In basketball, the small forward position is one of the most important positions and to execute it well, players need to be skilled in a variety of facets of the game in addition to being a scoring threat. It is not easy to be a great small forward as they have a lot of responsibility of the team on themselves.
The NBA has seen its fair share of famous small forwards throughout the course of the league’s history and here is the list of the best 10 small forwards of all-time.
#10. Dominique Wilkins
Amazingly talented and extremely athletic, Dominique Wilkins exploded into the NBA scene as a slasher who could put any opponent to shame with devastating dunks. His attacking abilities as a small forward, though, reached new heights in his third season. Wilkins used his quickness and agility to blow by opponents and score easily in the paint or from mid-range, sometimes with the help of the backboard.
Wilkins, who was initially thought to rely exclusively on his athleticism, instead displayed his inherent scoring skill by consistently scoring 24 points or more each game in his prime. The sensational small forward ended his career with an average of 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Dominique Wilkins had a significant influence on the floor because of how well he rebounded the ball. Wilkins defeated the odds and proceeded to succeed after suffering an Achilles injury, establishing himself as one of the game’s all-time greats and a potential Hall of Famer.
#9. Rick Barry
Rick Barry is widely regarded as one of the best scorers in NBA history due to his incredible adaptability at the small forward position. His performance was evidence of his superior skills, which made him a formidable opponent at the offensive, defensive, and rebounding phases of the game.
Barry, as one of the earliest modern wings, was known for his incredible ball control and ability to generate easy scoring chances. His shooting ability was famous, and he had numerous seasons when he averaged 30 points per game. Rick Barry was equally effective shooting off the dribble as well as catching the ball and shooting. He had a career average of 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists while executing the small forward position.
Barry’s dominance in the ABA was a preview of the innovative style of play he would bring to the NBA. With his penchant for coming through in the clutch, he won titles in both leagues. Rick Barry’s 36.3 points per game average in the NBA Finals is the most in league history. Barry’s legacy extends beyond his unique free throw technique, for which he was famous. He was a legendary shooter who set standards that even point guards often struggle to reach.
#8. John Havlicek
Famous for his slam dunk in what many call “Havlicek Stole the Ball,” John Havlicek is a living legend of the basketball court. In the 1965 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, he stole the ball from the Los Angeles Lakers, helping the Boston Celtics win the championship. Known affectionately by his nickname, “Hondo,” he was a tenacious player who excelled at every level.
Havlicek was a dangerous rival because of his lightning quickness, incredible agility, and pinpoint shooting. He was often heard saying that his team can reply to the opponents dunks with backdoor layups due to which he had a career average 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
His unmatched speed and endurance made him a danger in any situation. Hondo was a selfless small forward who could score at will and create opportunities for his teammates with relative ease. Havlicek was a versatile player who could step in situations when his team needed him the most.
Due to these skills John Havlicek’s name was matched along with greats like Wilt Chamberlin and Rick Barry. He became a legend because of how well he defended the ball and how much he helped his team while they were on the offense. John Havlicek’s legacy as a basketball great will endure for all time.
#7. Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen, a key member of the 1990s Chicago Bulls, is largely considered to be one of the best 3-and-D wings in NBA history. Pippen’s 6’8 frame gave him an advantage against smaller guards and made him more agile than bigger players while using his signature tough slicing attacking approach.
He was so athletic that he could easily dunk on his competition and block shots. Pippen was the Bulls’ floor general and a remarkable rebounder while also being an underappreciated playmaker.
Pippen’s defensive skills stood up as particularly impressive. He routinely stepped up to the challenge of protecting the opposition’s top perimeter threat, letting Michael Jordan to rest easy. Pippen’s influence at the small forward position went far beyond his thefts and blocks as his ability to contribute on both sides of the floor cemented his place as a legend. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his career.
Scottie Pippen’s effect on the game will be felt for a long time because of how important he was to the Bulls’ dynasty and how he changed the game at the small forward position. He was ranked with players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Grant Hill to have career averages of at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
#6. Adrian Dantley
Multiple honors were bestowed upon Adrian Dantley throughout his illustrious NBA career, which ran from 1976 to 1991. His offensive effect was so great that he was selected to the All-Star team six times. Dantley averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game during his career with to his ability to take on even tall defenders bigger than his size without any problem. His scoring prowess were on show as he won two scoring championships during his time in the league.
Adrian Dantley accomplished something genuinely amazing by averaging at least 30 points per game with a true shooting percentage of 60 or higher for four consecutive seasons. There have been just 16 such seasons in NBA history, and Dantley has four of them, tied for most with Michael Jordan.
