Top 5 NBA Power Forwards of all time

NBA never failed to produce great power forwards in its history. From Bob Petit to Tim Duncan to Dirk Nowitzki, we have witnessed many PF legends. These players have been the masters of the game in their era. But who will stand at the top when we put all these players in the same package. Let's have a look.

These players have been listed with respect to their greatness and their impact on the game and for their franchise.

#5 Charles Barkley

Barkley was an incredibly efficient offensive player and a phenomenal 2-point scorer. He also led the NBA in 2-point FG percentage for four continuous seasons from 1986–91 season.

Barkley was the shortest player to lead the league in rebounding in the year 1986-87, where he averaged a career-high 14.6 RPG.

He is one of the versatile players to score 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4000 assists.

Carrer :

22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 54.1% FG.

Achievements :

MVP in the 1992-93 season, All-Star MVP in 1990-91.

11-time All-Star,11-time All-NBA-Selection, Hall-of-fame.

#4 Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was drafted as the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He later changed the fortunes of the franchise as he led them to their first playoff appearance in their franchise history. His brilliance grew better every season eventually carrying the team to the Playoffs for eight successive seasons.

Later in 2007, Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in an enormous 7-for-1 deal with the Timberwolves. This deal became meaningful after Boston went on to beat the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 17th franchise title with Garnett finishing 26 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6.

Garnett was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and became the first person to win the award in Boston's franchise history.

Career :

17.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 BPG, 49.7% FG

Achievements :

MVP in the 2003-04 season, All-Star MVP in 2003, Defensive player of the year 2008.

15-time All-Star, 9-time All-NBA-Team, 12-time All-Defensive selection.

Championship with Boston Celtics (2008).

#3 Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki, the German player, had a forgettable start to his NBA career as he was poor in his defense and averaged only 8.2 PPG and 3.4 RPG in his rookie season. But he bounced back strong in his next season with numbers like 17.5 - 6.5 - 2.5. Every season he became stronger and eventually helped his team to reach playoffs after a decade in 2001.

In 2011, Drik led his franchise to win their first championship. They beat the Lakers in the Conference Semifinals and went on to beat the mighty Miami Heat who had the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in their lineup. He was awarded the Finals MVP for his heroics with averages of 26.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.

Drik has now tied with Kobe Bryant for playing most number of seasons for a single franchise.(Dirk plays his 20th season for Dallas Mavericks in 2017-18 season)

Career:

21.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 47.3% FG

Achievements :

MVP in 2006-07 season, Finals MVP in 2010-11 season

13 time All-Star, 12 time All-NBA selection.

Championship in 2010-11 season

#2 Karl Malone

Karl Malone was drafted by Utah Jazz as the 13th overall pick. Malone went on to lead his side in the offensive end early in his third season. Even though he played in the era of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he proved that he had enough basketball skills to score against any defensive unit.

In the 1996-97 season, Malone "The Mailman" had averaged 27.4 PPG and led Utah Jazz to 64 wins which were the most in franchise history. He also won MVP award that year.

In the same season, Malone led his team to defeat the Houston Rockets to win the Western Conference Championship. In the next season (1997-98), he continued his dominance by leading his team to another Western Conference Championship. However, both times he fell short to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the Finals.

He would win another MVP award, though, in 1999.

Career :

25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 51.6% FG

Achievements :

MVP Award in 1996-97 and 1998-99 seasons.

14-time All-Star, 14 time All-NBA selection, 4-time All-D selection.

Hall of Fame.

#1 Tim Duncan

It is easy to say that Tim Duncan was the greatest Power Forward the NBA has ever produced. His value to the franchise and match-winning ability made him overcome the other players to number one spot.

Duncan was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the first draft pick in 1997 NBA Draft. He proved his grit by grabbing 22 rebounds in the 2nd road game in his rookie year. Even Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley (both Hall of Fame Power Forwards) were impressed with his skills as a rookie.

Apart from being a great power forward, Duncan was also one of the finest basketball players the NBA has ever seen. There are very few players in NBA who can stop Duncan on man-to-man defense, being a dominant defensive player himself.

Duncan appeared on six NBA Finals and went on to win 5 championships with the lone loss coming against Lebron's Miami Heat in 2013. He is the only player other than John Salley to win the championship in three different decades.

Career :

19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.2 BPG, 50.6% FG

Achievements :

MVP in 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, Rookie of the year in 1997-98.

15-time All-Star, 15 time All-NBA selection, 15-time All-D selection.

Championship in 1999,2003,2005,2007,2014.

Quotes on the player :

The ultimate franchise player. For two decades, small-market San Antonio has built team after team around him, with so many different supporting casts. All he does is smooch in those bank shots. And win. -- Marc Stein, ESPN.com

Duncan is this generation's answer to Bill Russell. Fundamentals, consistency, quiet excellence and winning above all else; Duncan embodies everything basketball should be about. -- Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider