The small forward position is one that has traditionally had some of the greatest players of all time. A position that is reliant on players that can do a little bit of everything; versatility is key. Small forwards need to be able to score, pass, rebound and defend multiple positions. Here are the top five small forwards of 2016-17.
Top Five Small Forwards of 2016-17
LeBron James
It is hard to argue with this selection. LeBron James has been the most dominant player in the NBA for what seems like ages. Even though Michael Jordan fans would never admit it, there is a good argument to be made that he is the greatest basketball player of all-time. Since entering the league in 2003, James has won just about every award possible. A twelve time All-Star; six time All-Defensive Team; twelve time All-NBA Team; four time MVP; three time Finals-MVP; three time NBA champion and Rookie of the year.
James was once again a force to be reckoned with last season as he put up outstanding numbers across the board. Averaging 25 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds per game. What makes James such a special player are his performances in the playoffs. His career playoff averages are staggering for someone who has played in so many games. Last playoffs he has averaged 26.3 points, 7.6 assists and 9.5 rebounds on 52% field goal shooting. To see his numbers increase across the board speaks to his greatness as the level of competition only increases in the post-season.
These playoff statistics are consistent throughout his 13 year career. This makes it even more impressive as he has taken some very sub-par teams deep into the playoffs. Yes, Kyrie Irving had an outstanding finals last year; but make no mistake, that was James’ team and he did everything imaginable to win Cleveland a title.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is the heir apparent to the throne of the NBA when LeBron James begins to decline. Listed at 6’10, he towers over others at his position. Durant is the perfect offensive player. Capable of scoring every way possible, Durant is arguably the best scorer in the NBA today, and possibly of all-time. With a career average of 27.4 points per game, Durant has led the league in scoring five years in a row.
Durant came into the league as a deadly shooter, his career numbers make that fact glaringly obvious. A career 38% three-point shooter, Durant has Stephen Curry type range on his jump-shot. He is quite literally able to pull up from thirty feet. But what has turned Durant into an elite scorer and not just an elite shooter has been his ability to score within the arc. When it comes to scoring in a variety of was, nobody is more prolific than Kevin Durant.
He has finished in the top 10 in field goals made and attempted in five of his nine seasons. Usually, players who take such a high number of field goals struggle to be efficient at an elite level. This is not the case for Durant. He shot a remarkable 57% on his two-point field goals last year, most of which were contested shots. When you add his distance shooting, with his versatility inside the arc and tack on a career 8 free-throws a game; you get the perfect scorer.
Kawhi Leonard
Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated super star on this list, Kawhi Leonard can do it all. Drafted as a wing defender by the Indiana Pacers, he was part of one of the more one-sided deals in recent NBA history. Acquired by the San Antonio Spurs, they proceeded to mould Leonard into one of the NBA’s best players.
Defying NBA scouts, and became an elite NBA scorer at a little over 21 points per game. Even more impressive was how efficient he was, shooting a remarkable 50% from the field. His shooting has become a revelation, proving once again, the San Antonio coaching staff can do it all. Despite being a 25% three-point shooter in college, Leonard finished the year at 44% from downtown. That was third best in the NBA behind the sharpshooting Steph Curry and J.J. Redick. He seems to have every shot perfected, shooting well over 50% in fadeaways; hookshots; pull-up jumpshots; step-backs and turnaround jump-shots.
While he became one of the leagues best and most efficient scorers, he did not sacrifice his greatest skill, his defence. Consistently guarding the other teams best scorers, he held his opponents to a field goal percentage 6 points lower than their yearly average. Finishing the year third in defensive rating, Leonard captured a spot on the First All-Defensive Team as well as Defensive Player of the Year. It will be intriguing to see what steps he takes to further improve his game this season.
Paul George
Paul George is proof that a player doesn’t have to go to a major NCAA school to become a great player. The former Fresno State has become one of the best two way players in the NBA. Paul George is the only remaining starter from an Indiana Pacers team that nearly beat a Lebron James lead Miami Heat in 2013. He is their star and their chances this year lie with how he plays.
George is what every team looks for in a small forward, capable of doing everything on the court. He averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals per game. Only Russell Westbrook and LeBron James have put up similar numbers since George has entered the league. His length and athleticism has turned him into one the best non-big men rebounders in the league, grabbing 11% of all available rebounds while he was on the floor.
Offensively, George has become one of the best shooters in the NBA. With unlimited range comparable to Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, there is no spot he cant shoot from. His 1.11 points per possession on spot ups puts him in the 84th percentile. While of players who scored more than 20 points per game, only Klay Thompson and Steph Curry ranked higher in catch and shoot points. If he continues to improve his finishing, and with a much improved squad around him, the Pacers could be a very dangerous team in the eastern conference.
Carmelo Anthony
The future hall-of-famer is no doubt one of the more polarizing players in the NBA. He has the reputation of a ball-hog. When he gets the ball, he isn’t going to pass, instead preferring to isolate his defender. While advanced analytics might despise this, there are only 12 players in the whole NBA who averaged more points per game than Anthony.
Like Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony can claim the title of “perfect scorer”. There is literally not a single thing he can’t do offensively. Possessing range well past the three-point line, a quick first step, versatile handle and strength he is impossible to stop. Going against the new norm of the NBA, Anthony is particularly adept at scoring in the midrange area. Around 55% of his shots come from 3-18 feet from the basket, one of the highest in the league. Despite the fact that most of his shots came from low percentage areas on the floor, he shot 47% on his 2-point field goals last season. This is helped by the fact that he has gotten to the free throw line at an incredible rate of 7.4 a game over his career, shooting a very impressive 81%.
While Carmelo is far from perfect, he has been one of the best players in the NBA since entering the league in 2003. Yes, he is flawed, but at the end of the day, the point of the game is to put the ball in the basket and Anthony is one the best in history.
Honourable Mentions: Gordon Hayward, Nicolas Batum, Jae Crowder, Harrison Barnes
Main Photo
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 16: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Toronto Raptors in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul George
