Top SEVEN Power Forwards of All-Time. Rank them?

[L.Kizzle]

These are the only power forwards to ever win a league MVP.

4 of them have multiple MVPs
5 of them have championships (4 of the Five Finals MVP)

How do you rank them? I've included only their 1st teams (All-NBA and Defense.)


Tim Duncan - 2 MVPs, 5 Champs, 3 Finals MVPs, 15 All-Star games, ten 1st teams, eight Defense 1st teams

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 2 MVPs, 1 Champ, 1 Finals MVP, 1 DPOY, 5 All-Star games, three 1st teams, three Defense 1st teams

Dirk Nowitzki- 1 MVP, 1 Champ, 1 Finals MVP, 14 All-Star games, four 1st teams

Kevin Garnett - 1 MVP, 15 All-Star games, Four 1st teams, nine Defense 1st teams, four rebounding titles

Karl Malone - 2 MVPs, 14 All-Star games, eleven 1st teams, three Defense 1st teams

Charles Barkley - 1 MVP, 11 All-Star games, five 1st teams, 1 rebounding title

Bob Pettit - 2 MVPs, 1 Champ, 11 All-Star games, ten 1st teams, two scoring titles
(No All-Defensive Teams or Finals MVPs in his era)

[FultzNationRISE]

Honestly, after Duncan I think it gets hard to objectively separate Malone/Barkley/KG/Dirk. Most of it comes down to fit and team circumstance. Giannis I would put below those guys. And I cant speak to Bob Pettit bc I have no familiarity with his game.

[tanibanana]

Just purely ranking them on rings, MVPs, FMVP (assuming its available since year 1 of NBA), ASMVP, All-NBA, All-Stars, DPOY, ROY.

1. Duncan
2. Dirk
3. Malone
4. Pettit
5. Antetokounmpo
6. Garnett
7. Barkley

[jlip]

Kevin Garnett - 1 MVP, 15 All-Star games, Four 1st teams, nine Defense 1st teams, four rebounding titles



Left off his DPOY

[HunterSThompson]

can't put giannis ahead of dirk lmao. wtf

the league robbed dirk of his 1st title remember

hes a legit 2 time champ and his one title in 2011 taking out lebrons f*ggot colluded Miami cheat nonsense is worth like 5 rings from today's sh*t league

[L.Kizzle]

Left off his DPOY

Thanks, I forgot he won one.

[Im Still Ballin]

Giannis is arguably already ahead of Dirk, Garnett, and Malone.

2 MVPs, 1 DPOY, 1 FMVP, 1 Ring.

[HunterSThompson]

Giannis is arguably already ahead of Dirk, Garnett, and Malone.

2 MVPs, 1 DPOY, 1 FMVP, 1 Ring.

this era and ring don't really compare to dirks


you can argue hes tied with KG and ahead of malone at best

[Gougou]

Tim Duncan
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Dirk Nowitzki
Kevin Garnett
Karl Malone
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis

[Manny98]

Tim Duncan
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Dirk Nowitzki
Kevin Garnett
Karl Malone
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis
This

[Im Still Ballin]

Tim Duncan
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Dirk Nowitzki
Kevin Garnett
Karl Malone
Charles Barkley
Anthony Davis

Solid list; I think I agree.

I like how you included AD. He was, in my opinion, 1A/1B with LBJ last year -- even if he didn't get the FMVP. Runner-up DPOY as well.

[Derka]

The scary thing with Giannis is he's only 26 and that's his resume. Guy's got 8-10 years left if he stays healthy.

Gougou's list is solid. I might put AD ahead of Barkley but that's it, and even then I could be talked out of it.

[fsvr54]

Giannis is not even in the top 20

[L.Kizzle]

Giannis is not even in the top 20
There's 20 PFs better than Giannis?

[imdaman99]

Giannis is not even in the top 20

Name your top 20. Exactly, you can't :oldlol:

[L.Kizzle]

Name your top 20. Exactly, you can't :oldlol:
Tom Chambers
Vin Baker
Charles Oakely
Buck Williams

[RogueBorg]

Tom Chambers
Vin Baker
Charles Oakely
Buck Williams

:roll: when I saw Tom Chambers. He actually was pretty good back in the day. Doesn't deserve to be on this list though.

[John8204]

1. Duncan
2. Pettit
3. Dirk
4. Malone
5. Garnett
6. Giannis
7. Barkley
8. Hayes
9. Schayes
10. McHale or Davis I go back and forth on them

[highwhey]

gianna isn't even in my top 10. if you think this dumb bitch would thrive in organized basketball without the aid of the refs, you're crazy.

