National Basketball Association

NBA: Top Ten Power Forwards In the NBA

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mar 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 123-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

As fans everywhere are already missing the NBA season, we here at Nugg Love like to help with your need.

As we all know, the NBA is filled with many great basketball players, and many great power forwards.

From your “small ball” forwards to the big bruisers in the paint, the power forward position is a truly interesting thing. There are superstars, overrated, and underrated players at this position, deep threats and post players, short and tall, a huge variety of this breed.

I started a ranking of all of the power forwards in the league recently, but we decided to cut straight to the chase and bring the top ten power forwards in the NBA today.

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So without further ado, let’s get started.

Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (left) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

10. Paul Millsap

Starting off the list is the power forward for the Atlanta Hawks, Paul Millsap. Here is an example of a two-headed monster of a power forward. He is a 6 foot 8 player who has some sweet moves in the paint. When it comes to Atlanta, this is one of the biggest players that I keep an eye out for.

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He hasn’t always been a Hawk, he came to Atlanta three years ago after a pretty lengthy tenure with the Jazz. What is the second part of his deadly game you may ask? He has a good outside game as well, so he truly can play all over the court.

Last season Millsap started every game for the Hawks except for one, and he didn’t even play in the one he didn’t start. In his three years as a Hawk, he has been the starting power forward. One of the biggest things about him is his durability and his ability to avoid injury. During his time as a Hawk, he has only not started in a game that he played in one time.

That means he is a combined 227 of 228 games started. He averaged about 17 points and nine rebounds for Atlanta last year, while shooting a respectable 32 percent from beyond the arc. He is the definition of a dual-threat power forward, and there aren’t many forwards that do that better.

Or are there?

Dec 16, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitski (41) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Dallas 107-81. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

9. Dirk Nowitzki.

There is no better example of a veteran and future hall of famer in the power forward position than the deep-threat Maverick, Dirk Nowitzki. He has been loyal to his team, playing in Dallas since his rookie season all the way back to the 1998 season.

I have always enjoyed watching this big German play, as I love the playing style that he possesses. He can shoot the three, and can even shoot that with a sweet fade-away that is matched by no other.

In his long NBA tenure, Nowitzki has been a pleasure to watch to NBA fans everywhere and a sign of consistency in his career. He has changed the game, and has had a crazy stat line doing it. He has averaged 22 points and 8 rebounds per game, and Nowitzki has also shot over 38 percent from beyond the arc.

He’s won championships, had great stats, and is the true definition of an NBA vet.

May 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (right) embraces Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (left) after game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 106-73. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

8. Chris Bosh

Bosh is one of the most forgotten and underrated power forwards in the league, that is, when he is healthy. It’s been tragic to hear about his medical problems in these recent seasons, and the game is so much better when he finds a way to get on the floor.

He’s an NBA Champion, a great player, and a great person, and we can’t wait to see him get back on the floor. He can shoot well, he is a good rebounder, and he has a great post play.

Bosh is a player who has averaged just over 19 points, 8.5 rebounds, and shot over 33 percent from three. He was one of the better players on the notorious “Big Three” in Miami along with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and he is one of the remaining remnants of those teams.

It got him two championships, and it will be exciting to see him back onto the floor.

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) stands on the court prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

7. Serge Ibaka

Involved in one of the biggest block-buster trades of the off-season, Serge Ibaka has gone from Oklahoma City to Orlando, and is a new member of the Magic. The Thunder got a pretty price in return for the sharp-shooting power forward in Victor Oladipo as well.

This is a guy that can be seen as underrated in the NBA, he can shoot, he plays magnificent defense, and has been one of the better players on a very talented Thunder team in recent memory.

He has an average stat line, in seven years of NBA talent, Ibaka has averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and has shot 52 percent from the field.

This is a pretty decent stat-line, but he has been overshadowed by the superstars of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, so this season should be his first chance to show what he’s really made of.

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Klay Thompson (11) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kevin Love.

Here is an NBA Champion who looks to build on what was a great season last year. He is the lesser recognized member of the Cleveland Cavaliers “Big Three,” with the other two members being LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

He can shoot, he can play in the post, and he was a monster back when he played for the Timberwolves. When he was in Minnesota, he was basically a one-man show.

