NBA Power Rankings: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and the Top 10 Small Forwards

The greatest small forward's the NBA has ever seen were Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Julius Erving, Elgin Baylor and Dominique Wilkens.  The new breed of athletes at the small forward position consists of Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Lebron James.  

When discussing the top SF in the league Durant, James, and Anthony stand in a league of their own.  After them it's pretty much a free-for-all.  

There are some young guns who are already making an impact in this league, while there are also seasoned veterans who have still not lost their dominance.

The following players are the Top 10 Small Forwards in the NBA right now...

10. Caron Butler, Dallas Mavericks

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DALLAS - FEBRUARY 17: Forward Caron Butler #4 of the Dallas Mavericks during play against the Phoenix Suns on February 17, 2010 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/o

Caron Butler has complemented Dirk Nowitzki and Co. beautifully so far this season, averaging 14.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, and 1.70 SPG, with a record of 5-2.

Starting in six of seven games this season, Butler is the third leading scoring on the Mavericks behind Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry.

9. Richard Jefferson, San Antonio Spurs

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 16: Richard Jefferson #24 of the San Antonio Spurs in action during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 16, 2009 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

Richard Jefferson has guided the San Antonio Spurs to a stellar 6-1 start this season.  With their only loss being to the undefeated New Orleans Hornets, the Spurs seem to be in great shape.

Last year in his first season as a Spur, Jefferson struggled to contribute the numbers he has been known to produce only putting up 12.3 points per game.  

So far this season RJ has recorded 18.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.00 SPG.

Jefferson's added efforts have helped to propel the Spurs towards the top of the west for the time being.

8. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats

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CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 26: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats looks on against the Orlando Magic at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Magic defeated the Bobcats 99-90 to complete the four game sweep. NOTE

Coming off of a great season, averaging a double-double with 18.2 PPG and 10.1 RPG, Wallace has put up similar numbers, making him one of the top small forwards in the NBA.

Since he first became an everyday starter in 2004 when he first came to Charlotte, Gerald Wallace has been consistent and reliable.  

This year is no different putting up averages of 17.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.00 BPG, and 1.00 SPG.

The Bobcats have gotten off to a bad start at 2-6 and will most likely look to Wallace for more production on the offensive end.  Wallace has the potential to be an elite player in this league but has not fully bloomed into the scorer that he can really be.  

7. Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 19: Luol Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls gets in for a dunk while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls are off to a 4-3 start with Luol Deng's play not going unnoticed.  

Seven games into the season Deng has been averaging 20.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.00 BPG, and .90 SPG.

6. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 15: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers shoots over Chris Douglas-Roberts #17 of the New Jersey Nets at the Izod Center on January 15, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Danny Granger established himself as one of the top small forwards his fourth season in the league when he put up 25.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.40 BPG, and 1.00 SPG.  

Since then Granger has remained consistent averaging similar stats last season along with just as impressive numbers so far this season.

With the Indiana Pacers starting the 2010-11' season with a 3-3 record, Danny Granger has posted 21.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.20 SPG, and 1.00 BPG.

5. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05: Rudy Gay #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using

Throughout nine games this season, Rudy Gay and the Memphis Grizzlies are struggling with a 4-5 record.  However, Gay has been recording excellent numbers in the efforts of leading the Grizzlies to victory.

Rudy Gay is averaging career-high's in points, assists, rebounds, and steals with 25.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.80 SPG.

4. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 26: Fans reacts after Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics scored a basket against the Miami Heat at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 26, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

The 13-year-pro has still got it.  Paul Pierce has continued to perform at an extremely high level throughout his entire career.  

Pierce began to shine for the Celtics as a rookie in 1998, averaging 16.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.70 SPG, and 1.00 BPG.  Since then he has averaged at least 19.5 PPG, 3 APG, 4 RPG, and 1 SPG.  

At 33 years of age, Pierce has proven that he can still hang with the best in the league averaging 20.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 2.7 APG.  

3. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

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SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 30: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets pumps his fist during their game against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 30, 2010 in Salt La

With Carmelo's contract expiring at season's end, he has been the center of many trade rumors surrounding the NBA this year.  Last season it was all about who's getting Lebron, and now every team that can afford Anthony is attempting to trade for him.  

This is all because of what Carmelo brings to the game.  He is a pure athlete and a game-changer.  

Since entering the league Carmelo Anthony has never scored less than 20 PPG in a season.  He has been dominant throughout his career, and so far this season has continued to conquer.

Anthony has really performed well so far through nine games averaging 25.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.40 SPG, and .90 BPG.

2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks back to the bench during the game against the Miami Heat on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Durant has been amazing throughout his young career and so far this season, but he is still not the best small forward in the National Basketball Association.  

While putting up impressive stats with 28.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.71 SPG, and 1.00 BPG, he has not recorded as many assists as you would like to see a superstar of his caliber have with 2.0 APG.  

Although Kevin Durant is not the best all around small forward, he has helped lead an extremely young team to impressing the entire league with an outstanding season and playoff appearance year.  

This season the Oklahoma City Thunder are due for a deep playoff run with all of the young talent that is beginning to bloom.  

1. LeBron James, Miami Heat

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 09: Lebron James #6 of the Miami Heat during a game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena on November 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photo

There should be no doubt that LeBron James is the best small forward in the NBA whether you like the guy or not.  Despite his bad "decision", or at least the way he presented it, James has been producing at an extremely high level in Miami with top talent surrounding him.  

Everybody has begun to say that Miami isn't all that great because of the 4-3 start, but they really do need time to gain some team chemistry.  In two or three weeks James, Wade, and Bosh will be clicking at all cylinders and be able to compete with and beat teams like the Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Hornets, organizations they've lost to so far this season.

Some of Lebron's numbers have slightly dropped, but he has still exhibited an outstanding all around game averaging 22.2 PPG, 8.7 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.78 SPG, and .89 BPG.  As the season goes on his production will continue to increase as the offense begins to develop further.

Honorable Mentions

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 07: Wilson Chandler #21 of the New York Knicks dunks over Stephen Graham #23 of the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden January 7, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

Wilson Chandler- 17.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.88 BPG, and .88 SPG

Trevor Ariza- 10.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 1.86 SPG

Ron Artest- 11.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.00 SPG, and 2.0 APG

Terrence Williams- 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.8 APG