NBA Position Power Rankings, End of Regular Season Edition: Power Forwards
They don't make power forwards like they used to, and not just because so many modern players qualify at the 4 because of their use in small-ball lineups.
Even a decade ago, the "stretch 4" moniker was something only a few could earn. The league was still adjusting to big men such as Antoine Walker and Dirk Nowitzki who could space out the floor. But now, the label is so widespread that it's almost more notable when a power forward can't shoot and does the entirety of his offensive damage from around the basket.
Versatility reigns supreme at every position, but the entire power forward class has taken that mentality to an extreme. The best of the best can switch on most defensive plays, and they thrive when they're able to handle the ball to spark an offense.
Put simply, they can do everything.
By analyzing all aspects of the on-court work these players have produced in 2016-17, we're here to put the top 30 power forwards in order. The goal is to identify those we'd most want to build around for the remainder of the current campaign, so long-term upside and prowess in the distant past are irrelevant. For the sake of consistency, all positional designations are the same as they appeared in the midseason edition of these rankings, even in instances where splits have changed to slightly favor new positions.
30-26: Leuer, Gibson, West, Williams, Nance
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30. Jon Leuer, Detroit Pistons (Previous Ranking: No. 18)
Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 14.5 PER, minus-0.11 RPM, 11.26 TPA
Though Jon Leuer has continued to serve as a versatile power forward for the Detroit Pistons whether he's starting alongside Andre Drummond or coming in to help lead the second unit, his shot has disappeared since the All-Star break. After returning from the midseason festivities, he's averaged just 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 42.3 percent from the field, 20.0 percent from downtown and 77.3 percent at the stripe. Worse still, he's taking 1.9 triples per game, showing no compunction as he strives to regain his touch during live action.
29. Taj Gibson, Oklahoma City Thunder (Previous Ranking: No. 27)
Age: 31
Per-Game Stats: 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 15.1 PER, 0.21 RPM, minus-77.16 TPA
Taj Gibson hasn't exactly been what the Oklahoma City Thunder were looking for when they brought him aboard in a midseason swap with the Chicago Bulls. The defensive stalwart has struggled to adjust to his new surroundings and failed to thrive in head coach Billy Donovan's schemes, and his inability to get to the charity stripe or generate even an assist per game has only compounded the issue. Fortunately, he should soon bounce back on one of the two ends, though telling which one is a difficult proposition.
Age: 36
Per-Game Stats: 4.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks
Only one number is preventing David West from moving up the rankings even further: 12.4. That's how many minutes per game the Golden State Warriors have devoted to the veteran power forward, though that's more a testament to the team's depth than his quality of play. Whenever the 36-year-old is granted run, he's proved capable of holding his own on defense while sparking the offense with his mid-range scoring and high-quality passing.
27. Marvin Williams, Charlotte Hornets (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mentions)
Age: 30
Per-Game Stats: 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks
Marvin Williams still hasn't provided a solid encore to last season's sparkling numbers, but his shot is at least trending in the right direction. Since the All-Star break, he's connected on 47.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and 36.8 percent on his downtown tries. The latter lags behind his 2015-16 mark (40.2 percent), but at least it's high enough that he's no longer acting as a detrimental presence for the Charlotte Hornets offense.
26. Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers (Previous Ranking: No. 22)
Age: 24
Per-Game Stats: 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks
Thanks to his constant energy and persistent athleticism, Larry Nance Jr. has been the defensive MVP for the Los Angeles Lakers. That's not the most prestigious award, considering the Purple and Gold sit at No. 29 in defensive rating, but it's still a step in the right direction for the 24-year-old. Unfortunately, his offense still hasn't caught up to his defense and won't until he develops some semblance of consistency with his jumper.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Booker, Ersan Ilyasova, David Lee, Dwight Powell, Zach Randolph
25-21: Morris, Nowitzki, Faried, Green, O'Quinn
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25. Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 13.5 PER, 1.2 RPM, minus-47.02 TPA
The 27-year-old power forward still hasn't broken out on offense for the Washington Wizards, but that's been more palatable as he shows his defensive chops. NBA Math's defensive points saved (DPS) has him as a slight positive on the season, while ESPN.com's defensive real plus/minus (DRPM) concurs, ranking him behind only 21 players qualified as power forwards in 2016-17. He still doesn't boast a go-to skill, but his all-around game looks better when fueled by an overarching overall strength like his defense.
24. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (Previous Ranking: No. 25)
Age: 38
Per-Game Stats: 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 16.9 PER, 0.31 RPM, minus-36.56
For the first time since his rookie season, which came all the way back in 1998-99 for the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki has a below-average score in offensive box plus/minus (OBPM). He's no longer scoring at quite the same prestigious rate, and his declining shooting percentages (43.6/38.3/87.0) and inability to get to the free-throw stripe so frequently aren't helping counteract his lack of involvement as a distributor. Nowitzki has played quality defense for the Mavericks, but his days as a go-to offensive stalwart are now in the past.
23. Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets (Previous Ranking: No. 21)
Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 20.5 PER, minus-1.45 RPM, 18.32 TPA
Kenneth Faried's energy on the glass and ability to finish around the hoop are both valuable to the Denver Nuggets. But he's continuously been exposed on defense, whether he's forced into switching to smaller assignments or asked to guard stretch 4s—cue head coach Mike Malone gasping. His work in pick-and-rolls has also served as a primary reason Denver can't contain dribble penetration, which makes it harder for Malone to trust him in big situations when so many others can replicate his skill set on offense.
22. JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies (Previous Ranking: No. 24)
Age: 26
Per-Game Stats: 9.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
JaMychal Green just keeps proving himself. Early in the season, he made it clear he could serve as a legitimate defensive stopper, thriving on the interior and when he was brought out closer to the three-point arc. But he's also shown promise as a versatile offensive contributor who can create his own offense, space out the floor with the occasional trey and help facilitate in small doses. Now, the Memphis Grizzlies just need to see if he can keep up the efficiency levels while occupying a larger role.
21. Kyle O'Quinn, New York Knicks (Previous Ranking: No. 20)
Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.3 blocks
If you're not familiar with Kyle O'Quinn yet, please change that. Grit your teeth and watch tape of the New York Knicks, because it's worth witnessing his tenacity on both ends, as well as the skill that always seems to catch opponents by surprise. Even as his offense has regressed throughout the season, O'Quinn has thrived on defense, where he always seems to understand proper positioning and excels when he's left alone to contest shots around the hoop.
20-16: Favors, Randle, Barnes, Harris, Patterson
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20. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz (Previous Ranking: No. 11)
Age: 25
Per-Game Stats: 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 15.6 PER, minus-0.56 RPM, minus-4.33 TPA
The 25-year-old power forward just can't get healthy. Derrick Favors should eventually play like he's on the cusp of earning a top-10 spot again, but he no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt. Talented as he may still be, he's suited up in only 47 games for the Utah Jazz and hasn't looked like he's operating at full strength while on the floor. The impact, driven down by a lack of explosiveness on both ends, just hasn't matched what was easy to see in previous campaigns.
19. Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers (Previous Ranking: No. 19)
Age: 22
Per-Game Stats: 13.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 15.9 PER, minus-1.83 RPM, minus-8.34 TPA
On Nov. 15, Julius Randle tormented the Brooklyn Nets with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Almost two months later, he recorded his second triple-double of the season: 19 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists against the Memphis Grizzlies. And about two more months after that, he went for 13 points, 18 boards and 10 dimes at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks. Inconsistency has plagued him between those outings, but the upside is palpable—and becoming reality more frequently than ever before for this 22-year-old up-and-comer.
18. Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks (Previous Ranking: No. 15)
Age: 24
Per-Game Stats: 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 16.4 PER, minus-0.59 RPM, minus-101.57 TPA
Harrison Barnes' per-game scoring average is fantastic. But averaging 19.4 points is only so valuable when posting a 54.1 true shooting percentage, which falls well short of the league average (55.2 percent). And Barnes' stock sinks further because he's been a lackluster defender who only thrives in on-ball situations and rarely contributes in other areas of the box score. Though his one dimension is glamorous, that doesn't save him from functioning as a one-dimensional player.
17. Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons (Previous Ranking: No. 23)
Age: 24
Per-Game Stats: 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks
"I look forward to him still taking big steps forward over the next couple of years,. He’s only 24 years old. I think he continues to get better, and I think he’s got the potential to be a 18-, 19-, 20-point-a-game guy with good efficiency. I think the next step for him is being a more consistent three-point shooter," Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy said about Tobias Harris, per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. The versatile 24-year-old is still shooting just 34 percent from downtown, and that might be the only glaring weakness in his all-around game, even if there are also few categories in which he stands out as an obvious positive.
16. Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors (Previous Ranking: No. 12)
Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
With Patrick Patterson on the bench, the Toronto Raptors allow 107.1 points per 100 possessions (which would rank No. 20 on the league-wide leaderboard) and post a 107.7 offensive rating (No. 11). When he plays, those numbers shift to 102.2 (No. 3) and 113.1 (No. 2), respectively. And though that's partially a function of spending time alongside Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, it also shows just how impactful Patterson has been while doing the little things and eschewing box-score contributions.
15-11: Johnson, Anderson, Johnson, Gallinari, Young
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15. Amir Johnson, Boston Celtics (Previous Ranking: No. 17)
Age: 29
Per-Game Stats: 6.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks
"There’s a very stealth-like efficiency to the way Amir Johnson plays. He sets screens, boxes out bigs so guards can swoop in for rebounds. And when he scores, it becomes must-see TV because it won’t happen too often. His game has lots of layers to it, but defense remains at the core of his longevity in the NBA," A. Sherrod Blakely wrote for CSNNE.com in early March. It's that last point that lends Johnson so much of his value in 2016-17, as he's served as a core piece for an often-stifling Boston Celtics defense. According to ESPN.com's DRPM, Draymond Green and David West are the only players who have functioned as more efficient defensive power forwards.
14. Ryan Anderson, Houston Rockets (Previous Ranking: No. 13)
Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 13.1 PER, 1.16 RPM, minus-42.25 TPA
Ryan Anderson isn't a great defender. He often struggles to serve as even a passable one when matched up against some of the league's most athletic 4s. Similarly, he doesn't offer much on the glass, and asking him to function as a distributor is a foolhardy endeavor. But Anderson still provides plenty of value through his gravitational pull. Defenders know he can knock down threes—he's usually even better from a step behind the arc—and they have to react accordingly, which opens up lanes for James Harden and the rest of the Rockets' rim-runners.
13. James Johnson, Miami Heat (Previous Ranking: No. 28)
Age: 30
Per-Game Stats: 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks
Erik Spoelstra is not Dwane Casey. The Miami Heat head coach has used James Johnson properly, allowing him to serve as a versatile defensive stopper who can also run the team's drive-and-kick offense when Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters are catching breathers. Think of him as a very poor man's LeBron James, because that all-around role the four-time MVP fills for the Cleveland Cavaliers is surprisingly similar to what Johnson attempts to pull off in South Beach.
12. Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets (Previous Ranking: No. 14)
Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 18.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocks
Since Nikola Jokic re-entered the Denver Nuggets starting lineup in mid-December, Danilo Gallinari has been freed up to serve in the capacity that best suits his game. He's always been miscast as the No. 1 scoring option, but that role works much better for him when someone can assume more ball-handling responsibilities and hit him with plenty of setup passes. After the change was made, the soon-to-be free agent has averaged 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 39.8 percent from downtown and 92.1 percent at the charity stripe.
