You remember power forwards? Not 4s. Power forwards. How many are left?

[Kblaze8855]

With position less basketball and the emphasis on spacing and switching we mostly have a league of tweeners it seems. Well not seems. It is. And im not here to old days you to death and complain about it....play to win. If having a bruiser who doesnt shoot much hurts in a league that puts guys like George, Durant, and so on at the 4....dont have one. Im not here to complain about it.

Im asking you to alert me to the presence of any holdouts I may have missed. There must be a few. Let me describe what im asking about....

You see....when I and your uncle were coming up positions had specific jobs. At least a few did. A center was expected to be able to score in the post and block shots. A 2 to be a scorer. A power forward....was supposed to be a bully. Rebound. Beat up the other teams guards if they came in the lane. Perhaps metaphorically....perhaps by literally tossing them out of the lane.....



https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PopularTartJaeger-size_restricted.gif




^

A move referred to as "**** outta here" by the well informed.



You toss around guys smaller than you. If one of your power forward counterparts does it to your guards...you spark a fight that might even get your coaching staff asses kicked too:








https://thumbs.gfycat.com/UntimelyAptFieldmouse-small.gif





Back then a coach could get it too. Charles Oakley started fights that got hands laid on at least 3 of his coaches.






So you bully the guards. Protect your guys. Watch enough 80s/90s fights thats often the cause. Larry Johnson hard fouling Xman because he kinda hit Dell Curry. Anyone with the name "Davis" shoving you around if you grabbed Reggie Miller too hard. Shit like that.




Then there was just good clean scum bagging. Knock a guy out given the chance:




https://thumbs.gfycat.com/InsidiousTastyBushbaby-size_restricted.gif






Dirty it up...clip a leg....take out his legs midair...whatever....






https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DistortedLimpingFlickertailsquirrel-size_restricted.gif

[Kblaze8855]

I could sit here and give you 50+ clips of power forwards in the 80s and 90s being ***** but I wont. I considered it. I got together like 40 minutes of footage on the subject I was gonna whittle down to like 12 for a "This is what a power forward used to be" video while im off the next 6 days but decided against it.

I will tell you that at one point I decided to count and see if every single starting power forward in 1997(random year) had ever been in a brawl or dirty altercation...and the results were interesting.

A full 22 of them were in downright fights and all but 2-3 can be caught being dirty. I dug into the crates.


I got you Webber and Sheed fighting.....Will Perdue fighting......Laettner not fighting but fulfilling his PF duties by cheap shot stomping an opponent in the chest....Antionio Mcdyess putting hands on Hakeem.....




https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ColossalDiscreteEarwig-size_restricted.gif







https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HotAcceptableAbyssiniancat-size_restricted.gif









https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SilkyKaleidoscopicFennecfox-size_restricted.gif




Its literally just shy of the entire NBAs 1997 class of starting 4s....but you would have gotten bored like 4 minutes in.

So ill just ask my question again then go fry some porkchops.....



Who is holding the traditional power forward down?

I have a couple ideas but I want yours. You know your teams bench scrubs im sure. Who would make Oakley proud?

Or is that kinda guy just flat out no longer wanted and/or allowed?

As a former shitty but physical power forward id be sad to learn you didnt have one or two roaming around ready to risk someones future because he didnt let your teams point circle through the lane unmolested.

A good 98% of the leagues starters at the position in the 90s would at least be willing to consider....slapping you in the face in front of your kids.

Im ok if you dont miss that and I might even look the other way while you foolishly suggest guys like Barkley, Malone, Oakley, Larry Johnson, and so on had no skill.

Im not here to fight with you about what you think basketball is supposed to be.

Im just asking you....

Which 4s in the league right now will risk it all and get physical because they know its their duty?

Or is that no longer a threat at ALL for a guard looking to prance into the lane?

[elementally morale]

MJ was and would still be the best PF. He never started a fight but would've won them all.

[RRR3]

MJ was and would still be the best PF. He never started a fight but would've won them all.
:lol

[PP34Deuce]

LaMarcus Aldridge
AD

[Ainosterhaspie]

Draymond Green is that guy as much as is possible.

