NBA Power Rankings: LeBron James, Larry Bird and the 50 Greatest Small Forwards
The small forward position is one of the most intriguing of the five basketball positions.
The position generally attracts tweeners—players who are too big to play the guard positions and too small to play the power forward or center positions.
We have seen some of the most remarkable, athletic and magical players in basketball history play at the small forward position.
The position has been revolutionized several times over as players become increasingly athletic and dominant.
Boston Celtics greats Larry Bird and John Havlicek relied on their fundamentals, clutch genes, incredible shooting and tough-nosed defense.
Since then, Scottie Pippen and LeBron James have revolutionized the position in their own right with dominant athleticism and all-around abilities.
From Bird and Havlicek to Pippen and James to James Worthy and Elgin Baylor, these are the top 50 small forwards in history.
50. Richard Jefferson
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Career Stats: 17.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.4 apg
Jefferson is one of the better forwards in New Jersey Nets history. He is currently trying to win his first NBA Championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
Though he has never been selected to an All-Star game, Jefferson was a member of the All-Rookie Second Team in 2002 and the 2004 USA Olympic team.
During his prime, he displayed fine versatility and ability to hit long-range shots as well as drive to the hoop.
49. Stephen Jackson
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Career Stats: 16.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg
Jackson has had an up-and-down career but found great success with the Pacers and Warriors. He has developed into one of the better all-around forwards in the game today. He has also developed into one of the more trustworthy players for his teammates and is often referred to as the team’s captain.
Many people forget, but Jackson actually won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003.
He was also part of the successful No. 8 seeded Golden State Warriors squad that dismantled the No. 1 seeded Dallas Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs.
48. Rashard Lewis
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Career Stats: 16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg
Lewis is going through a rough patch right now as he plays for the lowly Washington Wizards, but during his prime, he was one of the better big man sharpshooters the game had to offer.
Although undeserving of his monstrous contract, he was an important piece for the Orlando Magic’s championship push two years ago.
He is a two-time All-Star, once with the Seattle SuperSonics and once with the Magic.
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47. Gerald Wallace
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Career Stats: 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.0 apg
Wallace has improved to become one of the better small forwards in the game today. He is an excellent rebounder and defender. He often plays with a reckless regard for his body, and although a warrior, is often injured because of his style of play.
Still, Wallace is an exciting player who always has the respect of his teammates for his determination and willingness to do the dirty work on the court.
The 2010 All-Star was also selected for the 2010 All-Defensive First team.
46. Josh Smith
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Career Stats: 14.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
Already one of the best defenders in the game today, the lefty Smith displays excellent athleticism on both ends of the court. On the fast break, he’s one of the more powerful forces in the game and can throw it down with premier power.
He became the youngest player to record 900 blocks at age 23 and 1,000 blocks at age 24.
By the end of his career, he will rank among the very best block artists in league history.
45. Danny Granger
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Career Stats: 18.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.1 apg
This is one player in the league who continues to get better every season. He won the Most Improved Player Award and was selected to the All-Star game in 2009.
He is the superstar set to lead the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs this season and is a threat on both sides of the court.
Granger will be in the middle of this list when it’s all said and done.
44. Eddie Johnson
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Career Stats: 14.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg
Although never selected to an All-Star game in 17 seasons, he did win the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1989.
No player in league history has scored more points than Johnson and not made an All-Star appearance.
43. Jerome Kersey
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Career Stats: 10.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.9 apg
One of the harder workers on this list, Kersey, a second-round pick, became a starter in his third season after riding the bench.
He made a name for himself in the Slam Dunk Contest but made a bigger impact as part of Clyde Drexler’s Portland Trail Blazers team in the late 1980s.
He won a championship in 1999 with the San Antonio Spurs and is regarded for his defensive prowess.
42. Peja Stojakovic
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Career Stats: 17.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
Stojakovic was one of the top three-point specialists during his prime. He helped lead the Sacramento Kings to many great playoff appearances.
He was a three-time All-Star and two-time Three-Point Shootout winner.
