NBA 2021-22 Season: Top 3 Small Forwards in the League
Small forwards in the NBA are in charge of making baskets, playing defense, and are frequently second- or third-choice rebounders after the power forward and center. In professional basketball, many players are great scorers, while some have significant passing duties. Small forwards score in a broad variety of ways.
Even though centers Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid received a lot of talk during the regular season, and despite Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic’s heroics in the postseason, Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler’s matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals demonstrated that small forwards are still in high demand in the NBA.
Even though LeBron James’ Lakers missed the playoffs, he had another GOAT-caliber season, coming in second in the NBA in scoring. Here we take a look at the top small forwards in the league last season.
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Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
Recency bias will increase due to Tatum’s difficulties in the NBA Finals. Having said that, he did guide Boston to its first Finals since 2010, and he did it all while behaving like a real superstar. During the Celtics‘ postseason run, they averaged 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Tatum, who is only 24 years old, will only become better. Jayson Tatum is the NBA’s greatest finisher at the rim because he plays like the classic runaway train in the lane, an unstoppable force determined to destroy everything in its path.
LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has been charged with being egotistical since he has undoubtedly discovered the elixir of youth but won’t tell his friends about it. At the age of 37, he is still demonstrating that he has a very long career ahead of him. In 2021–22, LBJ averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, with no indications of slowing down anytime soon. That is really insane. Whether his numbers were inflated, LeBron James was the Lakers‘ most effective offensive player this season, ranking second in scoring with 30.3 points per game.
READ MORE: NBA 2021-22 Season: Top 3 Point Guards in the League
Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers
Due to an ACL tear, this two-time NBA Finals MVP missed the whole 2021–22 season. This in no way diminishes Leonard’s standing as one of the top NBA players currently active. Leonard has averaged 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 49 percent shooting over the course of his last six seasons. Additionally, he has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice.
