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Who are the top small forwards in NBA history? Here is our top 10 countdown:
Note: Updated in 2022.
10. James Worthy: a vital part of the 1980s “Showtime” Lakers, Worthy was a 7x All-Star and 2x All-NBA selection who helped lead Los Angeles to three NBA titles, including being named Finals MVP in 1987-1988.
9. Dominique Wilkins: known as the “Human Highlight Reel”, Wilkins earned nine All-Star and seven All-NBA selections while averaging 24.8 points per game for his career, including 11 straight seasons of 20+ points per game and a scoring title in 1985-1986.
8. Rick Barry: perhaps best known for shooting free throws underhanded, Barry was a prolific scorer who averaged 30+ points per game 4x across the NBA and ABA, including a career-high 35.6 points per game to win the NBA scoring title in 1966-1967; over his career, he was also an All-Star (12x), All-NBA (6x), All-ABA (4x), NBA champion (1x), and Finals MVP (1x).
7. Scottie Pippen: the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman on six Chicago Bulls championship teams, Pippen was a force on both ends of the court (7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 10x All-Defensive) and further elevated his game when Jordan retired for the first time – in 1994-1995, he became just the second player in NBA history to lead his team in every major statistical category.
6. John Havlicek: the original sixth man, Havlicek is the Boston Celtics’ all-time leading scorer and was a part of eight championship teams; during his career, he was a 13x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive.
5. Elgin Baylor: an 11x All-Star and 10x All-NBA selection, Baylor was one of the most dominant players of the 1960s, averaging 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for his career; however, in eight NBA Finals matchups vs. the rival Celtics, his Lakers lost each time, though he was given an honorary ring when Los Angeles finally broke through in 1971-1972.
4. Julius Erving: one of the best dunkers in league history and perhaps the greatest player in ABA history, Erving won three ABA MVPs and scoring titles before coming over to the NBA; across both the NBA and ABA, he averaged 24.2 points per game for his career and was a 16x All-Star, 12x All-NBA or All-ABA, and won four MVPs and three championships.
3. Kevin Durant: one of the elite scorers of his generation, Durant has led the league in scoring 4x (including three years in a row from 2009-2012), while also winning an MVP award and two NBA titles (Finals MVP both times).
2. Larry Bird: known for his fierce rivalry in the 1980s with Magic Johnson and the Lakers, Bird won three straight MVP awards in his prime (1984-1986) and guided the Celtics to three NBA titles, twice winning Finals MVP; he was also one of the greatest shooters in league history, twice achieving the rare 50-40-90 feat.
1. LeBron James: destined for greatness since coming out of high school, LeBron is consistently in the GOAT conversation – a 4x MVP and nightly triple-double threat, he has led both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers to NBA titles, earning Finals MVP during each championship run.
Agree/Disagree? As always, debate/discuss, and leave your thoughts and comments below.
Note: All statistics as of time of publication.
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