The X wrote:What sort of serious journo would say such a thing?
The X wrote:When it rains, it pours I guess.
Back on topic, I don't like Willard's list. I hate how he goes "Following on from my successful ranking of teams..."
What sort of serious journo would say such a thing?
My virtual guy has no issues with him though since I like to keep a good repertoire with my friendly reporters
Lightning Strike wrote:The X wrote:What sort of serious journo would say such a thing?
Thankfully he's just a blogger for Yahoo sports, nothing serious about that.
Just messing, I loved Trey Kerby.
October 3, 2013
Top 10 Small Forwards
By Willard Smith
Following on from my successful ranking of teams, I will try my hand at ranking each NBA position 10 through to 1. Don’t crucify me if you don’t see your favorite player here. I’m sure you will all have your own arguments and justifications for including snubbed players!
The small forward position is the deepest in the NBA. You have small forwards playing small forward. You got small forwards masquerading as shooting guards. And you even might find some starting at power forward. There are just so many of them and they are all talented. To make a list of just 10 was a difficult task but I have done it below!
On the Bubble
Marvin Williams, San Antonio Spurs, 27, Years Pro: 9
2012-13 stats: 16.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 638 GP, 335 GS
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Top Ten
10. Jason Richardson, Phoenix Suns, 32, Years Pro: 13
2012-13 stats: 21.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, .486 FG%, .470 3PT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.9 RPPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, .450 FG%, .409 3PT%, 902 GP, 756 GS
J-Rich is the result of the system. The Suns’ run and gun, up-tempo system brings out the best in him. His statistics suggest that he is a better player than he really is. Put him on any other NBA team and he would look fairly average – not to mention that he would not be a surefire starter. With all that said, averaging 20 a game is worthy of recognition and just enough to get J-Rich onto my top 10!
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9. Lamar Odom, New York Knicks, 33, Years Pro: 15
2012-13 stats: 13.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.9 APG, 76 GP, 76 GS
Career stats: 14.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.3 APG, 988 GP, 896 GS
It was always said that Lamar Odom was an All-Star caliber players and all he needed was a bigger role. It’s a bit of a shame that Odom only got that role after hitting his 30s. With the Knicks, Odom was the facilitator of a three-headed monster that also included Vince Carter and Allen Iverson. The trio didn’t really get anywhere with the Knicks except for score lots of points and have a lot of fun. With both players gone, Odom got his shot at being ‘the man’ and the result are his numbers being solid across the board (including his peaking rebounding and assists numbers). The Knicks finally made their first playoff campaign and even though Travis Ward has a big part in the scoring department, Odom does everything else. So to go back to the start of the paragraph: is Odom an All-Star caliber player now? Not quite but he is probably the closest he will ever be.
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8. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers, 30, Years Pro: 9
2012-13 stats: 20.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .491 FG%, .485 3PT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 18.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, .473 FG%, .440 3PT%, 650 GP, 564 GS
Like manager, like player. Danny Granger has the sweetest stroke in the NBA and he has always attributed it to being tutored by Larry Bird. Granger needs to stretch out his arsenal though if the Pacers are to succeed. They have one of the most talented teams in the league but if Granger isn’t scoring, he isn’t doing much else. If he wants to be part of the elite group of players at his position, he needs to be more of a complete player.
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7. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks, 27, Years Pro: 10
2012-13 stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 14.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 695 GP, 673 GS
Josh Smith is the heart and soul of the Hawks. (He also starts at power forward) Smith will keep the team competitive for as long as he’s a Hawk. It might not be a sure thing with Smith staying as a Hawk. As the Hawks lose more games, it is wondered whether the 10 year pro would intend to leave the team he has played for his entire career. It’s going to take a lot of convincing to get Smith to stay if the outlook for ATL is grim.
