CBN’s Top 10 Best Power Forwards in NBA History
These PFs go down in the books for their unmatched contributions on the court.
Power forwards are a critical component to every team. Their strength and “big man” stature combined with their well-rounded abilities to rebound, defend the rim, score, set screens and more make them truly valuable assets to their league.
That’s why this week is all about the top Power Forwards in NBA history. Beginning with #10 and moving on up to the ultimate legends of combo guarding, here are the top 10 best Power Forwards in the history of the NBA:
10. Dennis Rodman
Playing a leading role in 5 championships, Dennis Rodman had career averages of 7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Rodman was undeniably one of the top rebounders in franchise history, and his 15.9 rebounds per game during 1990-91 to 1990-2000 was an impressive 3.5 boards per game more than Shaquille O’Neal who held second place.
9. Elvin Hayes
While he may not have been perceived as the most noble player with his history of trouble, Elvin Hayes still demonstrated an impressive leadership and scoring as a power forward. With 21.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, Hall-of-Famer Hayes may not ever snatched that MVP award – but he’s an MVP in our hearts.
8. Kevin McHale
Coming in at #8 on our Greatest Power Forwards in NBA History list, Kevin McHale was very much a King of unselfishness – posting career averages of 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. McHale had a knack for adapting to whatever role was thrown at him – and his 60.5 true shooting percentage ranked #1 among players who took at least as many shots.
7. Dolph Schayes
Remembered best for his long set shots, the talented above-average shooter Dolph Schayes had career averages of 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game – and was “the only guy who had legitimate 25-30 foot range”, according to Hall of Fame coach Alex Hannum. A highly impressive feat, Schayes’ .192 win shares per 48 minutes only trailed Bob Pettit’s .214 among power forwards.
6.Bob Pettit
With a whopping 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, top-scoring power forward Bob Pettit scored more points than any other player during his time in the NBA spanning 11 years. Pettit also led the league in its player efficiency rating across four straight seasons from 1955-56 through 1958-59. “The thing that defined me as a basketball player was my determination to succeed”, Pettit had shared with Adam Norris of MyNewOrleans.com.
5. Karl Malone
Karl Malone’s incredible 17 seasons with at least 500 minutes and 20-plus points per game levels him with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the only player in franchise history with more total points. With career averages of 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks, power forward icon Malone was most impressive at his peak from 1988-89 through 1997-98 where he averaged a whopping 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks.
4. Charles Barkley
At #4 on our 10 Best NBA Power Forwards list, Charles Barkley is undoubtedly one of the greatest players and power forwards to have ever graced the court. Barkley averaged 23.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks with a 61.9 true shooting percentage spanning the years 1985-86 through 1996-97. Unfortunately, never winning a championship did set him back a notch from his truest rank potential.
3. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki was one truly remarkable player who changed the game as we know it. Remembered for taking the underdog Dallas Mavericks to new heights, we can’t forget about Nowitzki’s defining summer during the 2010-11 season where he averaged 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 46.0 percent from three on the way to a 60.9 true shooting percentage.
2. Kevin Garnett
Trailing just one behind the greatest power forward of all time, Kevin Garett reminds us that “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”. From 1999-2000 to 2007-08, Garnett led the NBA with 12.4 rebounds per game. But this power forward prodigy could do it all – stealing, defending, scoring, you name it – but he was also noted by those who knew him as highly influential and inspiring. “He changed everybody, from coaches to trainers to massage therapists, to the entire organization,” Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge told Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck.
1. Tim Duncan
And finally, at first place on our Top 10 Best Power Forwards list, Tim Duncan steals the spotlight. Over his 17 years in the NBA, Duncan demonstrated a consistency in production and work ethic that was unlike no other. In fact, Timmy D is the first player in franchise history to hit benchmarks of 15 points, 9.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 blocks in below 30 minutes of action per game. The man is simply a legend.
And there you have it! We hope you enjoyed our compilation of the Top 10 Best Power Forwards in NBA History who have created some of the most unforgettable moments of all time.