Power forwards are the most versatile players in basketball. These players must play both outside the three-point line and close to the zone. They are usually fast and strong enough to attack the hoop and play in the paint, yet tall enough to play with their backs to the hoop. Scoring, rebounding, stealing, and even blocking, a power forward must be able to do it all.Throughout NBA history there have been several power forwards who fulfilled their role to perfection, excelling in every game and becoming legends. Without further ado, let's take a look at the 10 best power forwards in NBA history.Honorable mentions: Spencer Haywood, LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Tom Chambers, Buck Williams, Elton Brand, Larry Nance and Kevin McHale.
10 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is certainly in the middle of his NBA career, but it is already safe to say that he is one of the best power forwards of all time. "The Greek Freak" started his career as a small forward and guard, but since he started playing regularly as a power forward in 2017, he became one of the most dominant players in the game.
Since that year, Giannis averaged 27.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, with a Player Efficiency Rating of 30.0, taking MVP honors twice. In fact, no power forward has more MVP awards than Antetokounmpo.
9 Chris Webber
Chris Webber did not play as many games as other power forwards on this list, but his averages were exceptional. In 675 games as a power forward, he averaged 21.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
"The Truth" was rookie of the year, five-time All-NBA, and five-time All-Star. He finished his career with a Player Efficiency Rating of 20.9 and a Value Over Replacement Player of 42.1.
8 Dolph Schayes
NBA Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes was the league's first great power forward. He played for the Syracuse Nationals from the 1949-50 season through the 1962-63 season and retired with the Philadelphia 76ers the following season.
Schayes recorded 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, with a 22.1 Player Efficiency Rating and 142.4 Win Shares. He made 12 All-Star Game appearances and was also named All-NBA 12 times.
7 Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes played the first four seasons of his NBA career as center, and he was amazing, being scoring champion and rebounding champion. Nevertheless, Baltimore Bullets’ coach Gene Shue turned Hayes into a power forward, and he played the rest of his career in that position (975 games).
“The Big E” is the only power forward in NBA history with at least 16,000 points scores, 9,000 rebounds, and 1,700 blocks. Elvin Hayes was a lethal player both offensively and defensively.
6 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett had a 21-year NBA career, playing 14 seasons for the Minnesota Timberwolves, six for the Boston Celtics, and two for the Brooklyn Nets. As a power forward, Garnett averaged 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
KG was the rebounding champion for four straight years, was named MVP of the 2003-04 season, and Defensive Player of the Year in the 2007-08 campaign. Among power forwards, Garnett is second all-time in assists (4,149) and fifth in points (19,587).
5 Bob Pettit
Like Dolph Schayes, Bob Pettit was one of the pioneers of the power forward position, one of those players who led the way, and taught others how to play the position.
In his 11-year career, "The Bombardier from Baton Rouge" averaged 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, with a 25.4 Player Efficiency Rating and 136 Win Shares. Pettit remains the only power forward in NBA history to average at least 25 points and 15 rebounds per game.
4 Dirk Nowitzki
Certainly, Dirk Nowitzki's averages were not as great as Bob Pettit's, but the German played for 21 years in the NBA and made a bigger impact in the long run. Nowitzki is the second-highest-scoring power forward of all time (27,174), behind only Karl Malone.
Plus, he has the most three points made by a power forward, with 1,606. "Dirty" averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 1292 games as a power forward, demonstrating longevity and effectiveness like few others.
3 Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley could not be missing from this list, as he had a memorable career, even though he was never able to win a championship ring.
Throughout 16 NBA seasons, Sir Charles averaged 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, with a Player Efficiency Rating of 24.6 and a Value Over Replacement Player of 80.5. He was an 11-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Star, and was named MVP of the 1992-93 season. Barkley was an absolute killer on the court.
2 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan played as a center for the second half of his career, but still, he was a tremendous power forward for his first 666 NBA games. Timmy recorded 22.1 points, 12 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game (highest for a power forward), with a 25.1 Player Efficiency Rating and a 52.2 Value Over Replacement Player.
Duncan was also a two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, and Rookie Of The Year. Yes, all that playing as a power forward. It is insane, isn't it?
1 Karl Malone
The best power forward in NBA history has to be Karl Malone. This guy played 19 seasons at an elite level, and that’s why he is the power forward with the most points scored (36,928), rebounds (14,968), assists (5,248), steals (2,085), Win Shares (234.6) and Value Over Replacement Player (99).
The Mailman averaged 25 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Malone was a two-time MVP and 14-time All-NBA, and, of course, he ended up in the NBA Hall Of Fame.