By OK so awhile back I did a top 10 centers of all-time list that was fun, so I wanted to continue the series with a top 10 power forwards of all-time list and we will begin at #10.
#10 Elvin Hayes: Our all-time power forward list starts with Elvin Hayes. Hayes is considered the greatest wizard/bullet of all-time; along with rebounding icon Wes Unsled lead the Bullets to a championship in the 1970’s. Averaging 21 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks a game for his career, Hayes was also a 12 time all-star, 6 time all-NBA, 2 time all-defensive and a hall of famer makes Hayes one of if not the greatest Bullet/Wizard ever.
#9 Chris Webber: For a lot of people my age or younger Chris Webber maybe 1 of if not their favorite power forwards growing up. Webber unique style and skill was appealing. Webber maybe one of the first “Walking 20 and 10” players (20 points and 10 rebounds a game) in recent history.
Webber sadly did not win a title in his career but was the 1993-1994 rookie of the year, 5 time all-star and all-NBA along with a career average 21 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and steal per game making Webber one of the polished big men in NBA history who will one day be in the basketball hall of fame.
#8 Dennis Rodman: Considered the greatest rebounder and hustle player of all-time Dennis Rodman is without question a top 10 power forward despite his limits on offense.
In his 14 year career Rodman was 2 time all-star,2 time all-NBA, 2 time defensive player of the year, 8 time all-defensive, 7 time rebounding champ and 5 time NBA champion. As well as being a hall of famer, Rodman averaged 7 points, 13 rebounds, 1 block and steal per game for his career making him a defensive and rebounding icon.
#7 Kevin McHale: One of the greatest Celtics big men Kevin McHale is an underrated great. McHale was a pivotal part of the Celtics dynasty of the 1980’s alongside Robert Parrish and Larry Bird, McHale is one the few big men know for their exceptional low post play and footwork that is unmatched.
McHale the hall of famer was a 2 time all-star, 2 time defensive player of the year, 2 time all-NBA, 7 time rebounding champ, 8 time all-defensive and a 5 time NBA champion. McHale for his career averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game whose career was shorten by injuries but still is one of the best low post players in history.
#6 Pau Gasol: We go international at #6 with the sophisticated Pau Gasol. A top 3 pick in 2001 Gasol for a portion of his career was the franchise for the Memphis Grizzlies until he was traded to Lakers and helped them win championships in the mid to late 2000’s.
Although his career is not over at the moment, Gasol was a 6 time all-star,4 time all-NBA, 2001-02 rookie of the year and 2 time NBA champion as well as future hall of famer. Averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals per game, makes Gasol a strong case for one of the best international players in NBA history.
#5 Karl Malone: The #5 power forward of all-time maybe controversial because of where he is ranked. Karl Malone was the standard of consistency for his entire career. One of the Utah Jazz greatest players if not the greatest in Jazz history, Malone is consider one the great big men in NBA history.
Malone sadly is another hall of famer without a title, but Malone averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and 1 steal per game for his career. Malone was a 14 time all-star, 14 time all-NBA, 4 time all-defensive, 2 time all-star MVP and 2 time MVP, which makes Malone the greatest player in Utah Jazz History.
#4 Kevin Garnett: One of my personal all-time favorite players, Kevin Garnett was a trendsetter and prototype for today’s big men. Being one of the first to come out of high school in 90’s, Garnett was a 15 time all-star, 12 time all-defensive, 9 time all-NBA, 4 time rebounding champ, 2007-08 defensive player of the year 2003-04 all-star game MVP and regular season MVP.
Garnett career average was 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1 steal per game making him one the most versatile, explosive and passionate players in NBA history.
#3 Dirk Nowitzki: Arguably the greatest international big man ever, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the great big men. Nowitzki is another transcendent player whose influence is strong in today’s NBA. Nowitzki is one of few NBA players who played for one team for their whole career with 20 seasons with Dallas Mavericks.
Averaging 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2 assists for his career along with being one the best and efficient shooter of all-time. A 14 time all-star, 12 time all-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, 2010-11 NBA champ and finals MVP making Nowitzki a strong case as the best international big man/player in NBA history who will be a hall of famer soon.
#2 Charles Barkley: One of the most infamous and polarizing players in history, Charles Barkley for many was the greatest power forward of all-time. The round mound of rebound revolutionize the position and size at the position as well being 6’6 instead of 6’8 or taller.
Barkley is another hall of famer without a title but came close, for his 16 year career Barkley averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals and a block per game. Being a 11 time all-star,11 time all-NBA, 1990-91 all-star game MVP, 1992-93 MVP made Barkley the greatest power forward of all-time for a while until our #1 power forward of all-time came along.
#1 Tim Duncan: The man that may have dethroned Barkley as the greatest power forward of all-time was all about the fundamentals. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward to ever play the game which has taken me a long time to admit but over time made sense.
Considered the greatest San Antonio Spur ever, Duncan was the face of the franchise playing his whole 19 year career as well as the face of the legendary Spurs dynasty of the 2000s and early 2010s, averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks a game for his career.
Duncan was a 15 time all-star, 15 time all-NBA, 15 time all-defensive, 1997-98 rookie of the year, 3 time finals MVP, 2 time MVP, 1999-00 all-star game MVP and a 5 time NBA champion making him one of the accomplished players in NBA history and number one on this list.
