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Here's the one absolute in comprising a "Top 5" list these days: not everyone is going to leave a winner.
Richard Jefferson and Gerald Wallace will cry do-over. Memphis (Rudy Gay) and Golden State (Corey Maggette) won't like what they read. And even the Shawn Marion loyalists will question the end results. Because not only did those small forwards not make the "Top 5" cut here, but their positions at the "Honorable Mention" table aren't even reserved.
So what's a guy to do?
In this case, it's examine the five best small forwards in the league today – complete with a combination of fact and opinion - while using the upcoming season to engrain them into stardom.
Debate, discuss or disagree, here is HOOPSWORLD's list of "Top 5 Small Forwards":
1. LeBron James, Cleveland: As if there was any doubt whom would be mentioned first in this discussion. At 24-years-old and an MVP candidate, James is the best player at his position and averaged 28.4 points per game, shooting 48 % from the field for the while also being named to the All-Defensive Team for the first time in his six-year career. While confiscating dunk tapes and defending snubbing handshakes dominated James' summer, this coming season – and with the help of Shaquille O'Neal in Cleveland – LeBron will once again be all about chasing a ring. But for now, he's simply the best small forward in the NBA. No question about it.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Denver: Following "King James" is never easy. Yet if there was one guy who is familiar with the role (after he was selected two spots after James in the 2003 and capable of playing second fiddle at small forward in this league to LeBron, it's Melo. Last season, Carmelo not only led Denver to the second-best record in the Western Conference, but he did so with his most well rounded season as a pro. He showed improvement defensively (even though no one is going to confuse him with Ron Artest) and averaged 22.8 points per game, while putting up his best numbers from beyond the arc at roughly 37%. How the Nuggets fair this coming season though – and towards a push - will once again be a reflection of Anthony and his ability to keep adding to an already impressive resume. Something says Carmelo will be down for raising his game.
3. Paul Pierce, Boston: In this "Top 5" list – and excluding honorable mentions – Pierce is the lone player with a championship ring, not to mention NBA Finals MVP honors. An eight-time all-star and one of Boston's "Big Three, Pierce's numbers are simply impressive throughout his 10-seasons in the league. With a career-average of 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, Pierce is one of the more complete players in the game today given his ability to defend, rebound and score. If – and that is the key word here – Kevin Garnett sheds his fragility and Rasheed Wallace adjusts well to the, it's possible Pierce – who shot 45% from the field and averaged 20.5 points per game last season - could be in-line for another ring fitting. And that's "The Truth."
4. Ron Artest, Los Angeles: You may not like him or the way he plays, but you sure as heck have to respect and appreciate Ron Artest for what he brings to the small forward position. At 6'7 and 260 pounds, he is still the league's best defender. No doubt about it. As for his offense, Artest shot 40% from 3-point land despite his scoring average dipping to 17.1 points per game (which is down from his two previous seasons). Yet Artest's smothering defense remains his calling card and certainly gives them a leg-up in coming out of the West again next season. Right now, they are the team to beat. And while the Lakers lineup of Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol was outstanding last season, the addition of Artest makes Los Angeles a team poised to repeat.
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City: The Portland Trail Blazers will never admit they should have selected Durant with the first overall pick back in 2007. But the way this kid put up numbers in his second year, it's worth arguing someone missed the boat. The 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year, Durant averaged over 25 points per game last season and easily made his mark at all-star weekend in Phoenix by taking home the MVP trophy from the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. It was that February that Durant blew up: for the month, he averaged 30 points per game, shot 54% from the field, 51% on 3-pointers and 88% from the line. Now many will debate Durant's place on this list, likely arguing a number of honorable mentions should be here instead. But after seeing what the 6'10 small forward has done in two years, and knowing he'll only get better with age and experience in Oklahoma City, Durant is worthy of a perfect pick.
Honorable Mentions: Danny Granger, Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince, Hedo Turkoglu, Shane Battier.
