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The Top 10 Small Forwards in the NBA

By Tom Atkinson

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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  1. Paul George (Indiana Pacers)

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 26

2015-16 Per Game Averages: 23.1 points, 7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals

Career Per Game Averages: 16.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steal.

A horrifically broken leg is not enough to stop Paul George. Despite everyone’s doubts including his own about whether he could get back to where he was and whether his body would hold up, Paul George put himself firmly among the best players in the NBA this season. That is not to say it was perfect, far from it. An incredibly good start to the season did tail off into quite a difficult patch as the wear and tear got to him.

"“I’ve had stuff come up here and there with muscle tightness. Legs getting weak,” he said to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt. “My shots were short, and it was a reality check that I hadn’t played basketball in about a year and a half. It was a rough time. There was no pain. I wasn’t hurting. I was sore.”"

Paul George, though, is an exceptional player and he comes into this next season off the back of an Olympic Gold. Whether he is playing the three or moving over to the four, PG13 offers the same game. He is a tremendous defensive player, with a great read of the game and can offer a great deal of hustle and energy. On the other end, Paul George can explode to the rim or pull up and drain the mid-range shot and the three. He can pass and rebound as well as everything else that makes up his skill-set that has so few weaknesses.

A broken leg cannot stop him and nothing will. Paul George is the fourth best small forward in the NBA, ahead of Carmelo thanks to his defensive strength.

Next: No. 3

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