11. Thaddeus Young, Indiana Pacers (Previous Ranking: No. 16)
Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 10.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.4 blocks
Thaddeus Young's development into a rim-seeking transition threat who can also space the court by shooting 38.1 percent from downtown is great news for the Indiana Pacers. But his defensive progress is even more impactful. Young graded out as the No. 2 defender at his position in my Metrics 101 series, primarily because he's become so good at chasing stretch 4s off their spots and preventing easy spot-up opportunities. Forcing foes into their weaknesses rather than adjusting to their strengths is always a positive.
10. Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors (Previous Ranking: No. 9)
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Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.6 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 14.0 PER, 0.76 RPM, minus-14.19 TPA
"When it comes to extended impact play in the postseason, perhaps no move will mean more than the [Toronto] Raptors' acquisition of Serge Ibaka. While using an almost identical amount of his team's possessions in Toronto as he did in Orlando, Ibaka has been essentially the same player," ESPN.com's Micah Adams wrote.
But serving as essentially the same player doesn't mean Serge Ibaka's contributions have been identical. He's still been an intriguing floor-spacing option who thrives when asked to function as a small-ball center, but he's failed to make as much of a defensive impact.
With the Orlando Magic, Ibaka's defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) stood at 0.5. That's fallen to minus-0.6 since the deadline swap, as the Congolese power forward has struggled to account for the extra dribble penetration Toronto allows. He's the same tough-nosed player, but flitting out to the perimeter more frequently isn't necessarily the best application of his talents.
When Toronto is at full strength and rotations shrink for the playoffs, Ibaka should be fine. But there have been enough cracks in his game to mandate a slight fall in these rankings, even if it's entirely possible he shoots back up toward his midseason mark before the year ends.
9. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks (Previous Ranking: No. 10)
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Age: 22
Per-Game Stats: 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 19.1 PER, minus-0.78 RPM, 6.81 TPA
Jabari Parker sat at No. 10 in the midseason edition of these rankings, which was published on Jan. 12. He then worked to justify the placement by averaging 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 46.7 percent from the field over his next 14 appearances.
But then he torn his ACL against the Miami Heat on Feb. 8, cutting his season short and putting some of his future growth in jeopardy.
Will Parker be able to resume the trajectory he displayed earlier this year when he's done rehabbing? He came back from his first ACL tear looking more explosive than ever, but this is an entirely new challenge for the 22-year-old forward who's displayed both his rim-attacking athleticism and shot-creating work on the perimeter.
Before the injury, Parker was tracking toward consideration for Most Improved Player. Even though he'd failed to make noticeable defensive strides, his offense was so much more potent for a Milwaukee Bucks squad that needed another go-to scorer alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For now, he gets the benefit of the doubt. But a slow start when he's healthy in 2017-18 will most likely be greeted by a precipitous decline in these rankings.
8. Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves (Previous Ranking: No. 8)
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Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 9.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks
Don't be fooled by Gorgui Dieng's lack of box-score contributions. That's an inevitable byproduct of playing alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins (and Zach LaVine earlier in the season) since the stars eat up touches and do most of the heavy lifting on offense.
Thanks to his defense and mid-range shooting, Dieng has remained one of the league's more valuable power forwards, even if national recognition has struggled to catch up to his actual production.
You don't have to dig deep to ascertain Dieng's defensive value. Whether he's working on the interior or showing off his lateral quickness when hedging against pick-and-rolls, he's been one of the few Minnesota Timberwolves defenders who's usually in the right spot. Plus, he's one of only 10 qualified players averaging at least a steal and a block this season.
As for the shooting, the 27-year-old is knocking down 44.8 percent of his attempts from between 10 and 16 feet, as well as 43.4 percent of his twos from even longer. He's one of the NBA's most confident shooters from the free-throw line (during live action) and the elbows, which helps open opportunities for the athletic and post-dominant players supporting him in the starting lineup.