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6. Rudy Gay, Cleveland Cavaliers, 27, Years Pro: 8
2012-13 stats: 22.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG, .505 FG%, .448 3PT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 20.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG, .477 FG%, .412 3PT%, 570 GP, 533 GS
Yes, if Rudy is here then his famous teammate is further up the list. You see two Cavs on the list because even though Rudy starts as ‘shooting guard’ for the Cavs; he is still a small forward. Since joining the Cavs, Rudy Gay has developed a much more consistent three point shot. He has always been a great scorer with a nice jumper but now has great shot selection to boot. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to play alongside an MVP who demands double teams on a nightly basis – freeing up Gay on the floor for easy shots, when Gay in fact could be an MVP candidate himself if he played for a different team.
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5. Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers, 29, Years Pro: 8
2012-13 stats: 20.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, .480 FG%, .813 FT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 19.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, .475 FG%, .778 FT%, 533 GP, 531 GS
Out of necessity, Brandon Roy has learnt to utilise his abilities whether he is playing point guard, shooting guard or small forward. Many would argue that he is a guard rather than a forward but the NBA has listed him as a small forward and that is why he appears here on this list. Roy does everything so effortlessly and he is the reason why the Blazers did not fall flat on their faces after the departures of Steve Nash and Jerryd Bayless. Roy is a player who could average 25 points a night if he wanted to and he doesn’t because he puts the team first.
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4. Carmelo Anthony, New Jersey Nets, 29, Years Pro: 11
2012-13 stats: 24.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, .515 FG%, .366 3PT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 24.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, .491 FG%, .326 3PT%, 789 GP, 789 GS
The knock against Melo is that he is lazy on defense and too lazy to box out. For someone his size to not be a consistent threat on the boards is not acceptable. However, Melo is the star in New Jersey and if you are a star – you get allowances. Melo is as talented as the best scorer in this league. His step back jumper is absolutely lethal. I am just wondering when the Nets will start winning on a more consistent basis. It probably won’t happen until Melo commits himself on both ends of the basketball court.
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3. Kevin Durant, Seattle Stealth, 25, Years Pro: 7
2012-13 stats: 27.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 80 GP, 80 GS
Career stats: 27.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 488 GP, 488 GS
Kevin Durant is the best scorer in the NBA. His combination of speed, agility, length and a deadly jump shot make him the toughest player to guard. Even Lebron James has admitted the difficulty in sticking with Durant. When Durant is on fire, no double or triple team can stop him. His circus shots that somehow find its way in the hoop and his multiple buckets with hands in his face always break the backbone of opposition teams. Durant would be an MVP candidate in his own right only if he could prove that he makes his teammates better. Durant is the best scorer but there are questions on whether he is anywhere near the best leader?
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2. Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, 28, Years Pro: 11
2012-13 stats: 26.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, .505 FG%, .398 3PT%, .700FT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, .485 FG%, .366 3PT%, .712 FT%, 802 GP, 801 GS
Although he has the statistics, the MVP titles and the game that is so tough to stop, the knock against the King is that he has failed to win a ring over his 10 year NBA career. James has made the Finals stage a handful of times and on all those occasions, he has come out the loser. There isn’t much between Lebron and the guy at number 1. Their playing styles are completely opposite but they manage to do the same thing. There has been the argument that the Cavs’ supporting cast have not been good enough to stick it for their leader. With multiple notable additions this season, it’s time for Lebron James to prove that he is really the King.
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1. Moses Chara, Sacramento Kings, 27, Years Pro: 5
2012-13 stats: 25.6 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, .496 FG%, .434 3PT%, .912 FT%, 82 GP, 82 GS
Career stats: 25.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, .498 FG%, .438 3PT%, .919 FT%, 328 GP, 328 GS
Moses Chara’s first NBA title came a season after a demoralizing loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Chara is hungry for more. Chara also won his first MVP award last season and is no doubt looking to add another one too, just to rub it into Lebron James’ face. Chara’s slow perimeter-based game might not get seats out of their seats but it is efficient and effective enough to give the Kings a lot of hope in becoming back to back NBA champions.
Lamrock wrote:Dripping with spite.
newc wrote:Lamrock, did you really think, that you'll get into top 10 best small forwards in the League, when the best player of your draft class didn't even get into top 10 centers?
newc wrote:You're gonna regret those words next time we meet on the court
Sit wrote:newc wrote:You're gonna regret those words next time we meet on the court
Nice. I will need to recap Heat-Bucks and Wolves-Bucks now.
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