SLAMOnline’s newest blogger, AllenP, ranks the 90′s best power forwards.
by Allen Powell
What makes a power forward special? Is it outstanding rebounding numbers or an insane scoring touch? How much weight should be given to players who make their name as defenders, or glue guys? Can you really be one of the dominant players in a decade if you only play for three, four or five years?
Some of the greatest power forwards of all-time either made their marks, or their debuts, in the 90’s. In addition to the names we all know and love, there are some other players whose stars shone brightly, if briefly. Take a gander at who got the job done.
Karl Malone
With all due respect, Charles Barkley sounds stupid whenever tries to leapfrog Karl Malone in the best power forward of all-time discussion.
Barkley had the shoes, commercials and video games, but it was Malone who was killing the game softly like Roberta Flack.
The statistics are mind-blowing. After averaging 31 and 11 at the start of the decade, Malone would never average fewer than 23 points for the next ten seasons, while typically supplying 10 boards and 3-4 assists. Before he retired, Malone had a legit shot to catch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring title.
But, to really appreciate Malone’s dominance it’s important to consider the weaknesses scouts initially saw in his game.
There were questions about his jump shot. Malone became the most dependable pick and pop player in the league. People wondered if he had the physical tools to thrive. Malone built himself into arguably the most impressive physical specimen in NBA history. Throughout his career, people wondered whether Malone was smart enough, polished enough or savvy enough to succeed. They forgot that the Mailman always delivers.
Charles Barkley
Before he became the butt of every fat joke on TNT, Charles Barkley was That Guy.
The guy who spit on little girls. The guy who ended bar fights with free trips through plate glass windows. The guy who had no problem reminding Americans that they needed to raise their kids, not him. And, the guy who gobbled rebounds and big men like they were Krispy Kreme donuts fresh out of the oven.
Barkley was the face of big men in the 90s, and he sent shockwaves through t
he League with every rim-rattling “Gorilla Dunk” or outlandish antic.
The Chuck Wagon’s really ridiculous numbers came in the 1980s when he was a wild man trying to fit in with the staid Sixers’ vets, but he was no slouch in the 90s. Regularly topping 23 points a game with 11 boards, Barkley’s only flaws were an indifference to defense, conditioning and decorum. On the 1992 Dream Team, Barkley was described by observers as a “force of nature.”
Call him Hurricane Chuck. Aye Bay, Bay.
Chris Webber
Chris Webber is underrated.
Think about it for a minute. Webber’s legacy, in many eyes, is one of failure. The infamous timeout as a Wolverine, the multiple choke jobs in Sacramento and the limping jump shot heavy debacles in Philadelphia, Detroit and Golden State. Some NBA fans have “heard” that Webber was once amazing, but many of them don’t really believe it.
Well run tell this: Chris Webber was the third best power forward in the 90’s, and honestly it wasn’t even close.
The numbers are stellar. Webber made it his business to average 20 points and 10 boards most years, but he also dished out 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Yeah, the free throw shooting was ugly, but anybody who saw Webber hitting a cutting Vlade Divac with a behind-the-back pass from the post knows that was the only ugly part of Webber’s game.
Before his knees betrayed him, Webber had jump shots, baby hooks and pretty dimes in spades. And I’m not talking about Tyra Banks. Sure, he bumped heads with Don Nelson (Who hasn’t?) and disappointed fans in D.C. (Marijuana is a helluva drug), but there can be no question he was a dominant force in the 90s and into the 2000s.
Everybody hates who?
Dennis Rodman
This was the toughest spot to rank.
Shawn Kemp’s ridiculous alley-oops and crotch-grabbing antics are permanently ingrained in every 80’s baby’s brain. The tale of Derrick Coleman’s squandered potential is part of NBA lore.
But, it had to be The Worm.
Dennis Rodman is easily the most controversial player in NBA history, and that’s without discussing his wedding dress, tattoos and piercings. His game is enough to spark intense debates about what’s truly valuable, and how much weight should be given to “specialists.”
Rodman didn’t really score, only cracking double figures once. By the 90s he had bulked up, and even the pretense of caring about buckets was abandoned. But, Rodman’s elite rebounding and defense, along with his ability to ignite his team and provoke opposing players into horrible mistakes was astounding.
Most people remember Jordan stripping Malone before his iconic final shot. But what they don’t remember is Malone flopping horribly after the strip because Rodman had taken up residence in the Mailman’s mind and had him whining to the refs. Rodman never tantalized fans with superstar scoring potential, but he did force viewers to appreciate that there are other ways to dominate a game.
Now somebody get this man into the Hall of Fame.
