The small forward position in basketball is a very important one in the NBA. This position is expected to do a bit of everything. The player is expected to defend, score, rebound, assist, and other things for their teams. The people on this list have no trouble doing any of that. In the NBA, there are a bunch of great small forwards. There are a select few that are the elite of the small forward group. Today, I will list the top five small forwards in the NBA heading into this season. Let's get started with the list at number five!
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (The face you make when no one can spell your name right. I spelled it right though.)
Starting off the list may be a surprise, but I believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a top five small forward. In the regular season, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, shot 25.7% from three-point range, and 50.6% from the field. Giannis is only 21 years old, plus he is six feet and 11 inches tall. This past season Giannis showed that he can play any position on the court. He can play defense and rebound like a big man and run the court and run the offense like a guard. Giannis is one of the NBA's scariest match-up nightmares, as he can literally play any position. This upcoming season, the Bucks and head coach, Jason Kidd, will put Giannis at point guard to see how he runs the offense. I believe he will excel in his new role as he will be a Russel Westbrook type point guard that can put up a triple double any game as a stat sheet stuffer. Once Giannis works on his jump-shot more he will be an even more dangerous player than he already is. I see a bright future for the Greek Freak and I will enjoy watching him play. On to number four!
4. Paul George (Birdman better put some RESPEK on his name!)
At number four is Paul George, aka PG13. He is the star and leader of the Indiana Pacers who got a serious upgrade this off season and are ready to compete in the eastern conference. In the regular season, he averaged 23.1 points, 7 rebounds, shot 37.1% from three-point range, and 41.8% from the field. In the playoffs, he averaged 27.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, shot 41.9% from three-point range, and 45.5% from the field. He led the Pacers to game seven in the first round of the playoffs versus the Raptors, but lost. In the off season, the Pacers acquired Jeff Teague, Thad Young, and Al Jefferson. Add that to Monta Ellis, Myles Turner who had a great rookie year, and Paul George this season is looking good for the Pacers, if everything goes according to plan. Paul George is another player on this list who can stuff the stat sheet. He had a great season rebounding from missing a season from a gruesome leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage. He is back to being his old self and will continue to play at a high level and continue to be one of the league's elite small forwards.
3. Kevin Durant (Reporter: Hey Kevin where are you going? Kevin: Taking my talents to the Bay.)
At number three is former Oklahoma City Thunder star, and current sidekick to Steph Curry, Kevin Durant. This off season, he was a free agent and ripped the heart out of Oklahoma City Thunder fans as he signed with their rivals - the Golden State Warriors. In the regular season, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, shot 38.7% from three-point range, and 50.5% from the field. In the playoffs, he choked away a 3-1 lead he averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, shot 28.2% from three-point range, and 43% from the field. He will now join a team who broke the 95-96 Bulls' regular season record of 72-10 by going 73-9. The Warriors have lost most of their championship team due to the KD signing but still have key parts like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston. I expect KD's production to go down a bit but he will still be an elite small forward in the league. Anyone who is a NBA fan will be looking towards the first match-up when the Thunder play the Warriors to see how Russell Westbrook will respond.
2. Kawhi Leonard (When it's finally your team)
At number two it is the defensive player of the year, Kawhi Leonard, who is now the leader of the team after the legendary Tim Duncan retired. As the Spurs start this post-Tim Duncan era, they will look to sill compete as they added Pau Gasol to replace Duncan. In the regular season, he averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, shot 44.3% from three-point range, and shot 50.6% from the field. In the playoffs, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 43.6% from three-point range, and shot 50% from the field. Kawhi Leonard is one of the best two players in the league. He can lock up and play defense on the other team's best player as well as score the ball when he wants. He has been compared to Scottie Pippen and those comparisons are completely right. They are mirror images of each other as they have similar playing styles and are both great defenders. Kawhi will continue to have a great career as he leads the Spurs into the future.
1. LeBron James (When you find out KD chose the Warriors.)
At the number one spot is LeBron James, aka King James. He is coming off a season where he led and carried his team to beat a 73-9 team who was leading the finals 3-1. He led in almost every category during the finals, as he deservedly won finals MVP. He helped the Cavaliers win it's first NBA championship and Cleveland its first sports championship in a while. In the regular season, he averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, shot 44.3% from three-point range, and shot 50.6% from the field. In the playoffs, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 43.6% from three-point range, and 50% from the field. LeBron is a point forward, which means he has the body of a forward and the skill of a point guard. LeBron is the best all around player in the league and has been for a while. He will continue to chase Michael Jordan his entire career as he wants to prove himself. You can love or hate LeBron, but you have to respect the man and his accomplishments. He will definitely be a hall of famer by the time his career comes to an end.
There are my top five small forwards entering the season! This upcoming season will be exciting with the rookies looking to prove themselves and the new players who signed to new places seeking to make their mark on the NBA.