He has been a journeyman since competing with the Kings but is now a proud member of a potential championship-winning Dallas Mavericks squad.
41. Reggie Lewis
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Career Stats: 17.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
Lewis was selected to the All-Star game in 1992 and has since had his No. 35 jersey retired.
He passed away at the young age of 27 and is one of two players to have his Boston Celtics jersey retired without winning an NBA championship.
During his All-Star appearance, he scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in 15 minutes.
40. Larry Johnson
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Career Stats: 20.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
One of great forwards of the 1990s, Johnson is most remembered for “Grandmama” and his four-point play against the Indiana Pacers as a member of the New York Knicks.
The 1992 No. 1 overall pick was also the Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star in his career.
His play trailed off towards the tail end of his career, but he did help bring the Knicks to the 1999 Finals.
39. Tayshaun Prince
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Career Stats: 12.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg
One of the more underrated players since coming into the league, Prince is simply one of the better fundamental players in the game.
The one area Prince excels—defense.
He is regarded as one of the best defenders in the league today and was a major factor in the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 upset of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
38. Andre Iguodala
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Career Stats: 15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.8 apg
One of the more athletic players in the league, Iguodala is a triple-double waiting to happen every night.
He is currently the leader for the Philadelphia 76ers and displayed supreme athleticism in his All-Star Dunk Contest appearances.
He helped his squad win the FIBA World Championship gold medal in 2010 and was also the 2006 All-Star Rookie Challenge MVP.
37. Rick Fox
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Career Stats: 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg
Fox may be best known now for his sweethearts than his play, but he was a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He still shows up every now and then to dominate the All-Star Celebrity game, where he is a three-time MVP of the event.
He scored more than 6,000 points during his career.
36. Hedo Turkoglu
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Career Stats: 12.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
Turkoglu was a catalyst for the Magic’s championship push two years ago. He is one of the better ball handling forwards as he loves to distribute the rock.
He has fallen off a bit since that championship push, but he developed into a very good player with the Magic when he joined the team. He showed clutch potential and excellent improvement as he won the Most Improved Player Award in 2008.
35. Shane Battier
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Career Stats: 9.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.9 apg
Battier is best known for his defensive prowess and toughness. He is a fundamentally-sound player and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
He is better known for his college career with Duke but was a two-time member of the All-Defensive Second Team.
The former No. 6 overall draft selection in 2001 won a bronze medal with the USA at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
34. James Posey
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Career Stats: 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.7 apg
The journeyman has been an integral part of winning teams during his career. At times, he has been relied upon as a shutdown defender and clutch shooter off the bench.
He was a member of the All-Rookie Second Team in 2000 but would more likely boast his two championship rings won with the Miami Heat in 2006 and Boston Celtics in 2008.
33. Jerry Stackhouse
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Career Stats: 17.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.5 apg
The two-time All-Star was one of the better scorers during his time in the NBA. Although injuries derailed his career, he managed to recover and was a prominent sixth man for the remainder of his career and was a fine spot starter.
He averaged more than 20 points per game for five seasons during his career, including a four-year stretch with the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards from 1999 to 2003. In 2000, he averaged just shy of 30 points per game.
32. Jack Twyman
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Career Stats: 19.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 apg
The six-time All-Star had his No. 27 jersey retired by the Sacramento Kings and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
He finished his career scoring more than 15,000 points and was the first player in history to average more than 30 points in a single season.
Not bad for a second-round pick…
31. Jamal Mashburn
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Career Stats: 19.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.0 apg
Mashburn was one of the better scorers during his time in the 1990s and was often underrated.
He was an All-Star selection in 2003 and part of the 1994 All-Rookie Team.
He is one of five players to average more than 20 points per game in his last year in the league.
30. Shawn Marion
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Career Stats: 17.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.0 apg
One of the least appreciated players of the past decade, Marion was a superstar for the Suns. He was one of the most versatile players in the league during his prime and excelled as Steve Nash’s primary wing man.
Although he bounced around the league for a couple of years, he’s finding success again with the Dallas Mavericks.
The four-time All-Star could possibly win his first ring this season.
