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NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Power Forwards For 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 31, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) and forward Ed Davis (17) during the third quarter at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Derrick Favors

2015-16 Stats:  16.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, .515/—/.709 shooting, 21.7 PER

It’s only fitting that the Utah Jazz‘s successor to Paul Millsap is perhaps just as overlooked as Millsap was. Despite being one of the league’s steadiest two-way power forwards, Derrick Favors continues to be underrated.

Maybe it’s because he plays in Utah. Maybe it’s because Gordon Hayward has become far better than a lot of people expected. Or maybe it’s that the Jazz still need to make the playoffs with their young core leading the way. In any case, Utah has an outside shot at a top-four seed in the West this season, which means Favors may actually get the appreciation he deserves.

Unlike a lot of power forwards in the modern pace-and-space era, Favors does not stretch the floor. However, he’s got a very refined game on the interior, and while Rudy Gobert gets most of the credit on the defensive end, Favors is an excellent defender and underrated rim protector in his own right.

It might not be long before a youngster like KAT passes him by, but for the time being, Favors gets the nod at No. 6. Hopefully a breakthrough — and just as important, healthy — season for the Jazz will help people realize just how good he really is.