2012-2013 NBA Position Rankings: Top 5 Power Forwards: Scottie Pippen is often credited with inventing the modern day power forward position, but there have been athletic big men that can, score rebound and dominate on defense both before and since Pippen played. In fact, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan is probably the best to ever play the position, and he still has a few years left to add to his legacy. That being said, Duncan’s days as the top power forward in the game are gone, opening the door for the next generation of great players. With that in mind, here is a look at the top forwards in the NBA heading into the 2013 season.
2012 NBA Position Rankings: Top 5 Power Forwards
1. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
His skill set is simply unmatched by any other player at the power forward position. He can score in the post, from the perimeter and anywhere in between thanks to his mid-range came smooth stroke. He is coming off a year when he averaged a career-high 26.0 points, and he is basically a lock to shoot around 40 percent from beyond the arc and above 80 percent from the foul line. Love is also one of the top two rebounders in the NBA, and his 30-30 games are the stuff of legends. Basically, Love is a rebounding machine with a uniquely versatile offensive game. It is scary to think what he will do when Minnesota finally gets some pieces around him.
2. LeMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers
Despite being forced to shoulder the offensive load thanks to Brandon Roy’s knee issues and to guard opposing centers because of Greg Oden’s knee issues, Aldridge has still developed into an excellent NBA power forward. He has a true back-to-the-basket game, but he also has a reliable mid-range jumper to fall back on. Aldridge has averaged more than 21 points and shot at least 50 percent from the field in each of the last two seasons, and he is a 78 percent free throw shooter for his career. Yes, he could be more of a force on the boards, but with three straight seasons of at least eight rebounds per game, it is hardly a weakness. Aldridge is one of the best power forwards in the NBA, especially on the offensive end, and he should only get better once Portland finds a center and his body stops taking a beating on the defensive end.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
For his career, Nowitzki’s per game stat line reads 22.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 47.5 field goal percentage, 38.0 3-point percentage and 87.8 free throw percentage. Those numbers are pretty impressive for any player and simply incredible for someone who is seven feet tall. Nowitzki’s ability to score from the perimeter has been almost revolutionary for someone of his size. Granted, he is getting older, and his numbers are starting to dip a bit, especially on the boards. However, he is still a lock to score 20-plus points in very efficient fashion. Nowitzki is trending down, but he is a still a top-five power forward in the NBA.
4. Al Jefferson, Utah Jazz
He is closer to a pure center than any other elite power forward, but Jefferson spends about half his playing time at both the four and five spots and has a little more athleticism and versatility to his game than the average center. He is basically a double-double machine and a defensive presence all rolled into one. Jefferson average around 20 points and 10 boards every year, while shooting at or above 50 percent from the floor. Perhaps the two most underappreciated facets of the game are his free throw shooting and shot blocking. Jefferson has shot better than 75 percent from the foul line in each of the past two seasons and average about two blocks per game. Plain and simple, he is a rock solid, all-around contributing big man.
5. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
No power forward is more athletic or more exciting than Griffin. In his two years in the NBA, he has averaged 21.7 points on 52.4 percent shooting to go along with 11.5 rebounds. His 3.5 assist per game are a nice bonus for a big man, as well. His highlight-reel dunks have made him a household name, but Griffin is more than just a great finisher around the rim. Yes, his free throw shooting is horrendous and he needs a mid-range game, but think about the numbers he is putting up despite his deficiencies. Griffin will be playing in just his third season in 2013 so this guy is only going to get better.
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