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2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks was at the top of our power forwards rankings in the Eastern Conference. He was followed by Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers), Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers) and John Collins (Atlanta Hawks) to make up the top five at the four spot in the East.
The rankings are being done in anticipation of the 75th NBA season that begins on October 19. We have already ranked the top five point guards, shooting guards and small forwards in both conferences. The power forward position in the Western Conference similarly has some of the most talented players in the league, but also consists of a few names who need to redeem themselves in the upcoming season.
#5 Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)
Although Aaron Gordon averaged just 12.4 ppg in the 2020-21 NBA season, and just 10.2 ppg with the Denver Nuggets after he was traded by the Orlando Magic in March 2021, Gordon is better than those numbers suggest.
He is an athletic (should have won the dunk contest twice) big man, who also showed he can play defense when he was assigned to guard Damian Lillard in the Nuggets’ first round matchup against Portland.
With Jamal Murray unlikely to be available at the start of the 2021-22 season, Gordon will have to team up with league MVP Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. to ensure the Nuggets don’t stumble early in the season. Gordon would also like more minutes on the floor (played only 25.9 mpg for Denver after being traded) so that he can present the best version of himself to the Nuggets.
Nonetheless, the Nuggets have shown they believe in the 26-year-old by signing him to a reported four-year, $92 million contract extension.
#4 Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas Mavericks)
On the basis of his regular season numbers – 20.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 37.6% shooting from long range – there is no denying that Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most versatile big men in the game. He is a true unicorn.
But a look at his playoff numbers, from the Dallas Mavericks’ matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA postseason, where Porzingis averaged a paltry 13.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg and shot below 30% from distance over seven games, and one understands the criticism that is hurled at the power forward.
The inconsistent form, coupled with the fact that Porzingis is injury prone, has proven to be the biggest hurdle in Porzingis delivering on his potential. Since being chosen as an NBA All-Star in 2018, Porzingis hasn’t featured at All-Star Weekend since. Porzingis could correct that anomaly with a dominant performance in the 2021-22 season and then maintain consistency in the 2022 Playoffs as well.
#3 Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
One of the most skilled big men the NBA has ever seen. Green can defend the perimeter or the paint and can also be called upon to run the floor with the ball in his hands.
He can set screens for Stephen Curry and make the perfect pass to an open shooter standing at the three-point line. His 19-assist, 12-rebound game versus Denver on 23 April 2021 was evidence of just how well Green can impact a game despite scoring only two points (his 2020-21scoring average was 7.0 ppg).
With Klay Thompson returning to Golden State soon, Green’s effectiveness will be more visible than in the past couple of seasons. That he still managed a career-best 8.9 apg in 2020-21, says a lot about his playmaking ability, even in the absence of an all-time great shooter like Thompson.
#2 Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Zion Williamson made a spectacular improvement in year two of his NBA career. His scoring average improved by nearly five points from 22.5 ppg in his rookie season to 27.0 ppg in 2020-21. Williamson was also super-efficient in putting up his points as he shot 61.1% from the floor for the Pelicans. And to think that the Duke alum is only 21-years-old.
Williamson’s size and physical strength are a handful for most defenders. He can put the ball on the floor and make his way to the basket with ease. But as was the case with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Williamson may soon have to contend with more than one defender blocking his way to the bucket, in which case Williamson will have to be forced to develop a more reliable mid-range and outside shot.
#1 Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
There have been multiple reports suggesting that Davis could end up playing more as a center for the Lakers with their revamped roster in the 2021-22 season. Davis appears to have bulked up too for that role in the offseason. But until we see him playing center, Davis will rank as a power forward and the very best at that in the Western Conference.
Davis had a relatively ordinary 2020-21 NBA season. Injuries played their part in keeping him restricted to just 36 appearances for the Lakers, but in the 36 games that he played, his numbers dipped to 21.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg on 49% shooting from the field (compared to 26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, on 50.3% shooting efficiency from the field in 2019-20). The Lakers also stumbled in the 2021 playoffs in the first round, with Davis unavailable for the a large part of the series.
There is a sense that the disappointments of 2020-21 will motivate Davis to up his game and dominate for the Lakers from the beginning in the new NBA season. He will have to be effective on both ends of the floor if the Lakers have to win a record 18th NBA title in 2022.
