ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

[dirty]

ESPN.com's Greatest Power Forwards

ESPN.com


<!-- promo plug -->
<!-- end promo plug -->
<!-- end story header --><!-- begin left column --> <!-- begin page tools --> Updated: June 2, 2005

• Email
• Print

<!-- end page tools --><!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline -->Editor's note: With Tim Duncan leading the Spurs back to the NBA Finals for the third time in seven years, we decided it was time to determine ESPN.com's greatest all-time power forward. This ranking was compiled using top 10 lists from a panel of ESPN.com NBA experts. The voters were: Greg Anthony (GA), Chris Broussard (CB), Ric Bucher (RB), John Hollinger (JH), Scoop Jackson (SJ), Brian James (BJ), Tim Legler (TL), Eric Neel (EN), Jack Ramsay (JR), Marc Stein (MS), Tom Tolbert (TT).
Players received 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second and so on down to one point for a 10th-place vote. If you don't like our rankings, click here to make your own.
<inline1> <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)--------------------> </inline1>





<table id="" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="430"> <tbody><tr><th colspan="13" style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Top 10 Power Forwards</th> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="111">Player/Voter</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">GA</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">CB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">RB</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">JH</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">SJ</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">BJ</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">TL</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">EN</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">JR</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">MS</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="28">TT</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="40">Total</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 1. Duncan </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 101 </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 2. Malone </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 98 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 3. Barkley </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 2 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 71 </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 4. McHale </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 3 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 65 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 5. Pettit </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 9 </td> <td width=""> 3 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 63 </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 6. Garnett </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 1 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 10 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 53 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 7. Hayes </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 8 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 3 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 1 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 6 </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> 49 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 8. Debusschere </td> <td width=""> 7 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 3 </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> 2 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 17 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 9. B. Williams </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 2 </td> <td width=""> 1 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 2 </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> 13 </td> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td width=""> 10. Nowitzki </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 2 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 4 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 5 </td> <td width=""> -- </td> <td width=""> 11 </td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td colspan="13" width="430"> Others receiving votes (points): Amare Stoudemire (9), Chris Webber (9), Dennis Rodman (7), Dolph Schayes (7), Horace Grant (5), Ben Wallace (4), Spencer Haywood (3), Luke Jackson (3), Gus Johnson (3), Rasheed Wallace (3), Shawn Kemp (2), Bob McAdoo (2), George McGinnis (2), Charles Oakley (2), Connie Hawkins (1), Jerry Lucas (1), Vern Mikkelson (1) </td> </tr></tbody></table> <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)-------------------->
<hr>
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Duncan[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 1998-present
TD dominates at both ends of the floor. The Big Fundamental has two NBA championships with San Antonio in 1999 and 2003 (more than Malone, Barkley and Pettit combined). Stats and awards don't begin to tell the Tim Duncan story, but here are a few. MVP awards in 2002 and 2003, an all-league defender, and a 22.8 points per game average in his first seven seasons.
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Malone[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 2. Karl Malone ? Utah Jazz, L.A. Lakers 1986-2004
The Mailman is simply the best low-post scoring power forward ever. And he was a lethal mid-range shooter. The 11-time NBA first-team player is second all-time in NBA scoring. The guy scored 36,928 points. That's a lot of picks and rolls and post ups. His 25.0 career average is another reason why this two-time MVP was voted onto the NBA's Top 50 squad.
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Barkley[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 3. Charles Barkley ? Philadelphia 76ers,
Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets 1985-2000
At less than 6-foot-5, Barkley is, inch for inch, arguably the most productive player ever. This top 50 player of all-time was a relentless scorer and one of the strongest in the low post. He was a first or second NBA teamer for 10 seasons. Over 16 seasons, Barkley averaged 22.1 points.
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]McHale[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 4. Kevin McHale ? Boston Celtics 1981-1993
Greatest post moves ever at the four spot. One-third of the best frontline of all time. McHale not only was voted as one of the NBA's Top 50, but won three championships with the Celtics in 1981, '84, and '86. Early in his career, he became one of the greatest sixth men ever. McHale spent his entire career with Boston, averaging 17.9 points.
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Pettit[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 5. Bob Pettit ? Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks 1955-1965
Defined power-forward position. Before him there were just forwards. Pettit's Hawks topped the Celtics with Bob Cousy and Bill Russell in the NBA Finals in 1958. This top 50 player off all-time averaged 26.4 points over his career. This is quite a feat considering the era in which he played.


<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Garnett[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 6. Kevin Garnett ? Minnesota T-wolves 1996-present
Garnett plays the right way. He brings it every night. The MVP in 2004, Garnett is a four-time All-NBA defensive team member and has made the first or second All-NBA time five times. K-G has averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds over his career, all with the T-wolves.


<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Hayes[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 7. Elvin Hayes ? San Diego/Houston Rockets, Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets 1969-1984
The Big E was an offensive machine. He could score from anywhere plus rebound and defend. Hayes voted one of the top 50 players of all-time. Won a championship with Washington in 1978 and is its all-time leader in points and blocked shots.

