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2016 NBA Playoffs: All-First Round Team

By Brian Saunders

March 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) is congratulated by head coach Steve Kerr (right) after making a three-point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during overtime at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 109-105 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) is congratulated by head coach Steve Kerr (right) after making a three-point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during overtime at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 109-105 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 NBA Playoffs
Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) goes up and scores a basket against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Picking the small forward position was tough because many of the best teams in the playoffs have their best player at that position. I went with Paul George because not only is he playing at a high level through the first six games of his team’s series with the Raptors, but he’s doing it after missing all but six games last year because of a compound fracture in his leg.

George stole Game 1 from the higher-seeded Toronto, posting 33 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds in a 100-90 win.

For the series, he’s averaging 27.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. George is also a stellar defender — just ask DeMar DeRozan, who is shooting 32 percent from the field in the series.

The Pacers look to upset the second-seeded Raptors and move on to face the winner of the Heat-Hornets series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. A big game from George will be necessary for that to happen.

Other Notable Small Forwards

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: What’s a list of great playoff performers without King James? James, a model of consistency, averaged 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in four games against Detroit.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs: The two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year is a stud and the go-to option for the Spurs. Leonard averaged 21.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals in a lopsided four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant, the former MVP, had one of the greatest scoring streaks in NBA history, scoring at least 20 points in over 60 consecutive games. He had a solid first round series vs. Dallas. In five games he put up 26.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Next: Power Forward