[John8204]

gianna isn't even in my top 10. if you think this dumb bitch would thrive in organized basketball without the aid of the refs, you're crazy.

The refs make it eaiser on every generation of players...MJ isn't the GOAT if he played in the 50's or 60's because he would end every season with a broken wrist, ankle, or face

[highwhey]

The refs make it eaiser on every generation of players...MJ isn't the GOAT if he played in the 50's or 60's because he would end every season with a broken wrist, ankle, or face

MJ developed actual basketball skills, and yes i agree, superstars to have some aid from the refs, but that's moreso because they refine their craft so well they can exploit the rules and the gaps between clearly defined violations and rules. i.e, they are getting refs help through a skilled move. gianna did NOT develop such moves. the nba used to referee him A LOT differently before this past years finals. look at the finals and the amount of offensive fouls was ridiculous, the league decided overnight they will allow that from him. it's absurd. you can argue to extent lebron has benefited from the same, but giannis spams this move non-stop, he fouled his way to a championship. i'm sorry if i'm not sold on his signature move being a blatant offensive foul.

let me know when he develops the post game of duncan or KG. shit, paul pierce has more post moves than this fraud.

[John8204]

MJ developed the "skill" of waiting out the Celtics and Pistons who were defensive based teams. I agree with you that he's not of KG's or Duncan's level but he's top ten. If you are going to argue against him argue for PF's of his generation that should be ranked ahead of him.

[highwhey]

MJ developed the "skill" of waiting out the Celtics and Pistons who were defensive based teams. I agree with you that he's not of KG's or Duncan's level but he's top ten. If you are going to argue against him argue for PF's of his generation that should be ranked ahead of him.

weak PF generation tbh. whos his competition? gordon hayward? it's difficult to even compare him against his peers because there aren't that many prototypical PF's left. AD is injured too often. the position seems scarce.

i'm just speaking facts. ayton was called for defensive fouls for standing his ground...my point of view is always equality. if the refs want to allow giannis to play physically, like barreling into the paint with his shoulder, OK, but let the defense play physically too, because calling Ayton for a defensive foul while he's standing there STILL is straight bullsh1t. it's lopsided officiating.

17 free throw attempts in game 3 of the finals...the turning of the tide, momentum changer when the refs decided to call silly fouls on the defensive for breathing on giannis.

[rmt]

I prefer some actual basketball skills than mowing people over.

[highwhey]

I prefer some actual basketball skills than mowing people over.

THANK YOU. :applause:

[rmt]

MJ developed the "skill" of waiting out the Celtics and Pistons who were defensive based teams. I agree with you that he's not of KG's or Duncan's level but he's top ten. If you are going to argue against him argue for PF's of his generation that should be ranked ahead of him.

What I found interesting about that thread (about teams of different decades) is the concentration of good players of certain positions in particular decades. This era seems to be of great (young) point guards and a deficiency of big men. And the 90s-00s were the opposite.

[FKAri]

Duncan
Barkley
Nowitzki
Pettit
Malone
Garnett
Giannis


What I found interesting about that thread (about teams of different decades) is the concentration of good players of certain positions in particular decades. This era seems to be of great (young) point guards and a deficiency of big men. And the 90s-00s were the opposite.

It's probably just the rules. Big men can't shine like they could. Guards today shine more than they could.

[Kawhi_Why_Not]

1) giannis
2) dirk
3) duncan
4) bob Pettit
5) Kevin Garnett
6) Karl Malone
7) Barkley (doesn't belong cause his defense. Also his iq just listen to him talk on nba tnt)

[Round Mound]

1-Duncan
2-Barkley
3-Malone
4-McHale
5-Dirk
6-Garnett
7-Hayes or Pettit

[TheGoatest]

Right now Giannis is not ahead of Garnett, Dirk, Barkley or Malone.
He doesn't need more rings/MVPs to get ahead of them, but he does need more seasons of being an elite player.

[Gohan]

I watch the games and giannis is not on dirks level offensively but dirk is not on his level defensively

[L.Kizzle]

I watch the games and giannis is not on dirks level offensively but dirk is not on his level defensively
That may or may not be true, but Giannis has avg over 27 ppg four times and Dirk has never done it.
Dirk has never avg over 4 assist per game and Giannis has avg over 5 assist, five times.

[Airupthere]

Duncan
Barkley
Dirk
Giannis
KG
Malone

[Jasper]

I like to say that Malone at one time was the proto-type PF of all time / But then Timmy came alone , and literally could of had 6 chips.