He struggles at times, but based off of what we saw in the Timberwolves uniform, we know what he is capable of. Back in 2011, Love averaged a mind-boggling 26 points and 13 rebounds per game, so he is capable of MVP numbers. He shot 45 percent from the field, and a decent 37 percent from beyond the arc.

I get it, you could say he was in his prime then, but as far as I see it, with the team that he has, anything’s possible.

Mar 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) defends during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

5. Derrick Favors

Here is one of the more underrated power forwards in the NBA, as he has been one of the main stars of the Utah Jazz for his entire career after coming out of Georgia Tech. He’s not a shooter, but his post game and defensive ability more than makes up for his lack of shooting.

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Favors has a pretty good team core around him for the Jazz now, but they should be looking for the playoffs this season.

One good thing about the former Yellow Jacket is that he has gotten better with age. Last season he averaged 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He is an exceptional defensive player, and he is very efficient with his chances on the offensive side of the basketball.

Favors shot around 52 percent from the field last season, and he could be an interesting player to watch this season.

Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) defends Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

4. Blake Griffin

A true superstar out of Oklahoma, Blake Griffin has made his name known in the NBA today. He’s played for the Clippers during his entire career, mostly playing along-side point guard legend Chris Paul. In the early stages of his career, he was mostly seen as a ferocious dunker, and an excellent defensive player.

As time has gone, however, Griffin has started to expand his game, working on his mid-range shooting and basic offensive ability.

In his six-year career, the former Sooner has averaged 21.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. This has been rather impressive when there are other superstars on his team such as Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan.

He has also shot about 52 percent from the field, and has been the cause of plenty of ferocious dunks.

Apr 17, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

3. LaMarcus Aldridge

This is a guy who has been very competitive in his entire career when it comes to the power forward position.

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He’s relatively new to the Spurs, and he will be looked at when it comes to replacing the loss of the future Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan. Aldridge played well for the Spurs last year, and he has spent ten years in the league, including nine for the Portland Trail-Blazers.

Even with his stat-line from last season, he played even better in Portland, where he was accompanied by the superstar point guard, Damian Lillard.

LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 18 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during the 2015-2016 season for the Spurs, although he’s going to be used more frequently this season. During his last season in Portland, the 6 foot 11 power forward averaged 23.4  points, 10.2, and a block per game.

The post-Tim Duncan era has officially begun, and it starts with LaMarcus Aldridge.

Mar 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2. Draymond Green

Coming in at number two is the undersized power forward for the Golden State Warriors, Draymond Green. Green was a later pick in his draft, and has blossomed into a star for the Warriors, becoming a three-point shooter and a great rebounder even as he stands at 6 foot 7.

In fact, Draymond knows the names and teams of every player that was drafted before him at 35th in the draft. He’s a lethal shooter, post player, and an incredible motivator on the court. Green is normally the one seen hyping up the team when the time comes.

Draymond started showing signs of becoming a star about two years ago, and he definitely had his best season during the 2015-16 season. Last year he averaged 14 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists out of the power forward position.

Granted, it isn’t very hard to get so many assists when there are players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to feed it to, but to average over seven assists per game as a power forward is nothing to scoff at. Green should be a player to watch out for this season with the exciting new addition of Kevin Durant.

Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward center Anthony Davis (23) looks to shoot as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

1. Anthony Davis

The number one spot shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise, the true face of the New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis.

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Yes, he has played some center in his time in the NBA, but there’s no debating that Davis, a.k.a. “The Brow,” is the best power forward in the NBA. Coming out of Kentucky, the 6 foot 10 Davis has been nothing but a spark for the Pelicans in his four-year career. He’s an absolute killer in the paint, and he has been developing a pretty decent long-range game as time goes on.

“The Brow” averaged 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season, and this was an improvement on his stat-lines in recent seasons. I love the way that Davis plays, with fire and desire in his playing style.

He’s a bruiser, who’s also not afraid to step out and shoot from deep on a defense, and he is an excellent defender. In fact, last season he averaged 2 blocks and a steal per game, and has even been featured on the NBA All-Defensive 2nd team. He’s a monster on the court, and he will look to lead the Pelicans going into next season.

Well, there you have it. There are so many exciting and talented players at the power forward position, and many players that i had to leave out.  What will happen between these ten players? Some of them may fall, some may rise, and it will be interesting to watch and find out!

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