3rd Annual SI Player Rankings: #4 Small Forward

[jonathanlambert33]

We will be starting our 3rd annual SI player rankings. The first year we did this it sparked great debate, I'm hoping to get back to that this year. Unfortunately last year I did not finish the rankings for whatever reason, but this year we need to all make it a goal to finish them. We'll be going 10 deep this year.

Remember these two things, please vote on the polls and vote for the best player, don't be a homer. I will leave the polls open at my own discretion. Most will be open 24 hours, but if there is one where it's a clear runaway then there is no point in delaying the voting.

Remember, this is based on who is currently the best player, not who has the potential to be the best.


2013 SI SF Rankings
1) LeBron James
2) Kevin Durant
3) Carmelo Anthony
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)


2012 SI SF Rankings
1) LeBron James
2) Kevin Durant
3) Carmelo Anthony

2011 SI SF Rankings
1) LeBron James
2) Kevin Durant
3) Carmelo Anthony
4) Rudy Gay
5) Paul Pierce

 

[Pugz]

luol deng B)

 

[buzzy]

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This was actually harder to pick than you'd think.

 

[buzzy]

How?

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I thought it would be George pretty easily but I was pretty close to picking Paul Pierce and considered Kawhi Leonard.

 

[bosoxlover12]

If Pierce didn't suck in the playoffs, he'd win this easy. Statistically was the best SF outside those 3

 

[elcheato]

If wishes were fishes

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I would agree. I think a lot of people get caught up in Paul George's highlights, but he's still got a ton of work to do before he's a star. He's inefficient, only averaged 0.89 points per play which is below average, but there seems to be this myth that he's a great offensive player.

Truth is he's really not that good offensively. He's not a guy who you can give the ball and expect him to be able to create for himself. He's not LeBron, or Durant, or Melo. He's good coming off screens, he's good in transition, and he's good cutting off the ball and rolling to the basket. But he struggles where great offensive players are good, in iso and p&r situations.

The thing that makes him who he is is the fact that he's an elite off ball defender and a pretty good on ball defender.

 

[youngguru]

PG.