1. LaMarcus Aldridge
The best PF in the league today is the 7-year veteran LaMarcus Aldridge. With the help of a good supporting cast and young star in the making Damian Lillard, Aldridge is easily leading his team to the playoffs with the 5th seed in a stacked western conference.
As far as skills go, Aldridge is this high on the list because his offensive game is superb. He has one of the best post games in the league, he can hit the midrange jumper in his sleep, he’s a great FT shooter, especially for a big man, and he’s no slouch on defense.
At the moment, Aldridge is putting up around 23 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, 1 block per game, and 1 steal per game. Because he is fairly young at the age of 28, he may continue to reign as the top PF for years to come.
Strength: Shooting touch
Weakness: Shot selection
2. Blake Griffin
The number 2 PF in the league is the prolific dunker, Brake Griffin. Blake Griffin showed everyone what he was made when Chris Paul (the leader of the Clippers) got injured and took a little hiatus to heal up. In those stretch of games, Blake Griffin took over and showed us his entire repertoire, and what parts of his game he worked on in the summer. Because of his excellent play, the Clippers currently sit at the number 3 spot in the west, and have clinched their division.
In reference to skills, Blake Griffin’s main advantage on the floor is his athleticism. He’s faster than most big men, he has very good handle for a big man, he jumps higher than most people in the league, he’s fairly quick, and he can finish with contact. As far as improvements he’s made on his game, Blake Griffin’s jump shot and FTs have greatly improved. He is finally over that 70% mark for FT%.
Currently, Blake Griffin is averaging around 24 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and 1 steal per game. One knock on Griffin is he disappears in the playoffs, so hopefully in this playoff run coming up, he can show everyone that he can perform at this same level in the playoffs.
Strength: Athleticism, Ability to draw contact
Weakness: Perceived as soft, Shot selection, Defense
3. Tim Duncan
Coming in at number 3, is the team leader of the San Antonio Spurs, the best team in the NBA. At the “old” age of 37, Duncan is still showing these young guys how to do it. His postgame is still efficient, his basketball IQ is through the roof, and he still makes offensive players think twice before driving to the hole.
He is currently averaging about 15 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and about 2 blocks per game. Why these stats aren’t the usual for the great Duncan of old, he still plays a huge part in the success of the Spurs.
With the help of Duncan, Parker, and Coach Popovich, it looks like the Spurs might be on their way to another final. Hopefully Duncan can reach really deep this time and make sure it happens, because father time is definitely against him.
Strength: Basketball IQ
Weakness: Consistency
4. Anthony Davis
At number 4 is the very young Chicago native, Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis at the young age of 21 is already making his mark as one of the best PFs in the game. As far as skills go, he is a great defender, a good rebounder, and he’s pretty solid at everything else. He will begin to improve the more games he plays, since he is just now getting use to the NBA style of play.
Davis is currently putting up approximately 21 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, about 3 blocks per game, and around 1 steal per game. He already has the stats; the next step is for him to turn these stats into wins for his team, so they can get into the playoffs.
Being that this is his 2nd year in the league, with the right dedication and hard work, Davis has the potential and ability to be an all-time great big man in the league.
Strength: Athleticism, Length
Weakness: Frail, Still learning the game
5. Kevin Love
To finish off this list, at number 5 is the rebounding machine, Kevin Love. Love at the young age of 25 has already shown the league that he is an individual force to be reckoned with. Love is a great 3point shooter for his position, he’s a rebounding guru, and he hustles his behind off.
Presently, Love is putting up an impressive 26 points per game, about 13 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game. While these are impressive stats, Love, being the leader of his Timberwolves team, needs to figure out how to turn his great individual performances into team wins. He has never made the playoffs before, and he needs to prove to the rest of the league that he can do so before he moves up.
Strength: Rebounding
Weakness: Defense
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