Dieng likely won't get national love until he averages at least 15 points per game. But he doesn't need to on this team, even if he's capable of doing so.
7. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks (Previous Ranking: No. 6)
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Age: 21
Per-Game Stats: 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.0 blocks
Stop and think about what Kristaps Porzingis might be able to do without the New York Knicks holding him back.
The 21-year-old sophomore has already shown flashes of dominance on each end. He can create his own looks with relative ease, hit open cutters with on-target passes, work out of the post and finish plays after offensive rebounds while operating on the scoring end. He can protect the rim as well as anyone when left alone as the last line of defense, and his quickness allows him to switch onto smaller players.
But New York has insisted upon pigeonholing him into a rotation that often plays him away from the basket on defense and takes the ball out of his hands on offense. Working alongside Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony just isn't a great idea, as NBA Math recently illustrated on Twitter.
When Porzingis plays without Anthony and Rose, the Knicks function like a team that should win 42.6 games over the course of a full season. When the trio is all on the court together, that expectation plummets to a meager 31.4 wins.
And that, in a nutshell, is why Porzingis' second NBA season has been equal parts encouraging and frustrating.
6. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs (Previous Ranking: No. 7)
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Age: 31
Per-Game Stats: 17.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.2 blocks
"I'm just playing basketball, really," LaMarcus Aldridge recently said, per ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright, while trying to explain his hot streak. "I'm trying to take my shots and play in a flow. I'm not being as passive as I was earlier in the year and it's working out for me. Not really having trouble [finding shots], just getting passive at times. I'm taking my shots with confidence. I'm finding my rhythm out there. I think my teammates are trying to find me, and it's working out."
The San Antonio Spurs power forward nailed it.
His aggression after a lackluster start to the 2016-17 campaign has been huge, especially since it comes while he's still willing to fill roles he never dreamed about with the Portland Trail Blazers. He doesn't hold the ball on the elbows nearly as often, but instead attacks quickly and keeps his eyes in constant search of open teammates—as good an indication as any that he's fully bought into head coach Gregg Popovich's preferred schemes.
But his teammates have also been big factors.
Tony Parker has excelled when he plays a two-man game with Aldridge, and the team has given him more touches while trying to preserve Kawhi Leonard for the most important part of the calendar. As defenses continue to focus on the team's MVP candidate, it's been Aldridge who's been able to take advantage of the vacated spaces.
5. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
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Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 19.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
Since Kevin Love's last absence while recovering from a knee injury (a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on March 18), the power forward has averaged 16.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point territory.
He's been good. Great, even.
But he hasn't been the unbridled superstar he functioned as before the initial injury. He's not quite so reliable as a go-to scorer alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and his defense hasn't helped push the Cleveland Cavaliers' stopping efforts back toward respectable levels.
In any positional competition, continued excellence is a requirement to stay near the top. But it's particularly important at power forward, where the top five are All-Stars playing out prime seasons. That's why Love's slightly diminished production leads to a marginal dip, though his play still deserves the utmost respect.
Plus, it's by no means unrealistic to expect him to serve as a Band-Aid for Cleveland's defensive woes. Despite the reputation he's earned over the years, Love has become a solid positional defender who excels at ending possessions with boards. ESPN.com's DRPM actually has him rated just outside the top dozen at his position.
4. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks (Previous Ranking: No. 5)
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Age: 32
Per-Game Stats: 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 18.0 PER, 4.58 RPM, 123.54 TPA
Paul Millsap means everything to the Atlanta Hawks.
On offense, he serves as the steadying force because of his versatile play. Whether he's spacing the floor, operating from the post, distributing the ball to his teammates or functioning as a decoy, he can contribute positively—especially important as Dennis Schroder continues adjusting in his first season as the unquestioned starting point guard.
And he fills a similar role on defense.
Millsap can protect the hoop and serve as the last line of defense. He can body up against players in the post. He can make use of his mobility and switch onto wings and guards for short bursts, enabling the Hawks to continue clogging up passing lanes and forcing opponents into disadvantageous situations. Even if Dwight Howard is the team's best defensive player, Millsap may be the most important.