29. Jamaal Wilkes
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Career Stats: 17.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 apg
The 1975 Rookie of the Year was a three-time champion and three-time All-Star.
He has scored more than 14,000 points and grabbed more than 5,000 rebounds during his career.
Although not a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame after playing 12 seasons in the Association, he was inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Fame in 2007.
28. Bruce Bowen
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Career Stats: 6.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg
Bowen is often regarded as one of the dirtiest players in league history, but he got the job done as one of the best lockdown defenders ever.
The three-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs was selected to the All-Defensive First Team five times during his career.
He always had to guard the opposition’s best perimeter player and was a pure nuisance the entire game.
27. Glen Rice
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Career Stats: 18.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg
Rice was one of the best sharpshooters during his time in the Association, draining 1,559 treys.
The three-time All-Star won a ring in 2000 with the Lakers and even beat our Reggie Miller in the 1995 three-point contest.
During the 1997 All-Star game, Rice won the MVP as he scored a record 24 points in the second half.
26. Ron Artest
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Career Stats: 14.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg
The oddest character on this list, Artest has seen his ups and downs throughout his career in the Association. He has since re-established himself and repaired his reputation with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He won an NBA championship last year and is on his way to possibly winning another this season.
Easily regarded as one of the all-time great lockdown defenders, he was the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year.
25. Cliff Hagan
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Career Stats: 17.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.2 apg
The Hall of Famer was a five-time All-Star and won the championship in 1958.
He was also an ABA All-Star and was a two-time All-NBA Second Team member.
He was inducted into the Hall in 1978 and almost scored 15,000 combined points in the NBA and ABA during his basketball career.
24. David Thompson
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Career Stats: 22.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
Thompson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
He was an ABA All-Star and four-time NBA All-Star and was also the only player to win MVP awards in both All-Star games.
He came second to Julius Erving, who we will get to later on this list, in the first ever Slam Dunk Contest.
He scored at least 40 points in at least 15 games during his career, including one 73-point effort.
23. Mark Aguirre
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Career Stats: 20.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.1 apg
The former No. 1 overall selection in 1981 went on to become a three-time All-Star.
More importantly, he won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.
He averaged more than 20 points per game for seven straight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, including the 1983-1984 season in which he averaged just shy of 30 points per contest.
He scored more than 18,000 points in his career—his 13,930 points as a Maverick ranks third in team history.
22. Kiki Vandeweghe
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Career Stats: 25.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.8 apg
Now known for his time as a general manager, Kiki was also a great ball player, especially on the offensive side of the court.
The two-time NBA All-Star scored more than 15,000 points during his NBA career.
The former No. 11 overall draft pick was the second leading scorer in the league in 1983 as he averaged more than 26 points per game.
21. Dan Majerle
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Career Stats: 11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.9 apg
Majerle is one of the greatest Phoenix Suns of all time. He was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive Second Team member.
He won a FIBA World Championship gold medal in 1994 and is often renowned for his three-point prowess.
If you’ve attended any Suns games over the past few years; you may even catch him draining some trick shots during halftime!
20. Kevin Durant
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Career Stats: 25.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 apg
Durant is quickly climbing up the all-time small forward list and could very well be at the top when his career is all said and done.
He is one of the best pure shooters in the game today, and his overall game is improving at a rapid pace. His court vision is up there with the best in the league right now, which is causing him to excel for the Thunder.
He will soon find great postseason success as he dominates the perimeter.
The 2010 scoring champion is already a two-time All-Star and has some people even calling for him to be declared the best player in basketball right now.
19. Tracy McGrady
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Career Stats: 20.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.6 apg
McGrady is one of the most dynamic playmakers of all time. Although he is on the last legs of his career following several knee injuries, he used to be one of the best scorers and dunkers during his prime.
The seven-time All-Star is responsible for one of the single greatest performances anybody has ever witnessed. He scored 13-straight points in 33 seconds to defeat the San Antonio Spurs on December 9, 2004.
The two-time scoring champion from 2003-2004 never found success in the playoffs, but he was one of the best during the regular season.