Shawn Kemp
Was there a more beautiful sight in the 1990’s than watching Shawn Kemp take flight to cram through another off-target alley-oop from Gary Payton? Who didn’t marvel as Kemp trademarked the phrase “nuts on the nostrils” while emasculating plodding earthbound suckers trying to contain him?
Outside of the high wire act occurring nightly in Chicago, nothing compared.
Kemp made it rain when Weezy was still in magnet school. Before Allen Iverson hit the scene, Kemp and his classic Southside Houston bald fade embodied the hip-hop aesthetic on the hardwood. A prep-to-pro star before the elaborate support systems, Kemp’s game always maintained a rawness that made it even more appealing.
But, sometimes the memory can play tricks. Even with his descent into cocaine and obesity, Kemp has a stellar rep among fans, yet he only averaged 20 points for one season in his career. True, 19 points and 10 boards is still impressive, and Kemp was a terror facing up opposing power forwards and giving them his loosey-goosey crossover, but there is a clear separation between his game and the game of the true dominant players of his decade.
Turns out some things really are better on You Tube.
Derrick Coleman
Derrick Coleman had Game, and the capital “G” is intentional.
Handles, post moves, jumpers, rebounding and defense were all part of Coleman’s package, with a nasty streak for good measure. Most NBA analysts agree that there have been few more players talented than Coleman, and for once, they’re right.
So, what happened?
Life happened, or more accurately, the NBA life happened. Coleman exploded in his first five seasons in the League posting a silky smooth 20 and 10 most years, and even garnering an invite to embarrass foreigners in the 1994 World Championships.
But, Coleman’s game would steadily erode over the remainder of his career as the temptations and a foul attitude conspired to prevent him from joining the all-time greats. He began to rely far too much on jumpers, as evidenced by his plummeting shooting percentage, and spend way too much time at bars and steakhouses.
Coleman had all the tools to join the pantheon, he just didn’t seem that keen on using them.
Larry Johnson
Nobody made dunking in a dress and granny glasses look cooler than Larry Johnson.
Then again, who else tried it?
Grandmamma, as LJ was once known, had a game as exuberant as his gap-toothed smile, and if chronic back problems hadn’t robbed him of his explosiveness he could have easily been higher on this list.
Johnson was introduced to the public via a brash UNLV squad that was almost as racially divisive as O.J. Simpson, but when he got to the NBA all that angst disappeared. Johnson’s fun-loving attitude and ferocious game quickly made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposing coaches. Although undersized, Johnson would earn Rookie-of-the Year by punishing players on the block thanks to broad shoulders and a wide base. Plus, once he faced up on most big men, it was curtains thanks to an insane first step.
By the time he left Charlotte for New York, Johnson’s burst was gone, but thanks to an underrated understanding of the game and impeccable work ethic he was still a key cog in the last relevant Knicks teams. Remember Johnson hitting that ridiculous three pointer against Indiana that sent the Knicks to the 1999 Finals? The foul call was bogus, but the shot was still wet.
L.J.’s game was no fairy tale.
Juwan Howard
Biggie said “Mo’ money, mo’ problems” and Juwan Howard would probably agree.
After taking a year to prove that the Fab Five wasn’t all about Chris Webber, Howard was reunited with his former partner-in-shine when the Wizards picked him fifth in the 1994 Draft.
Sadly, the two big men would see their reunion marred by injuries, holdouts and arrests. Despite that, Howard’s first two seasons were stellar, particularly year two when he averaged 22 points and eight boards and was third team All-NBA.
However, that offseason the Bullets and Heat engaged in a bidding war for Howard’s services, with the Wizards ultimately making him the NBA’s first $100 million man. That contract, and circus surrounding his signing, would dog Howard for the rest of his career as he could never live up to the demands of being paid like “The Man.” Howard posted solid averages of about 18 and 8 for the next few years, but his career would be defined by his quiet intelligence more than a dominating game.
Kevin Willis
The man affectionately dubbed “T-Rex” because of his stubby and ridiculously cut arms is kind of a forgotten player.
Younger fans likely remember him solely as an old guy with a bad haircut on the Raptors and Spurs, but in his heyday Willis was a bonafide beast for the Atlanta Hawks banging alongside high-flyer Dominique Wilkins.
Willis bounced between the forward and center positions, but by the 90’s he had cemented himself as a terror on the glass averaging 15.5 boards in 1991, while managing to score 18 points a game. The only reason Willis isn’t ranked higher is because by the middle of the decade he had settled into the role of solid journeyman after a decade putting in work.
