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10 Best Power Forwards of All Time

best power forwards of all time

Who are the best power forwards of all time? It’s a position that has undergone an evolution in recent years. The position started as a role similar in responsibilities to centers.

It’s since been revolutionized with top power forwards having a good perimeter shot and creating a “stretch four”. Let’s take a look at the best power forwards of all time. 

10. Dennis Rodman

When you put aside Dennis Rodman’s appearances and his off-court antics, he was an elite defender, one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history and one of the best power forwards of all time.

His rebounding ability was so insane that he led the league in rebounds for seven years straight. Between 1991 and 1998, Rodman had 33 games where he finished with at least 25 rebounds.

Rodman was pivotal for both the Pistons and Bulls. He finished his career a five-time NBA champion, eight-time All-Defensive selection, and earned two All-Star, All-NBA selection, and Defensive Player of the Year awards. 

9. Dolph Schayes

Over the course of his 15-year Hall of Fame career, Dolph Schayes averaged 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, and 3.1 APG. He had an effective turnaround mid-range jumper, could move the ball, and was able to space the floor very well which not many power forwards could do in his day.

One of the first stars of the league, Schayes was an NBA champion in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals (the Philadelphia 76ers today) and an icon of the franchise. He earned 12 All-Star appearances and as many All-NBA Selections. 

8. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale came off the bench for more than half of his career but is still one of the best power forwards of all time. He earned three NBA Championships, seven All-Star appearances, was Sixth Man of the Year twice, and he earned six All-Defensive selections.

Charles Barkley named McHale as the toughest opponent he has ever faced. He was unguardable in the lower post and his extreme length made his turnaround shot virtually unblockable.

He averaged 17.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, and 1.7 BPG throughout his career which he spent entirely in Boston. 

7. Elvin Hayes

Elvin Hayes had a sensational career,  never averaging less than 20 PPG and 10 RPG in the first 12 years of his career. He was extremely versatile and missed just nine games in his 16-year career.

Hayes had a trademark turnaround jumper that was impossible to defend and he was a beast on the boards. Whilst with the Washington Bullets, Hayes won an NBA championship in 1978.

He also is a 12-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA selection, two All-Defensive selections and was NBA scoring champion in 1969. 

6. Bob Pettit

One of the best power forwards of all time is Rob Pettit, who was an NBA All-Star during every year of his 11-season career. Pettit was the first player to reach the 20,000 points mark and never averaged less than 24 PPG or 12 RPG in a season.

The Rookie of the Year in 1954-55 earned two MVP titles and an NBA championship in 1958 with the St Louis Hawks, after putting up 50 points and 25 rebounds in the deciding game.

5. Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley is one of the best players never to win an NBA championship. It didn’t matter that he was slightly undersized for a power forward at only 6-foot-6. He managed to average 22.1 PPG, and an unbelievable 11.7 RPG.

Despite often being towered over, Barkley had phenomenal positioning, timing, and a lower center of gravity to somehow create a rebounding advantage over big men. 

Not only did Barkley have the speed and agility to go from coast-to-coast delivering ferocious dunks and pinpoint passes – he was such a good natured person which made him a very well liked character.

4. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett had a well rounded game and could do pretty much anything at an elite level. Offensively he had a deadly mid-range game. On the other end he was one of the league’s best defenders and rebounders with legendary vision and anticipation. 

Both at the Celtics and Timberwolves, Garnett had an immense impact. He led the Celtics to a championship in 2008, and led the Timberwolves to the playoffs 8 times in 14 seasons in Minnesota. It’s a shame for the Vancouver Grizzlies that they left him on the draft board in 1995.

He was one of the most intensive and ferocious players of his era and averaged 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.4 BPG in his career. Individually he earned an MVP and Defensive of the Year titles, 15 All-Star appearances, 9 All-NBA and 23 All-Defensive selections.

3. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is third on the list of greatest power forwards of all time but he’s credited with having revolutionized the position into what it is today. The seven-foot German had a level of skill that was beyond belief for his height. 

His one-legged fadeaways were practically unguardable and quickly became iconic. He shot the ball well from range, sinking 38% of his shots from the three-point line. 

Nowitzki had an amazing basketball IQ and was extremely versatile. He’s the only player to record at least 31,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,000 steals, 1,000 blocks and 1,000 3-pointers

His career highlight was leading the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship. He earned an MVP and Finals MVP, 13x All-Star and 12x All-NBA selections.

2. Karl Malone

“The Mailman” Karl Malone is the greatest player to never win an NBA championship and second on the list of the best power forwards of all time. Two MVP titles, 14x All-Star, 14x All-NBA selections and 4x All-Defensive Team selections is proof of that. 

In a 17-year career he was one of the league’s most prolific scorers and was absolutely unstoppable during his prime. Between 1988 and 1998 he averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks. 

It was Malone’s combination of size, power and moves that made him impossible to defend in the low post. He was also a dominant force in the paint and combined it all with an excellent mid-range jump shot.

1. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan changed the entire San Antonio franchise after they tanked for him. Not only is he the best power forward of all time, he’s also one of the best NBA players ever. He couldn’t be stopped in the low post and he caused havoc with his instinctive play and freakish wingspan. 

Duncan won five NBA championships, earned 15 All-Star appearances and just as many All-NBA selections. Despite his selflessness he averaged 19.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 2.2 BPG.

He remained consistent throughout his 19-year career which he spent entirely at the Spurs. Duncan earned two MVP titles and three Finals MVP titles and is the indisputably the best power forward of all time.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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