We have counted down the best point guards, and the best shooting guards in the NBA the last two days, including the top five at each position. In the next edition of our series, we countdown the best small forwards in the league at this moment. Lets begin.
Number 1: Lebron James
This isn't even a question. With Lebron in the league, all other players are playing for second. Not only is Lebron the most dominant and skilled small forward in the league, he is the best player in the league no matter what position. He can play four, maybe even five, positions on the floor but his natural position is small forward. He can shoot the three better at this point in his career than ever before, and he has taken that next step an become a guy that can take over a game and strangle the opposing team. Add a post game to his dynamic skill set, and factor in his incredible size and strength for the skills he has and he is like no one else that we have seen before. Not to mention his passing game which can be compared to that of Magic Johnson. He is a complete player. As long as he is in the league, Lebron can get comfortable at the top of our list, he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. By the way, he is better than Jordan. There, I said it.
Number 2: Kevin Durant
As good as Kevin Durant is, he simply isn't Lebron James. Due to that, he finds himself at number two on our countdown which is very respectable. Durant is an athletic freak in his own right, and he has proven his versatility in his seasons with the Thunder. He has maybe the smoothest shot in the game outside of Ray Allen, and can get to the basket with ease. His combination of elite perimeter shooting and ability to drive the lane and get buckets makes him as dangerous an offensive weapon the league has to offer. His defense needs to improve to take him to the next level, along with his passing skills which have improved but he still has some work to do. Also can I suggest lifting some weights Kevin? Just saying.
Number 3: Carmelo Anthony
Coming in at number three, is the leader of the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is one of the league's most natural scorers, seeming create his own shot on almost every possession. When it comes to scoring, he may be the best small forward in the league today, he is the modern day Bernard King. However, the reason he only ranks number three, is his lack of a complete and well rounded game. As much as his offensive game excels, his defense suffers just as much. This especially becomes apparent when he has to guard the games elite, Lebron, Pierce, or Durant. He simply cant lock down his man when it counts. He also has a little bit of Kobe in him as he can be a ball hog at times, and his passing game leaves some to be desired. He can score at will, and in bunches, but he will need to improve his all-around game to move up on this list.
Number 4: Paul Pierce
With age catching up to him, Pierce falls to number four on our list. A few years ago, Pierce would have been number three, or even number two, but now he has been overtaken. However, Pierce isn't dead yet. His shot is still there and even though he has slowed his game down and isn't getting to the foul line as much as in past years, he is still one of the best scorers the league has. In an NBA dominated by young stars, Pierce s one of the few veterans still getting it done. While he may not be at the level he once was when the big three were reigning in Boston, he still has plenty to offer the Celtics, or any team that he could be traded to near the deadline. He still locks down a spot in our top five at number four.
Number 5: Luol Deng
As I mentioned when I put Deng on The Flex's all-underrated team, the fact that he plays with two other big names, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer, overshadows Deng and his unique skill set. The fact that he is a rebounding threat, can get to the line at times, and is always a threat from the three point line make him one of the most versatile players in the NBA. Factor in his length that allows him to play at an lite level on the defensive side of the ball, and you have a top five small forward. He has been banged up the past couple of years, but when he is healthy he is a threat to dominate any part of the game not just with his scoring. He has all the tools that a team would want and if he can continue to stay healthy could wind up moving up on this list in the future. He has the potential to be a top player for years if healthy, and he claims the five spot.
As I mentioned when I put Deng on The Flex's all-underrated team, the fact that he plays with two other big names, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer, overshadows Deng and his unique skill set. The fact that he is a rebounding threat, can get to the line at times, and is always a threat from the three point line make him one of the most versatile players in the NBA. Factor in his length that allows him to play at an lite level on the defensive side of the ball, and you have a top five small forward. He has been banged up the past couple of years, but when he is healthy he is a threat to dominate any part of the game not just with his scoring. He has all the tools that a team would want and if he can continue to stay healthy could wind up moving up on this list in the future. He has the potential to be a top player for years if healthy, and he claims the five spot.
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