ESPN's Greatest Power Forwards

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2074360

I had to laugh at this...

"10. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks 1999-Present
No power forward dead or alive could keep him from dropping 20."

They forgot to add

"...except Ryan Bowen."

You think that's bad? Chris Webber was a few votes away from being in that list I was surprised to see KG so far down the list, I expect him to be at least in the top 4.

Even worse was Amare Stoudamire being in the same position of Webber. The most versatile defender of all time deserves a spot before Nowitzki and Williams.

Let's just accept it for the crap it is.

The fact that McAdoo is so low in the votes column, let alone out of the top 10, is just ridiculous.

Connie Hawkins would be in the top 10 if he actually was a power forward...

My list would be:

1) Karl Malone
2) Tim Duncan
3) Charles Barkley
4) Bob Pettit
5) Elvin Hayes
6) Kevin Garnett
7) Bob McAdoo
8) Kevin McHale
9) Dennis Rodman
10) Dave Debusschere

And Batman, Webber was thought to be at the top before he even entered the league. The guy was a beast in college and with the Warriors. He gets a bad rap simply because of his recent years along with his failure to lead a team when it matters.

And Batman, Webber was thought to be at the top before he even entered the league. The guy was a beast in college and with the Warriors. He gets a bad rap simply because of his recent years along with his failure to lead a team when it matters.

Yes lol, I know how good he use to be because I follow the game of basketball, but whoever would've though he would be one of the top 12 PF's in the league all-time Especially since he gets injured so much, he hasn't had a season yet where he played all 82 games or at least 77+ games. He was a great player back then, but I never thought of him as one of the top PF's of all-time at all. I would've rather seen Connie Hawkins higher on the list so since they put him as a PF, he should've been higher either way.

My list would be:

1.) Karl Malone
2.) Tim Duncan
3.) Charles Barkley
4.) Kevin Garnett
5.) Kevin McHale
6.) Elvin Hayes
7.) Bob Petit
8.) Dennis Rodman
9.) Dave DeBuschere
10.) Buck Williams (I guess, I havent seen any tapes of him playing or anything.)

its too bad shawn kemp turned into such a flop otherwise he could have easily cracked top 5 imo.

Agree with the Kemp comment. He was a beast back in Seattle. It's too bad he couldn't keep it together.

And Horace Grant wasn't a bad player either. Not top-10 material, but worth a look. It was his speed and rebounding which helped enable the Bulls first three championships.

ok im just curious why you people put karl malone over tim duncan?
Not trying to say Malone is no good, but why Malone over a
-2 time MVP
-2 time NBA Champ
-2 time Finals MVP
-All star every year
-All NBA Team every year
-All Defensive NBA Team Every Year
-Double Double average Every Year
-A guy whose skill is not 'flashy' and shows that fundamental aspects are good enough

I'd have Barkley over Duncan any day, my continued hate for the most overrated player in NBA history (ooo flames, look at them burn) carries on.

its too bad shawn kemp turned into such a flop otherwise he could have easily cracked top 5 imo.

oooo good comment. Kemp was a beast in Seattle.

I agree, had he remained motivated and in Seattle I think he'd have to be at least top ten. For a good portion of the 90s, he was among the best at the power forward position.

ok im just curious why you people put karl malone over tim duncan?
Not trying to say Malone is no good, but why Malone over a
-2 time MVP
-2 time NBA Champ
-2 time Finals MVP
-All star every year
-All NBA Team every year
-All Defensive NBA Team Every Year
-Double Double average Every Year
-A guy whose skill is not 'flashy' and shows that fundamental aspects are good enough

I'd say his longevity, plus the fact he's often considered the prototype power forward contribute heavily to most people ranking him the best power forward in history.

The list itself isn't too bad, though I would have expected some of the honourable mentions to make the list over a couple of the lower ranked players, Buck Williams and Dirk Nowitzki for example. Then again, this is a feature that considers Tom Tolbert an "NBA expert".

