In Basketball, Power forwards are one of the most versatile players, as they have to play both outside the three-point line and closer to the field. They are generally fast and strong enough to attack the hoop. Scoring, rebounding, blocking and stealing– a power forward needs to be able to do it all. There have been many amazing power forwards in the history of the NBA who played their roles perfectly and led their teams to great games.
10) Dolph Schayes
Dolph Schayes was the first great power forward in the NBA. He played for the Syracuse Nationals from the 1949–50 season to the 1962–63 season. Schayes recorded 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, for a player efficiency rating of 22.1. He appeared in 12 All-Star Games and was named All-NBA 12 times. He played with the Philadelphia 76ers for one season (1963–64) and then retired from the sport.
9) Chris Webber
Chris Webber began his professional NBA career with the Golden State Warriors in 1963. During his career, “C-Web” played a total of 675 games, averaging 21.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He was rookie of the year, five-time All-NBA and five-time All-Star. Webber finished his career with a player efficiency rating of 20.9 and a value over replacement player of 42.1.
8) Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the 15th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA Draft. He is currently playing his 11th season with the Bucks franchise. Antetokounmpo began his career as a small forward and guard, but since he began playing regularly as a power forward in 2017, “The Greek Freak” has become one of the most impactful players in the league. He is still in the middle of his NBA career, but he has already become one of the best power forwards of all time. The amazing thing is that no power forward has more MVP awards than Giannis.
7) Elvin Hayes
Elvis Hayes started playing in the NBA in 1968 as a center. He was a great player from the start and then went on to become a scoring champion and rebounding champion. When “The Big E” joined the Baltimore Bullets in 1972, the team’s coach converted him to a power forward. Hayes played the rest of his career at this position. He was a strong player on both defense and offense. Elvis is the only power forward to score at least 16,000 points, 9,000 rebounds and 1,700 blocks.
6) Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett began his professional NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995. He played 14 seasons with the Timberwolves before playing six for the Boston Celtics and two for the Brooklyn Nets. KD averaged 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as a power forward. Garnett was the rebounding champion for four consecutive years and he was the MVP of the 2003–04 season. In the 2007–08 season, Garnett also became the “Defensive Player of the Year.”
5) Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki spent 21 years playing in the NBA. Nowitzki was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA draft and later traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Serbian player spent his entire career with the Mavericks, winning the NBA title in the 2010–11 season. “The Germanator” made a great impact in his long run and is the second-highest scoring power forward of all time behind Karl Malone. He has the most three-pointers scored by a power forward. Dirk averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 1292 games as a power forward.
4) Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit was one of the pioneers of this position who led and taught others to play as a power forward. He played eleven seasons in the league, all with the Bucks franchise. During his career, “The Bombardier of Baton Rouge” averaged 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, with a player efficiency rating of 25.4 and 136 win shares. Pettit is the only power forward in the league’s history to average at least 25 points and 15 rebounds per game.
3) Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley was never able to win the NBA Championship, but he still had a fantastic career. Barkley played a total of 16 NBA seasons, averaging 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, with a player efficiency rating of 24.6 and a Value over replacement player of 80.5. “The Round Mound of Rebound” was an 11 time All-NBA, 11-time All-Star and was named the MVP in the 1992-93 season.
2) Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan played a total of 19 seasons in the NBA, all with the San Antonio Spurs. He played as a center in the second half of his career but was a fabulous power forward in his first 666 games. “The Big Fundamental” recorded 22.1 points, 12 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, with a 25.1 player efficiency rating and 52.2 Value over replacement player. Duncan was also a two-time MVP and a three-time Finals MVP. He won five NBA titles with the Spurs during his career.
1) Karl Malone
Karl Malone was the 13th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 1985 NBA Draft. He played 18 seasons with the Jazz franchise and then, after playing one season with the LA Lakers, Malone retired from the sport. “The Mailman” is definitely the best power forward in the league’s history. Karl played 19 seasons at a supreme level and that’s why he is the power forward with the most points, rebounds, assists, steals and win shares. He averaged 25 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Malone was a two-time MVP and 14-time All-NBA.
Also Read: 5 Fastest NBA Players To Reach 10,000 Points