Dantley is eighth all-time among small forwards in scoring with 23,177 points. Dantley was one of the finest small forwards in NBA history, and his scoring capabilities and impact on the game will never be forgotten.
#5. Kawhi Leonard
The path that Kawhi Leonard has taken in his career has been nothing short of fantastic. After earning a reputation for his quickness and defensive abilities, he worked tirelessly to improve his shooting and ball handling, becoming an All-Star small forward.
Kawhi Leonard has had a great postseason performance in 2019 which made him one of the sport’s elites. His abilities were showcased over the course of 24 games, as he averaged 30.5 points, 9.1rebounds and 3.9 assists. The fact that he won Finals MVP at age 23 speaks something about his ability to thrive in the spotlight. The only other players than him, to play at least 500 minutes, average 30+ points, and shoot at least 60% from the field in a single postseason are LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alex English, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal.
He holds several individual and team honors, including All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year, as well as countless postseason appearances. When Kawhi is on the floor, his team wins games and advances into the playoffs.
#4. Julius Erving
Dr. J, aka Julius Erving, was a legend on the basketball court. His combination of stature, wit, and quickness made him a formidable foe. Erving was a true innovator whose spectacular plays regularly appeared in sports highlight clips.
In transition, Dr. J was unbeatable, finishing with dunks and acrobatics that stunned his opponents. He could score from everywhere on the court, but his three-point shooting was particularly solid. He was an effective scorer, but his excellent rebounding made him a game-changing player on fast breaks.
Erving’s play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980 NBA Finals was nothing short of sensational. The series was tied at two wins apiece after four games. Erving’s name will forever be associated with one of the most spectacular baskets in NBA history—the “Baseline Move,” which he made famous in Game 4.
Dr. J was one of the finest advocates for his league and a respected character both on and off the floor. He had an average of 24.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his career. With his incredible longevity, the small forward was named to the All-Star team 16 times, a testament to his perennial brilliance.
#3. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is a basketball mystery small forward because of his unique combination of stature and talent. Durant has a big, imposing presence on the court, and his guard-like skills with the ball are unmatched.
KD’s shooting ability is spectacular, and he can score with ease from everywhere on the court. His high release makes it difficult for defenders to stop him when he’s off the dribble or in transition.
Durant’s on-court abilities are undeniable, despite the fact that his decision to join the Warriors in 2016 was met with criticism. His scoring prowess and remarkable efficiency have been on full show during several postseason runs in his career.
KD is averaging a phenomenal 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Because of his incredible shooting ability, Durant is one of the best three-point shooters of his size in NBA history.
#2. Larry Bird
Larry Bird’s extraordinary talents as a basketball player forever changed the game. Bird was a real legend because he was so good at both ends of the floor. The lethal range of his jump shot made him a danger to score from anywhere on the court. Bird was also an potent offensive threat thanks to his high basketball IQ.
Although he was not the most naturally talented small forward, Bird was able to dominate the boards thanks to his stature and innate basketball sense. Surprisingly, he possessed the ball-handling and playmaking talents of a guard.
The Celtics’ success and their ability to beat tough teams in the playoffs may be attributed in large part to his all-around play which saw him record one of the most-triple doubles in postseason history. His career average was 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists during his time in the NBA.
Larry Legend’s achievements throughout his illustrious career—3 Championships, 12 times an NBA All-Star, three NBA MVPs, and twice NBA Finals MVP—have cemented his place in the pantheon of greats.
#1. LeBron James
LeBron James is without competition the NBA’s finest small forward. Because of his towering 6 feet 9 inches and massive 250-pound build, he is an unstoppable force on the floor. He is a great scorer, averaging close to 30 points each game, and an even more impressive playmaker, dishing out around 10 assists every contest on the regular.
LeBron’s tremendous vertical jump is on full display in his game-changing chase-down blocks and game-winning finishes. When he’s on his game defensively, he’s a monster, able to effectively stop perimeter players and keep the paint safe with his consistent shot-blocking.
LeBron’s Hall of Fame-caliber career has spanned over two decades, setting him apart from the competition and making his one of the top players with the longest NBA careers. He has become the all-time leading scorer and broken several other records during his fantastic tenure in the league.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest NBA players of all time, LeBron has a career average of 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. His all-around brilliance has helped his teams win several titles, including four Championship rings, cementing his legacy as the greatest small forward in NBA history.
Who else would make your top 10 small forwards of all-time? Share with us below.