<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]DeBusschere[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 8. Dave DeBusschere ? Detroit Pistons,
New York Knicks 1963-1974
One of the links to two championship teams in New York in 1970 and 1973. DeBusschere was a strong, smart forward who could shoot with the best of them. He was voted as one of the top 50 players of all time.


<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Williams[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 9. Buck Williams ? New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks 1982-1998
Buck played 17 seasons with three teams and was one of the toughest, hard-nosed leaders of his era. Like Garnett, he came to play every single night. Buck is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in New Jersey Nets history and helped the Blazers get to the Finals in 1990.
<table align="right" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65"> </td></tr><tr><td width="2">
</td><td width="65">[SIZE=-2]Nowitzki[/SIZE]</td></tr></tbody></table> 10. Dirk Nowitzki ? Dallas Mavericks 1999-Present
No power forward dead or alive could keep him from dropping 20. Maybe Rodman. Best shooting big man ever ? and he can drive and dunk it like a swinger. Another


ESPN - ESPN.com's Greatest Power Forwards - NBA

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

This list looks pretty darn accurate IMO

Karl Malone probably a little better player but 0 rings equals second place to Timmy.

 

[dirty]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

I wonder when the Last Category will be out... Shooting Forwards (or what ever they want to call it with Bird, Reggie, etc...

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

I wonder when the Last Category will be out... Shooting Forwards (or what ever they want to call it with Bird, Reggie, etc...

maybe swingmen or shooting forwards....Bird was unique, I wouldn't call him a swingman ...whatever list he's in he should be at the top.

techinically he just a really tall slow white extra large guard who roamed the court , he couldn't jump but beat you every which way possible....one of a kind.

I'd like to see the best ten white guys list too.

 

[dirty]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

That is why I didn't call it small Forwards cause many are 6'7" and above.... Not really small....Swingmen is not the right term either....Not sure what they will call it...But Bird and Miller have to be Top 2

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

When will it come out Dirty?

 

[Hache Man]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Duncan places 1st ONLY because of the 2 titles imo.....

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Duncan places 1st ONLY because of the 2 titles imo.....

Hache if you had to pick one who would you take Olajuwon or Duncan?
BTW couldn't they pick an old picture of McHale?

 

[Hache Man]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Hache if you had to pick one who would you take Olajuwon or Duncan?
BTW couldn't they pick an old picture of McHale?

Olajuwon........

I know, like there isn't any pics of McHale in action, lol

 

[Seymour]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Duncan places 1st ONLY because of the 2 titles imo.....

Ony because of the 2 titles? - I think you meant 4 - it's an utter embarrassment to even have Duncan with that list of names - Duncan is a center - a big man - a guy who titles go through - like Shaq, Kareem, Hak, Russell, etc., - titles don't go through Barkely, Malone and Garnett - in the 4th quarter - in the playoffs - when Big Shot Bob is on the floor - what position is TD playing and who is he guarding - fvck, now that Thomas is starting TD starts at center - the guy is an all-time great - a guy that determines titles - not one of those meaningless scrubs on that list - ok, they're not scrubs but that list is a bunch of "names" - put the top centers or big men up and then you have a list of guys that meant something relating to the championship and TD is right there in the thick of it - 2 rings? - but for Fishers BS shot and Manu's foul and TD would have 6 rings - fruity bumped this thread to piss me off.

 

[Willy Loman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Good to see Buck Williams in top 10.

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Wow Buck #9!

I overlooked it....very nice to see for sure!

He always got the better of Ralph Sampson while at Md despite being just 6-9, the old chant 'don't fuck with Buck'

 

[Journeyman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Olajuwon........

I know, like there isn't any pics of McHale in action, lol

I agree Hakeem had more talent, if Duncan was listed at center I'd put him behind Moses Malone, maybe 7th.

 

[Willy Loman]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

He owned Sampson. ALWAYS played hard.

 

[The Great One]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Geeze, when will people figure it out. Guys from ther 50's and yesteryear are not even comparable to guys of today. There arer power forwards in high school that are better than a Bob Petit or those kinda guys. The game was played in slow maotion back in that day. Imagine what just an average forward with size these days would do to those guys that don't even wotrkout.

Look at it this way, everyone knows Michael Vick sucks yet if he played black in the 60's, he would be considered the greatest quarterback ever to play. There is no one back then that could even half way keep up with him.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Geeze, when will people figure it out. Guys from ther 50's and yesteryear are not even comparable to guys of today. There arer power forwards in high school that are better than a Bob Petit or those kinda guys. The game was played in slow maotion back in that day. Imagine what just an average forward with size these days would do to those guys that don't even wotrkout.

I agree with this 100% and have argued with others about it.

However, I put Bird, Magic, Barkley, etc. all in today's era as they were caught in the middle......

 

[Glenn Danzig]

Re: ESPN: Greatest Power Forwards

Pau Gasol. He singlehandedly made the Lakers from pretenders to contenders and made Andrew Bynum look irrelevant.