Everybody knows that you will only go far as your wing player in the playoffs. The best three players in the NBA play on the wing. They are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard. All three players were Finals MVPs in the past couple of years and they have dominated the competition time and time again. The wing player is the most exciting position in the NBA. The best scoring small forwards in NBA history have inspired us because they can do the impossible.
Some are high flyers and some can take over games with their shot-creating ability. Small forwards that can score at a high-level period are hard to find. These small forwards though were able to realize their potential and dominate the game and are the top five scoring small forwards on the all-time scoring list in NBA history.
The Best Scoring Small Forwards in NBA History
Best Scoring Small Forwards #5: Vince Carter
One of the longest-tenured players in NBA history is Vince Carter. Carter played his last season this year after 20 years. At every level, he was able to excel. Currently, he is 19th on the All-Time list with 25,728 points. Carter was known as a high flyer earlier in his career. He was able to break games open with his ability to dunk over people. He has arguably the best dunk in basketball history when he dunked on 7’2” French center Frederic Weis.
Carter was able to eventually step out from the three-point line and create his own shot from there. The ability to create his own shot extended his stardom. For his career, Carter averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He shot 37.1 percent from three. Carter is one of the unforgettable legends of the game.
#4: Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony had a down couple years after the disaster with the Oklahoma City Thunder. One should not forget Anthony’s talent though. We have seen a revival now while he has been on the Portland Trail Blazers. When his career is over though he will be known as one of the greatest scorers ever. He is 17th on the all-time scoring list with 26,314 points.
Anthony has the ability to pull up mid-range and be efficient from there all game. His three-point shot is flawless and he has been able to take over games singlehandedly. Anthony averages 23.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists so far in his career. The sharpshooter is not done yet.
#3: Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce is a Boston Celtics legend. One of the many. He is the first player on this list that was able to win a championship. In 2008 as a long time member of the Celtics he was able to take the illustrious franchise back to glory. He was the Finals MVP also. Pierce is 15th on the all-time list with 26,397 points.
Pierce had a three-point point shot that was used to break a lot of hearts. He was able to finish runs off with dagger three-pointer after another. Pierce is ninth in NBA history in terms of three-pointers made with 2,143. For his career, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Pierce is the last Boston Celtic great.
#2: Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins is the only Hall of Famer on this list. He is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He is 13th on the all-time list with 26,668 points. Wilkins was able to score efficiently. For his career, he shot 46.1 percent from the field. He was known as the human highlight film. He has plenty of highlights of him dunking over opponents.
Wilkins was a highly productive player even though he never won a championship. He averaged 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists for his career. Wilkins was one of the greatest players of the 80s and 90s. His Hall of Fame honor was well deserved.
#1: LeBron James
Nobody has been able to stay consistent as long as LeBron James. While James is not a score-first player he is still the third scorer all-time with 34,087 points currently. James has been able to pass his predecessors on the list in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The top spot is not a far reach either. He has the most rings out of anybody on this list with three.
The three-point line is not his strongest suit but he has been able to reinvent himself and knock it down well enough. Putting his back to the basket has also extended his career. He is averaging 27.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists right now for his career. Those numbers are ridiculous. James is the ultimate all-around player.
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