Best Power Forwards of All Time - NBA Top 10
by Subhashree M | Updated Mar 17, 2023
Best Power Forwards of all Time
When it comes to basketball, the power forward position has been a crucial element of the game for many years. Throughout the sport's history, there have been many great players who have excelled in this position, from the dominant big men of the past to the more versatile and skilled players of today. It's difficult to definitively say who the best power forwards of all time are, as there are so many factors to consider, such as individual statistics, team success, longevity, and impact on the game. One player who is often considered among the greatest power forwards of all time is Tim Duncan. A five-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, Duncan was known for his consistency, versatility, and leadership, and he was a key player in the San Antonio Spurs' dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Another player who is often mentioned in discussions of the best power forwards of all time is Karl Malone, who played for the Utah Jazz for most of his career and was a two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star. Malone was known for his incredible scoring ability and his longevity, playing in the NBA until he was 40 years old. Other great power forwards of all time include Charles Barkley, who won an MVP award and played in 11 All-Star games, Kevin Garnett, who won an MVP award and led the Boston Celtics to a championship in 2008, and Dirk Nowitzki, who won an MVP award and led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship in 2011. These players and others like them have all left their mark on the game and helped to shape the power forward position into what it is today.
Top 10 Power Forwards of All Time
S.No
Best Power Forward
1
Kevin Garnett
2
Dirk Nowitzki
3
Charles Barkle
4
Karl Malo
5
Bob Pettit
6
Dolph Schayes
7
Kevin McHale
8
Elvin Hayes
9
Chris Webber
10
Dennis Rodman
1. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett played a pivotal role in shaping the modern NBA by setting the foundation for today's increasingly positionless game. Although LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have also contributed to this change, Garnett was one of the first to show that frontcourt players could dominate the boards, create for others, defend, and score. His impact was not just measured in statistics; Garnett's energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering belief in his team transformed the entire organization, from coaches to trainers to massage therapists. Garnett's leadership was on full display in Boston after being traded to the Celtics in 2007, leading the team to a dramatic turnaround from a 24-58 record to a 66-16 record and an NBA championship. His famous "Anything is possible!" moment captured the spirit of his leadership and impact on the game. Garnett's career stats include 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, and a relative true shooting percentage of +1.4, a net rating swing of +11.5, a box plus/minus of +5.4, and win shares per 48 minutes of .182.
2. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki was a game-changer in basketball history. He made his NBA debut in 1999, at which point only 40 players of his height (7-footers) had managed a total of 507 three-pointers. Dirk, however, amassed 1,982 three-pointers throughout his career, and since his debut, 81 other 7-footers have combined for 7,253 three-pointers. By expanding our expectations of players of his height, Dirk ushered in an era that placed greater emphasis on skill than any other. Today, any player, regardless of their position or height, should be equipped with every skill in the book. Nowitzki is considered one of the players who truly changed the game, and he achieved a great deal of team success as well. During his career with the Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2018-19), they topped the league in points per 100 possessions (108.9) and ranked third in the simple rating system. In 2011, Dirk led the Mavericks to a championship win against the Miami Heat, even though they were considered underdogs. Nowitzki's average of 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 21 games in that postseason helped the Mavericks achieve this unlikely win, and he solidified his status as a legend in the sport. While Malone and Barkley may hold slight statistical edges over him, Dirk's performance and contribution to the sport outweigh those numbers.
3. Charles Barkley
Despite Charles Barkley's well-known disdain for analytics, many advanced statistics indicate that he is one of the greatest NBA players of all time. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the only players with a higher career box plus/minus than Barkley. He also ranks highly in career win shares per 48 minutes, rebounding percentage, and true shooting percentage. Barkley's criticism of the league's increasing reliance on three-pointers is noteworthy, especially given that he attempted a relatively low number of them during his career. If his three-point attempts were removed from his record, his true shooting percentage would skyrocket, potentially tying him for second all-time. Barkley's impressive peak from 1985-86 through 1996-97 included 11 seasons averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, placing him among the all-time greats. While Barkley never won a championship, he has a strong case for being the best power forward in NBA history based on his statistics. His career per-game and per-75 possessions numbers are impressive, and his relative true shooting percentage, box plus/minus, and win shares per 48 minutes are all exceptional.
