Hoops Habit
Fansided

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

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
NBA
Oct 6, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Greensboro Coliseum. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jae Crowder

2015-16 Stats:  14.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, .443/.336/.820 shooting, 15.8 PER

Since Gallo, MKG, Carroll and Parsons ALL need to prove they get/can stay healthy in order to work their way onto this list, Jae Crowder gets the nod at No. 10. That works out well for everyone though, since Crowder remains one of the more underrated players in the league.

Isaiah Thomas has become the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics, while Al Horford‘s arrival serves as the catalyst to bump this young team up into contention for a top-three seed in the East. However, Crowder does a lot of the dirty work on the wing, providing solid two-way play for a Celtics team that already ranked fourth in defensive rating before adding Horford.

Crowder also improved his scoring touch, averaging 14.2 points per game last year. The Celtics would really like to see him refine his paltry three-point shot, but from his help on the boards to his stifling wing defense, this 26-year-old steal of a contract shouldn’t be overlooked.

With Horford on board, Crowder probably won’t put up the same scoring numbers he did last year in something of a breakout season. But his defense and an increased focus on helping out on the glass will still make him a vital part of whatever Boston hopes to accomplish in 2016-17.