six time All NBA first or second team, college player of the year and one NBA title.

If Elvin Hayes was the best power forward of the 70's, Bob Pettit, along with Dolph Schayes, were the best of the 50's and 60's.

During his time in the league, Pettit's career was amazing. Pettit averaged over 26 points and 16 rebounds per game. His accomplishments were tremendous, including 11 All Star teams, four time All Star Game MVP, Rookie of the Year, two time NBA MVP, and 11 time All NBA first or second team.

Pettit famously helped lead St. Louis to the title in 1958 over the Celtics, the last team to win over the Celtics before their run of eight straight titles.

Of all the players that the league has ever seen, Charles Barkley is likely the one least likely to be duplicated. Think about it, when is it likely for you to see a player that is barely 6'4" leading the league in rebounding in an era of big centers?

Stats-wise, Barkley was remarkable. He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in 11 straight seasons, leading to career averages of 22 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game. He also shot over 54% for his career.

He was a tremendous low post scorer, but he also developed into a very good shooter. While he was best known for his rebounding ability for his slight stature, he was also a very good defender. While post players were able to shoot over him from time to time, he had a great leaping ability for a man as heavy as he was, allowing him to make up for his lack of height.

He also was a very smart player, and developed into a great passer.

His accomplishments include 11 All Star games, 11 All NBA first, second or third team selections, All Star Game MVP and league MVP.

However, he is best known for being one of the best players to never have won a title, although he came close once while playing for Phoenix, but he was unable to get past the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

The "Big Ticket", Kevin Garnett entered the league as a small forward but developed in time to become one of the best power forwards the game has ever seen.

Over the course of his career, Garnett has really blossomed as a low-post scorer. Add to this his ability to get to the hoop at will and his effective 15 to 18 foot jumper.

His career averages include over 20 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, four assists per game and nearly two blocks per game.

Beyond the numbers, Garnett has developed into one of the leagues strongest competitors and fiercest leaders. He comes to play every night and holds his teammates accountable for their play. His defensive ability has improved, and today he is considered perhaps the best defensive forward in the league.

His list of accomplishments include 12 All Star games, NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, nine time All NBA first, second or third team, All Star MVP, and nine time All NBA Defensive first or second team.

He won his first title last year, and he likely will win another before his days are done...and with those additional titles, you may just see him reach number two on this list. It is his title and his defensive ability that puts him just ahead of Barkley.

The "Mailman" always seemed to deliver in the regular season. He defined the power forward position for over a decade, averaging over 25 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Malone was known for his great post scoring, excellent 15-20 foot jumpers and as the best court-running big man in the league.

While he was not known for his shot blocking ability, Malone's strength allowed him to intimidate players he guarded.

His list of accomplishments include 14 All Star games, two-time NBA MVP, two-time All Star Game MVP, All Defensive first or second team four times, 14 time All NBA first, second or third team and 17 straight seasons of at least 20 points per game and a career shooting percentage of 52% despite not being a player that dunked regularly.

However, his career is defined by his inability to win the big game. His numbers generally went down in the playoffs from the regular season, most notably his shooting percentage. He shot over 50% in 12 of his seasons, yet he only managed to shoot that well four times in the postseason. In his two most important postseasons, he shot 43% and 47%.

In his final season, Malone tarnished his legacy in some people's eyes, bolting from the Utah Jazz for one season with the Los Angeles Lakers to chase a title. He was able to reach the Finals, but in a moment that some have deemed poetic justice, Malone injured his knee and missed the series clinching game five against Detroit and retired after the season.

Of all the positions that have been ranked in this series, this is the one no-doubt choice as number one in this series.

Duncan is a dominant low post scorer, the superior rebounder and a great defender. Furthermore, he is a clutch performer who has won four NBA titles.

As far as stats go, Duncan is nearly unrivaled for his position. He has averaged over 21 points, nearly 12 rebounds, over two blocks and over three assists per game for his career.

He has been selected to 11 All Star games, 11 All NBA first or second teams, 11 All NBA Defensive first or second teams, NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA All Star MVP, two-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA Finals MVP.

He is a quiet, unassuming player that plays hard every night and does so without the kind of fan-fare that surrounds players like Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal, although his accomplishments are more impressive.

Not only a great player, but a great person. Tim Duncan is the best power forward of all-time.

Arguably the leagues best shooting big man, Nowitzki has won an NBA MVP award, been named to eight All Star teams, and been on the All NBA first, second or third team eight times.

Furthermore, he has performed very well in the playoffs, leading his Dallas Mavericks to the Finals once. He is not a strong defender, but he is a very good rebounder.

When his career is over, he likely will find himself on this list.

A tremendous scorer and rebounder, Webber was one of the great power forwards of his generation. Capable of great touch on his post shots and tremendous passing ability, Webber averaged 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game over his NBA career.

He was named to five All Star games and the All NBA first, second or third team five times.

However, his legacy will forever be doomed by his inability to win a title professionally or collegiately, and for his famous timeout called in the NCAA title game. Furthermore, the scandal involving him and money in college has hurt his legacy in his hometown as well.

The "Reign Man" was known for his thundering dunks and strong blocked shots. He averaged a double-double in six straight seasons, and making the All Star game six times.

However, Kemp is most known for gaining a ton of weight during the strike-shortened season and coming back to never be the same.

One of the leagues top rebounders and defenders in the 1980's, Williams finished his career averaging nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game making three All Star teams and four All Defensive first or second teams.

A great scorer and rebounder early in his career, Hawkins is known for being one of the leagues best playground legends.

He was a tremendous player in the ABA, but once he reached the NBA his numbers dropped off considerably.

One of the best scorers of the 80's and early 90's, Chambers was known for great shooting and solid passing. He finished his career with 18 points and six rebounds per game.

An excellent low post scorer and rebounder, Coleman averaged nearly 18 points and 10 rebounds per game over his career.

Despite winning Rookie of the Year, Coleman was known as a talent that was somewhat wasted due to a lack of conditioning and what some perceived as a lazy demeanor.

Great scorer in the ABA, McGinnis saw his numbers diminish in the NBA, and injuries slowed him, leading him to retire at the age of 31.

One of the smartest players in league history despite his penchant for losing his lid, Wallace is known for his tremendous talent. However, his talent often leads him to stretches of boredom despite an ability to dominate at will when motivated.

A great post scorer, tremendous three-point shooter and one of the league's top defensive big men, Wallace has blocked over 100 shots and hit more than 100 three pointers four times, more than anyone else in league history.

His career includes four All Star Games and an NBA title, but many people have wondered aloud how much more he would have accomplished had he pushed himself every game to be the best.