Small Forward may be the most skilled position in the league. The top tier of talent at this position is far above the rest. The top three players at this position are all top five players in the league. Here are my top small forwards of the 2016-17 NBA season.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Number five came down to the argument of Carmelo Anthony or the "Greek Freak." After the considering Melo cannot figure out how to play with stars, and is largely irrelevant late in the season and playoffs, Giannis was the pick. At only 21 years of age, Giannis is already in his fourth season in the league. Listed at 6'11, he has all the skills of an NBA point guard. He can handle the ball and distribute as well as the little guys. Last season, Giannis started to make a name for himself as a soon to be great player in this League. He has the ability to fill up the stat sheet, averaging 17 points, four assists, and just under eight rebounds per game. Once the Bucks were out of contention for a playoff spot, Jason Kidd decided to give the offense to Giannis and play the near seven-footer at point guard for the remainder of the season. The offense ran through Giannis for the remainder of the year, and will do the same this season. All of this does not include Giannis's unbelievable athleticism. His 7'3 wingspan is among the largest in the league. He can get to the hoop from half court with only one dribble and isn't shy about putting you on a poster if you are standing in the way of a jam. While he has the ability to make the jaw-dropping play, he has no three-point shot, shooting 26% last season. If he can progress his shot, he can easily be one of the most dangerous players in the league. The young Bucks are an exciting team to watch with Giannis at the helm. The Greek Freak comes in at number 5.
4. Paul George
It's hard to say that Paul George is the fourth best at anything, let alone his position. George is someone I fully expect to be entrenched in the MVP conversation this season. The Pacers are looking to make the leap back to contending in the Eastern Conference and will lean on George to get them back to an elite level. George is in that small group of NBA players whose defense is almost as elite as their offense. He is one of the league's best two-way players and has received all-defensive honors three times. He has also been all-NBA three times and was the most improved player in the 2012-13 season. Last year was his first full season after brutally breaking his leg in a USA scrimmage. He averaged 23 points, four assists, and seven rebounds per game. The Pacers were the seventh seed in the east playoffs, where they met the Raptors in their first round series. George kept the Pacers in the series single-handedly, pushing the second-seeded Raps to seven games, where they eventually fell short. The Pacers made plenty of new acquisitions that include new coach Nate McMillan, point guard Jeff Teague, forward Thad Young, and veteran center Al Jefferson. All additions that will help George and the Pacers reach elite status in the east. George has the fate of the Pacer's season in his hands.
3. Kawhi Leonard
With Tim Duncan's retirement, it is even more glaringly obvious that the Spurs are under Kawhi's control. Finishing second in MVP voting last season, Kawhi has solidified his status as a top-tier player in the NBA. He will most definitely be a top contender for MVP this season as well. He is the third youngest player ever to win finals MVP and has made great strides since that performance in 2014. He is the reigning two-time defensive player of the year, has been named to the all-defensive team three times, and was named an all-star and a first team all-NBA player last season. It is no secret that Kawhi is the best defensive player in the NBA. He guards the opposition's best player night in and night out. His abnormally large hands and huge wingspan can make NBA rotational players look like they have never stepped foot on a court before. He is becoming more and more of an elite offensive threat, averaging 21.2 ppg last season. He has come out on fire this season and looks to do his best to challenge the Warriors at the top of the western conference. Somehow, Kawhi is only the third best small forward in the NBA.
2. Kevin Durant
The super team of all super teams has been assembled for the 2016-17 season. Kevin Durant chose to take his talents to the bay area this offseason and made the Warriors early title favorites. It isn't hard to list examples of how great Durant is. He is one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NBA. He has lead the league in scoring four out of the last seven seasons, averaging 32, 28, 27.7, and 30.1 ppg each year. He has every skill a scorer dreams of. Being close to seven feet tall his jumper is impossible to block, he has the handles of a point guard, can get to the rim at ease, has the ability to adjust his shot in mid air, and has the ability to facilitate. He not only scores at an elite clip, but is very efficient shooting 48% from the field on his career, and has not shot under 50% since the 2010-11 season. The most underrated part of Durant's game is his defense. He has the ability to stay in front of anyone in the league and it constantly gets overlooked. He is a seven time all-star, has been all-NBA six times, and was the MVP of the 2013-14 season. Before the Klay Thompson fire storm that happened in game six of the western conference finals, he had complete control of the series. He was controlling everything that went on, on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see Durant in a role away from Westbrook and joining a loaded Golden State lineup. While I believe it will take some time to figure out how to play with each other, expect to see Durant and the Warriors in the Finals against LeBron and the Cavs.
1. LeBron James
LeBron is currently the best basketball player in the world and its not close. 12 time all-NBA player, 12 time all-star, four time league MVP, six time all-defensive player, three time champion, and three time finals MVP are a few of the feats he has accomplished so far. One of the most noteworthy stats about LeBron is that he has been top five in points per game every single year he has been in the league except his rookie year. While only being first one year, he has only fallen below third in 2015-16, 2012-13, and 2006-07, for a grand total of three times. Just to put that stat in perspective, LeBron has been top five in scoring longer than a fifth grade student has been alive, longer than two and a half presidential terms, and longer than the existence of the iphone. He has also received MVP votes every year of his career. He can guard anyone in the league on their best night, and on his worst night will still out play 90% of NBA players. LeBron's greatness is undeniable and cannot be ignored. His career is filled with iconic moments that seem to keep creating themselves. He has gone into full coast mode in the regular season, doing just enough to keep the Cavaliers in the top spot in the East, while still being elite. Come playoff time, LeBron goes full on berserk willing his team to titles. This is the first season of LeBron's career that he is playing with no pressure. We can expect LeBron to continue to wow us and further solidify his place in basketball history as a top three player of all time. LeBron James is not only the best small forward in the league, but the best player, until proven otherwise.
George, Kawhi, Durant, and LeBron are all top 10 players in the league that all happen to play the same position. You can expect greatness from all four of these superstars, and to see their names receiving MVP votes when the season is said and done. There is no shortage of elite small forward talent in the NBA today.
Honorable Mentions: Carmelo Anthony, Gordon Hayward, Andrew Wiggins.
