NBA All-time Player Tiers: The 20 greatest power forwards ever, ranked
By Cal Durrett
Tier 2) All-time greats
7) Bob Pettit
6) Charles Barkley
5) Giannis Antetokounmpo
4) Karl Malone
3) Dirk Nowitzki
2) Kevin Garnett
NBA legend Bob Pettit put up monster numbers during his 11-year career, averaging 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds. He also led the NBA in scoring twice, won two MVPs, and even beat Bill Russell in the NBA Finals to win a championship. That alone guarantees a spot here.
NBA legend Charles Barley is the shortest listed player on this list at 6'6 but one of the best rebounders too. His terrific leaping ability made him a nightmare on the glass and finisher in the paint.
He led the league in 2-point field goal percentage for five straight years, and for a 12-year span, he was an absolute force, posting 23.9 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His lack of a championship hurts him, though his production is as good as any player listed here.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is climbing the all-time power forward list fast, largely due to his five-year run. His 29.8 points on 56.9% shooting, in addition to 11.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals proves his dominance.
He also became the first player in almost 50 years to lead the Bucks to a championship. Three or four more seasons at this type of pace, and Antetokounmpo could push past Malone, Nowitzki, and even Garnett on the all-time power forwards list.
Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone's durability combined with his scoring prowess made him the most prolific scoring power forward in NBA history. His 36,000-plus career points may not be topped by any player on this list or currently in the NBA, though his lack of a championship hurts his overall resume.
Speaking of championship, Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki turned the Mavs from losers into winners over his 21-season career. They made the playoffs 14 times during his career—two NBA Finals and a championship in 2011, with Dirk having a monster playoff run. His 30,000-plus career points are the second-most by a power forward. That is fitting because he was the best offensive player in the league at one point during his peak.
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is primarily considered to be the most versatile forward in NBA history with his agility on the defensive end. He could defend away from the rim effectively and had plenty of length and athleticism to swat shots at the rim.
Offensively, he had a strong midrange game and was a terrific passer. Unfortunately, most of his career was wasted away on the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship, ensuring his place as the second-greatest power forward ever.