The Top 10 NBA Power Forwards of All Time!
 

My tops Power Forwards of All time...

#1 - Tim Duncan
#2 - Karl Malone
#3 - Kevin Garnett
#4 - Charles Barkley
#5 - Kevin McHale
#6 - Dennis Rodman
#7 - Dirk Nowitzki
#8 - Bob Pettit
#9 - Elvin Hayes
#10 - Robert Horry

The KG discussion got me thinking... above are mine. Agree? or Disagree? :confused:

F Karl Malone, hated him and think he was a bit overrated. I would put him 4th or even 5th on that list.

Yea i got KG 2nd then k.malone

Horry doesn't deserve to be on the list, sorry. And Moses Malone should be top 3.

The only thing that I have Duncan over Malone are the rings. Cmon 2nd all time scorer, 6th all time rebounder.

robert horry??? what the....where is keith van horn???

[QUOTE=samuel1219;2887488]The only thing that I have Duncan over Malone are the rings. Cmon 2nd all time scorer, 6th all time rebounder.[/QUOTE]

He is also number 1 all time at impregnating 13 year olds. Thats a very underrated stat.

Replace Horry with Dave DeBusschere/Dolph Schayes

1. Tim Duncan (because of championships, otherwise I'd take KG personally)
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Charles Barkley
4. Karl Malone
5. Kevin McHale
6. Dirk Nowitzki (could move up before it's all said and done)

Other than that, there is a step down in my opinion. These are the best of all time.

[QUOTE=guru;2887442]My tops Power Forwards of All time...

#1 - Tim Duncan
#2 - Karl Malone
#3 - Kevin Garnett
#4 - Charles Barkley
#5 - Kevin McHale
#6 - Dennis Rodman
#7 - Dirk Nowitzki
#8 - Bob Pettit
#9 - Elvin Hayes
#10 - Robert Horry

The KG discussion got me thinking... above are mine. Agree? or Disagree? :confused:[/QUOTE]

Bob Pettit was the best player (not just power forward, but [i]player[/i]) in the League between 1954 and 1956, and again in 1958... even better than Bill Russell during that year. He remained in the top 2-5 players in the League until the mid-1960s.

I therefore think he deserves to be ranked above the likes of Rodman and McHale. It depends what criteria you are using though.

Meanwhile, players such as Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas and Dan Issel are, in my opinion, much more deserving of a top 10 spot ahead of Robert Horry.

Even compared to modern players, would you take Horry over Chris Webber? Shawn Kemp? What about Horace Grant (who won nearly as many championships but contributed more to those championship campaigns)?

My top ten looks like this:

1 Tim Duncan
2 Bob Pettit
3 Karl Malone
4 Charles Barkley
5 Kevin Garnett
6 Dirk Nowitzki
7 Elvin Hayes
8 Kevin McHale
9 Jerry Lucas
10 Dave DeBusschere

If we categorise Dolph Schayes as a power forward (he played across the frontcourt from SF to C), I'd rank him ahead of Hayes etc.

Yes, I'll take out Horry and put Dolph Schayes never saw him play but I think he played power.

[QUOTE=burke23;2887464]Horry doesn't deserve to be on the list, sorry. And Moses Malone should be top 3.[/QUOTE]

I think moses malone was considered more of a center..but ur right about horry wtf lol

I have Tim Duncan at #1.

duncan
barkley
k. malone
garnett

if moses malone counts as pf then he's probably #2
pettit if pf then he's somewhere in top 5
dirk is a real hard one cause he's not really a pf haha

so in my opinion
duncan
m. malone
barkley
pettit
k. malone
garnett

Does Jerry Lucas count as a PF? If so, he belongs on this list somewhere.

[QUOTE=EMD34;2887500]He is also number 1 all time at impregnating 13 year olds. Thats a very underrated stat.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but I think the stats we are taking into consideration are the ones on the court floor.

maybe this list should consider the past 30 years or so.

its unrealistic to debate about players that practically no one on here was alive to see.

I would put KG over Malone given his significantly bigger impact on the defensive side. Also probably slot Dirk up one over Rodman. Horry would no be on my list.