[Kblaze8855]

I

[tontoz]

Harrell would have fit in back then, which is probably why he looks so unique now. So far this season in 19 games he has taken 35 shots outside 10 feet, shooting 14%.:lol


I haven't watched Bam Adebayo much but he might be another one.

Steven Adams is a center but he definitely has some old school in him.

[bigkingsfan]

https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_912,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/Portland-Trail-Blazers-v-Sacramento-Kings-576e854521f6c3cbb29334dc60cdd5c3.jpg

[Airupthere]

Last i remember is z-bo. Dont know if he

[NBAGOAT]

millsap is in between tweener and power forward. maybe john collins Harrell and holmes are small 5's imo.

[tanibanana]

LaMarcus Aldridge
AD

Both are C-PF. Good picks though.

[qrich]

Trez is about the only one that pops into mind right away

[Faded]

blake griffin (though he is quite versatile)

[tontoz]

Both are C-PF. Good picks though.

There is no power in those guys.

[ClipperRevival]

With position less basketball and the emphasis on spacing and switching we mostly have a league of tweeners it seems. Well not seems. It is. And im not here to old days you to death and complain about it....play to win. If having a bruiser who doesnt shoot much hurts in a league that puts guys like George, Durant, and so on at the 4....dont have one. Im not here to complain about it.

Im asking you to alert me to the presence of any holdouts I may have missed. There must be a few. Let me describe what im asking about....

You see....when I and your uncle were coming up positions had specific jobs. At least a few did. A center was expected to be able to score in the post and block shots. A 2 to be a scorer. A power forward....was supposed to be a bully. Rebound. Beat up the other teams guards if they came in the lane. Perhaps metaphorically....perhaps by literally tossing them out of the lane.....



https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PopularTartJaeger-size_restricted.gif




^

A move referred to as "**** outta here" by the well informed.



You toss around guys smaller than you. If one of your power forward counterparts does it to your guards...you spark a fight that might even get your coaching staff asses kicked too:








https://thumbs.gfycat.com/UntimelyAptFieldmouse-small.gif





Back then a coach could get it too. Charles Oakley started fights that got hands laid on at least 3 of his coaches.






So you bully the guards. Protect your guys. Watch enough 80s/90s fights thats often the cause. Larry Johnson hard fouling Xman because he kinda hit Dell Curry. Anyone with the name "Davis" shoving you around if you grabbed Reggie Miller too hard. Shit like that.




Then there was just good clean scum bagging. Knock a guy out given the chance:




https://thumbs.gfycat.com/InsidiousTastyBushbaby-size_restricted.gif






Dirty it up...clip a leg....take out his legs midair...whatever....






https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DistortedLimpingFlickertailsquirrel-size_restricted.gif

Good thread. Malone was a piece of sh*t. That above play is bordering on assault. Let's also not forget the elbow he gave Isiah.

But yeah, back in the days, the 4 was like the 6'10", 250 lb bruiser that was sort of like the enforcer.

Harrell obviously sticks out the most today. Dude plays with a non-stop motor too and would definitely fit in back in the days. Millsap also has that typical 4 body.

[ClipperRevival]

I know i'm going to sound like a "back in my days" guy but bball is just an inferior product today. A neutered product. Physicality is a basic part of the game. When I used to play, when a guy got too fresh, you put him on his ass and see how he reacts. Some don't like it and that affects them. Some keep coming. Bball is both a mental and physical test.

That's what bball had back in the days. The ability to get physical and test people. No, it's not just "thug" ball. It's about passion and letting rivalries brew form an organic form. Plus, just watching fights was fun as hell. Meant guys cared. Now, refs take 5 minutes to look over 1 play. :facepalm Don't get me started on nothing but 3's. :facepalm :rolleyes:

Golden era of bball = late 80's/early 90s'.

[tontoz]

Young Amare would have fit at 4 back in the day.

Duncan works in any era although some view him as a center. Elton Brand was pretty physical.

Not a lot of power in the 4s today. Lebron certainly has the body and has moved to the 4 but i still view him as a 3.

Kevin Love isn't a bruiser for sure but he isn't soft either and likes to mix it up inside, at least he did in Minny.

[ClipperRevival]

LaMarcus Aldridge
AD

AD my ass.

