Over the years, the league has also entered the era of forward players, and we can see that the best performers in the playoff finals are forward players like James and Durant. Especially a small forward like James, who is the best player in history. As a result, the US media "HoopsHype" also lists the 20 greatest small forwards in the history of the league, who are overrated or underestimated.
1. James
James has won 4 championships in his career, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 regular season MVPs, 13 times in the Best Team and 5 times in the Best Defensive Team. 3 on the scoring list, 42nd on the rebounding list, 8th on the assists list and 12th on the steals list. There are few players like James who are self-disciplined and hardworking, and he is also one of the most discussed stars among the best players in history.
2. Larry Bird
Larry Bird won 3 championships in his career, 2 Finals MVPs, 3 regular season MVPs, 9 all-team and 12 All-Stars. 36 on the scoring list, 54th on the rebounding list, 44th on the assists list, 38th on the steals list and 159th on the blocks list. In history, it is difficult to find a player who is unwilling to continue to stay on the field to brush the data after blowing up the opponent, and Larry Bird is unique in this piece of history.
3. Durant
Durant has won 2 championships in his career, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 regular season MVP, 6 times to the Best Team, 6 times to the Best Defensive Team, and 11 times to the All-Star. 26 on the scoring list, 100 in the blocks and 141 in the assists list. Durant is a top three star in terms of offensive ability, and he has almost no dead ends on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends.
4. Julius Owen
Julius Irving won 1 championship, 1 Finals MVP in his career, was selected to the Best Team five times, and was selected as an All-Star 11 times. 73 on the scoring list, 213 in rebounds, 190 in assists, 47 in steals and 50 in blocks. Julius Owen only started playing for the NBA at the age of 26 and was the best player in history of his time.
5. Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor has been named to the All-Team 10 times in his career and an All-Star 11 times. 31st on the scoring list, 27th on the rebounding list and 151st on the assists list. Elgin Belle is the most tragic uncrowned king in the history of the league.
6. Pippen
Pippen has won six championships in his career, seven times to the All-Team, seven All-Stars and eight to the Defensive Team. 62 on the scoring list, 87th on the rebounding list, 33rd on the assists list, and 7th on the steals list. He's one of the core players of the Chicago Bulls Dynasty and one of the greatest small forwards in league history.
7. John Havlicek
John Haveliceck won 8 championships in his career, 1 Finals MVP, 11 all-team, 13 All-Stars and five all-defensive teams. 17th on the scoring list, 35th on the assists list and 74th on the rebounding list. He is one of the greatest players in Celtic history.
8. Leonard
Leonard has won 2 championships in his career, 2 Finals MVPs, 5 times to the Best Team, 5 times to the All-Star, 2 times to the Defensive Player of the Year, and 7 times to the Best Defensive Team. Ranked 169th in the steals table, he is a player with both attack and defense and very efficient.
9. Rick Barry
Rick Barry won 1 championship, 1 Finals MVP in his career, was selected to the Best Team five times, and was selected as an All-Star eight times. 71st on the scoring list, 117th on the assists list and 129th on the steals list. Rick Barry is one of the greatest forward scorers in league history, and his end-pee-pee shooting position is also very weird.
10. Dominica Wilkin
Dominique Wilkins was named to the All-Team seven times in his career and an All-Star nine times. 14 on the scoring list, 61st on the steals list and 102nd on the rebounding list. Dominique Wilkins is one of the greatest bucks in league history.
11. James Worthy
James Worthy won 3 championships in his career, 1 Finals MVP, 1 time in the Best Team 3 teams, and 7 times in the All-Star. 107th in the scoring list and 204th in the block list. Speed is his advantage, and he's also one of the best players in Lakers history.
12. Cameron Anthony
Active player Cameron Anthony has been named to the All-Team six times in his career and an All-Star ten times. 9 on the scoring list, 83rd on the rebounding list, 96th on the steals list, 176th on the assists list, and 213th on the block list. Cameron Anthony's singles are almost textbook-level presences and currently play for the Lakers.
13. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce has won 1 championship, 1 Finals MVP, 4 all-team and 10 All-Stars in his career. 16th on the scoring list, 20th on the steals list, 78th on the assists list, 84th on the rebounding list and 166th on the blocking list. Although Paul Pierce did not say that he had played many players of the same period in his time, he had many stars of the same period.
14. Paul Alikin
Paul Alikin won a championship in his career, was named to the All-Team three times and an All-Star 10 times. 110 on the scoring list and 168th on the rebounding chart. Paul Alikin, who led the Philadelphia Warriors to championships in the 1955-1956 season, was one of the first players to take advantage of the jump shot.
15. Alex Inglish
Alex Inglish was named to the All-NGA team twice in his career and an All-Star eight times. 20 on the scoring list, 95th on the assists list, tied for 143rd on the blocks and rebounds list, and 145th on the steals list. He was one of the best scorers of the '80s and one of the greatest players in Nuggets history.
16. Bernard King
Bernard King was named to the All-Team team twice in his career and an All-Star four times. 54 on the scoring list, 241st in assists and 250th in steals. Bernard King was also a player who was ruined by injuries.
17. Adrian Dantley
Adrian Dantley was named to the All-NBA Team twice in his career, and was named an All-Star six times, rookie of the year. 29 on the scoring list, 224 in rebounds and 249 in assists. He was one of the best scorers of the 80s.
18. Paul George
Active player Paul George has been named to the All-Team First Team once in his career, the All-Team Team five times, the All-Defensive Team-1 Team twice, the All-Defensive Team-2 team twice, and the All-Star seven times. 153 on the scoring list, 306 in rebounds and 306 in assists. Paul George is an offensive and defensive striker, and without injuries, his achievements would have been even higher.
19. Jamal Wilkes
Jamal Wilkes has won 4 championships in his career, 3 All-Stars, 2 defensive second teams, and Rookie of the Year. He is 149th on the scoring list, 255th on the rebounding list and 420th on the assists list. He's one of the best players in Lakers history.
20. Billy Cunningham
Billy Cunningham won a championship in his career, three times in the All-Team First Team, one in the All-Team Second Team, and four in the All-Star. 118 on the scoring list, 134 in rebounds and 286 in assists. He was always passionate about playing.