For me Malone before Duncan.

I have to admit that he lacks championships but his career stats to me compensate a whole lot :).

At his peak (which lasted a long time), Duncan was arguably the best defensive big man in the League as well as a very talented scorer and team player.

Malone lacked Duncan's defense.

Talking of which, Duncan was robbed of a few Defensive Player of the Year awards.

[QUOTE=blastman;2887563]maybe this list should consider the past 30 years or so.

its unrealistic to debate about players that practically no one on here was alive to see.[/QUOTE]

So you have to see something to be objective on it. I hate that we undervalue what those who came before did. Its like the NBA did not exist before 1980.

I can't see forming a valuable opinion about players when you weren't even able to follow them during their careers.

Stats don't tell the whole story about these guys.

[QUOTE=blastman;2887799]I can't see forming a valuable opinion about players when you weren't even able to follow them during their careers.

Stats don't tell the whole story about these guys.[/QUOTE]

So you cannot say that Abraham Lincoln was not a great president? Not saying stats do tell the whole story, but there is a ton of research, there are quantifiers to tell us what happened. I just think it is so dismissive to make quotes like that. I have an even bigger problem with it in MLB, but whatever.

[QUOTE=WillC;2887712]At his peak (which lasted a long time), Duncan was arguably the best defensive big man in the League as well as a very talented scorer and team player.

Malone lacked Duncan's defense.

Talking of which, Duncan was robbed of a few Defensive Player of the Year awards.[/QUOTE]

Yep. All around wise, I think Duncan and KG are the two best ever. Barkley is right there as well.

[QUOTE=EMD34;2887500]He is also number 1 all time at impregnating 13 year olds. Thats a very underrated stat.[/QUOTE]

Who does this refer to? Hadn't heard this before.

wondering why people say garnett is better then barkley or malone?

just because he has a ring?

1. duncan
2. barkley
3. malone
4. garnett
5. dirk
6 - 10 the old timers im too lazy to list and number

[QUOTE=blastman;2887799]I can't see forming a valuable opinion about players when you weren't even able to follow them during their careers.

Stats don't tell the whole story about these guys.[/QUOTE]

In an ideal world, we would have seen the NBA's early superstars play. However, we can't help the fact we were born in the years since. Therefore, I take great pleasure in researching the old players and watching as much old game tape as possible - I'd almost feel I'd be doing the sport an injustice if I ignored the NBA's history (and indeed the history of the pre-NBA era). I've bought dozens of books and numerous old magazines in an attempt to become as much as an expert as possible on those players.

Therefore, I think it's laziness to say that we should only consider players from the last 30 years when ranking players.

In 1971, the NBA's top 25 players were selected by a panel of highly regarded voters including Red Auerbach, Ned Irish and Eddie Gottlieb.

Along with the usual suspects (Bill Russell, Bot Pettit, George Mikan, etc), the top 25 featured players such as Joe Fulks, George Yardley, Jim Pollard, Bob Davies and others. Those names don't mean much - if anything - to casual NBA fans. However, those players were the Kobe Bryants and Magic Johnsons of their day.

Fulks was a phenomenal scorer who set records that lasted for many years until Elgin Baylor broke them. Similarly, Davies was one of the flashiest players until Cousy and then Maravich and, later, Magic Johnson took over the public's imagination.

It's tragic that players like Fulks and Davies were left of the NBA's top 50 players list. As a result, many casual fans make the (understandable) mistake of thinking that the only stars of the early era were Russell, Mikan, Pettit, Cousy and a few others.

Worse still, casual fans think that Russell's era was less competitive than today's NBA. With just 8 teams, the league back then was less diluted and, thus, extremely competitive.

To be the best you truly had to beat the best.

[QUOTE=murrke03;2887861]wondering why people say garnett is better then barkley or malone?

just because he has a ring?[/QUOTE]

Garnett was better defensively...that could be part of it.

[QUOTE=rmiller1k;2887880]6 - 10 the old timers im too lazy to list and number[/QUOTE]

This proves me point.