Fortunately, the numbers reflect this two-way impact.
Per NBA Math, the Hawks play like a 44.2-win team when the starting 4 is on the floor. When he's not? That number shrinks to 29.2.
3. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 21.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 22.9 PER, 3.49 RPM, 178.48 TPA
During this season of monstrous lines and ceaseless triple-doubles, Blake Griffin's numbers haven't gotten nearly enough love. To be fair, the fact that he's missed 21 games and watched as the Los Angeles Clippers slipped out of title contention might play into that, as well.
Still, let's change that.
During the current campaign, Griffin joins Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook as one of only five players to average at least 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal. Beyond that, this is a line just 11 other men, in addition to the aforementioned quintet, have submitted throughout NBA history:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (twice)
- Charles Barkley
- Larry Bird (nine times)
- Kevin Durant
- Kevin Garnett (six times)
- Grant Hill
- Magic Johnson
- Michael Jordan
- Scottie Pippen (twice)
- Antoine Walker (twice)
- Chris Webber
That's the type of company any player would like to have surrounding him.
2. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
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Age: 27
Per-Game Stats: 10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.4 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 16.5 PER, 6.64 RPM, 267.49 TPA
Draymond Green has been the eager recipient of lots of love for his defensive prowess in 2016-17. At this point, he seems like a lock to either win Defensive Player of the Year for the first time or come in second to an equally deserving Rudy Gobert.
But none of the praise should mean more than the compliments from Ron Adams, the Golden State Warriors' defense-minded assistant coach.
"Adams said that what makes Golden State excellent on defense—versatility—can also be tough on its players. Since Green and his teammates switch so often, they sometimes find themselves guarding a variety of different players on a single possession," CBS Sports' James Herbert wrote. "This requires the Warriors to communicate and be connected. Green, maybe more than anyone else in the league, must be aware of where his teammates are and what they’re trying to do, plus all the strengths and weaknesses of everybody on the other side. It might look like he is just playing harder than everyone else, but he’s also constantly making calculations."
No switch has been too difficult for Green, who's maintaining his immense value to the Dubs even while his shot disappears by excelling as a distributor and playing the best defense of his career. Whether he's left alone at the rim and forced to overcome his lack of size or asked to guard a backcourt foe for the duration of a possession, he's usually gotten the better of his matchup.
1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
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Age: 28
Per-Game Stats: 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.6 blocks
Advanced Metrics: 27.6 PER, 5.23 RPM, 329.67 TPA
The biggest question here isn't why Kevin Durant ranks No. 1, but rather why he's listed as a power forward and not a small forward.
Fortunately, the answer is simple: Per Basketball Reference, 56 percent of his minutes have come while he's serving as the 4 in a smaller lineup, even if he opens games next to Draymond Green in the starting lineup. That's actually down slightly from the midseason edition, in which Durant had played 57 percent of his minutes as a power forward.
Injuries have prevented Durant from showcasing his game in recent weeks, but he's done nothing that would drop him from the top spot. He's still firmly embroiled in the best all-around season of his career, thriving as a top-tier scorer for the Golden State Warriors and doing everything in his power to help boost the team's defensive prowess.
The 28-year-old served as a legitimate MVP candidate before the injury imp knocked him down the ladder, but he remains one of just four qualified players in the league to post a DBPM north of 2.5 with a true shooting percentage no worse than 65 percent—Rudy Gobert, Dewayne Dedmon and DeAndre Jordan are the others, and they clearly fill a slightly different offensive role.
Throughout NBA history, Charles Barkley is the only other player to join the club while chipping in with at least 20 points per game, and his scoring average in 1986-87 (23.0) lags well behind Durant's current mark.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats from Basketball Reference, NBA.com, ESPN.com or NBA Math and accurate heading into Friday, April 7.
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