The Top 5 Power Forward's in the NBA

The Power Forward position is an incredibly important position in basketball. It can mold the way your team plays based on how much height this player has. A great power forward is a double double threat night in and night out and causes all types of match up problems. These are the top power forwards in the league today.

1.Chris Bosh- Bosh is one of the big dogs that will become a Free Agent after this season and any team would be lucky to have him on their roster. Chris Bosh is 6'10" and can score in a variety of ways. He can face up and make a move to go by slower defenders and when he does he finishes easily at the rim because of his athletic ability. Bosh is also excellent at running the break and has very good hands which makes him a sure target of his teammates. Bosh is averaging 24.5 points, 11.5 boards, and shooting nearly 53% from the field. Bosh can face up and hit a 17 foot jumper and he has a great back to the basket game which makes him one of the most unstoppable big men in the NBA today. Look for Bosh to be one of the biggest names leaving his team this off season.

2.Dirk Nowitzki-Nowitzki is a small forward in a power forwards body and he can exploit even the best defenders in the league. Dirk has a great three point shot for someone that stands at 7' tall, making him nearly impossible to guard. Nowitzki could use some more work on his back to the basket game, with his height if he put a couple good post moves in his repertoire he could become one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the game. Dirk can beat defenders off the dribble but sometimes settles for contested jump shots which is senseless with how big he is. Dirk is still shooting 48% while putting up 24.8 points and snagging nearly 8 rebounds per game, but I would love to see him become a little more physical and nasty.

3. Tim Duncan- The Big Fundamental is one of the most boringly efficient players in my lifetime and the NBA's history. Duncan can catch the ball and square up with any defender in the league before hitting a bank shot from 15 feet in their eye. Duncan shows next to no emotion on the court, but dominates the game simply by playing it. This year, with his body wearing on him, Duncan is averaging 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in just under 33 minutes of action per game. Duncan is shooting over 50% from the field for his career which is an incredible stat in the NBA today, especially with the way defenses have game planned around stopping him. Duncan has quietly dominated the NBA for 12 years now, and probably has another 2 in him before his body completely gives out, but look for him in the Hall of Fame very soon.

4. Amare Stoudemire- Amare Stoudemire probably gets more points off of the fast break than any other Power Forward in the league. He benefits from the great passing ability of Steve Nash, but until he proves us otherwise by poor performance he is still one of the most dominant power forwards in the league. Amare has had a few injuries in his career but when he is healthy he is the perfect power forward sidekick to Steve Nash. Amare runs the break incredibly well and has some of the best hands in the league. Also Stoudemire is incredibly explosive and has had some of the most massive dunks in the NBA as of late. Stoudemire has an average back to the basket game along with an average jump shot, but he gets by with a shot selection that usually involves dunks. Amare is averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game so far this year, but if he develops a consistent jump shot Stoudemire will become a near unstoppable player.

5. Carlos Boozer- Boozer is the name you hear less of than any other player on this list, but that doesn't mean he isn't an absolutely dominant force. Boozer is putting up a double double with 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game which makes him a key piece of the puzzle for one of the best teams in the West. Boozer doesn't do anything incredibly well, but he is solid in every facet of the game. Boozer has a solid jump shot from 17 feet and in which helps the Jazz spread the floor and keep defenses honest. Boozer is not a superstar, but consistently puts up a double double which is something that every team could use. Boozer can go off when the Jazz need him to (34 points in a win over the Clippers), but never forces the issue which is shown by his 54.5% shooting percentage from the field.

Honorable Mention-Pau Gasol, David West, Joakim Noah

Power Forward of the Future: DeJuan Blair- In limited minutes this year with the Spurs Blair has proved to be a more than adequate back up to Tim Duncan. Look for Duncan to pass the torch to Blair over the next few years, and after that look for Blair to become one of the best power forwards in the NBA for years to come.