NBA Rankings: Top 10 small forwards in the history of the league

#4 Julius Erving

Dr J remains an NBA icon

'Dr J' was a unique basketball player and a social phenomenon for his style and looks. Julius Erving was an iconic basketball player who was a superstar both in the ABA and the NBA.

In the NBA, Erving played 11 seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, reaching four NBA Finals and winning a title with the team in 1983.

In his 11-year NBA career, Erving averaged 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks per game on 50% shooting from the field.

He also won two ABA titles.

In the NBA, Dr J won the NBA MVP in 1981, the first SF to win the award. He was selected to the NBA All-Star game in every year of his career.

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#3 Kevin Durant

Los Angeles Lakers v Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant's career in the NBA has been tremendous. Though he was heavily scrutinized after his shocking move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016, Durant is still considered as a top 3 player in the current NBA. Many still consider him the best player in the league.

Durant has one MVP and two Finals MVP awards to his name. He is also a four-time scoring champion, Rookie of the Year winner, and 10-time All-Star.

Durant's career average of 27 points per game ranks sixth in NBA history. He is also a 49% shooter from the field and an 88% shooter from the free throw line.

In the Playoffs, Durant has a career average of 29 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 48 percent shooting.

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#2 Larry Bird

Bird is arguably a Top 5 player in NBA history.

Larry Bird was the greatest small forward in the history of the game for almost everyone, before LeBron James entered the NBA. There are still many who would argue that he still holds that place.

50 Amazing Assists by Larry Bird! pic.twitter.com/CH5y28UkAv

— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2018

During his unique career, Larry Bird won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. From his on-court ability to his trash talking, he was the complete package.

Bird averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals per game over his career. In 13 NBA seasons, he was selected to 12 All-Star games, 10 All-NBA teams, and three All-Defensive teams.

Bird won the NBA MVP for three consecutive years from 1984 to 1986, being the last to do it in the history of the league, and also won two Finals MVP.

In the 1984 NBA Finals against the Showtime Lakers, Larry averaged 27 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists in the series, while shooting 48% from the field, earning Finals MVP honors.

In 1986, Bird again was big for the Celtics, averaging a near triple-double — 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and three steals per game — winning the Finals MVP once again.

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#1 LeBron James

LeBron won his 4th championship and Finals MVP with the Lakers this year

The King is simply number one in most lists that rank NBA players. LeBron James is the greatest small forward in the history of the NBA.

The 2020 Bill Russell #NBAFinals MVP... LeBron James of the @Lakers! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/jyAko4pjbN

— NBA (@NBA) October 12, 2020

James averages 27 points per game in his career, to go along with 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. An all-around player, LeBron can be considered one of the game's greatest-ever scorers — he has the 3rd-most points of all time, with 34,241 — and also the greatest passers ever. He has racked up 9,346 assists in his career, which is eighth-most of all-time, and the most for a small forward.

The King is a four-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time regular-season MVP. He has played in 10 NBA Finals, and has won four championships with three different franchises. He is also the only player to have won the Finals MVP with three teams.

In the NBA Playoffs, James is a 29/9/7 player on 49% shooting, and is also the Playoff leader in games, wins, points, field goals, free throws, and steals.

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