The Top 10 Small Forwards Ever

[Elvis P]

1. LeBron James
2. Larry Bird
3. Julius Erving
4. Kevin Durant
5. Elgin Baylor
6. Scottie Pippen
7. John Havlicek
8. Rick Barry
9. James Worthy
10. Dominique Wilkins

Before Michael, there was Elgin

It is possible that no forward ever performed with the offensive proficiency and flair that Elgin Baylor showed for the Lakers in the late 1950s and throughout the '60s. It just wasn't the number of points he scored; it was the way he got them, thrilling fans with the remarkable variety of his elegant actions. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Baylor was a rare combination of strength and grace, scoring either by powerful moves or acrobatic fakes. ... After signing with the Lakers for $20,000 as a rookie in 1958, Elgin Baylor basically saved the financially failing franchise.

https://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014086.html

This is a list I saw. I think it really comes down to the age of the person making the list. I'm sure most posters under 40 would agree with this, but I personally would not have LeBron #1 or Durand in the top 4. I'd probably have Bird #1 and Elgin Baylor whom some consider the original Dr J/Jordan type player #4. I'm sure most of you will disagree with me. Please tell me what you think.

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[Power Man]

1 Bird














Then the rest

 

[darko]

Kevin Durant over Rick Barry is an insult.

 

[Power Man]

KD over most of the other players is an insult

 

[darko]

KD over most of the other players is an insult

Well true. Barry was the one that just riled me the most.

 

[Porn*]

Bird 1

Worthy should be higher.

 

[Power Man]

I'm undecided on Worthy

Was he underrated or overrated?

Underrated because he was overshadowed by Magic Kareem?

Or overrated because his scoring deopped from 19 ppg to 14 ppg after Magic retired


But he did have better numbers in the playoffs and was Finals MVP in 88

And Rodman said he couldn't stop him

 

[Voight]

Bird>LBJ

Wilkins is too low.

 

[Elvis P]

... Or overrated because his scoring deopped from 19 ppg to 14 ppg after Magic retired ...

23. James Worthy* 3022
24. Reggie Miller* 2972
25. Clyde Drexler* 2963
26. Dan Issel* 2934
27. Sam Jones* 2909
28. Rick Barry* 2870
29. Manu Ginobili 2836
30. Charles Barkley* 2833
31. Robert Parish* 2820
32. Patrick Ewing* 2813
33. Ray Allen 2749
34. Bill Russell* 2673
35. Kevin Garnett 2601

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_career_p.html

Worthy is only 2 years younger than Magic. When you lose your starting point guard and you're old your scoring is going to decrease. Big Game James is one of the most clutch and prolific playoff scorers ever. He has 4 rings as a starter.

 

[Power Man]

He was fun to watch

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Where are you getting that list from? Your link doesn't lead to it.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Only Bird and James even have an argument to be better than Rick Barry and I don't think either were.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Only Bird and James even have an argument to be better than Rick Barry and I don't think either were.

You don't think Lebron James is a better player than Rick Barry? [mod]

 

[Pinkfloyd]

You don't think Lebron James is a better player than Rick Barry? [mod]

It's debateable. I'm not a fan of either player on any team that they've been on. Rick Barry is probably the most underrated legend the game has ever had because he wasn't the nice guy. People putting Pippen over him on any list is an absolute joke.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

It's debateable. I'm not a fan of either player on any team that they've been on. Rick Barry is probably the most underrated legend the game has ever had because he wasn't the nice guy. People putting Pippen over him on any list is an absolute joke.

Lebron is probably the best player the game has ever had

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Lebron is probably the best player the game has ever had

I don't agree.

 

[darko]

Only Bird and James even have an argument to be better than Rick Barry and I don't think either were.

Dr J too.

Bird/LBJ/Barry/Dr J - in whatever order people put them in but they should be top-4. Baylor would be #5 but I wouldn't put him above those 4.

 

[darko]

Lebron is probably the best player the game has ever had

Not yet he isn't. I wouldn't rank him over MJ and Wilt.

 

[sparxx87]

Lebron is probably the best player the game has ever had

In the last 5 years, maybe. All time? Not even close.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

Lebron is probably the best player the game has ever had

Haha nope.

 

[BostonBob]

1 Bird














Then the rest

I prefer this version:


1 - Larry Bird

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