Top 5 Greatest Small Forwards of All Time

showtimelive January 7, 2025

5. Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic

You love to see some rim-rattling slamma jamma every once in a while? Then you will love this guy. He earned the nickname “The Human Highlight Film” for some obvious reasons. He won the Slam Dunk Contest 2 times in his career. He’s primarily known as a deadly scorer. Dominique can light up the scoreboard at will. He can dunk it right in the face of any defender. (He used to dunk on the n

Why is he not the greatest, you say?

He didn’t win any championship rings with his 16 year stint with the NBA. His defensive stats is not something to brag about either.

Career Achievements:

9× NBA All Star (1986–1994)
All-NBA First Team (1986)
4× All-NBA Second Team (1987, 1988, 1991, 1993)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1989, 1994)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1983)
NBA scoring champion (1986)
2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1985, 1990)
3× NBA Shooting Stars champion (2013–2015)
21 retired by the Atlanta Hawks

4. John Havlicek

Also called “Hondo”, this Celtic legend has one of the most successful careers in NBA history. He belongs to the Boston Celtics team that won the finals 11 times in 13 seasons. Up to this day, Hondo still holds the Celtics’ scoring record with 26,395 points. He can play the forward and the guard position with ease because of his size and quickness.

His steal in the deciding game of the Eastern Conference finals is one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. The Celtics are up by one with 5 seconds to go, then Bill Russell committed a silly turnover while inbounding the ball. Then Hondo comes to save the day by stealing the ball, on which the commentator said, “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball!”.

Career Achievements:

8× NBA champion (1963–1966, 1968–1969, 1974, 1976)
NBA Finals MVP (1974)
13× NBA All-Star (1966–1978)
4× All-NBA First Team (1971–1974)
7× All-NBA Second Team (1964, 1966, 1968–1970, 1975, 1976)
5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1972–1976)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969–1971)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1963)
17 retired by the Boston Celtics

3. Julius Erving, Virginia Squires, New York Nets, Philadelphia 76ers

Also known as Dr. J, Julius Erving revolutionized the sport of Basketball in countless ways. Instead of the typical drive-pass-shoot NBA playstyle, he adapted the ABA‘s flashy dunks and passes when the merger became complete.

The NBA has bought the following teams in the merger:

Denver Nuggets
San Antonio Spurs
Indiana Pacers
New York Nets (Brooklyn Nets today)

They also adapted the ABA’s three-point line. Imagine Stephen Curry, Reggie Miller, and Ray Allen without the three-point line. He is one of the most enjoyable players to watch in his era. Match him with Moses Malone, then you’ve got yourself a recipe for an NBA championship ring.

Career Achievements:

NBA champion (1983)
2× ABA champion (1974, 1976)
2× ABA Playoffs MVP (1974, 1976)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1981)
3× ABA Most Valuable Player (1974–1976)
11× NBA All-Star (1977–1987)
5× ABA All-Star (1972–1976)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1977, 1983)
5× All-NBA First Team (1978, 1980–1983)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1984)
4× All-ABA First Team (1973–1976)
All-ABA Second Team (1972)
ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976)
ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972)
ABA Slam Dunk Champion (1976)
Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1983)
32 retired by the Brooklyn Nets
6 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers

2. Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics

The NBA has bought the following teams in the merger:

Denver Nuggets
San Antonio Spurs
Indiana Pacers
New York Nets (Brooklyn Nets today)

Career Achievements:

NBA champion (1983)
2× ABA champion (1974, 1976)
2× ABA Playoffs MVP (1974, 1976)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1981)
3× ABA Most Valuable Player (1974–1976)
11× NBA All-Star (1977–1987)
5× ABA All-Star (1972–1976)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1977, 1983)
5× All-NBA First Team (1978, 1980–1983)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1984)
4× All-ABA First Team (1973–1976)
All-ABA Second Team (1972)
ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976)
ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972)
ABA Slam Dunk Champion (1976)
Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1983)
32 retired by the Brooklyn Nets
6 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers

Honorable Mentions:

Paul Pierce
Elgin Baylor
Scottie Pippen
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Mullin
David Thompson
Bob Dandridge
Rick Barry

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat

Here we go. You’re a LeBron D*ckrider for sure! You don’t know anything about basketball! No, I’m not. I hate the guy! I hate it when the so-called Cleveland and Miami “fans” brag about their team, but when LBJ left the team, they freaking burn his jersey. Bandwagon fan logic. I guess LeBron has that kind of charisma for the fans to love him no matter which team he goes. Even if he went to the Shanghai Sharks, I’m sure fans will love him.

If you’re looking for your team to reach the playoffs or even the finals, this guy can bring you to the promised land. Look at what he did to the Cavs last season. Quite an impressive achievement.

I put him on top of Larry Legend because of these reasons:

He has more finals appearances and Finals MVP awards than Bird.
He is breaking NBA records everywhere he goes.
He is the most dominant player for at least 5 years in his prime.
He is more athletic and can defend anyone man-to-man.

I told you, if Larry Bird haven’t got those back problems in his later years, we are talking about a different story here. His story is not yet complete. He has a minimum of 5 seasons left to play in my opinion. Yes, his average might plummet a little bit. But with the achievements that he has earned in his entire career, that would be sufficient enough to make him the best SF in decades to come.