'%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)
Despite the NBA's shift towards small ball resulting in increased responsibilities on the shoulders of point guards, power forwards have still had a major role to play in the league.
Power forwards essentially have a dual role to play on the court; they are responsible for rebounding on a consistent basis and also putting the ball through the hoop, be it from the paint, mid-range or beyond the arc.
In the last decade, there have been plenty of high-caliber power forwards who have lit up the NBA with their dynamic skillset. Here we take a look at the five greatest power forwards of the 2010s:
#5 Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh was drafted with the fourth overall pick of the 2003 draft by the Toronto Raptors, where he went on to enjoy some success.
He was named an All-Star five times in seven seasons and led the Raptors to their first-ever division title in 2007.
Following another couple of successful seasons, Bosh decided to team up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami, forming the Big Three that dominated the NBA in subsequent years.
Bosh played a huge role in Miami's back-to-back championship victories, grabbing a huge offensive rebound and then feeding Ray Allen for his famous game-tying three in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
He was denied a third ring by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals following which his career took a turn for the worse. Issues with blood clots forced him onto the sidelines and he could never make a return to the court.
Bosh had his no. 1 jersey retired by the Miami Heat on March 26 this year.
#4 Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki was at the heart of one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history, leading the Dallas Mavericks past the all-conquering Miami Heat in 2011.
Nowitzki averaged a whopping 26.0 points and 9.7 rebounds in that series and was named Finals MVP for his efforts. That cemented his legacy as the greatest European player of all time and also one of the most lethal power forwards the NBA has ever seen.
Nowitzki, over the course of his 21-year career, led the Mavericks to 15 playoff appearances, including six in the last decade.
He set a plethora of records over the course of his career, becoming the first-ever player to feature for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons. He is also the first European to be named the league MVP and the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history.
At the time of his retirement at the end of the 2018/19 season, Nowitzki had racked up 31,560 points, 11,489 rebounds, and 3,651 assists.
#3 Draymond Green
Draymond Green might not be the most talented player on the circuit, but his drive and determination to succeed have ensured he's carved out a successful career for himself.
Green was the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors' Championship-winning sides of 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2017/18. Many believe that had Green not been suspended for Game 5 of the 2015/16 series, the Warriors would have ended up winning the crown that year as well.
Green is among the most versatile players in the league, capable of defending multiple positions, creating shots for himself and his teammates, and spacing the floor.
A three-time All-Star, Green was also named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
He is still only 29 and will have plenty of opportunities to add to his tally of three NBA championships.
#2 Blake Griffin
Debilitating injuries have repeatedly stalled Blake Griffin's career, preventing him from reaching the heights his talents deserved.
Griffin was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 draft, but missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
He bounced back in style the following season and was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds, breaking multiple records in the process.
Griffin was a part of the Lob City Era alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, making the Clippers a regular playoff team.
However, injuries reared their ugly head once again and he missed major chunks of the 2015-2018 campaigns. Despite those setbacks, Griffin still notched up several milestones, including becoming the fastest player to achieve 9,000 career points, 4,000 rebounds, and 1,500 assists since Larry Bird.
Despite his immense talent, Griffin has thus far been unable to win an NBA championship and considering the fact that he now plays for an average Detroit Pistons side, it is unlikely he will win any in the near future.
#1 Anthony Davis
The first overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Anthony Davis was touted for greatness ever since he first stepped onto an NBA court.
Davis averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in his rookie season with the New Orleans Hornets and was named in the All-Rookie First Team.
Phenomenal in pick-and-roll situations when he first entered the league, Davis soon added to his repertoire by developing a jump shot and also improving his post-up play. That paid rich dividends as he made the All-Star team in just his second season in the league and also finished third in the voting for NBA's Most Improved Player Award.
Davis continued to develop his game at a rapid pace and led the Pelicans to the playoffs in 2014/15 with astonishing performances, including a 36-point, 14-rebound, 9-block and 7-assist effort in a game against the Denver Nuggets, becoming the first player in NBA history to register such a statline.
He finished the season with sensational averages of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks and set numerous records in the playoffs despite the Pelicans' exit at the hands of eventual champions Golden State Warriors.
Despite being bogged down by serious injuries the next few years, Davis continued to perform at a high level. The Pelicans' lack of a supporting cast meant he was forced to request a trade in January 2019 following which he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this off-season, teaming up with LeBron James.
The duo has taken the NBA by storm this season, making the Lakers the favorites for the championship. LeBron's presence has hardly hindered Davis as he's averaging 27.7 points and 9.4 rebounds and is a serious contender for the MVP award.
Guess the Lakers players!
