In NBA , the forward is the king, at least among the best players. Although neither of them accept the traditional allocation of positions, , Kevin Durant and LeBron James-the top two players in the top 100 NBA players in the 2021-22 season-are technically both It's a forward.
This illustrates the nature of the lack of position in modern basketball. The term "forward" is now even often applied to power forwards, because most people can float on the outside instead of hitting the body inside. Due to the emphasis on three-pointers and the diversity of defense, fast, strong, sporty wings and stable shooting have become a symbol.
Mikal Bridges (Mikal Bridges) as an example, he entered the league as a "three-pointer" expert, and quickly became indispensable to the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns (Phoenix Suns) Part. Decades ago, players like Bridges might be seen as marginal figures in championship contenders. But now, he may get a maximum salary contract.
The most attractive aspect of modern NBA forwards is the huge difference in technology. Some people are better at handling the ball and organizing offenses, such as Paul George and Devin Booker . Some people, such as Robert Covington ( Robert Covington ) and Duncan Robinson (Duncan Robinson), are more experts. However, forwards are essential to any NBA team anyway.
Not all the players mentioned above can enter this list. The following NBA's top 15 forward players.
1: Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets
More than two years ago,Durant's Achilles tendon has been torn, and now there are no questions about how this injury will affect Durant's career. In the Nets playoffs, he almost single-handedly defeated the Bucks, and in the Summer Olympics on behalf of the United States to dominate the world, Durant became the best player in the world. With his unique height and technical combination, he is an unstoppable scoring force, the league will never see such a player again.
2: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers
Is LeBron down? This is a meaningful question. Before Solomon Hill suffered an ankle injury, he was in the most intense stage of MVP competition. His average playing time (33.4 minutes) is also the lowest of his career, his assists (7.8 times) are also the lowest since 2016, and his scoring (25 points) is also the lowest since his rookie year. James is still the smartest player in the NBA, but in the end, the time old man will take him to the throne. Russell Westbrook came to a large extent to extend the arrival of this moment. James may play fewer minutes and shots this season. The most important thing is whether he can still summon the talents that make him the greatest player in history. If there are any signs in the 2020 playoffs, he still has enough ability to do this.
3: James Harden
Brooklyn Nets
Harden suffered a tendon injury in the second half of last season, but when he was healthy, just as As he predicted in the 21-22 season, he is still the most dangerous offensive player in the league. On the other side of the court, he is a perfect combination. In addition to scoring, Harden's organizational ability has been fully demonstrated in Brooklyn, and he has the opportunity to chase his first championship. He should need extra motivation.
4: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers
So far, Leonard 's days in the Clippers did not go as planned. The first was the collapse of the playoffs in the bubble, and then the second round of last season's ACL tear. Now, he may miss, at least, an important part of the upcoming season. However, although some people currently question his health, no one questioned his talent. He is still one of the best defenders in the league and has developed into an accurate scorer who can lead the team alone in the playoffs.
5: Jason Tatum
Boston Celtics
Tatum and Celtics just ended the season like a hell During this period they were ravaged by the new crown of , which did not meet expectations. Now, after the entire organization and the personnel changes on the roster, it's time to start again. As an elite scorer and influential guard, Tatum is one of the best forward players in the league. For him, the next challenge will be to put everything together on a more stable basis. Another year of development and recovery from the new crown should help this work.
6: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George is still one of the best players in the entire NBA. He averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.1 steals for the Clippers last season. These numbers may increase because Kawhi Leonard will be absent for most of the season. . This will largely depend on the play of George on the pitch,This is something he is definitely capable of doing.
7: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat
ranked third in the season, Jimmy Butler _span_48 ranked third in WS/48 , Ranked fifth in contribution value, fifth in OWS, fifth in efficiency, sixth in defensive efficiency, and sixth in VORP. Butler has shifted his focus in Miami to a methodical booster. Since coming to Miami, his assists have reached a career high. His three-pointers almost disappeared, but he made up for it. Last season, he averaged 9.1 free throws per game, a career high. As the steal champion of the 2020-21 season, Butler is still one of the best defensive players in the league.