One legacy McGrady will leave behind is the bold statement to fans that they should never leave a game early...
18. Paul Arizin
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Career Stats: 22.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.3 apg
One of the 50 Greatest NBA Players, Arizin retired with more than 16,000 points scored.
The 1956 NBA champion with the Warriors was a 10-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First team member. He was the 1952 All-Star MVP and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.
In his final season, he averaged 21.9 points per game.
17. Carmelo Anthony
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Career Stats: 24.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
Although ‘Melo is still defining his career, he has an opportunity to capture legendary status if he can finally bring another Championship to New York.
He is already regarded as one of the premier perimeter scorers in the NBA and is one of the most difficult to stop. He has a fantastic repertoire of moves and could very well cement himself as one of the all-time great scorers if he continues at this pace.
The four-time All-Star instantly brought the Nuggets success and will look to do the same for the Knicks for years to come.
16. Chris Mullin
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Career Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
One of the greatest shooters of any generation, Mullin was also one of the hardest working players to his credit.
He is often overlooked when discussing the all-time great NBA performers, but Mullin was a two-time Olympian and five-time All-Star.
He shot .384 percent from behind the arc and is one of the best Warriors to ever don the uniform. He averaged more than 25 points and five rebounds per game, only the second Warrior to ever do so—the first being Wilt Chamberlain.
15. Grant Hill
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Career Stats: 17.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.4 apg
Had injuries not derailed his career, we would have seen a much different career for Grant Hill. He may have gone down as one of the greatest players, period, instead of one of the greatest could-have-beens.
He is still going strong with the Phoenix Suns and is one of the better defenders in the game.
The seven-time All-Star was also the co-Rookie of the Year in 1995.
14. Robert Horry
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Career Stats: 7.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg
“Big Shot Rob” should be honored as a Hall of Famer in a separate “clutch” wing as he is truly one of the greatest clutch shooters ever. Period.
The seven-time NBA Champion has won three championships with two different teams—the Lakers and Spurs.
He’s hit more than a handful of big shots to catapult his teams to a ring ceremony after seemingly walking onto the court without even so much as a warm-up.
13. Bernard King
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Career Stats: 22.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 apg
The 14-year veteran was a four-time All-Star and scoring champion.
The soon-to-be Hall of Famer is best known for back-to-back 50-point performances in 1984 en route to being named the Sporting News MVP.
On Christmas Day 1984, King scored 60 points with 40 coming by halftime.
He was the Comeback Player of the Year in 1981.
12. Adrian Dantley
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Career Stats: 24.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
The Hall of Famer was a six-time All-Star and scored more than 23,000 points during his career.
The former Rookie of the Year was a two-time scoring champion and has since had his No. 4 jersey retired by the Utah Jazz in 2007.
The current Denver Nuggets assistant coach is tied with Wilt Chamberlain for an NBA record 28 free throws made in a regular season game.
11. Alex English
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Career Stats: 21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg
English was the catalyst for the high-octane Denver Nuggets and was one of the greatest scorers of his generation.
The Hall of Famer was the 1983 scoring champion and an eight-time All-Star.
His jersey has been retired by the Nuggets as he averaged over 20 points per game for 10 straight seasons en route to accumulating more than 25,000 points scored during his career.
10. Paul Pierce
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Career Stats: 22.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 apg
Pierce will go down as one of the greatest Celtics of all time, an incredible feat given the amount of legends that has blessed the franchise.
Pierce went through a rough patch during his career when the Celtics were down but stuck with the team and brought another championship banner to the rafters in 2008. He was awarded the Finals MVP and is also a nine-time NBA All-Star.
Pierce is on the verge of winning another championship as he has become one of the best clutch performers in the game today.
9. Dominique Wilkins
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Career Stats: 26.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg
The human highlight reel is still regarded as one of the very best dunkers of all time. He helped make the All-Star Dunk Contest what it is—one of the best All-Star events of any sport.
The Hall of Famer was a nine-time All-Star and is the most prominent figure in Atlanta Hawks history.
