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19.0k voters

The Best Small Forwards of All Time

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated July 13, 2020 128.1k votes 19.0k voters 221.6k 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
7,005
2,362
Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 64
Birthplace: West Baden Springs, French Lick Township, Indiana, United States of America
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2
8,596
3,345
LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 36
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
Number: 23
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3
5,005
2,151
Kevin Durant
Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Small forward
Age: 32
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
Number: 35
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4
2,821
878
Kawhi Leonard
Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 29
Birthplace: Riverside, California
Number: 2
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5
4,074
2,011
Scottie Pippen
Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
Position: Small forward
Age: 55
Birthplace: Hamburg, Arkansas, United States of America
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6
2,087
1,211
Tracy McGrady
Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 41
Birthplace: Bartow, Florida, United States of America
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7
1,524
1,107
Rick Barry
New York Nets, Houston Rockets
Position: Small forward
Age: 76
Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States of America
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8
2,323
1,838
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
1,510
535
Charles Barkley
Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Age: 57
Birthplace: Leeds, Alabama, United States of America
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10
1,647
1,311
John Havlicek
Boston Celtics
Age: 80
Birthplace: Martins Ferry, Ohio, United States of America
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11
1,877
1,305
Vince Carter
Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 43
Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Florida, United States of America
Number: 25
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12
900
487
Paul Arizin
Philadelphia Warriors
Age: Dec. at 78 (1928-2006)
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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13
858
415
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Small forward, Point forward
Age: 26
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Number: 34
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14
2,435
2,248
Dominique Wilkins
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward
Age: 60
Birthplace: Paris, France
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15
389
152
Toni Kukoč
Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Small forward
Age: 52
Birthplace: Split, Croatia, Yugoslavia
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16
1,967
1,862
James Worthy
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Small forward
Age: 58
Birthplace: Gastonia, North Carolina, United States of America
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17
2,353
2,371
Elgin Baylor
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Small forward
Age: 85
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
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18
1,143
1,040
Clyde Drexler
Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 58
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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19
1,405
1,368
Paul George
Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers
Position: Shooting guard, Small forward
Age: 30
Birthplace: Palmdale, California
Number: 24
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20
1,787
1,835
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
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21
821
734
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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123
26
Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat
Position: Small forward
Age: 31
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Number: 21
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23
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67
Luka Dončić
Dallas Mavericks
Position: Guard, Small forward
Number: 11
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24
276
200
Anthony Davis
New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Power forward, Center
Age: 27
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Number: 3
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25
295
265
Gordon Hayward
Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics
Position: Small forward
Age: 30
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana
Number: 20
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