NBA: Ranking the top 10 small forwards entering 2017-18

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors speak after a foul in the third quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on in the second quarter in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

In the first of a 6-part NBA season preview, we rank the top 10 small forwards in the league entering the 2017-18 season

Small forwards. The future of the NBA. The Warriors are making small ball the new norm league-wide. Playing Klay Thompson, Andre Igoudala, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green all at the same time forces the opponent to go small and matchup size wise. They will always have mismatches due to the dynamic ability and unique size of each player on the wings.

The only way to beat Golden State, in the new incarnation of them, is to load up your team with tall, long, athletic wings than can be threats not only offensively, but slow down star players defensively as well. Easier said than done, right?

Boston is slowly, but surely, trying to get to that point by drafting Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in back-to-back years with their top picks. Young players like Jonathon Isaac, Brandon Ingram, and even Thon Maker are valued higher in todays game because of their versatility and length.

There is no secret what the key to success is for teams trying to make it to the top and dethrone the champs. The winning world revolves around small forwards. Let’s take a look at the best in the league.

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