The two-time dunk contest winner was also the 1986 scoring champion. Although the NBA championship eludes his career résumé, he did win a gold medal as part of the FIBA World Championship team.
8. James Worthy
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Career Stats: 17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg
“Big Game James” was a better postseason performer than regular season and is regarded as one of the best big-game performers in Association history.
The Hall of Famer has his No. 42 jersey retired as he won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and was honored as the 1988 Finals MVP.
The seven-time All-Star was also honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
7. Scottie Pippen
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Career Stats: 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.2 apg
Scottie Pippen is the greatest sidekick in NBA history as he was vital for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to win six NBA Championships. He helped redefine the small forward position with his athleticism and talents.
Pippen is often described as a product of Michael Jordan because of his lack of success without “His Airness,” but he was still a seven-time All-Star and won the All-Star MVP in 1994.
He was one of the premier forward defenders as he was announced to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times.
6. Rick Barry
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Career Stats: 23.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg
The only player to ever lead the NCAA, ABA and NBA in scoring, Barry was one of the most ferocious and determined small forwards of all-time.
The Hall of Famer won an NBA Championship in 1975 and was, as one would guess, awarded the MVP.
The eight-time All-Star was the 1967 MVP. He recorded at least 40 points in a combined 115 regular season games in the NBA and ABA, including one 64-point performance in 1974.
It would be difficult to find many players who were better offensive stars than Barry.
5. Elgin Baylor
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Career Stats: 27.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.3 apg
The 11-time All-Star Hall of Famer was one of the greatest shooters ever. He was a fantastic all-around performer and in one game in 1960 actually scored 71 points.
He saw immediate success, winning the Rookie of the Year and All-Star MVP awards in 1959.
He was able to dominate the league with unforeseen acrobatic maneuvers that often left defenders with their jaws hanging down to the floor in disbelief.
4. John Havlicek
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Career Stats: 20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg
“Hondo” may have been a spark plug off the bench as a sixth man, but he was still one of the all-time greatest NBA players in history. The eight-time NBA champion was renowned for his defensive prowess, being selected to the All-Defensive First Team five times.
He was named the 1974 Finals MVP and is also regarded as one of the best clutch performers of his generation.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1984 and also had his No. 17 jersey retired immediately after his retirement.
3. LeBron James
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Career Stats: 27.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 6.9 asp
In a few short years, “King” James will reign supreme among the greatest small forwards of all time. As much as I’d like to put him No. 1, I simply cannot just yet.
Still, he is already one of the greatest players of all time in my eyes. His athleticism is almost unrivaled in professional sports history.
His combination of speed, power and vision is unmatched in today’s NBA. He would have dominated the league even more than he does now if he played in a different generation. He is already a two-time NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star.
It’s not a matter of if, but when, LeBron wins a championship—he will go down as the greatest small forward of all time.
2. Julius Erving
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Career Stats: 22 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.9 apg
One of the most dynamic dunkers of all time, the Hall of Famer won a combined three NBA and ABA championships, as well as a combined four NBA and ABA MVP awards.
He was selected to the NBA All-Star game 11-straight times from 1977 to 1987 and won two All-Star MVP awards in 1977 and 1983.
He will go down as one of the greatest highlight reel players in basketball history. “Dr. J” was truly a magician on the court, as he was one of the smoothest players to ever grace the hardwood and set the standard for future players with his type of athleticism.
1. Larry Bird
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Career Stats: 24.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 6.3 apg
One of the most clutch performers in NBA history, Bird was a three-time NBA champion, winning the Finals MVP award in 1984 and 1986. He won the MVP award three consecutive seasons from 1984 to 1986.
The 1992 Olympic gold medalist was arguably the most lethal three-point shooter of all-time. One of the great clutch performers in league history, Bird was also one of the top defenders during his time, tallying 1,556 steals and 755 blocks, as a shutdown one-on-one defender throughout his tenure.
The 12-time All-Star boasts 47 regular season games with at least 40 points, with one 60-point performance, to his credit.
He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest all-around players on both sides of the court.
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