NBA Rankings: The 5 best power forwards in basketball

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) after securing a rebound following a free throw attempt during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Clippers 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts as time expires during the fourth quarter of a win against the Miami Heat in a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

This ranking may shock some people, but if you were too busy to watch the New Orleans Pelicans last season, you missed a fantastic show from Anthony Davis. Part of the issue with Davis in comparison to Love and/or Griffin is that he missed 15 regular season games, but on a per-game basis, there was no one better than Davis.

Oh, and he is 21 years old.

In his second season, the former Kentucky star averaged 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game for a struggling New Orleans team, and he trailed only Love among power forwards in both PER and win shares per 48 minutes. However, it is important to note that while Love is better than advertised defensively, the 6-foot-10 Davis is a game-changer on that end of the floor.

Anthony Davis led the NBA in blocked shots per game last season. Think about that for a moment. At 20 years old for most of the season, a player who was occupying the power forward position for the great majority of the time decided to lead the league in blocks and he has displayed the mobility and motor to remain a terrifying all-court defender stretching out to the perimeter.

The sky is the limit for Anthony Davis, and if we weren’t in the midst of a rare point in the NBA with two players on track to become legends of the game, maybe he would get some additional air time.

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