My Player (Season 3) Best Small Forwards - Hapshoops32's Dynasty

Hapshoops32's Dynasty Blog

My Player (Season 3) Best Small Forwards

Posted on March 5, 2011 at 11:03 PM.

(3)

JANUARY 12, 2013

SMALL FORWARDS PAYING "BIG" DIVIDENDS
By Joe Smith
NBA.com

Two of the best small forwards in the game are about to square off in Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant and Brian Happel are taking smaller market teams and turning them into big-time marketing possibilities. Orlando was already on the map when Happel got there 2+ seasons ago. But what Durant has done for the Thunder, especially after moving from Seattle, is nothing short of amazing. Oklahoma City... a basketball town? That's football country. At least, it was. So, that got me thinking (scary thought for all you hoops fans, I'm sure). Who are the biggest contributors among small forwards in the NBA today?

Paul Pierce Stats
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	TOPG	FG%	3PT%	FT%
Career	1085	36.5	21.6	5.9	3.3	2.8	.445	.374	.809

Paul Pierce did not make the list of my top five. But, he HAS to at least be mentioned. He is still among the elite at this position, despite his 35-year-old legs. He has been the face of the Boston franchise his entire 15 year career. And, his numbers aren't too bad, either. There's been a definite decline, mind you. But, a large part of that is due to the fact that since 2008, he's been a part of the "Big 3" - and then the "Big 4" when Rajon Rondo started to become a star. He doesn't need to score as much, so he doesn't. But, 21.6 points per game over his career is pretty good, as is the more than 23,000 points he's scored over the course of his entire career. Now, here are my top 5 "Big Time" small fowards:

5. RUDY GAY, MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

It took a year for Rudy Gay to adapt to the 82 game season in the NBA, but once he did, he took off. Gay went from averaging 10.8 points per game his rookie year to 20.1 points his second season, and he's been pretty consistent ever since. For his career, he's averaging 18.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game, both respectable numbers. The fact that he's stayed in Memphis his whole career, now into his 7th season, helps in terms of his importance attached to the Grizzlies. There has also been a sharp rise over the last couple of seasons as Memphis relies on Gay more and more as the team leader. He's up to 24 points per game now and 8.5 rebounds per contest. His defense is also much improved, as he is among the leaders in thefts at this position.

4. CARMELO ANTHONY, NEW YORK KNICKS

It's impossible to keep Carmelo Anthony of this list. He is one of the best pure scorers in the game, as evidenced by his 24.3 points per game for his career. He came out of Syracuse his rookie season and was able to put the ball in the hoop right away, and it's never really slowed down. "Melo" wasn't able to win a championship in Denver, but his move to the Knicks certainly gives a jolt to his marketability in this league. His defense is his one weak point, and there really aren't any signs of that improving any time soon. But, he has been working on other aspects of his game, significantly raising his rebounds from around 6.5 a game up to 8.1 per game this season. He's also cut way back on his turnovers, from 3.3 a contest down to 2.2. Taking care of the basketball is leading to more opportunities, both for him and his teammates.

3. BRIAN HAPPEL, ORLANDO MAGIC

Orlando swingman Brian Happel has certainly worked some "magic" over his short career in the NBA. At the ripe old age of 22, he's already won an NBA Championship, been named NBA Finals MVP and won the regular season MVP. In his third season out of Syracuse (I know, 2 S.U. guys on this list, something must be wrong with this picture), Happel is already averaging 28 points per game. He's a double-double machine, averaging 12.8 rebounds for his career so far. He's always been able to shoot the ball, though a lot of that has to do with his ability to get to the rim. His outside shot is solid, to the point where he's shooting nearly 50% from behind the arc this season. Happel is even finding his teammates more often. Despite averaging a ridiculous 38.6 points per game this year, he's also handing out 5 assists a game. His defense is also much improved, as he typically shuts down the other team's best player. The scary thing: he still has plenty of life in those legs and could be dominating for years to come.

2. KEVIN DURANT, OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Kevin Durant is easily the best pure scorer in the game today, and he could hold that title as all-time best scorer by the time all is said and done. Durant puts the ball in the basket, it's as simple as that. He can shoot from outside, break you down with the dribble and get to the rim with his athleticism. He's averaging 27 points per game over his 6 year career, all with Oklahoma City. Once again, Portland Trail Blazers fans can only shake their heads, as the team passed up on Durant in the 2007 draft to pick Greg Oden. How's that working out so far? The thing about Durant is he's really working on other aspects of his game as well. His rebounding has improved tremendously. He was only averaging 4.3 boards a game his rookie year. Now, it's 10+. Like "Melo", "Durantula" is also cutting down on his turnovers, and that's only helping his team out, as the Thunder are off to a fantastic start this year.

1. LEBRON JAMES, MIAMI HEAT

Love him or hate him, it's hard not to put LeBron in the number one spot. He is so dominant in just about every aspect of the game. He's got speed, athleticism and power. He scores, rebounds, finds open teammates and plays solid defense. He couldn't do it in Cleveland, but after making "The Decision," to take his talents to South Beach, LeBron won that elusive NBA Championship. At the age of 28, he already has more than 20,400 points and has a legitimate shot to challenge Kareem's record, as long as he stays healthy. Whether he is as good as Michael Jordan, he is certainly as dominant a figure in the NBA today as Jordan was in his time.

Comments

# 1 detroitsun @ Mar 6

This is an excellent column. Your "dynasty" columns are a great model. I aspire to make mines so interesting but I don't think that I will get to have videos and movies in mines. I can tell you put a lot of hard work in it. The thing I like about DYNASTY is the ability to impact the league and add your players name to the best. In my League Monta Ellis(Lakers) has become one of the top shooting guards and Pau Gasol is a defensive nightmare. Go Figure! PEACE

# 2 Hapshoops32 @ Mar 6

Thanks for reading! It's actually a lot of fun for me to do this - it does take a lot of work, but I like writing about my player as if he's a major part of the NBA. I'll be doing the same thing when I start up a career on MLB 11 The Show

# 3 detroitsun @ Mar 7

http://www.operationsports.com/detro...kers-3-heat-0/

Here is my most recent update. I'm trying to take some style points from you....