8: Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards
Bill averaged 31.3 points per game for the second consecutive season, averaging over 30 points per game last year Points, second only to Curry to get the lead in scoring. Bill is a well-rounded offensive player, a better promoter than the praise he has received, a capable pick-and-roll initiator who can be an elite chief guard, but the focus of putting the ball into the basket makes him a star. With the departure of Westbrook , if the Wizards want to compete for a spot in the playoffs, Bill will have to score again this season.
9: Donovan Mitchell
Utah Jazz
Maybe the biggest news of the playoffs is under our eyes.The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz in the second round. Think about the glory Doncic gained after the Mavericks nearly defeated the Clippers. In the first two games of the second round, Donovan Mitchell averaged 41 points and shot 53-44-80, giving the Jazz a 2-0 lead without Mike Conley. The Clippers tried their best to deal with Mitchell , but he was still confused, just like they did to Doncic. Then Mitchell hurt his ankle and everything fell apart. The samples of the two games are not hard-wired, but it is not easy to give it to Kawhi Leonard. If this leap indicates something to come, Mitchell will soon become an MVP candidate.
10: Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns
We see that Booker got rid of the "empty data" that plagued him throughout his career. Last season shocked everyone. His usage rate is still in the 97th percentile of the league, but-thanks to Paul Booker no longer having to pitch the ball or worry about the participation of his teammates, he can move more off the ball and become more offensive. horrible.
11: Chris Middleton
Milwaukee Bucks
This is not just a difficult and timely competition jumper for the Bucks, although the Bucks will not become a champion without them. . Middleton is an ideal substitute for alphabet brother , because he is now the sort of pick-and-roll organizer who can launch an offense late in the playoffs. Just as he won more mid-range shots than Mike Budenholzer normally allows,Middleton played this role over time. When the top 39 pick in the Finals scored 40 points, it was not surprising.
12: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics
Wrist injury ended the season 2 state of Brown _span was forced to miss Match. But before the injury, Brown proved that he deserves attention in Boston as much as Tatum. Last season he proved that he can involve his teammates in the offense, averaging a career high in assists per game, but his versatility in scoring really played a role last season. Brown took his game to another level, he should no longer be considered the Celtics' second choice, because his name should be second only to Tatum in the Celtics hierarchy.
13: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are still working hard to convert into LaVine’s personal success, but they succeeded Several years after making the All-Star, LaVine finally reached the top last season. Not only did he score 27.4 points, 4.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds, but he also had the most efficient season in his 7-year career. His effective field goal percentage (60%) ranks in the league's 90th percentile, and his three-point field goal percentage (42%) is in the league's 88th percentile. His experience in participating in the Tokyo Olympics with the US team gave LaVine a taste of winning on the biggest stage. Now he can use what he has learned to help the Bulls enter the playoffs.
14: Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors
Green is no longer the previous defender But you can still consider him the best defender in the league. His improvisational instinct is a talent, and as the Warriors return to the top four position, his competitive potential should be fully utilized this season. On offense, Green, who averaged 8.9 assists per game last season and tied for fourth in the league, is an equally good mover; his feeling for Curry’s current position and where he will end is incredible. Expect that—whether it's a layup or a position change—the initial offense will rarely catch the most alert defenders off guard.
15: Shay Gilges-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder
Considering that he only played 35 games due to plantar fasciitis The Thunder are also actively trying to lose. It's understandable that you didn't watch much Gilgeous-Alexander game last season. But when he is on the court, it feels very special. If he can stay healthy, he will become a breakthrough star this season. He can enter the inside at will, where he is an excellent finisher and the core of the organization, is now a reasonable three-point threat, and his size can defend multiple positions.
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