A lottery pick in the famed 1984 draft, Willis built his reputation on being in peak physical condition, which allowed him to contend with younger players into his 40s. Although he struggled with injuries at times, Willis was known as a rugged defender and locker room leader until he retired.
Clifford Robinson
Was Clifford Robinson a power forward? The incomparable Red Auerbach said it’s ridiculous to classify forwards as “small” or “power.” Mr. Celtic said the only important measure is if a player gets the job done.
Who can argue with Red?
Robinson doesn’t have the rebounding numbers of a power forward, nor does he have the shooting percentage. He’s known more for his three point shooting than his post moves, even though Robinson attempted fewer than 150 three pointers in his first five seasons combined. With his height, soft touch and lack of handle, Robinson was more Bob McAdoo than Grant Hill.
But, it would be idiotic to focus on what Uncle Cliffy couldn’t do, when there is so much he did well, starting with winning. Robinson only missed the playoffs once in his 18 year career, and he was a key cog off the bench for a Portland Trailblazer team that was a constant contender in the West. Robinson topped 20 points per game multiple times in his career, and is the oldest player to ever score 50 points.
Positions are overrated.
Kevin Garnett
Yes, Kevin Garnett was drafted in 1995. Yes, he came fresh out of high school and only averaged 10 points and 4 boards his rookie year.
So what? 
After a one-year to get his mind right, Garnett was putting up 17 and 8 on 50 percent shooting and by the end of the 90s he was a certified 23 and 12 with five assists, a block and a steal. There is a reason the Minnesota Timberwolves exploded the NBA salary structure to keep Da Kid around…
Including Garnett on this list meant a worthy power forward like Tom Gugliotta, Christian Laettner, Horace Grant, Antonio McDyess and Danny Manning couldn’t make the cut, but Garnett’s impact and numbers would not be denied. Three years removed from the prom he was among the best at his position, within five years he was arguably the best. His unique combination of size, speed, athleticism and heart have made him one of the most popular and wealthy NBA players ever. Even with the general douchery associated with Boston sports, Garnett maintains a certain level of respect.
The Big Ticket is worth the price of admission.
Allen Powell II is a reporter at the Times Picayune in New Orleans, La. A graduate of Howard University and the University of Maryland-College Park, he’s maintain an abiding love for basketball and SLAM Magazine since taping a picture of Tim Duncan sitting on a throne of basketballs to his bedroom wall. In fact, SLAM was the first magazine he ever subcribed to. “Highlights” doesn’t count since his parents paid for the subscription.
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If you don’t mind, explain why you think Barkley was better. I used to be on that team, but now I’m not so I’d like to hear why you think Charles is the man.
on a sidenote, man how crazy would it be to play fantasy bball in the 90s..
If I let three years count, then I would have had to take another look at McDyess, and Brad Daugherty.
The biggest challenge with this list was deciding how to deal with injuries and people only playing a few years in the decade. After the top five, it was really difficult. Kinda of like the list for centers of the 90s.
Wouldn’t you say Duncan’s prime was the 2000s?
This list was solely about the 90s.
I really wanted to put Gugs on the list though.
I’m surprised more people aren’t upset about Rodman.
as good as rodman was in the 90s, it’s hard to place him above karl charles and chris. he had the numbers throughout the decade (although he finished the decade on a sour note), but he arguably didn’t get faulted into elite status until those 3 seasons with the bulls.
I thought people would be pissed he’s ranked as high as he is, not that that would think he should be higher.
i found it interesting that you opted not to point out any of rodman or LJs stats, but point out the avg’s or numbers of all the other PFs on the list
Charles Oakley was a great, great role player in the 90s. He wasn’t one of the most dominant fours in the league. I considered him, but he didn’t make the cut.
For those wondering, unlike with the points I didn’t just depend on my own memory to make this list.
I thought about all the cats I could remember who played the four in that generation, looked up their stats and then gave them a base ranking based on those stats on a 1-5 system. Then, I went back and thought about their individual games, read some stuff about those I wasn’t as familiar with, and then tried to make a determination based on their impact and dominance.
I didn’t include Duncan for the same reason Garnett is number 10. If this was the top ten all time, KG might make that cut, but not for the 90s. He only played five years, and he only really, really dominated for some of those years. But, the speed with which he made the leap considering the fact that he came straight from high school was amazing, to me at least. Same thing with Kemp, only Kemp had a whole decade to make his mark and really kind of plateaued at a certain point.
I can see your argument for Barkley over Malone. Like I told Hussman, I always had Barkley over Malone on my lists, and maybe when you consider what Charles did in the 80s he beats him out careerwise. Maybe. But, in the 90s, Malone was simply better. He really just was.
