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Power forward - sometimes also known as the four - is more of a post-oriented position. The players assigned to this spot are often expected to play with their backs to the basket. Typically incorporated in the European style of basketball, one of their key responsibility lies in rebounding the ball efficiently, working in tandem with the center on the team.
Players occupying the small forward or center spot often tend to shuffle between power forward roles depending on the coaching decisions on a game-to-game basis. Although a PF acting as a center may find himself falling short in terms of the length needed, but makes up for it in gazillions of other ways.
The mid-range shot is their prime way of scoring points on a regular basis, but just like every other position in modern-day basketball, they are expected to shoot threes as well nowadays. A skilled power forward can really help secure the team's chances of putting up a solid two-way game.
Restricting our jurisdiction to the ongoing season, let's talk about the three best power forwards in the league in terms of overall productivity.
#3 Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons)
The offensive production surrounding Griffin is Detroit this year, in something never-before-seen from the former dunk contest champion. Playing like a man on a mission, Blake just grabbed the sixth All-Star berth of his career this season for his ecstatic numbers. Griffin played his last All-Star game back in 2015 and the privilege has eluded him ever since.
Across the 54 games he has played, he is averaging a career-high 26.3 points per game, overshadowing his previous averages by a fair margin. He is shooting an efficient 36% from beyond the arc and carrying most of the load for the Pistons' scoring on a nightly basis.
He might be the deciding factor in Detroit's postseason future as they hang by a thread at the eight position out East.
Highlight: Last month against his former team(Clippers), Griffin dropped a season-high 44 points, shot a respectable 57% from the field, recorded 3 steals and made 13 free-throws.
#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Antetokounmpo is one of the few ultra-talented bigs in the league averaging a double-double this season. He is averaging career-best numbers in scoring as well as rebounding, stacking up stats with a rate of 27.2 ppg and 12.7 rpg through 53 games played for the Bucks this season.
The Bucks' marquee power forward is redefining effective athleticism on a daily basis, dominating the defense and carrying his team to the top of the food chain single-handedly. A career 51% shooter from the field, Giannis is getting buckets at a career-best rate of 58% from the field this season, only bested by bigs playing beneath the rim.
As he grabs defensive boards with the second-best rate in the league(after Embiid), his presence in the paint is one that the opposing teams evidently respect.
Highlight: The Freak recorded 44 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks while shooting 74% from the field, against the Cavaliers back in December.
#1 Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
The ungainly trade disarray saw Davis missing nine games when he was averaging 28.5 points per game(4th best in the league). Even though his graph has plummeted ever since, his numbers on both ends of the floor still remain worthy of respectable attention.
His rebounds average of 13.1(also the fourth best in the league right now) is the best he has ever recorded in his career. The generational talent in Anthony Davis makes him one of the most complete PFs to play the game, as he holds the league's second-best average of blocks per game(2.6) as well.
Adding career-highs of 4.3 apg and 1.6 spg to the above, it only solidifies his case for being a player for whom teams are willing to give their all.
Highlight: Against the Mavericks in December, AD put up a monster stat line comprising of 48 points, 17 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals whilst shooting an impressive 20-of-32 from the field.
