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18.9k voters

The Best Small Forwards of All Time

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated July 13, 2020 132.3k votes 18.9k voters 221.3k views135 items

List RulesOnly NBA players who played small forward for most of their career

Who are the best small forwards of all time? A small forward serves a critical role in any basketball game, whether NCAA or pro, but this list is primarily concerned with the top small forwards in the NBA. Fans of the game know how important the small forward is: he is often one of the main scorers on the team. The small forward is also versatile, able to fill many roles for a team. Which small forward deserves the title of the best ever? That's for you to decide, with your votes. You can also add any small forwards who are missing from this list, and rerank it any way you want.

When it comes to deciding the best small forwards in the NBA, well, arguments might ensue. Everyone has a favorite -- whether it's LeBron James and his incredible size, strength and versatility, Larry Bird and his extraordinary shooting abilities or a modern era shooter with amazing shooting ability like Kevin Durant. Arguments can be made that virtually any one of the players listed here could be the best ever; certainly they are all among the top NBA players of all time, too.

If you're up for more voting, check out these lists of the greatest power forwards and the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, too. These are the top 10 small forwards in the NBA.

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1
7,263
2,440
Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 64
Birthplace: West Baden Springs, French Lick Township, Indiana, United States of America
2
8,933
3,460
LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 36
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
Number: 23
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3
5,175
2,236
Kevin Durant
Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Small forward
Age: 32
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Number: 35
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4
2,904
892
Kawhi Leonard
Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 29
Birthplace: Riverside, California
Number: 2
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5
4,219
2,081
Scottie Pippen
Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
Position: Small forward
Age: 55
Birthplace: Hamburg, Arkansas, United States of America
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6
2,165
1,233
Tracy McGrady
Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 41
Birthplace: Bartow, Florida, United States of America
7
1,573
1,135
Rick Barry
New York Nets, Houston Rockets
Position: Small forward
Age: 76
Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States of America

8
2,401
1,879
Paul Pierce
Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward
Age: 43
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States of America
Number: 34
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9
1,543
540
Charles Barkley
Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 57
Birthplace: Leeds, Alabama, United States of America
10
1,694
1,353
John Havlicek
Boston Celtics
Age: 79
Birthplace: Martins Ferry, Ohio
11
1,946
1,336
Vince Carter
Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 43
Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Florida, United States of America
Number: 25
12
879
415
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Small forward, Point forward
Age: 26
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Number: 34
13
901
492
Paul Arizin
Philadelphia Warriors
Age: Dec. at 78 (1928-2006)
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14
2,519
2,325
Dominique Wilkins
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward
Age: 60
Birthplace: Paris, France
15
392
144
Toni Kukoč
Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Small forward
Age: 52
Birthplace: Split, Croatia, Yugoslavia
16
2,026
1,913
James Worthy
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Small forward
Age: 58
Birthplace: Gastonia, North Carolina, United States of America
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17
2,439
2,461
Elgin Baylor
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Small forward
Age: 85
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
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18
1,183
1,051
Clyde Drexler
Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 58
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
19
1,455
1,386
Paul George
Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 30
Birthplace: Palmdale, California
Number: 24
20
1,846
1,888
Carmelo Anthony
Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks
Position: Small forward, Forward
Age: 36
Birthplace: Red Hook, New York City, New York, United States of America
Number: 7
21
852
742
Michael Jordan
Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 56
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
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22
124
25
Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat
Position: Small forward
Age: 31
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Number: 21
23
122
63
Luka Dončić
Dallas Mavericks
Position: Guard, Small forward
Number: 11
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24
287
204
Anthony Davis
New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Power forward, Center
Age: 27
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Number: 3
25
1,072
1,243
Grant Hill
Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic
Position: Small forward
Age: 47
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States of America
Number: 33
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