'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA has seen legendary small forwards such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant revolutionize the game and dominate the court over the past two decades. The rise of the small ball and three-point revolution has led to a positionless game with forwards being talented enough and capable of doing things which smaller guards do such as playmaking apart from shooting.
The new generation of forwards have huge shoes to fill but have the talent and capability to get there.
The 2021 pre-season has seen the rise of many talented small forwards but a few names stick out from the list for various reasons apart from their talent. These youngsters have been flat-out balling from the jump, creating a good impression in the eyes of their coaches and peers despite knowing that not a lot of them will get opportunities during the business end of the league.
Without further ado, here are the top five small forwards that have impressed the most during pre-season.
Top five small forwards that have shone bright during the pre season
Pre-season has always been a time for teams to test out new lineups and new schemes while getting their players up to the required fitness levels to get through a grueling season. Pre-season also serves as a platform for rising stars and young players to show their team that they can contribute during the regular season and some for the post-season if they fit the team's necessity and are lucky enough. However, there are some youngsters who have developed into future All-Stars after using pre-season as a good foundation to build on and this year there are a couple of players who could go down that path.
#5 Scottie Barnes
Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors front office, who are known for their elite player development program, have just found yet another diamond in the rough with rookie Scottie Barnes.
Scottie Barnes has had a blistering start to his Raptors career, showing off his defensive versitality as has the height and size to guard from 1-4 and in certain cases, even the 5. Barnes' versatality allows him to pressure guards while also battling with centers for rebounds. His tenacity was best shown on a play where he came back from a disadvantageous position to block Jayson Tatum's shot, leading to a fast-break where the youngster finished with a thunderous dunk.
Barnes brings more to the table than being a bulldog on the defensive end as he leads the team in assists, making the right plays and reads to get his teammates in good positions for easy buckets. He has averaged an impressive 6.3 assists per game, ranking up there with the best in the league during the pre-season.
His scoring is still raw but if developed in the right manner, Barnes has the capability to be one of the best small-forwards in the league. Having a coach like Nick Nurse who encourages players to be aggressive is a great advantage to him as he can play with freedom without the worry of being pulled out due to a mistake.
#4 Kevin Porter
Houston Rockets small-forward Kevin Porter Jr. had a new lease of life after his trade from Cleveland with a huge spike in stats in terms of scoring and assists. Porter gives Houston an option in both the two and three spots with his playmaking and improved scoring skills.
The young forward came out firing on all cylinders during the 2021-22 pre-season, averaging 18.5 points and 46.7% shooting from the three-point line in 15 attempts to along with 4.5 assists.
Houston is not expected to have major expectations in a loaded Western Conference this year, and that gives Porter plenty of time to take the next jump and establish himself as a legitimate threat every night he steps on the court. He has the chance to be a solid foundation piece for his team to build around along with Jalen Green.
#3 Brandon Boston Jr.
Drafting Brandon Boston Jr. was considered a low-risk, highly rewarding move for the championship aspiring Clippers. Boston certainly does not look like a player selected with the 51st pick considering his blistering start to the pre-season.
Boston has impressed the Clippers coaching staff by showcasing superior shooting skills with ball-handling skills while also occasionally showing a great feel for playmaking. The youngster averaged 13.3 points with 36.4% from the three-point line to go with 3.7 rebounds and two assists in 21.3 minutes.
The 19 year old is placed in a situation where not a lot of young rookies get to be in as he learns from two of the best two-way wings to ever play the game between Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. With Kawhi injured for the season, Boston has plenty of chances to get on the court and show that he can contribute to the Clippers' championship aspirations.
The Clippers just might have their next great wing in their hands if developed properly.
#2 Justin Champagnie
Justin Champagnie has already caught the eye of head coach Nick Nurse with his supreme effort and hustle. The talented forward went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft but had his goal of playing for the Toronto Raptors come true.
Champagnie chose the Raptors due to their elite player development program, giving himself the ideal platform that he required to mold his game while also betting on himself and his abilities.
The decision seems to be a match made in heaven for both sides as he has had a amazing start to the pre-season. Champagnie has shown off his defensive versitality and relentless mortor in his first three games with the Raptors, averaging one block and two steals per game.
His three-point shot was a little shaky as expected but he has flashed a superior scoring capability with his off-ball movement and good touch around the basket. His offensive arsenal was on full display against the Philadelphia 76ers as he scored 17 points in the game, hitting 2-5 from the three-point line to go along with 10 rebounds.
His hustle, rebounding ability, underrated scoring capability and defensive versitality make him a solid weapon for coach Nick Nurse, who will give the young forward every tool he needs to be one of the best in the league.
#1 Trey Murphy III
Trey Murphy III came out on fire for the New Orleans Pelicans during the pre-season. The Pelicans badly needed a floor spacer and it looks like they got their wish even though three games is a very small sample size.
The rookie has shot 57.7 % from the three-point line, while averaging 19.3 points per game. He has also flashed the potential to have a more complete scoring package with his ability to create his own shots, drive, attack close-outs and finish around the rim. His ability to shoot makes him an immediate contributor to a team that finished 26th in three-point percentage last season.
Trey Murphy III will mostly play a huge role in the regular season barring something disastrous happening due to the Pelicans lacking a perimeter presence, with their two biggest stars being more of an interior and mid range threat. He has an ideal opportunity to develop his game in a market with less pressure as he aims to become one of the best forwards in the league.
Guess the Lakers players!