4. Karl Malone
Karl Malone's combination of production and longevity is truly impressive, rivaled only by a few players in NBA history. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only player with 17 seasons of at least 500 minutes and 20-plus points per game. In addition, Malone had 13 seasons with 500-plus minutes and a 5.0-plus box plus/minus, which is a measure of how many points per 100 possessions a player contributes above a league-average player on an average team. Charles Barkley also had 13 such seasons, and LeBron James had 15, which is the most. Malone's longevity is further evident in the leaderboard for the single-season box plus/minuses posted by players over the age of 35, where he has the top three and four of the top 13 seasons. His post-35 wins over replacement player is over 40 percent higher than second-place Kareem. However, Malone's greatness is not limited to his longevity. His peak from 1988-89 through 1997-98 was equally remarkable. During this time, he averaged an astounding 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks. When he retired, Malone was second all-time in points scored and sixth in rebounds. He received 14 All-Star selections, 14 All-NBA selections, four All-Defensive selections, and two MVP awards. Despite all of his achievements, the lack of titles is often held against him, as he peaked during Michael Jordan's era. Malone's stats reflect his impressive skills. He averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, and when adjusted to 75 possessions, he had 25.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks. His relative true shooting percentage was +4.7, and he had a box plus/minus of +5.4 and win shares per 48 minutes of .205.
5. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit, the all-time leading scorer in the NBA with 20,880 points, was surpassed only in rebounds by Bill Russell with 12,849. He was the first player to be awarded the MVP title in NBA history and was the leading player in the league for four consecutive seasons in terms of player efficiency rating from 1955-56 to 1958-59. Pettit was the premier big man in the league before the arrival of legends such as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. "My determination to succeed" defined Pettit's career as a basketball player, as he had 11 All-Star appearances, 11 All-NBA selections, two MVP titles, two scoring titles, one rebounding title, and an NBA championship to his name. Per game, Pettit had an average of 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while his per 75 possessions statistics were 21.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He had a relative true shooting percentage of +4.2 and win shares per 48 minutes of .213. Net rating swing and box plus/minus are not available.
6. Dolph Schayes
Dolph Schayes, who is in the Hall of Fame, had a career with .192 win shares per 48 minutes, second only to Bob Pettit's .214 among power forwards. His scoring game was versatile, with an average of 18.5 points per game. Schayes was well-known for his shooting ability, especially his running one-handers, which he could make with either hand. Despite playing before the three-point line was introduced, Schayes was an impressive shooter, with legitimate 25-30 foot range. Over his career, he achieved 12 All-Star selections, 12 All-NBA selections, one NBA title, and one rebounding title in 15 seasons. Schayes was the bridge between the old and new basketball games. His Per Game stats were 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, and his Relative True Shooting Percentage was +3.3, while his Box Plus/Minus was N/A.
7. Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale's Hall of Fame career was characterized by his unselfishness, as he started just over 20 percent of the games he played in his first five seasons after being selected with the third overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft. Despite the immense talent on the Boston Celtics team, McHale was never bothered by it, stating that "It's never bothered me," as reported by Alex Ward of the New York Times. Over those first five seasons, McHale averaged 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in just 28.4 minutes, but his role expanded to 36.4 minutes over the next five years, during which he averaged 22.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks.McHale's career was marked by his ability to accept and adapt to any role, in addition to his up-and-under moves, offensive rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities. He maintained a high level of efficiency, which was almost unmatched for his time, as his career 60.5 true shooting percentage ranked first among players who took at least as many shots. Despite playing fewer minutes than his peers, McHale made seven All-Star teams, six All-Defensive teams, and one All-NBA team. He also won three championships and two Sixth Man of the Year awards. Per game, McHale averaged 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks, while per 75 possessions, he averaged 20.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks. He had a relative true shooting percentage of +6.8, a box plus/minus of +2.5, and win shares per 48 minutes of .180.
8. Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes, like many other professional athletes, faced difficulties with the non-game aspects of sports and stardom. According to a 1978 article by Sports Illustrated's John Papanek, Hayes had a reputation for being a troublemaker who had problems with coaches, teammates, and the media. Despite his impressive statistics, which included leading the league in scoring, rebounding, and minutes per game, Hayes never won an MVP award. He did, however, win a championship late in his career, which he felt completed his legacy as a champion. Despite the challenges he faced, Hayes is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It's worth noting that even before social media, many star athletes were misunderstood and undervalued. Even before social media became a significant part of sports, many athletes were misunderstood by the public. Despite never winning an MVP award, Elvin Hayes was inducted into the Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the best power forwards in history. He averaged 21.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. On a per-75-possessions basis, he averaged 17.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks. Although his relative true shooting percentage was -2.6 and his net rating swing is unknown, he had a box plus/minus of +0.9 and won shares per 48 minutes of .116.
9. Chris Webber
Chris Webber was already a skilled playmaking power forward. Before playmaking 4s became popular, He had the seventh-highest career assist percentage among players who were at least 6'9" by the end of his last season in 2007-08. Only Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Toni Kukoc, Alvan Adams, Kevin Garnett, and Lamar Odom had better percentages. If you consider all seasons, Ben Simmons, Nikola Jokic, Blake Griffin, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are ahead of Webber, while Garnett and Odom are behind. Nevertheless, Webber was still considered one of the best passing big men in the game, as the Sacramento Kings utilized his and Vlade Divac's passing abilities in their offense. Webber's inside-out passing generated open three-point shots and initiated chain reactions. In addition, he also excelled in rebounding and scoring and averaged at least 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals throughout his career. Few other players in league history achieved such high averages in both categories with at least 5,000 minutes played, including Anthony Davis, Julius Erving, Andrei Kirilenko, Nerlens Noel, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson. Webber's unselfishness would have been more appreciated in today's game, where teams expect all five players to have multiple skills. His per-game stats were 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks, while his per-75-possession stats were 21.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks. His relative true shooting percentage was -1.6, and his net rating swing and box plus/minus were not available, but his win shares per 48 minutes were .132.
10. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman, is one of the most remarkable rebounders in NBA history, despite his height of only 6'7". Rodman's career rebounding percentage is behind only Andre Drummond (6'11") and Hassan Whiteside (7'0"). Additionally, Basketball Reference's pace estimates indicate that Rodman's average for boards per 75 possessions is higher than Wilt Chamberlain's NBA campaigns. From 1990-91 to 1999-2000, Rodman's 15.9 rebounds per game was an outstanding achievement, leading the NBA by a significant margin of 3.5 boards per game over second-place Shaquille O'Neal. This gap is similar to the distance between Shaq and 23rd-place Vin Baker during that period. Brian Phillips of The Ringer has explained how Rodman mastered the art of dominating the glass by having an elite understanding of the aerodynamics of the ball in flight. Before he became a top rebounder in the NBA, Rodman won two consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1990 and 1991. He was deeply moved when he received the honor for the first time, showing his dedication to achieving that goal. Rodman was a vivid example of the human spirit's potential, as he created a unique role for himself in a game and position dominated by giants. Rodman also played a crucial role in five championship teams, a feat achieved by only 13 players in NBA history. His per-game statistics include 7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks, while his 75 possessions statistics include 9.0 points, 16.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks. His relative true shooting percentage is +1.3, and his Box Plus/Minus is +3.0, while his win shares per 48 minutes are .150.
Who is the Greatest Power Forward of All time?
Karl Malone is widely regarded as the greatest power forward to have played in the NBA. With an illustrious career spanning over 19 seasons, he performed at an elite level and holds several records, including the most points scored (36,928), rebounds (14,968), assists (5,248), steals (2,085), Win Shares (234.6) and Value Over Replacement Player (99) for a power forward.
Who is the Best Power Forwards of all time?
Kevin Garnett is a retired American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. He was born on May 19, 1976, in Greenville, South Carolina. Kevin Garnett is considered one of the best power forwards of all time in the NBA. He played in the league for 21 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. Garnett was known for his versatility on the court, being able to dominate in multiple areas including scoring, rebounding, passing, and defense. He was a 15-time All-Star, 9-time All-NBA selection, and won the MVP award in 2004. Garnett was also a tremendous leader on and off the court, known for his intensity and work ethic, and played a key role in leading the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008.
Best Power Forwards of all Time-FAQ
Karl Malone is often considered the best power forward of all time due to his impressive statistics and longevity in the league.
Other players who are often mentioned in the conversation for best power forward of all time include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Charles Barkley.
Kevin Garnett is considered one of the best power forwards of all time in the NBA.