Now that he's a Laker and I get to see him daily, I know WHY dude never wanted to play the 5. Dude literally plays the game of a 3 actually. Loves to face up from the triple threat and either drive or pull up jumper. He doesn't like banging at all. If his back is to the basket, he prefers to shoot a turn around jumper or pivot spin move around the defender and drive. Dude wants NONE of that contact. If he was a little lighter/shorter, he would be a legit 3. He has the mindset of the 3 and plays like a 3. HE HATES CONTACT.

[brooks_thompson]

Minus the nasty, Domantas Sabonis is the most classic PF today. He functions more as a center since it has been decided that only one guy can play inside nowadays, but with his height and skillset (and 16 ft jumper Ho Grant and Oakley-style), he's definitely a power forward.

[Uncle Drew]

I know i'm going to sound like a "back in my days" guy but bball is just an inferior product today. A neutered product. Physicality is a basic part of the game. When I used to play, when a guy got too fresh, you put him on his ass and see how he reacts. Some don't like it and that affects them. Some keep coming. Bball is both a mental and physical test.

That's what bball had back in the days. The ability to get physical and test people. No, it's not just "thug" ball. It's about passion and letting rivalries brew form an organic form. Plus, just watching fights was fun as hell. Meant guys cared. Now, refs take 5 minutes to look over 1 play. :facepalm Don't get me started on nothing but 3's. :facepalm :rolleyes:

Golden era of bball = late 80's/early 90s'.
Back in my day yellers are the worst. Golden era = a league filled with grocery baggers and mechanics. Do you hear yourself? Get lost, grandpa.

[AirFederer]

Ibaka


Dirk killed the brute 4

[Kblaze8855]

Harrell and Sabonis were the two I had in mind though obviously without the physicality allowed back then. Every time I watch them I

[ImKobe]

AD my ass.

Now that he's a Laker and I get to see him daily, I know WHY dude never wanted to play the 5. Dude literally plays the game of a 3 actually. Loves to face up from the triple threat and either drive or pull up jumper. He doesn't like banging at all. If his back is to the basket, he prefers to shoot a turn around jumper or pivot spin move around the defender and drive. Dude wants NONE of that contact. If he was a little lighter/shorter, he would be a legit 3. He has the mindset of the 3 and plays like a 3. HE HATES CONTACT.

He used to be a lot more physical but he's had some injuries and he's playing with a sore shoulder right now so that might have something to do with it. I wouldn't want him to wear himself down in the RS, save that shit for the POs. He's developed his game a lot though and that's how most 4s in the league play today.

And you could pretty much say the same about Embiid, how often do you really see him bang down low? He's on the perimeter half the time and takes more shots out of the paint than he does inside.

[Xiao Yao You]

He used to be a lot more physical but he's had some injuries and he's playing with a sore shoulder right now so that might have something to do with it. I wouldn't want him to wear himself down in the RS, save that shit for the POs. He's developed his game a lot though and that's how most 4s in the league play today.

And you could pretty much say the same about Embiid, how often do you really see him bang down low? He's on the perimeter half the time and takes more shots out of the paint than he does inside.

when was he more physical? It's only been the past couple years where he'd even go anywhere near Gobert who is hardly the most physical guy in the league but he wanted nothing to do with him

[bullettooth]

MJ was and would still be the best PF. He never started a fight but would've won them all.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L2bhRrOAI-0/maxresdefault.jpg

[superduper]

AD my ass.

Now that he's a Laker and I get to see him daily, I know WHY dude never wanted to play the 5. Dude literally plays the game of a 3 actually. Loves to face up from the triple threat and either drive or pull up jumper. He doesn't like banging at all. If his back is to the basket, he prefers to shoot a turn around jumper or pivot spin move around the defender and drive. Dude wants NONE of that contact. If he was a little lighter/shorter, he would be a legit 3. He has the mindset of the 3 and plays like a 3. HE HATES CONTACT.

He is dominant as hell on the glass though.

[clipps]

LaMarcus Aldridge
AD

:biggums:

[LoneyROY7]

He is dominant as hell on the glass though.

9 rpg? :lol

[brooks_thompson]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L2bhRrOAI-0/maxresdefault.jpg

Oh god I had forgotten about the nickname jerseys