Now, 6’7″ is still short, so I dont understand the need to detract the other three inches.
Tarzan
I didn’t include Sheed because he diddn’t deserve it for his play in the 90s. His numbers were mediocre, and his game really didn’t blossom until he had a couple of years in Portland. And, while I’ve always been impressed with Sheed’s intelligence on and off the court, I haven’t been impressed with his anemic rebounding, penchant for jumpshots, and ridiculous techs.
It only matters when people give him a bunch of extra points because of it. I don’t like when people take a players deficiency and make that the deciding factor when comparing him to another player. That seems unjust.
Nah, I said a bunch of extra points, or the deciding factor.
You get a bump, but it can’t be massive. Yes, you overcame a handicap, but the point is your overall performance. I don’t give players a bunch of extra points because they are slow, but still dominant, or small but still great. Yes, it’s more impressive, but if the taller player is better than you, he’s better than you.
Does that make sense?
Nah, some of those cats, because they were taller and could do more, are just flat out better scorers than him. If you were blessed with certain gifts and you used them, it’s not your fault that another guy never had them. I hate when people gush about players and the first thing out of their mouths is how you have to give them so many extra points for not being gifted in certain areas. If they aren’t a better scorer or passer or rebounder than a guy who is gifted, then they aren’t.
Moose, y’all have almost as bad a rep as New York people.
Larry Legend
Do you honestly consider Grant and Oakley dominant forces in the 90s? I don’t. They were good, sometimes great players, but they were both role players, whose game was never the focal point of a team. Besides, Oakley’s best statistical years came in the 80s, and Grant, while good, was never truly great in my opinion. I believe in giving players extra points if their teams contended, to a degree. In this case, evne with the fact that hey were playing for contenders, neither Grant nor Oakley were real “stars” or borderline stars at any point in their careers.
To be honest, I used to think like that back in 2001 when I was proclaiming Iverson hands down the best player in the league because of what he did at his size. But, even then, I thought that if a player can do more, doesn’t that mean he might be better.
For the record, Shaq is a better scorer than Iverson, in my opinion. Efficiency matters, and Shaq was as efficient as he was dominant in his youth. Shaq could do more with less, even if he didn’t have all the post moves.
That would be a great topic to examine. How about you and I do a little back and forth or something on a set of dominant scorers and decide who gets the nod as a scoring machine? But, we pick players who have very very different skill sets and games to compare. Kind of a purposeful apples to oranges comparison to see if its worth it
Is scoring about getting buckets, or do you get extra points for how you get those buckets?
Is Jordan a better scorer than Wilt? Kareem?
Whose better between Iverson and Malone at getting buckets?
This is why that would be a great debate.
kind of goes with the saying that a flashy dunk is still worth as much points as a layup or midrange j. you’ll get more props for the dunk, but you won’t get more points for it.
Period.
Good sh1t, though.
Again, good sh1t.
Allenp rolling along.
So happy for you, brethren.
And Tarzan, if you don’t dig “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper” by Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince you officially know nothing about hip-hop pre-2000. It’s an ’88 classic during maybe the best year of hip-hop. As for Kid ‘N Play, they were tight! H@te if you want, they sonned 2 Live Crew without uttering a swear word. Very fun group to listen and watch; underrated group because they weren’t vulgar.
Also, forgot to mention Showbiz and A.G. in the duos list.
Hopefully ya’ll know, but if you don’t, here is the best song about graffiti in the history of rap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJXyZeyNuFI
@ Bryan Crawford – thanks for the point-out. I dislike when dudes talk random crap, but thoroughly appreciate when people point out mistakes. Journalist, indeed!
man, he was the heart of the knicks D in the finals, on a very bad ankle. rodman was tough, but oak was the toughest! this is the guy, i want to go to battle.
also it’s easy to say, h.grant was just the tall 4 to do the dirty work for the bulls. his stats aren’t great in comparsion, too, but i saw enough magic games from the mid 90ies to say, he was beasting! when shaq and/or penny were out, he was the man, on both ends.
what both had was a good to great all around game, the JUMPER was there, and the rebounding. both were always in great shape, something you can’t say of some on the list (coleman, kemp and not chuck, he’s all right man). both played with great offense player during their career (mj, pat, shap, penny, vince) and were far away of being an option on the offensive end. but they played well in the system, were valueable players and every team they get traded to, got better (orlando, toronto).
last but not least, let’s talk about rings in the 90ies: grant 3, thorpe 1, chucky brown 1 (hell), rodman 4, duncan 1. except for rodman, i don’t see anyone on the list.
