By My top 10 all-time series continues with small forwards today. So let’s begin our list with our #10 all-time small forward.
#10 James Worthy: James Worthy was one the best and overlooked Lakers in team history. “Big Game James” as he was known by for his clutch performances in the playoffs, helped the Lakers win 3 of their 5 NBA titles in the 1980s.
The hall of famer Worthy was a 3 time champion, 7 time all-star, 2 time all NBA and the 1987-88 finals MVP, with a career average 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists along with shooting 52% from the field and 77% from the free throw line for his career making him one of the most complete swingman in history.
#9 Dominique Wilkins: The Human Highlight Film was one of the most exciting players ever, with his insane athleticism and explosiveness, made Wilkins unique during 1980s and 1990s. Wilkins for his 16 year career, averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assist a game along with shooting 46% from the field and 81% at the free throw line. Wilkins was a 9x all-star, 7x all NBA, 1985-86 scoring champion and a 2 time slam dunk contest winner solidifying his place in NBA history as one of the more exciting players and dunkers ever.
#8 Vince Carter: Vince Carter is one of my all-time favorite players ever and is the greatest Toronto Raptor ever, in my opinion. From V.C. to Vinsanity to Air Canada to Half-Man /Half Amazing, Carter was one of the most exciting players in the early 2000s. Carter’s career is not over yet his current career average is 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assist a game along with shooting 44% from the field, 37% from three and a 80% free throw shooter that had some injury plagued seasons throughout his career.
Carter put on a phenomenal performance in the 2000 slam dunk contest and the 2000 summer Olympics validating his status as the greatest dunker in NBA history. Carter was an 8x all-star, 2x all NBA and rookie of the year for the 99-00 season which when its time, he will be a sure fire hall of famer when he retires.
#7 Rick Barry: One of the more underrated players in NBA history, Rick Barry belongs on this list because he is a consistent winner throughout the 1970s. Considered one of the greatest players in Warriors team history, Barry for a long time, was the gold standard in the golden state.
Barry’s career average goes like this: 25 points,7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals a game while shooting 46% from the field and 89% at the free throw line. Barry was a hall of famer, 12x all-star, 6x all NBA, 4x all ABA, 1966-67 all-star game MVP/scoring champion, 1974-75 finals MVP, NBA champion and 1965-66 rookie of the year validating his stature as one of the more accomplished winners in NBA history.
#6 Elgin Baylor: Elgin Baylor arguably is the original high flyer in basketball. One of the first big Laker superstars, Baylor was influential to several players in future generations. Baylor spent his entire career with the Lakers, was a hall of famer, 11x all-star, 10x all NBA, as well as the 1958-59 all-star game MVP and rookie of the year.
Baylor averaged 27points, 13.5 rebounds and 4 assist per game for his career, along with shooting 43% from the field and 78% from the free throw line. Baylor unfortunately did not win a title in his career but still was one of the league’s most influential players.
#5 Kevin Durant: The #5 small forward of all-time is a polarizing one, for some he could be lower and others would have him higher but Kevin Durant without a doubt, belongs on this list. Although his career is not over yet, Durant is one of the best pure scorers in basketball history. Durant is one of the pioneers of this new style of forward or swing man being 7 feet tall and shooting effortlessly from anywhere on the court. Durant is 2x NBA champion, 2x finals MVP, 10x all-star, 9x all NBA, 2x all-star game MVP, 2013-14 MVP, 4x scoring champion and the 2007-08 rookie of the year.
Durant’s career averages are not completed but at the moment he averages 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists per game for his career while shooting 49% from the field, 38% from the three and 88% from the free throw line which can easily improve as his career continues on. If he continues on his amazing path, Durant may be the greatest swing man ever but for now he’s #5.
#4 Scottie Pippen: Considered the greatest perimeter defender in NBA history, hall of famer Scottie Pippen belongs on this list without question. The 6x NBA champion was pivotal to all those Chicago Bulls championship runs because of his superior defense that he played on anyone and everyone.
Pippen’s accomplishments were amazing, 7x all-star, 7x all NBA, 10x all defensive and 1993-94 all-star game MVP. Pippen averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals per game for his career, Pippen shot 47% from the field, 33% from three and 70% from the free throw line making Pippen a no brainer to be on the list.
#3 Julius Erving: 1 of the most influential and once in a generation players in NBA history, Julius Erving is a revolutionary, innovator, icon and legend that change the game. “The doctor” was amazing throughout the 1970s and early 80s with his above the rim style play and memorable moments. With his above the rim style and play, Erving was the face of ABA before the merger with the NBA in 1976.
Erving’s accomplishments may seem endless, 16x all-star, 7x all NBA, 5x all ABA, 4x MVP, 2x all-star game MVP, 2x ABA champion and NBA champion. Along with those accolades Erving averaged 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 block and 2 steals and shot 51%from the field, and 77% from the free throw line per game for his career that makes Julius Erving iconic and 1of the game’s greatest players.
#2 Larry Bird: “The Hick from French Lick” was for a long time considered the greatest small forward in history but he falls to #2 on this list. Hall of famer Larry Bird was simply an amazing player, from his shooting to his court vision, passing ability and basketball IQ Bird was legendary.
Bird averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists along with shooting 50% from the field, 38% from three and 89% from the free throw line for his career. Bird also was a 12x all-star, 10x all NBA, 3x NBA champion, 3x MVP, 3x all defensive team, 2x finals MVP, 1981-82 all-star game MVP and 1979-80 Rookie of year making Bird the greatest Boston Celtic in team history and one the great players in NBA history.
#1 LeBron James: Our #1 small forward of all-time for some people is also the greatest player of all-time. LeBron James is a once in a lifetime player and is the best small forward in history. James has done nothing but break records and set the standard higher every year it seems like.
Although his career is not over, James is deserving of the number one spot. A 15x all-star, 15x all NBA, 6x all-defensive team, 4x MVP, 3x NBA champion, 3x all-star game MVP, 3x finals MVP, 2007-08 scoring champion and 2003-04 rookie of the year which James can add on to this list of accolades.
Averaging 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals 1 block per game for his career while shooting 50% from the field, 34% from three and 74% from the free throw line is staggering already and still playing can possibly make James the greatest player when he retires but no question he is the greatest small forward of all-time.
