These power forwards shaped a decade of defensive basketball!
The NBA's landscape in the 2010s boasted a wealth of elite talent across every position. Today, we turn our attention to power forwards, a position that underwent significant evolution and advancement during the decade. These power forwards rose to prominence, impacting the league as NBA champions, Finals MVPs, and MVPs, shaping the era in unforgettable ways.
Dirk Nowitzki's NBA journey encompasses two defining eras: his MVP-winning peak in the late 2000s and his standout 2011 championship campaign. Despite maintaining stellar form in the early 2010s, playoff setbacks against the Spurs hindered the Dallas Mavericks' progress. Nonetheless, Nowitzki's resilience shone through in 2011, propelling the Mavericks to a stellar 57-25 record. His playoff heroics, highlighted by victories over powerhouse teams like the Thunder and Lakers, culminated in a memorable NBA Finals triumph against the star-studded Miami Heat, earning him Finals MVP honours. However, his later years saw a gradual decline, culminating in his retirement in 2019 after 21 seasons with the Mavericks, without a return to the NBA Finals.
A dominant force in the NBA, Tim Duncan carried over his supremacy into the 2010s. Duncan's influence spanned decades beyond his four NBA championships, three MVP awards from the Finals, and two regular-season MVP honours. He demonstrated his abilities in the early 2010s, averaging 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game up until 2013. In 2014, after leading the Spurs to back-to-back Finals in 2013 and 2014, he won his fifth NBA championship. Duncan established himself as one of the best three power forwards of the decade with four All-Star appearances, three All-NBA selections, and three All-Defensive Team accolades before retiring in 2016.
Draymond Green played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors' dynasty of the early 2010s. His leadership and defensive abilities contributed to five NBA Finals appearances and three championships from 2015 to 2019. Green's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017 and five All-Defensive Team selections highlight his defensive impact, while his playmaking skills further affirm the team's success.
Draymond Green reacts to a play
Following a successful recovery from a knee injury, Blake Griffin emerged in 2010 as a dynamic player for the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons. With averages of 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in his first year in 2011, he won Rookie of the Year. Griffin led the Clippers to their greatest success during the "Lob City" period, which included Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Griffin's career with the Clippers ended disappointingly with a trade in 2017–18, irrespective of his impressive individual accomplishments, which included being selected as an All-Star and All-NBA player in 2019 while playing for the Pistons.
Anthony Davis, even after his lacklustre postseason performance, gets a place on this list thanks to his skill and defensive dominance throughout the 2010s. 2012 saw him selected first overall, and he made an instant impression, coming in second in the Rookie of the Year vote. Davis established himself as one of the top power forwards of the decade with his astounding figures, which included 26.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game. Davis was also a frequent All-Star choice. His influence on the New Orleans Pelicans is undeniable, as seen by his two postseason appearances.
Other standout power forwards from the era include players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, Pau Gasol, and LaMarcus Aldridge.