it’s really hard to say they were more than great role players, but make me feel good and there was never a Q, that they left it all on the floor, they go hard and worked for their money!
so who to cut? howard maybe, good scoring, but not the rebounding. i admit, the bullets had an ill frontline in the mid 90ies. LJ had 3 good years living up to his potential, then there was the 4 point play….coleman underarchived, too in my opinion. cliff was more of a big 3, and also not more than a role player. the late kemp was just ugly and earlier he had many off night, too. h.grant and oak were just consistent! so i would give cliffs and howard’S spot to grant or oak. it’s just me and my love for the old knicks and rising magic back then.
and great to see willis make the cut, i would take him over nique as ATL’s best player back then.
Oh, and in 1 week is going to be our special Stretch and Bobbito month.
Adjust your lives accordingly,
Also, imo Outkast and the Geto Boys are the greatest rap groups to come out of the South.
man, he was the heart of the knicks D in the finals, on a very bad ankle. rodman was tough, but oak was the toughest! this is the guy, i want to go to battle.
also it’s easy to say, h.grant was just the tall 4 to do the dirty work for the bulls. his stats aren’t great in comparsion, too, but i saw enough magic games from the mid 90ies to say, he was beasting! when shaq and/or penny were out, he was the man, on both ends.
what both had was a good to great all around game, the JUMPER was there, and the rebounding. both were always in great shape, something you can’t say of some on the list (coleman, kemp and not chuck, he’s all right man). both played with great offense player during their career (mj, pat, shap, penny, vince) and were far away of being an option on the offensive end. but they played well in the system, were valueable players and every team they get traded to, got better (orlando, toronto).
it’s really hard to say they were more than great role players, but make me feel good and there was never a Q, that they left it all on the floor, they go hard and worked for their money!
so who to cut? howard maybe, good scoring, but not the rebounding. i admit, the bullets had an ill frontline in the mid 90ies. LJ had 3 good years living up to his potential, then there was the 4 point play….coleman underarchived, too in my opinion. cliff was more of a big 3, and also not more than a role player. the late kemp was just ugly and earlier he had many off night, too. h.grant and oak were just consistent! so i would give cliffs and howard’S spot to grant or oak. it’s just me and my love for the old knicks and rising magic back then.
and great to see willis make the cut, i would take him over nique as ATL’s best player back then.
____________________________________________________
* I also thought it relevant to add Vin Baker to the discussion, whilst on the outside looking in – he made 4(?) Allstar appearances since joining the NBA in 1993 and was a key part of entertaining Milwaukee teams and kept the Sonics alive when he was traded for Shawn Kemp – if it wasn’t for the lockout season of 99 and his alcohol based demise we may have seen so much more.
* Charles Oakley gets a definite ‘honourable mention’.
* Danny Manning – If it wasn’t for injuries (or the Clippers) who knows…
GREAT PIECE.
Malone-5
Barkley-5
Coleman-3/4
Kemp-3/4
Vin Baker 2/3 (In hindsight, I scored him way too low initially, and he should have made the list over probably Juwan or Cliff Robinson. My bad.)
Webber-4
Wallace 2/3 (His rebounding is just unacceptable. Sorry.)
Duncan-3 (Dominant, but really only for three years, one of them strike shortened. I wanted him on the list badly though.)
Worthy–2
Rodman–3 (He leapfrogged Kemp and Coleman with the bump from the rings, and the consistency on the glass.)
Willis–3
LJ–3
Juwan–2/3
AMason–1 (Sorry, really just a role player. Cool role player, but just that.)
K.G.–3
McDyess–3 (Injuries and time entered the league cut him.)
McHale–1(just too old.)
A.C. Green–2
Nance–2
Daugherty 2/3 (Underrated.)
Manning–3
Buck Williams–2
Cliff Robinson–3
Tyrone Hill–2
Laettner–3
Gugliotta–3
Gatling–2/3
Horace Grant–3
Also, I hear the arguments about Oakley and Grant and I respect those arguments. I appreciate the praise and the disagreement. Makes for a good conversation and that’s what we’re all looking for here.
I don’t think he would have made the final cut, but he definitely should have merited a look. Oversight on my part.
Great stuff, looking forward to your other pieces.
And, good pick up, SLAM. FA signing of the off-season.
“Rings don’t mean SH*T when judging individual players.”
“Rodman–3 (He leapfrogged Kemp and Coleman with the bump from the rings, and the consistency on the glass.)”
Just sayin’…
Garnett is better.
Willis is better.
Mason is Better
Maybe even Brian Grant.
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