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.