Shutterstock.com
The Power Forward position in basketball has always been seen as the complement to the center. The power forward is supposed to help rebound and defend the basketball while also coming out and support the ball handler gets to the basket. The power ahead has seen many playstyles, especially in today’s NBA. Sometimes the power forward is undersize, but their frame and ability help them impact the game. Young players try to emulate specific playstyles. Some of the best power forwards to play the game like Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, and Kevin Garnett. Those guys have helped make the position versatile. The young guys today try to emulate their game from some of the older guys in the league. Let’s take a look at some of the top talents in the power forward position.
Honorable Mentions
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marvin Bagley
Both Jaren Jackson and Marvin Bagley could have easily been on this list. Jackson proved to be a good player on both ends of the floor, and with the addition of Ja Morant now, Jackson can run the floor in transition and show off his ability. Jackson averaged 13 and 5 last season. Marvin Bagley came out and balled last season the pairing of him, and De Aaron Fox are becoming a dangerous combo. He was able to play down low in the post and pop the mid-range jumper. Bagley averaged 15 and 7 last season.
5. Aaron Gordon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-wQmwO3Cog
Aaron Gordon is a crazy athlete with excellent finishing at the rim. He has expanded his game from just being a dunker he has developed as a scorer. He has improved as a jump shooter this past season. His 3pt percentage increased and was the best it has been in his career at 34%. Last season Gordon averaged 16 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Gordon needs to work on his jumper, keep it consistent, and work on his defense make him a two-way player.
4.John Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dknMlIs4qt8
John Collins has been improving as a multi-dimensional player. He is developing as a rebounder and is as low post scorer and as a 3pt shooter. His field goal percentage did decrease from 57% to 56%, but his three-point attempts did increase from 0.6 to 2.6, and his rate increased from 34% to 35%. Playing with Trae Young has made Collins improve as a versatile player. He was a better rebounder averaging almost 10 a game. His defense lacked a bit, and he needs to make more of an impact on the defensive end.
3.Lauri Markkanen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzUWELkGjro
Lauri Markkanen has improved immensely as stretch four his shooting output has gotten better, and his confidence is also high. Last season he put up 18.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. His rebounding has improved from 7.5 to 9. Markkanen is standing at 7’0 tall, and he can use his size to get to the rim or take the outside shot. His three-point attempts increased from 5.9 to 6.4. Markkanen can improve as a defender and adding to his offensive arsenal.
2.Kyle Kuzma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66Cu5trM8Zc
Kyle Kuzma was a steal in the 2017 NBA draft. He put high numbers in his rookie year, especially on the offensive side of things. Kuzma scored 16.1 points per game and just progressed as a rising star on a young Laker squad. He is an inside-out threat meaning that he can be deadly from anywhere on the floor. Last year he averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Kuzma can improve on the defensive end and learn from Anthony Davis.
1.Kristaps Porzingis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVdraH4L8d8
At one point in time, every Knick fan hated the pick at 4, but Porzingis has developed into an absolute star. He proved himself to be a great rim protector with his 7’3 size. Porzingis averaged 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in the 2017-2018 season before going down with an ACL injury. He also made an impact on the offensive end being able to shoot the outside three pair that with his ability to play inside makes him a dangerous and one of the best power forwards in the league. His off-court issues and his injury history have hindered him a bit. Porzingis is on a new team and finally healthy, so let’s see if he gets back to his all-star level of play.
