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Well, it is down to this series’ last two all-time lists. Hopefully, I achieved the goal I had in mind when I started this: to make a list that correctly and properly acknowledged great players, no matter the era, who made/are still impacting basketball. Today, we are getting to big men, starting with the power forwards, who I am sure will be predictable. But instead of going from 10 to 1, let us begin at the top. First, here are my honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
• Elvin Hayes: Elvin Hayes was the first basketball hero in Houston but became one of the beloved big men in basketball. One part of the big man duo for the Bullets along with Wes Unseld, Hayes is the franchise’s best player even today and become in most all-time power forward conversations.
• Shawn Kemp: Shawn Kemp is one of the overlooked names regarding the all-time power forwards. One of the memorable names from the 1990s NBA, the Reign Man, was the face of the Supersonics to this day and would be in the top ten all-time athletic big men but missed the cut here on this list.
• Chris Bosh: Chris Bish was the model stretch big during the late 2000s and early 2010s. He started in Toronto and became a champion with the Heat in the 2010s. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to an illness, which puts him in the honorable mentions.
• Chris Webber: As time passes, Chris Webber becomes more appreciated. Webber was ahead of his time and a forgotten star, highlighted by his incredible rebounding, dribbling, and passing, which made him unique. Sadly, his playoff/big-game failures hit his legacy and landed him an honorable mention.
• Anthony Davis: I am not a big Anthony Davis fan, but I cannot ignore how revered he is in basketball circles. His career is still active and will hopefully go on for a little while, barring a major injury. Davis could crack the top ten all-time list when his playing days are done and silence such critics like me.
Top Ten All-time Power Forwards
#1 Tim Duncan: The greatest power forward of all time should not be surprising, and given Tim Duncan is the model of consistency, leadership, and what being a team-first player looks like. Duncan was and still is the face of the San Antonio Spurs and their dynasty through the 2000s. Now there may be a very small list of names that may come close, but Duncan is number one.
#2 Charles Barkley: Charles Barkley is one of basketball’s most memorable characters, voices, and players. At one point, Barkley had the number one spot before Tim Duncan arrived, depending on who you ask. One of the greatest low-post players, rebounders, and athletes to play, Barkley was a truly dominant force throughout his career that sadly does not include a championship. Despite that glaring omission, Barkley belongs in the top five or three all-time power forwards.
#3 Kevin Garnett: Growing up I fought with friends about Kevin Garnett being the better power forward than Tim Duncan. Getting older and sensible that Duncan won that battle, but KG is not that far behind. One of the most intense and passionate players we have seen, Garnett went from the young kid coming out of high school when no one had to do it in a while to the driving force for a championship team and a respected culture setter.
Garnett could be considered one of the original unicorns in basketball, which is common now. He could be polarizing but is absolutely respected by everyone for his loyalty, competitiveness, hustle, and grit. This is why he is an all-time great.
#4 Dirk Nowitzki: My number four power forward of all-time is also the best European player to be in the NBA (For now at least). Dirk Nowitzki broke European players’ mold and perception throughout his career. Like Garnett, Nowitzki was a unicorn as well and the prototype for stretch fours that are so common. Winning a championship at the end of his career was the proverbial cherry on top for his career and legacy, cementing his spot in the top five.
#5 Karl Malone: If you were to show someone who was not into basketball and showed them Karl Malone’s career statistics, they would believe he was a top-three all-time player, but that is not the case. I am NOT a fan of Malone (Even the WCW did not help change my mind) as a player, and as time went on people caught up to how awful of a person he is.
However, we cannot ignore how solid of a big man he was. Part of the famous Stockton & Malone duo in Utah, Malone helped the Jazz get to multiple NBA finals but never won a title. As time has gone on and the position has evolved after his career, Malone has dropped on these lists and feels like a good spot for him at number five.
#6 Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis Antetokounmpo has certainly built a strong legacy and belongs on this list, but you have to give him room to add on his resume which is very possible. The Greek Freak is one of the freakish athletes to play the game add his hyper competitive motor and you have a unique force that changes the game at any moment. Number six feels like the right place for Giannis especially if he wins another title, MVP, or leads the bucks back to the finals will certainly bump him up a spot or two.
#7 Kevin McHale: One of the principal players from those 1980s Celtic teams was Kevin McHale. Granted, his coaching/front office resume is not the best, but his resume as a player is undeniable. McHale is one of the best low-post players we have ever seen, certainly belongs in any top ten power forward conversation, and is here in my top ten.
#8 Dennis Rodman: Dennis Rodman is one of basketball’s most controversial people and continues to polarize here on my top ten all-time list. The last three spots of this top ten were difficult to decide. In the end, Rodman made my top ten here at eight. Rodman was the greatest rebounder ever and an important part of those championship Piston and Bulls teams because of his unique skill set. Rodman did not offer much scoring-wise, but Rodman’s defense, IQ, and hustle had a significant impact on winning titles. It may be the reason players like Joakim Noah, Shawn Marion, and Draymond Green were able to be successful NBA stars thanks to Rodman.
#9 Bob Petitt: Bob Petitt is one of the players who get lost to history because of the time they played, but it has to be mentioned in any power-forward conversation. Maybe the greatest Hawk ever, Petitt led the Hawks to the only championship in franchise history by not only going toe to toe with the great Bill Russell but beating Russell and the Celtics for the title. Petitt may have played in the “Black and White” era, but his game would translate into any future era, earning his spot on this list.
#10 Pau Gasol: My number ten power forward of all time is one of my favorite and sadly overlooked power forwards. Pau Gasol was another of the breakout international stars from that late 1990s- early 200s period where he showed he was a legitimate player starting in Memphis, where his impressive numbers were not always seen changed when he was traded to the Lakers thanks to another all-time great player then GM Jerry West. Gasol became the ideal sidekick for yet another all-time great player and icon in Kobe Bryant, helping him and the Lakers win two more championships in the late 2000s, making his claim for being a top ten all-time power forward.