Plus, Tim Duncan may play as a PF, but is more like a Center with a decent/good outside game... I never considered him a PF... look at the finals right now... 5 minutes into the game and Mohammed gets subbed for Horry... guess who plays then...

I'd have Barkley over Duncan any day, my continued hate for the most overrated player in NBA history (ooo flames, look at them burn) carries on.

But why overrated??

That's interesting, I always had him on my list of the most underrated players in the league. He's so good that it isn't even funny.

After seeing him at the Olympics (yes I know most people will say that was a bad example) I just can't bring myself to like him anymore. He did nothing whatsoever that impressed me, in fact the only thing of note I can remember him doing was whinging about the referees which is a bullshit excuse because when you're such a fundamental-based player you should be able to adapt alot better than someone like LeBron who was travelling everytime he touched the ball.

I know he does alright in the NBA, but for someone of his immense calibre I was disappointed in the way he played. Plus, how can you not love a 6'4 PF like Barkley.

And Horace Grant wasn't a bad player either. Not top-10 material, but worth a look. It was his speed and rebounding which helped enable the Bulls first three championships.

And don't forget his ability(at the time) to consistently hit that 15 ft. jumper. Teams used to leave him open until he started knocking that thing down in the tri post offense.

I'd go with :

Duncan
Barkley
McHale
Malone
after these guys it doesn't matter and I hesistate to call Garnett a PF(I guess he's a basketball player like A.I.

Kemp gets honorable mention because once he started hitting the 15 ft he was a beast but he was a turnover prone player when he couldn't and had to dribble.

Last edited by galvatron3000 on Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

talking about Duncan:

I know he does alright in the NBA

these kind of quotes are what makes so many opinions in this forum worthless. He does alright in the NBA??? What makes you say that?

How can you be overrated when you've led your team to 2 (soon to be 3) NBA titles???

What position did Elgin Baylor played? wasn't he a PF? I guess not because he was not listed anyways, Karl Malone is being put ahead of Tim Duncan because of his longevity and he was as great as Tim is right now. Tim Duncan's number has declined over the years specially this one, not sure if its because he's aging or because he's becoming more and more of a team oriented type player. Maybe by the time Tim Duncan retires he'll be considered the best PF of all-time if he gets of couple of more titles (a recognition that is lacking in Malone's resume)

Elgin Baylor probably would have been a SF today.

Regarding Tim Duncan...let's remember this is the worst year of his career. This is the bottom of the barrel for him, skid row. This is the worst Tim Duncan the NBA has ever seen...and he's #2 in the NBA behind KG for Efficiency per 48min and his team is in the NBA Finals.

Imagine him in a good year.

1. Tim's minutes were down during the regular season and it was by design so naturally your number will drop but he still put up close to the same number with diminished numbers.

2. Tim has far more help on the perimeter this season than in the past with the increased responsibility of Parker and Ginobili, so that has also affected his production because he has help.(he's not Jordan[a guard] who has the ball in his hands and creates off the dribble, but a big man that has to be fed the ball by perimeter people.

3. Team oriented offense and defense and he's a team player

i know why jae seems to think that mr. fundamental isnt so great.... my username, lol


had my username been karl_malone, or sir_charles_barkley, he wouldnt like those players either

talking about Duncan:

I know he does alright in the NBA

these kind of quotes are what makes so many opinions in this forum worthless. He does alright in the NBA??? What makes you say that?

How can you be overrated when you've led your team to 2 (soon to be 3) NBA titles???

don't agree with Jae there. but calling his opinion worthless?

on the issue at hand, many casual fans think Timmy sucks because he's boring so I wouldn't really call him overrated

had my username been karl_malone, or sir_charles_barkley, he wouldnt like those players either

What is it with the overestimating of one's self on the forums lately? You're telling me he doesn't like Duncan because of...YOU? Right, then he'd HATE Kobe by now.

Where is Jermaine?
He didnt even get a vote
or wat about KMart?
Im not expectin them to be Top 10 (maybe Jermain) but at least some votes....
I mean Charles Oakley

Oakley was one mean son of a bitch, Martin hasn't got shit on him.