10 Best Power Forwards in NBA of All Time: Tim Duncan, Karl Malone and more

In basketball, power forwards play a significant role acting as versatile contributor on both ends of the court. This position requires a player to support the game through scoring, rebounding and defense making them one of the most important players in a basketball team. The Power Forward is often titled as #4, operating mainly in the front. Also known as No.4, a power forward is expected near the basket to secure rebounds and maintaining second chances. They are generally more agile and mobile than centers and stronger than small forwards. They are expected to finish at the rim, and contribute significantly from the mid-range areas along with providing defense by challenging big players and defending against pick and roll actions.
The function of a Power Forward has changed over the last two decades, from being a barrier of physical dominance it has expanded to include perimeter shooting, ball-handling and floor spacing only to name a few. This transformation is evident when observing the careers of some of the best power forwards in NBA history like Tim Duncan.
Power Forwards contribute to a team's success, by their ability to adapt to a range of offensive and defensive strategies making them a versatile contributor. It's no coincidence that many of the best power forwards in the NBA all time history are remembered not for their stats but their impact and legacy.

Ranking Factors

There are certain criterias which analysts follow whole ranking the best power forwards of all time in the NBA history which include achievements, accolades, team success and their impact on the game. While specific criteria may vary but following are the factors commonly used to determine player standings:

• Career Longevity and Consistency: How long a player maintained his position as a Power Forward
• Accolades: This consists of a player's individual achievements such as MVP Awards, NBA All-Team Selections, Defensive Player of the Year Honor, All-Star Appearances among others.
• Championships: Players having a significant impact in leading their teams to victory and success.
• Statistics: Stats including Rebounds, Points, Blocks, Ratings and contributions.
• Influence: The player's influence on the position of a Power Forward.
• Ability: Power Forwards who played both defensively and offensively are always taken in high regard.

Top 10 Best Power Forwards in the NBA

The position of the power forward is a significant position in the world of NBA where versatility and adaptability rules the court. The position of a power forward has evolved significantly over the last two decades from being a border of physical dominance to strategical play in the court. The ranking factors for each player depends on certain points of criterias like season performance, versatility, leadership, impacts on the game, consistency along with statistics which include the championships and personal accolades.

#10: Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman is arguably the best rebounding forward in history, as claimed by legends. We have him as #10 on our list because of his fruitful career, some exceptional stats and a legacy that still continues to influence athletes. He has won 5 NBA championships in 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997 and 1998, along with earning honors such as Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame.

#9: Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is a Spanish former professional basketball player who have won 2 NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Gasol is often called as one of the best European players of all time. His stats speak louder than praise, having been Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection and Rookie of the Year in 2001- 2002. Gasol is best known as Kobe Bryant's running mate, helping the Lakers win two more championship in 2009 and 2010.

#8: Elvin Hayes

Elvin Ernest Hayes, is an American former professional basketball player known for his longevity, being seventh all-time in NBA minutes played. Nicknamed "the Big E", Hayes has won 1 NBA Championship in 1978 and was widely recognized for a both defensive and offensive style of play along with being 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection, two-time All-D selection, NBA scoring champion (1968-69).

#7: Bob Pettit

Robert Lee Pettit Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He is a living legend having played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965). In 1956, he became the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award and he won the award again in 1959. He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times. Pettit is the leader for most career rebounds (12,849), and most rebounds per game with 16.2 in Hawks franchise history. Moreover, he is the first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points.

#6: Kevin McHale

Kevin Edward McHale is an American former professional basketball player, coach and analyst who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics from 1980-1993. He earned the nickname "the Torture Chamber" for his exceptional footwork and post skills that consistently overwhelmed opponents. Kevin has won 3 NBA Championships in 1981, 1984, 1986 in his career. His accolades include Seven-time All-Star, All-NBA selection (1986-87), two-time Sixth Man of the Year, six-time All-D selection, Hall of Fame.

#5: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American former professional basketball player having played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association, known for his intensity, versatility, and defensive ability. Garnett has won 1 NBA championship in 2008, nicknamed “the Big Ticket”, he is one of five NBA players to have won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award along with 15-time All-Star, 9-time All-NBA selection, 12-time All-D selection.

#4: Charles Barkley

Charles Wade Barkley is an American former professional basketball player who is a television analyst on TNT and CBS Sports. Although Barkley played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association, he has not won any championships, but even still, he used his strength and aggression to become one of the NBA's best rebounders and scorers. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

#3: Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German former professional basketball player who is a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. He is widely regarded as the greatest European player of all time having won 1 championship in 2011, besides being MVP (2006-07), Finals MVP (2010-11), 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA selection and having mind-boggling stats as mentioned below.

#2: Karl Malone

Karl Anthony Malone is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Malone spent his first 18 seasons (1985–2003) in the NBA with the Utah Jazz. He was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and a 14-time member of the All-NBA Team, which include 11 consecutive First Team selection. Although he didn't win any championships, his 36,928 career points scored rank third all-time in NBA history behind LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he holds the records for most free throws made and attempted, and most regular season games started, in addition to being tied for the second-most first-team All-NBA selections with Kobe Bryant, both behind LeBron James.

#1: Tim Duncan

Timothy Theodore Duncan is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association, nicknamed "the Big Fundamental", he is widely considered the greatest power forward of all time and one of the greatest players in NBA history. Duncan has won 5 championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 earning honors like Two-time MVP (2001-02, 2002-03), three-time Finals MVP, 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA selection, 15-time All-D selection, Rookie of the Year (1997-98).