Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
NBA
Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Kristaps Porzingis

2015-16 Stats:  14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.3 APG, .421/.333/.838 shooting, 17.8 PER

Ideally, Kristaps Porzingis will be logging his minutes at the center spot when he reaches his prime. But for the time being, Joakim Noah will be occupying the starting job at the 5, so we’re going to lump the Zinger in at the 4 as the New York Knicks will this year.

No matter his position, Porzingis is one of the NBA’s most exciting youngsters and already one of its best frontcourt players. After putting up a 14-7-2 stat line as a rookie, it’s scary to think what kind of numbers he might put up with a whole season under his belt and more weapons around him.

Playing alongside guys like Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and even Brandon Jennings means there will only be so many looks to go around on offense, but the Zinger’s development is central to the Knicks eventually becoming a title contender. He’s going to get his looks.

If Porzingis can improve his perimeter shooting a little bit, log some developmental minutes at the 5 and avoid hitting that same late-season wall he hit last year, he’ll live up to this seemingly premature ranking.