1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Averages: PPG: 24.4, REB: 10.2, AST: 2.2, TO: 1.4 FG%: 53.5, 3P%: 8.3%, FT%: 80.5, STL: 1.5, BLK: 2.9. +/- 3.9, GP: 69/82

Offense: 10/10    Rebounding: 10/10    Defense: 10/10    Intangibles: 8/10

Anthony Davis is the clear choice for the number 1 spot on the power forward list. Davis lead all power forwards in points, was third in rebounds per game, and led all power forwards when it came to blocks. Davis is what every coach and GM is looking for when it comes to a all around superstar forward. When it comes to defense Davis is second to none at the position; he is the best rim protector and great at ripping down rebounds over both centers and power forwards. On offense Davis is near unstoppable, he leads all power forwards in scoring even though he gets double teamed almost every time he receives the ball on the host. The reason why he leads all in points is because of his high free throw percentage (for his position) and because of his smooth mid range jump shot. Davis was also the sole reason to why the New Orleans Pelicans were able to snag the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 45-37 record. When it comes down to it Davis is the best all around power forward in the NBA.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Averages: PPG: 23.4, REB: 10.2, AST: 1.7, TO: 1.7, FG%: 46.6, 3P%: 35.2, FT%: 84.5, STL: 0.7, BLK: 1.0, +/-: 4.8, GP: 71/82

Offense: 9/10    Rebounding: 9/10    Defense: 8/10    Intangibles: 9/10

LaMarcus Aldridge falls short of number one due to Davis’s beast like presence on defense. On defense LaMarcus ranks 21st in steals and 11th in blocks per game amongst qualified power forwards in the league. This does not mean that Aldridge is not a monster on defense, because he is. Davis has shut down numerous forwards and centers around the league on defense. When it comes to rebounding LaMarcus is tied third amongst power forwards in rebounds per game and defensive rebounds. On offense Aldridge is almost impossible to stop from 20 feet and in. Aldridge is the poster boy for mid-range shooting in the NBA this year, which is a great thanks to his high shooting release which is almost impossible to block. Because of his mid-range and post game he draws a lot of double teams leading to open players in the paint and open players on the arc. It isn’t hard to say that the Blazers would be lost without him on the offense end as he helped lead the team to fourth place finish in the powerful western conference with a 51-31 win loss record.

3. Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

Averages: PPG: 18.5, REB: 11.8, AST: 2.7, TO: 2.0, FG%: 49.1, 3P%: 46.2, FT%: 80.3%, STL: 0.3, BLK: 1.9, +/-: 2.4, GP: 78/82

Offense: 7/10    Rebounding: 10/10    Defense: 7/10    Intangibles: 10/10

Gasol played the most games out of all the power forwards on this list and also has no off the court issues, which is why he receives a score of 10/10 on his intangibles grade. On offense Gasol played at his own pace which may have slowed down the Bulls offense but it did a lot of good to Gasol’s individual play. Gasol has one of the smoothest mid-range shots for a big man, has swift quick and efficient post moves, and is also excellent at the free throw line (for his position). On defense Gasol is a solid defender against the slower big men of the league. He is a decent off the ball defender but he tends to let forwards with good ball handling skills blow right by him. On the rebounding end Gasol is the best at the position. Gasol leads all power forwards in rebounds per game and total rebounds. Gasol was a pretty big factor in the Bulls third place finish in the east even though Jimmy Butler was the headliner for their regular season campaign.

4. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Averages: PPG: 21.9, REB: 7.6, AST: 5.3, TO: 2.3, FG%: 50.2, 3P%: 40%, FT%: 72.8, STL: 0.9, BLK: 0.5, +/-: 8.7, GP: 67/82

Offense: 10/10    Rebounding: 7/10    Defense: 8/10    Intangibles: 8/10

The former number one overall pick, Blake Griffin, has improved spectacurally over the past couple of years. Griffin went from being a “show-time” in-game dunker with a mediocre jump shot, to becoming a go to scoring option in the paint and in the mid-range game. On the rebounding end Griffin is a below average rebounder, in stats, when compared to other power forwards. The reason why Griffin does not receive a lower score in that category is because he plays along side with the leading rebounder in the league, DeAndre Jordan. When it comes do defense Griffin is getting better but is not that great around the rim. However, he continues to improve on his post game, but also gets bailed out by DeAndre Jordan when defenders get by him. Missing 15 games in the middle of the season due to a staff infection did not help his intangibles grade which would have probably pushed him up to number three on the list. Otherwise, Griffin is an outstanding on and off the court.

5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Averages: PPG: 13.9, REB: 9.1, AST: 3.0, TO: 1.7, FG%: 51.2, 3P%: 28.6, FT%: 74.0, STL: 0.8, BLK: 2.0, +/-: 4.0, GP: 77/82

Offense: 7/10    Rebounding: 9/10    Defense: 10/10    Intangibles: 10/10

“Mr. Fundamental” may have shown a decline on the offensive production he still was great at setting off-ball and on-ball screens for teammates and for pick and roll opportunities. Duncan is also an excellent passer, with very few turnovers for his position. Rebounding wise Duncan had another excellent year. Even though he did not put up double digit rebounding numbers, he stilled averaged just over 11 rebounds per 36 minutes. Time Duncan just like his teammate Kawhi Leornard are the perfect examples of how to play defense at their respected position. He is shut down in the post and mid-range game and an beyond excellent rim protector averaging 2 blocks per game. Duncan continues to be the team leader of the spurs, even though Leonard is the new emerging superstar and it seems it’s going to stay that way until he retires.

6 Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Averages: PPG: 16.7, REB: 7.8, AST: 3.1, TO: 2.3, FG: 47.6, 3P%: 35.6, FT%: 75.7, STL: 1.8, BLK: 0.9, +/-: 5.6, GP: 73/82

Offense: 8/10    Rebounding: 8/10     Defense: 8/10    Intangibles: 10/10

Millsap played alongside three All-Stars and still put up rather good numbers. Offensively Paul Millsap was a great distributer and scorer. He also ate up the offensive glass. Rebounding wise Millsap was amazing especially for his size, boxing out bigger opponents and snagging loose balls. On Defense he was a solid defender. But his size may have prevented him from becoming an elite defender.  Millsap may have been huge reason why the Hawks were the number one seed in the east.

7. Kevin Love

Averages: PPG: 16.4, REB: 9.7, AST: 2.2, TO: 1.6, FG%: 43.4, 3P%: 36.7, FT%: 80.4, STL: 0.7, STL, 0.7, BLK: 0.5, +/-: 5.3, GP: 75/82

Offense: 9/10    Rebounding: 9/10    Defense: 5/10    Intangibles: 9/10

Kevin Love rounds off the list at number seven, but in previous years he would’ve been flirting with the number one or two spots on this list. But this year he took a back seat to not only LeBron James, but also to Kyrie Irving. Offensively Love’s numbers may be down but his effectiveness did not. Because Love was able to knock down so many threes he took the pressure off of LeBron and Irving on their iso games by stretching out the floor. Rebounding wise love is still an excellent rebounder on the offensive and defensive end even though his numbers have dropped, but that’s just because he has some actual talent surrounding him for the first time in his NBA career. Defensively Kevin Love is still pretty bad, he’s lazy on the off-ball defensive side has, he’s weak in the post, and gives up way too many jump shots.  Love only missed seven games in this year’s NBA season, and the whole NBA playoffs except for the Boston Celtics series. the only reason why Love does not receive a perfect score in the intangibles area is because of his attitude at the beginning due to a lack of him not being the team’s primary scoring option, which might have served as a discretion for the team. Overall, Love is still a superstar, he’s just not putting up the superstar numbers he did in Minnesota because he playing with an actual team.

– Joseph E., Jr