Ogden’s Opus: Power Forward is the NBA’s New Point Guard
Power forward is the new point guard in the modern NBA. Let me explain.
With traces of the legends of yesteryear, the contemporary NBA point guard has revolutionized professional basketball. In their own unique ways, players such as Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook are anchoring a shift in the way the game is played.
As the point guards steal headlines, however, power forwards are quietly ushering in the resurrection of the dominant big man.
Interior forces of the modern era are unlike any we’ve seen before—primarily due to the fact that they spend extensive periods of time away from the interior. That doesn’t make them any less significant, nor does it minimize their impact.
During an era in which perimeter play is glorified beyond compare, power forwards are combining interior and perimeter skills to redefine the position and rise to prominence.
The influence can be traced back to a number of key players who changed the game. They did things that were out of the ordinary for power forwards of their respective eras, but have since become commonplace.
One could argue that it all started with the late Dolph Schayes.
The Stretch 4
One of the most influential players in NBA history happens to be one of the original icons of the sport. Dolph Schayes played from 1948 to 1964 for the Syracuse Nationals, which later became the Philadelphia 76ers.
One can trace the lineage of the stretch-4 back to a star who thrived in the NBL, BAA and NBA.
Schayes, who boasts career averages of 18.5 points and 12.1 rebounds, was known for his set shot. The high-arcing release was the signature of his game, thus helping the 12-time All-Star terrorize opponents as a true anomaly.
Following in Schayes’ footsteps was Bob Pettit, who expanded the range, won two MVP awards, and earned the distinction of leading the only team to defeat Bill Russell‘s Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
There have been others, of course, but Pettit and Schayes are Hall of Fame examples of power forwards who utilized lethal jump shots to achieve stardom before it was a trend.
The term, “Stretch 4,” has since been handed to power forwards who can space the floor with their shooting. That applies mostly to 3-point shooters—a field goal that didn’t exist during Pettit or Schayes’ respective eras.
Players such as Pat Garrity, Rashard Lewis, Donyell Marshall, Antoine Walker, and Rasheed Wallace helped popularize the value of the Stretch 4 before the phrase’s prominence. Today, it’s become more than a gimmick shot or a specialized skill.
It’s become something of a prerequisite to success at the 4.
In the modern NBA, a unique batch of power forwards, including Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye, Kevin Love, and Mirza Teletovic, alter strategies from beyond the arc. All-Stars such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, and Al Horford dominate teams from midrange.
Those midrange forces have learned to expand their range, as well. The fact that stars are doing so is often credited to one of the game’s most iconic and influential power forwards: Dirk Nowitzki.
Upon winning MVP in 2007 and a championship in 2011, Nowitzki proved that the sharpshooting big man could be a featured piece in the modern era.
Perimeter Skills
Over the past 35-to-40 years, perimeter players have overtaken their interior counterparts as the stars of the NBA. The mainstream appeal of players such as Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan have played significant roles in this, but the primary reasoning is basketball-related.
When it comes to late-game situations, the versatility of a perimeter player creates more of an on-ball threat than their interior counterparts.
There have been players who rationally dispute that point, but for the most part, that’s been the case. With the influence of previous generation’s versatile big men, however, power forwards of today are beginning to break the mold.
Between the necessary level of ball-handling, court vision, facilitating, and isolation scoring ability from 16 feet and beyond, shooting was no more than the icing on the cake that big men couldn’t eat.
Players such as Charles Barkley, Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone, Anthony Mason, Detlef Schrempf, and Antoine Walker have helped change the game. All did things that power forwards traditionally called strengths, but paled in comparison to their perimeter counterparts.
All, as well as Bird and James, helped set the stage for power forwards of today.
In the modern NBA, the terms, “Undersized,” and, “Hybrid,” are dissipating as quickly as they were born. Power forwards are no longer defined by height or style of play, but instead expected to be as versatile as any player on the court.
Stars such as Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin, and Paul Millsap are prime examples of such—as are the vast number of below-the-rim small forwards who are transitioning to the 4 in small-ball sets.
Power forwards must be able to handle the ball and shoot with range in the modern NBA. They must also be able to facilitate when the option to score is not available.
As something of a separating factor, contemporary power forwards are held to a standard that modern point guards rarely are: dominant defense.
Defensive Value
Oftentimes, centers are confused with the defensive anchor of a team. That’s rooted in a deep history of the position being associated with the role, but power forwards have always been capable.
In recent years, they’ve emerged as titans of defense.
The modern era of power forwards includes the most versatile defensive assets in the NBA. Not only are said players trusted to protect the rim, but they must thrive against the pick-and-roll and are asked to elevate the standard for adequacy when defending the perimeter.
Players such as Anthony Davis, Derrick Favors, Draymond Green, and Serge Ibaka comply.
This isn’t a unique situation, but it is a critical piece of information. Much as players such as Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Dennis Rodman were the defensive anchors for contenders of the past, the new era features power forwards in similar roles.
Garnett and Rodman’s versatility may be the most influential of all upon defensive big men of today.
That legendary duo carved out Hall of Fame careers in different ways, but both paths returned to defense. Not only were they dominant rim protectors and rebounders, but both showed a rare ability to hold their own against players at other positions.
That versatility has helped define the contemporary big man.
The Trajectory
Point guards have the NBA under lock and key, and that’s unlikely to change in the immediate future. There’s a small sample size of elite floor generals leading their respective teams to championship success as the featured player, but their praise remains significant.
The future, however, belongs to the big man—again.
At this current pace, it will be the power forward position that features nightly triple-double threats. It will be the power forwards whose every move will be praised without pause.
Tracking the current trajectory, the big man will return to prominence—it’ll simply look a little different than it used to.
In 2015-16, power forwards Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns are the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. Towns is the complete package, including defensive versatility, a solid handle, and range out to and beyond the 3-point line.
Porzingis, a 7’3″ anomaly, has already made 30 3-point field goals in 33 games played, and is on pace to be the first rookie to average at least 2.0 blocks since Pau Gasol in 2001-02.
On the radar for 2016 is LSU Tigers forward and college basketball superstar Ben Simmons. Some believe that he’ll be stationed at the 3, but the 19-year-old, who’s averaging 19.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks, has the size and style of play to thrive as a small-ball 4.
Simmons could be the player who sets the new standard.
While small forwards may be in control of the front court in the present day, the small-ball revolution has shifted many to the 4. Rather than calling that a gimmick, it should be accepted as a practical strategy that helps open up an offense and revolutionize defense—when done properly.
At this current rate, power forwards will overtake point guards as the most influential players in the NBA. In due time.
Stat of the Day: Home Court Advantage
Under the Radar: Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
In 2015-16, Vucevic is back to finish the job.
NBA Draft Stud: Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats
In terms of draft stock, Murray could be this year’s D’Angelo Russell if he puts it all together.
For perspective, Orlando was 18-39 at one point in 2014-15.
He’s not alone in that regard.
Evan Fournier is a productive scorer, Victor Oladipo is a stifling defender and gifted playmaker, and Elfrid Payton is emerging as a double-double threat. Tobias Harris is a borderline All-Star, and the likes of Aaron Gordon and Andrew Nicholson highlight a solid bench.
It’s been rough since Dwight Howard left, but the Magic are on pace for a postseason appearance in 2016.