Everyone else is basically #2 , but Giannis is playing and if he gets 3 chips no matter when , or where , I would consider him in the conversation with Duncan.
** Duncan could never run the floor like Giannis.

[HunterSThompson]

#1 Duncan
#2 Garnett
#3 Dirk
#4 Giannis
#5 Barkley
#6 Malone
#7 Pettit
#8 McHale
#9 Hayes
#10 Rodman

[bizil]

GOAT wise:

Timmy

Hands down Timmy as the GOAT PF. From there, you could rank Dirk, Barkley, Mailman, and KG a number of ways. For me, I would go with KG, Dirk, Mailman, and Barkley to round it out.

In general, many lists tend to have Mailman and Barkley ranked over KG and Dirk. EVEN THOUGH KG and Dirk both won a ring in their prime. And were MVPs. I think BOTH were great enough peak-prime wise to JUSTIFY being rated over Mailman and Barkley GOAT wise. Even though Giannis could very well be the GOAT PF some day. And peak-prime wise, Giannis could also go down as the best PF ever. He's only 27 now. And look what he's done! If AD can get healthy and stay durable, he should get in this top 7 GOAT PF race. Hayes, Pettit, and Giannis all have the edge on him at this point.

[HunterSThompson]

GOAT wise:

Timmy

Hands down Timmy as the GOAT PF. From there, you could rank Dirk, Barkley, Mailman, and KG a number of ways. For me, I would go with KG, Dirk, Mailman, and Barkley to round it out.

In general, many lists tend to have Mailman and Barkley ranked over KG and Dirk. EVEN THOUGH KG and Dirk both won a ring in their prime. And were MVPs. I think BOTH were great enough peak-prime wise to JUSTIFY being rated over Mailman and Barkley GOAT wise. Even though Giannis could very well be the GOAT PF some day. And peak-prime wise, Giannis could also go down as the best PF ever. He's only 26 now. And look what he's done!

I mean yeah Duncan's run away goat power forward sure.. but really only cause he was too p*ssy to play center and guard shaq for his first so many years in the league. then when Shaq got old Timmy switched to center and took on the challenge cause the league went small

kind of pathetic tbh

the guy was a 7 footer lmao

[Johnny32]

legoat when he plays pf.

[Round Mound]

What i liked about Chuck and Mailman is that they played with POWER. Others play with more finess but no other Powerforwards played wth more POWER than Chuck and Mailman.

[L.Kizzle]

What i liked about Chuck and Mailman is that they played with POWER. Others play with more finess but no other Powerforwards played wth more POWER than Chuck and Mailman.
Buck Williams probably played with more power but I get what you're saying.

[AussieSteve]

1. Duncan
2. Barkley
3. Dirk
4. Malone
5. KG
6. Petit
7. Giannis

Duncan clearly.

Barkley has the weakest resume of the bunch, but he was a better player than all except Duncan.

KG never scored more than 35 points in a PO game in his entire career.

I really can't stand Giannis, and happily admit I'm biased. His resume puts him higher, but his actual basketball ability.... i think he's behind them all.

[Pointguard]

Giannis should get special attention. One is because he's just entering his prime now. He came into the league not really knowing how to play ball and definitely not the PF position but improved to being the most dominant big man and among the most versatile PF's ever. His improvement arch is just better than all of them. He runs the floor better than any PF. He passes as good as any top PF ever. He's top three at defense in the above list. Matured into one of the best rebounders of this bunch. Has the highest PER of any PF ever. He's the best at getting to the rim of all PFs ever. He's had the best finals game and close out games of them all. Has the best three year stretch of any PF ever. Only Malone has scored more in a season on that list and only KG and Barkley has rebounded more. And this is from a guy who came into the league green, weighing 190 lbs and was six foot nine averaging 7 ppg and 4 rebs.

He could have played the game in any era because he learned the game while in the league and now has the most versatile skill set of the great PF's. Ability wise who would you compare to him? He can play as many positions as even KG on both sides of the ball.

[bizil]

Giannis should get special attention. One is because he's just entering his prime now. He came into the league not really knowing how to play ball and definitely not the PF position but improved to being the most dominant big man and among the most versatile PF's ever. His improvement arch is just better than all of them. He runs the floor better than any PF. He passes as good as any top PF ever. He's top three at defense in the above list. Matured into one of the best rebounders of this bunch. Has the highest PER of any PF ever. He's the best at getting to the rim of all PFs ever. He's had the best finals game and close out games of them all. Has the best three year stretch of any PF ever. Only Malone has scored more in a season on that list and only KG and Barkley has rebounded more. And this is from a guy who came into the league green, weighing 190 lbs and was six foot nine averaging 7 ppg and 4 rebs.

