Top Five Friday...Small Forward Edition

We're going to take a look at the best Small Forwards over the past 25 years. This one was a little tricky with some quality players to choose from. Here is our list.

5- Chris Mullin
The lethal lefty. This dude coming out of St. Johns could flat out shoot! Although he never won an NBA Championship, he was part of the '92 Olympic team and helped them dominate everyone. Playing for GSW for the majority of his career, he never really experienced playoff basketball and that is a shame because I am sure he would have made some clutch shots.

4- Grant Hill
It is an absolute shame that injuries plagued his career. Coming out of Duke, he was destined to be one of the All-Time greats! He had such a smooth game and played both ends of the floor. He wasn't the fastest guy, the quickest guy or the best shooter, but he was crafty and could get to his spots and knock down shots. For the first 6 years of his career he was averaging over 20/5/6 a game. He had a great all-around game. If he had stayed healthy his whole career, he might be number 1 on this list and a top player in NBA history.




3- Scotty Pippen
The best lock-down defender I've ever seen. As Lebron was getting his diaper changed, Pippen was the guy who could "guard all 5 positions." Between Jordan, Rodman and himself, I have no idea how other teams even scored on those 90's Bulls. Scotty was a 6'8" SF who could handle the rock with ease. He could shoot, get to the hole and played defense like no one else. He was Lebron before Lebron came around. Granted, it always helps when you got #23 on your side, but Pippen had a lot to do with those 6 rings as well.

2- Paul Pierce
This guy has the old-school mentality in a new-school era. He is one of the last guys that, on the court, hates everyone in an opposing jersey, and I love that! There is something to be said of a guy who stays with one team, loses year after year and continues to fight. Eventually, with the help of KG and Ray Ray, he was able to bring a Championship to Boston. There is never a shot that he feels he can't make and there isn't a player he feels he cant check. He makes it personal with everyone and there aren't many guys that have that killer mentality. Of all the amazing players that have worn the green and white of Boston, Pierce ranks 2nd in points, and 3rd in games and minutes played.

1- LBJ
This wasn't too difficult. Already he's accomplished so much and his career still feels like it has an upward trajectory. It almost isn't fair what he's able to do. There isn't player in the NBA that can check him, although Paul Pierce probably thinks he can. There really isn't an argument here with who is number one. Lebron will go down as one of the greats of all time and his game has evolved so much to make him the best 2-way player in the NBA today. As much as I dislike some of his antics (a different post for a different day) I have respect for him as a basketball player in its purest form. He does it all, and when he's not flopping and crying for calls, he makes the game look effortless.