The forward position may not be the most prominent position in the NBA, but ithas producedsome of the greatest players in history. All-time major stars such as Tim Duncan earned 5 NBA rings, while players such as Karl Malone and Charles Barkley were the best players in their teams during their careers even though they didn’t win NBA championships.
Even modern icons like Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett have, by standing out as good perimeter players with a smooth offensive game, also revolutionized the power forward position. Old school guys like Dolph Schayes wanted to do less harm and were very effective inside scorers.
In their early days, there is no doubt that the best force in the new NBA will be excellent. It is only possible for a lot of them to change positions, particularly as their teams are broken apart by smaller, athletic units. So where do all these fantastic players stand on the list of the Top 13 Power Forwards of All-Time?
13. Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat reacts while taking on the San Antonio Spurs. (Getty)
Bosh had been one of the best players for the Toronto Raptors prior to uniting with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade at the Miami Heat. In addition to two titles in Miami, the 11-time All-Star winner has 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in his career.
His selfless spirit may be one of the reasons for his lead to lower individual statistics. Moreover, Bosh’s selflessness however helped him to fight for championships at the dawn of his career.
12. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Miami Heat. (Getty)
Anthony Davis is a unique player, as he has all the equipment required for the biggest power forward ever. He hasgot the numbers, he has made it to seven All-Star teams and he has done so as a superstar player at both ends.
At just the age of 27, Davis has the opportunity to sometime in the future becoming the greatest player in the NBA. He has also made3 Defensive and All-NBA teams up to date. He recently added his first-ever ring, after winning the 2019-20 NBA championship with the Lakers.
11. Tom Heinsohn
Tom Heinsohn of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait circa 1965. (Getty)
As the gritty, tough-minded big man who was the former ROY in 1957, Heinsohn helped the Boston Celtics win incredible 8 NBA championships. Heinsohn was, as his average scoring suggests, a flexible scorer.
However, but he didn’t get much credit for it mainly due to his fellow Hall of Fame coworkers including Bill Russell and Bob Cousy.
10. Dolph Schayes
Dolph Schayes of the Syracuse Nationals poses circa 1960. (Getty)
Dolph Schayes was an All-Star champion who, not only reached the Hall of Fame but also ended his career as a 12-time All-Star player and a 12-time All-NBA performer.
In his 15-year long, Schayes averaged 18.5 PPG and 12.1 RPG with his trademark turnover jumper and defense boldness. In 1955, he became an NBA champion with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers.
9. Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Washington Bullets circa 1984. (Getty)
McHale was a really skillful big man who advanced to the NBA star from a 6th man to a regular starter. Over his career, he scored just under 18 points and 7.5 bounces, making seven all-star picks, six all-defensive teams, and three Boston championships.
He was incredibly long and highly skilled. McHale was also astoundingly explosive, making it impossible for defenders to keep an eye on him.
8. Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes of the San Diego Rockets looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. (Getty)
Hayes may be one of the NBA’s most overlooked stars. He is one of the few players in his career, goals, rebounds, and blocks to rate inside the top 25. In his career, he made 12 All-Star picks and won an NBA championship with the Washington Bullets in the 1977 season, with an average of 21 and 12.5 rebounds.
He was the leader on the field in the 1968-69 season with his excellent scoring skills, leading him to finish 10th in career points.
7. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls reacts during a game in 1997. (Getty)
The greatest defensive player in the history of the game was undoubtedly Rodman. He didn’t just win five championships with the ChicagoBulls ,but he was also included in eightAll-Defensive Teams andgrabbedtheDefensive Player of the Yearaward twice.
Most would claim that Rodman is the best rebounder ever. With6 ft 7 in height, he led the NBA in rebounding seven times. He also has a high rebounding percentage at all times, and a defensive rebounding percentage which puts him in second in the history of the league.
6. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit of St. Louis Hawks in Brains & Brawn Season 1. (Getty)
Petit was the leading power forward in the NBA at the peak of his career and averaged doubles during his career. He retired with an 11-time All-Star and 10 All- NBA championship title.
Petit is the third-highest rebounderper-game (16.2 RPG) per game total, with Hall of Famers Bill Russell only and Wilt Chamberlain trails.
5. Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers preparing to shoot. (Getty)
Barkley may be the biggest undersized great guy of all-time, registered at 6 ft 6 in. He is one of only four players with a minimum score of 20,000 points, 10,000 bounces, and 4,000 career support.
Charles was as strong as a player as announced in addition to his personality and fiery demeanor in court. In the 1992-93 season, he overwhelmed the opposition and produced 11 All-Star and All-NBA teams and also earned an MVP award.
4. Karl Malone
Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz looks up at the scoreboard during a game played in 1992. (Getty)
Malone is quite fitting in the list of the best power forwards even without a Championship, provided that he’s in the top ten in career points and rebounds. He is the second top scorer ever, and if LeBron James would not pass it, Malone can remain in the second position.
Malone was an All-Star and All-NBA team member for fourteen times and averaged in her career more than 10 rebounds a game. Malone was the biggest pick-and-roll pair along with John Stockton, considering his lack of championship achievement.
3. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics gets pumped up during the game against the Detroit Pistons. (Getty)
Garnett is often regarded as one of the NBA’s best two-way players. He was one of the top players in the NBA in a Timberwolves jersey prior to joining the Boston Celtics. Garnett earned an MVP award with Minnesota and would make 15 All-Star showdowns, 9 All-NA picks, and 12 All-Defensive teams throughout his career.
He is also one of three players on my list to receive a Defensive Player of the Year award and received a trophy in the final stages of his career with the Celtics. Garnett ranks among the highest in many all-time categories, in addition to an impressive NBA resume. In career scoring, he ranks 18th and in overall rebounds eighth.
2. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Phoenix Suns. (Getty)
Probably the best non-US player in the NBA of all-time, Nowitzki is also one of the biggest offensive stars on the planet. Dirk has been a symbol of dedication and devotion to an NBA franchise for all of his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks.
Nowitzki is one of only seven people ever to make the landmark of 30 thousand points and an average of 20.7 points per game. He was a 14-time All-Star who had 12 All-NBA teams. Dirk led the underdog Mavericks to a tile over LeBron James and the Miami Heat in one of the most remarkable NBA Final performances in history.
1. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs smiles against the Los Angeles Clippers. (Getty)
Duncan was the real example of an unselfish player during his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs and was a great part of the team-based atmosphere of the franchise. The result: 2 MVPs, 15 visits to the All-Star games, 5 titles, 3 Finals for All-Defensive, and the All-NBA teams.
Duncan has assembled a resume that every NBA player dreams of and does, setting a precedent for future generations, and is fair to claim. Duncan ended his basketball adventure 14th in points, 6th in rebounds, and 4th in blocks beside his ludicrous honors. He is by no means the greatest force of all times and deserves to be the best player ever given his achievement in the discussion.