He could have played the game in any era because he learned the game while in the league and now has the most versatile skill set of the great PF's. Ability wise who would you compare to him? He can play as many positions as even KG on both sides of the ball.

I agree 100% Giannis AMPED UP what KG did back in the day. I think KG's scoring skillset is better. BUT Giannis HANDS DOWN is the better scorer in general. From there, has as much positional versatility as KG did two way wise. Just as good of a passer and rebounder too. And to be frank, Giannis's brand of athletic ability is MORE SIMILAR to guys like a Bron and G Hill. He just happens to be 7 foot. KG was a freak athlete as well too. Jus sayin Giannis is even MORE freak athletic. At the end of the day (if he stays healthy), I think Giannis takes the GOAT PF crown from Timmy. He doesn't need as many rings. Just think his career numbers, peak-prime value, and solo accolades will justify the GOAT PF crown.

[HoopsNY]

KG is overrated. We've been over this and people are still rating him so highly.

[bizil]

What i liked about Chuck and Mailman is that they played with POWER. Others play with more finess but no other Powerforwards played wth more POWER than Chuck and Mailman.

Giannis CERTAINLY plays with power! Just so happens he's a POSITIONLESS type of 7 footer two way wise. Barkley though OFFENSIVELY played with tremendous finesse and skill himself. At least on offense, he had positionless capabilities damn near. It was Chuck who proved you could have the brute force of a PF WITH the freak athletic ability and skillset of the great perimeter players. Hell Chuck EVEN PLAYED some SF back in the day.

So for me, u can't really put Malone and Chuck in the same lane in a sense. Barkley was WAY MORE NEW AGE than the Mailman! He could do EVERYTHING the great SF's could do. OR BETTER! EXCEPT defend and shoot the three ball. But his OVERALL SKILLSET and athletic ability was more SF type than PF for that era! Malone's overall skillset and athletic ability was more true PF. He EVOLVED what a Pettit and Hayes brought to the table.

[bizil]

KG is overrated. We've been over this and people are still rating him so highly.

If u look at KG's OVERALL career resume, it justifies him being ARGUABLY the #2 GOAT PF at this point. Malone and Barkley had more stage presence dominating games scoring. BUT KG was the start of the positionless two way 7 footer in the league. Forerunner to a Giannis and AD. So he could cover more gaps than any PF EVER. Giannis has taken it to the next level BECAUSE he's a more dominant scorer. So ANY shortcomings that could be attributed to KG is based around the scoring. For me, KG ranked top 20-25 overall GOAT wise is fair AF in my opinion.

[jayfan]

Honestly, after Duncan I think it gets hard to objectively separate Malone/Barkley/KG/Dirk. Most of it comes down to fit and team circumstance. Giannis I would put below those guys. And I cant speak to Bob Pettit bc I have no familiarity with his game.

+1


.

[John8204]

If u look at KG's OVERALL career resume, it justifies him being ARGUABLY the #2 GOAT PF at this point. Malone and Barkley had more stage presence dominating games scoring. BUT KG was the start of the positionless two way 7 footer in the league. Forerunner to a Giannis and AD. So he could cover more gaps than any PF EVER. Giannis has taken it to the next level BECAUSE he's a more dominant scorer. So ANY shortcomings that could be attributed to KG is based around the scoring. For me, KG ranked top 20-25 overall GOAT wise is fair AF in my opinion.

I don't think you can put him ahead of Bob Pettit

NBA champion (1958)
2× NBA MVP (1956, 1959)
11× NBA All-Star (1955–1965)
4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1956, 1958, 1959, 1962)
10× All-NBA First Team (1955–1964)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1955)
2× NBA scoring champion (1956, 1959)
NBA rebounding leader (1956)

vs
NBA champion (2008)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2004)
15× NBA All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000–2011, 2013)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (2003)
4× All-NBA First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2008)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000–2005, 2008, 2009, 2011)
4× NBA rebounding champion (2004–2007)

[ShawkFactory]

I mean yeah Duncan's run away goat power forward sure.. but really only cause he was too p*ssy to play center and guard shaq for his first so many years in the league. then when Shaq got old Timmy switched to center and took on the challenge cause the league went small

kind of pathetic tbh

the guy was a 7 footer lmao

Wtf are you talking about :lol

[Pointguard]

I agree 100% Giannis AMPED UP what KG did back in the day. I think KG's scoring skillset is better. BUT Giannis HANDS DOWN is the better scorer in general. From there, has as much positional versatility as KG did two way wise. Just as good of a passer and rebounder too. And to be frank, Giannis's brand of athletic ability is MORE SIMILAR to guys like a Bron and G Hill. He just happens to be 7 foot. KG was a freak athlete as well too. Jus sayin Giannis is even MORE freak athletic. At the end of the day (if he stays healthy), I think Giannis takes the GOAT PF crown from Timmy. He doesn't need as many rings. Just think his career numbers, peak-prime value, and solo accolades will justify the GOAT PF crown.

As always I enjoy your well thought out post. A thing KG did better was his communication on defense.

I also believe that its going to be hard to say more than a few things that Timmy does better than Giannis. Giannis works on game like Jordan did. I believe he will likely be one of the better shooters on this list if he wants to be. While I said when Giannis was a bad rookie that he would be an all time great, I didn't think it would be at PF.

[La Frescobaldi]

1) giannis
2) dirk
3) duncan
4) bob Pettit
5) Kevin Garnett
6) Karl Malone
7) Barkley (doesn't belong cause his defense. Also his iq just listen to him talk on nba tnt)

I was just listening to Robert Horry on his bigshotbob podcast (which is great) and he was standing up for Sir Charles saying Barkley’s defense would get pretty phenomenal.

[bizil]

As always I enjoy your well thought out post. A thing KG did better was his communication on defense.

I also believe that its going to be hard to say more than a few things that Timmy does better than Giannis. Giannis works on game like Jordan did. I believe he will likely be one of the better shooters on this list if he wants to be. While I said when Giannis was a bad rookie that he would be an all time great, I didn't think it would be at PF.

Yes indeed! I would say KG was a bit better defender than Giannis. And for me, KG and Giannis are basically in a class by themselves when it comes to the great positionless type two way 6'10-7 footers. Their INTENSITY on top of their other attributes really set them apart. I consider AD in that groupt too somewha. But over the years, his intensity and durability have been shown to NOT be on the level of KG and Giannis. KG the blueprint while Giannis has taken it to the next level! And Giannis does show a true willingness to improve on his weaker areas. I think what Bron did for the SF position in terms of that blend of freak athletic ability, positional versatility, and great all around numbers, Giannis is doing that for the PF position!

[L.Kizzle]

I was just listening to Robert Horry on his bigshotbob podcast (which is great) and he was standing up for Sir Charles saying Barkley’s defense would get pretty phenomenal.
You don't have to guard Robert Horry.

[HoopsNY]

If u look at KG's OVERALL career resume, it justifies him being ARGUABLY the #2 GOAT PF at this point. Malone and Barkley had more stage presence dominating games scoring. BUT KG was the start of the positionless two way 7 footer in the league. Forerunner to a Giannis and AD. So he could cover more gaps than any PF EVER. Giannis has taken it to the next level BECAUSE he's a more dominant scorer. So ANY shortcomings that could be attributed to KG is based around the scoring. For me, KG ranked top 20-25 overall GOAT wise is fair AF in my opinion.

Yea, but a lot of that resume is bloated because of the two finals appearances and title with a superteam. If KG doesn't join Boston, it's likely that he drops way down on everyone's list.

[Wally450]

this era and ring don't really compare to dirks


you can argue hes tied with KG

These two contradict themselves lol.

[bizil]

Yea, but a lot of that resume is bloated because of the two finals appearances and title with a superteam. If KG doesn't join Boston, it's likely that he drops way down on everyone's list.

KG had to do what he had to do. He did ALL HE COULD DO in Minny! You can't knock him for trying to get a ring before he was outta his prime. PLUS Boston's front office made those trades for him and Ray Allen. Ray, KG, and Truth WERE ALL in their 30's. On teams NOT CLOSE to winning rings. So Ainge making the trades to get those guys together was TOTALLY different than the Heat or GSW. Some legends in that era like Kobe and Duncan were able to get drafted by great franchises built to win rings. So they NEVER had to leave their teams. For other legends, it DOESN'T make sense to stay with franchises NOT ready to win rings after awhile. Especially in KG's case when he gave Minny 13 years!

Before joining Boston, he was already an MVP, All Star Game MVP, 10 time All Star, 8 Time All Defense, and 8 time All NBA BEFORE even joining Boston. PLUS he's the godfather of the positionless two way 7 footer. So he REVOLUTIONIZED his position on top of it! WITHOUT A RING, Garnett would have been a top 5 GOAT PF. His accolades, peak-prime value, and revolutionizing his position would have dictated it!

[Thenameless]

Tom Chambers
Vin Baker
Charles Oakely
Buck Williams

You have these four ahead of Giannis?