;)

Move Barkley and McHale ahead of Garnett

1. Scalabrine
2. Scalabrine
3. Scalabrine
4. Scalabrine
5. Scalabrine
6. Scalabrine
7. Scalabrine
8. Scalabrine
9. Scalabrine
10. Scalabrine

1.Pettit
2.Duncan
3.Barkley
4.Malone
5.Elvin Hayes
6.Garnett
7.Nowitzki
8.Webber
9.McHale
10.Debusschere

[QUOTE=WillC;2887908]It's tragic that players like Fulks and Davies were left of the NBA's top 50 players list. As a result, many casual fans make the (understandable) mistake of thinking that the only stars of the early era were Russell, Mikan, Pettit, Cousy and a few others.

Worse still, casual fans think that Russell's era was less competitive than today's NBA. With just 8 teams, the league back then was less diluted and, thus, extremely competitive.[/QUOTE]

As a fan of the game's history, I agree with you that it's unfortunate when some of the older stars (below that first tier of legends) are overlooked. Unfortunately that's true of any sport, and it's almost impossible for a bias not to exist in favor of current/modern players.

My biggest difficulty ranking any of the old-time greats is with the pre-Russell era, especially the days of the NBA being a "white" league. Fulks is a good example - he was known as a guy who could drive to the hoop (along with being an early practitioner of the jump shot) and score, but how would he have fared in later years when there was a greater number of athletic players? I don't have an answer, which is what makes these tough.

Pettit is a clearcut case, given that he dominated both before and after Russell's arrival. With some of the others, it's tough.

Tim Duncan is the best power forward hands down. Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone are a tie at second(I would pick KG). I would say all of the following stats would be the determining factor in who the best is. The stats don't lie and clearly Tim "The Big Fundamental" Duncan takes it!

Tim Duncan:
- 4 Rings
- 3 NBA Finals MVP
- 2 MVP
- 8 All Defensive 1st team
- 9 All NBA 1st team
- 13 allstar games
- Has never missed playoffs(Didnt play in the 1999-2000 playoffs because of knee injury)

Kevin Garnett:
- 1 Ring
- 0 NBA Finals MVP
- 1 MVP
- 9 All Defensive 1st team
- 4 All NBA 1st team
- 14 allstar games
- Missed playoffs 5 times

Karl Malone:
- 0 Rings
- 0 NBA Finals MVP
- 2 MVP
- 3 All Defensive 1st team
- 11 All NBA 1st team
- 14 allstar games
- Never missed Playoffs

Kind of a homer here but Webber should be on a lot more lists than just one.

[QUOTE=g1l1fvp;2888150]Tim Duncan is the best power forward hands down. Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone are a tie at second(I would pick KG). I would say all of the following stats would be the determining factor in who the best is. The stats don't lie and clearly Tim "The Big Fundamental" Duncan takes it!

Tim Duncan:
- 4 Rings
- 3 NBA Finals MVP
- 2 MVP
- 8 All Defensive 1st team
- 9 All NBA 1st team
- 13 allstar games
- Has never missed playoffs(Didnt play in the 1999-2000 playoffs because of knee injury)

Kevin Garnett:
- 1 Ring
- 0 NBA Finals MVP
- 1 MVP
- 9 All Defensive 1st team
- 4 All NBA 1st team
- 14 allstar games
- Missed playoffs 5 times

Karl Malone:
- 0 Rings
- 0 NBA Finals MVP
- 2 MVP
- 3 All Defensive 1st team
- 11 All NBA 1st team
- 14 allstar games
- Never missed Playoffs[/QUOTE]

I agree with the way you feel about Duncan and KG, but I would rank Barkley just ahead of Malone and put the mailman at 4. Don't forget that Garnett has been DPOTY also, and likely should have been more than once.

KG and Duncan have had VERY similar careers, besides the fact that Duncan has always had better players around him, thus better teams. I would have liked to see what Garnett would have done had he left Minnesota at the age of 25 or 26. But, you have to respect his loyalty to the Wolves.

[QUOTE=lb_sa;2888218]I agree with the way you feel about Duncan and KG, but I would rank Barkley just ahead of Malone and put the mailman at 4.

KG and Duncan have had VERY similar careers, besides the fact that Duncan has always had better players around him, thus better teams. I would have liked to see what Garnett would have done had he left Minnesota at the age of 25 or 26. But, you have to respect his loyalty to the Wolves.[/QUOTE]

Garnett bled Minnesota. He created a situation that limited the ability of the team. He caused the 'Minnesota situation.' He continues his selfish ways.

Duncan structured his contract so the team could sign quality players.

[QUOTE=fullmetal;2888237]Garnett bled Minnesota. He created a situation that limited the ability of the team. He caused the 'Minnesota situation.' He continues his selfish ways.

Duncan structured his contract so the team could sign quality players.[/QUOTE]

Well this past year, these were the salaries..

2011
3. Tim Duncan San Antonio $21,300,000
4. Kevin Garnett Boston $21,200,000

Now I know that Garnett made more per year a lot of years, but it wasn't by much.

Bob Pettit needs to be alot higher, and Robert Horry should not be in the top 10.

[QUOTE=UltimateDeron;2888349]Bob Pettit needs to be alot higher, and Robert Horry should not be in the top 10.[/QUOTE]

No, not even close.

Some people have Robert Horry and not Chris Webber. It makes me wonder if people even watch basketball.

[QUOTE=lb_sa;2888386]No, not even close.

Some people have Robert Horry and not Chris Webber. It makes me wonder if people even watch basketball.[/QUOTE]

Tell me about it. Horry is a role player who was on very good teams, he came up big in big games. His stats are not anywhere near HOF numbers. I would take Webber any day over Horry. In his prime he was without a doubt one of the most dominant PF of the last 20 years. He was one exciting player to watch, and had the heart to go along with it. Will he ever get into the hall, who knows? Though I think he deserves it.

Duncan #1
Duncan #1
Duncan #1

[QUOTE=lb_sa;2888218]I agree with the way you feel about Duncan and KG, but I would rank Barkley just ahead of Malone and put the mailman at 4. Don't forget that Garnett has been DPOTY also, and likely should have been more than once.

KG and Duncan have had VERY similar careers, besides the fact that Duncan has always had better players around him, thus better teams. I would have liked to see what Garnett would have done had he left Minnesota at the age of 25 or 26. But, you have to respect his loyalty to the Wolves.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I forgot to put the DPOTY and yes he should have won more than one haha. I also believe Timmy should have gotten a couple but oh well. And the reason I put Malone at third is because "The Mailman" was crazy good on the offensive end, but he didn't pick up a real defensive game until the end of his career and he couldn't win a ring. That's why I like Duncan and Garnett the most because they have so much heart for the game on the offensive and defensive ends and know what it takes to win.

Duncan should be considered a center

Malone had Stockton feeding him for almost his entire career too! That is why he had so many points!

Duncan is WOTHOUT DOUBT the best PF of all time!
Interesting factoid:
Since Duncan came into the league, the Spurs have the best winning % out of any team in the big 4 American sports!

1.Pettit
2.Duncan
3.Barkley
4.Malone
5.Elvin Hayes
6.Garnett
7.Nowitzki
8.Webber
9.McHale
10.Debusschere

This is the un official list

[QUOTE=burke23;2887464]Horry doesn't deserve to be on the list, sorry. And Moses Malone should be top 3.[/QUOTE]

Moses Malone was a Center.

[QUOTE=rmiller1k;2887497]robert horry??? what the....where is keith van horn???[/QUOTE]

7 NBA championship rings. :devil:

[QUOTE=lb_sa;2888386]No, not even close.

Some people have Robert Horry and not Chris Webber. It makes me wonder if people even watch basketball.[/QUOTE]

I actually agree.

I would have a number of players above Horry if I was picking teams.

I just put him at #10 because of the 7 rings, for which he contributed greatly in the playoffs for each of those teams.

Something players like Chris Webber never could achieve.

Looks like the boards agree Garnett is better than Dirk

[QUOTE=cjvs72;2891614]Looks like the boards agree Garnett is better than Dirk[/QUOTE]

Was that even a question?

Only the prisoners of the moment last season said anything about Dirk being better than Garnett. :rolleyes: