The small forward position in the NBA continues to evolve, and many of today's 3's are capable of playing multiple roles on the court. Here are the top five small forwards in the NBA right now:
1. LeBron James
"King James" isn't just the most skilled small forward in the NBA; he's also the best player in the league. He consistently puts up unreal numbers every season, and he took away all doubts about his clutch abilities during the 2012 postseason, leading the Miami Heat to their second NBA title in franchise history. The Heat are currently poised to become one of the great dynasties in NBA history, and I expect LeBron to take his game to an even higher level next season.2. Kevin Durant
Durant consistently puts up impressive numbers, and he took the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals earlier in the year. At only 23 years-old, Durant will only get better as time progresses, and it's only a matter of time before he secures an NBA title. "Melo" hasn't been as consistent lately, but he's still spectacular to watch when he's on. Unlike LeBron and Durant, Anthony isn't 100 percent committed on the defensive end, making him a liability at times.4. Rudy Gay
Rudy is certainly one of the rising stars in the NBA, and he seems to improve every year. The Baltimore native has already proven that he's a reliable scorer, and he pulls down his share of rebounds as well. The 26 year-old still has a few things to learn in terms of getting his teammates involved, but time is on his side.5. Paul Pierce
Pierce might be in the final chapter of his NBA career, but he's still one of the best small forwards in the league right now. The 34 year-old averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season, and the 10-time NBA All-Star still has a little bit left in his tank.David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
Sources:
Player and game information from ESPN.com
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