By 
My top ten all-time series is at the midway point with the small forwards here today. We know the criteria, and everything so let us begin as always with the honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
James Worthy: James Worthy often gets overlooked when discussing the showtime Lakers of the 1980s. He earned the nickname “Big Game” James for showing up in numerous NBA finals games. His reliability is why Worthy was a valuable player.
Alex English: Before Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets had Alex English who was the team’s unstoppable scorer. English was one of the best offensive weapons of the 1980s and a blueprint for many swingmen that came after him.
Paul Pierce: Paul Pierce may be a little annoying in his post career, but he was a solid all-star and all-NBA talent much to the dislike of many. While Pierce may not be considered one of the top Celtic greats, he is possibly in the top ten. His 2008 NBA title with the Celtics removed any doubts about his place in Boston’s history, bringing him close to the top ten.
Kawhi Leonard: Kawhi Leonard’s impressive resume makes a compelling case for him being in the top ten. He helped the Spurs dynasty win a couple of titles and then led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship, establishing himself as one of the best in the NBA.
However, his time with the Clippers has been a letdown with multiple injuries and setbacks raising questions about his career and durability. While his career is not over and there may be room for redemption, the Klaw just missed the cut.
Bernard King: If Carmelo Anthony was made from a certain mold, it would be from Bernard King’s. King was a box office attraction in 1980s New York, electrifying the Garden regularly. Unfortunately, his career was derailed by off-the-court issues, injuries, and recovery, leaving it as one of the many “what ifs” in basketball.
Top Ten All-Time
10. Elgin Baylor: Considered the originator of playing above the rim, Elgin Baylor was one of the stars during the 1960s. Baylor, along with Jerry West, ushered in a new era for the Lakers franchise, setting standards that remain today for any star who wants to don purple and gold.
9. Carmelo Anthony: One of the more accomplished players of the 2000s, Carmelo Anthony absolutely belongs in this top ten for his offensive dominance throughout his career. Of course, Anthony could have been higher if his postseason resume were better, but his game certainly influenced many players that came after him, which is why he is ninth.
8. Dominique Wilkins: The greatest player to play for the Hawks, Dominique Wilkins was the face of the franchise and the city of Atlanta. Wilkins truly was a human highlight film throughout his career that, sadly, did not include championships, but he is still one of the best swingmen to play the game.
7. Rick Barry: True basketball nerds, historians, and diehards have and most likely will continue to speak of how good Rick Barry was and how underrated he is as time goes on. During the very much overlooked 1970s, Barry was one of the best, and his resume backs it up. His being a blueprint for future players like Larry Bird, Luka Doncic, and Scottie Pippen, with a dangerous five-tool player, can be credited back to Barry.
6. John Havlicek: One recurring theme while doing these all-time lists will be the term “All-time Celtics great,” and it continues here with Hondo himself, John Havlicek. Havlicek has been lost in history because it is so long ago, but he was the bridge that Celtics fans had from Bill Russell to Larry Bird. Havlicek belongs with them when we talk about the all-time Celtics winning championships throughout his career, being one of the more respected players for his selflessness.
5. Kevin Durant: Kevin Durant is easily one of the more polarizing players in basketball history. Incredibly gifted and unique for his size (7’0 not 6’9 or 6’10 folks), hence making him the original unicorn. Durant’s career on paper would make a strong case for being in the top three, but these past 5 years of his basketball odyssey has taken an odd hit to his legacy that hopefully can turn around with him leading a team to a title with no doubts will help his case to be a top three all-time small forward, maybe even the greatest swingman of all time.
4. Julius Erving: Without our number four all-time small forward, the modern superstar does not exist. Julius Erving was absolutely ahead of his time and was the face of change in basketball that is still seen today. Beloved and well-respected, Erving still garners attention anytime he walks into a room or is courtside at any game; the Doctor is without question an icon as well as an all-time legend.
3. Scottie Pippen: Right or wrong, Scottie Pippen is the best sidekick in basketball history because he was overqualified for the job. Pippen certainly is one of the greatest defensive players we will ever see, but as time has gone on and the Last Dance documentary during the pandemic provided more appreciation for how great Scottie Pippen actually was on those historic Bulls teams during the ’90s.
2. Larry Bird: Another one of my favorite players ever is Larry Bird, who was one of the absolute greats to play this game. Perhaps the greatest Celtic ever, Bird along with Magic Johnson were the fresh faces of the NBA and made it what it is today. There was a time where Bird would be number one on this list, but he is second here, which is not a strike against Bird as much as it is my number one exceeded his great legacy.
1. LeBron James: The number one small forward of all time is another easy decision like the all-time shooting guards list; LeBron James had this spot locked away for quite a bit. James’ accomplishments would have to be a separate thing to write about because there is so much and is still going strong, which is remarkable in itself.
If nothing changes, LeBron James will certainly have the greatest career a basketball player could have and have such a strong case for being the greatest of all time, but for now, he is easily the greatest small forward and probably playmaker to play basketball.
