The Top 10 NBA Small Forwards of All Time

I placed six small forwards in the top 25 in my article "Who are the 25 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time."  Here is their rankings and what I wrote about each of them:

4. Larry Bird (3 NBA Titles, 3 times MVP, 2 times Finals MVP, 9 times All-NBA first team, 1 time All-NBA second team, I time  All-Defensive 2nd team) was a deadly shooter from any range or angle (.496 FG%, .376 3pFG%, 24.3 ppg, .886 FT%), extremely clutch, a good rebounder (10.0 rpg), a great passer (probably the passing forward ever), and from day one, was great at making his teammates better.

10. Elgin Bayor (27.4 ppg, .431 FG%, .780 FT%, 4.3 apg, 13.5 rpg).  He led the Lakers to the finals 8 times but lost every time, zero MVPs, 10 times All-NBA first team.  Had acrobatic moves ahead of his time.  Great all-around player.  Easily the best forward of the 1960's. Overshadowed by Russell's Celtics and Chamberlain's scoring.

13. Julius Erving (22.0 ppg, .507 FG%, .261 3pFG%, .777 FT%, 6.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.8 spg, .5 bpg).  The electrifying "D. J" had 1 NBA Title, 1MVP, 5 time All-NBA first team, 2  ABA titles, 3 ABA MVPs, 4 time All-ABA first team. Obviously his numbers and credentials would have better if he played his entire career in the NBA.

His spectacular drives to the basket and powerful slam dunks made him one of the three most exciting players in NBA history. 

Good all-around game, but not as great as the players listed above (e.g, defense, rebounding, and outside shot all were good, but not great). 

I am sure his fans want to see him listed higher, but while he was a good leader, he just does not have the reputation that the top players above do for making the players around them better.

15. Rick Barry (23.2 ppg, .449 FG%, .330 3pFG%, .900 FT%, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.4 spg).  1 NBA Title, zero regular season MVPs. 1 Finals MVP, 5 time All-NBA 1st Team. 1 ABA  Title, 5 time All-ABA first team.  Like Erving, his numbers and credentials would have been better if he had not played the middle of his career in the ABA. 

Great scorer and shooter—the only person in history to lead the NCAA, the NBA, and the ABA in scoring. 

Became an excellent passer in the second half of his career and was a good defender at times.  His abrasive personality hurt team chemistry and his press image.  Hence, probably underrated by the media.

22. John Havlicek  20.8 ppg, .439 FG%, .815 FT%, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg) "Hondo" had 9 NBA Titles, zero MVPs, 1 Finals MVP, 4 times All-NBA first team, 5 times All-defensive 1st team.  One of the greatest all-around players ever, who was known for his clutch performances in big games, his endurance, and his great effort.

23. Scottie Pippen (16.1 ppg, .473 FG%, .326 3pFG%, .704 FT%, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 2.0 spg).  Helped Jordan lead the Bulls to 6 NBA Titles, had zero MVPs, three times All-NBA first team, and was eight times All-defensive first team. One of the most versatile players ever and even acted like a "point forward" at times. Great defender.

Hence, my top 10 top small forwards are: 

1. Larry Bird

2. Elgin Baylor

3. Julius Erving

4. Rick Barry

5. John Havlicek

6. Scottie Pippen

7. James Worthy

8. Bernard King

9. Paul Arizin

10. Dominique Wilkins. 

Who are your all-time top NBA small forwards?