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NBA Rankings: Top 10 power forwards for 2014-15

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 11, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks slaps hands with forward Serge Ibaka (9) as he leaves the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Serge Ibaka:

2013-14 Stat Line: 81 games, 32.9 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.7 BPG, 1.0 APG, .536/.383/.784 shooting, 19.6 PER

Other than Millsap, Serge Ibaka has the highest Player Efficiency Rating we’ve seen so far on this list. Unlike Millsap, Ibaka is fully capable of anchoring a championship-caliber team on the defensive end. His 2.7 blocks per game are the second highest of the 10 players who made the cut and anyone who doubts his defensive impact didn’t watch the Oklahoma City Thunder rapidly fall into a 2-0 hole against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals without him on the floor.

With a healthy Ibaka and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are the most dangerous team in the West. Kevin Durant is a scoring machine and MVP, Westbrook is a flying death machine who nearly averaged a triple-double in the playoffs and Ibaka is the perfect complementary role player on offense because he’s pretty much automatic knocking down midrange jumpers.

Next season will be Ibaka’s sixth in the league and over the past few years, he’s increased his scoring and rebounding numbers. He’s added a three-point shot to his arsenal, but he shot it at a much higher clip (38 percent) than Bosh did last season. With Durant and Westbrook just entering their primes now, Ibaka could be the difference between the Thunder finally breaking through and winning a championship and falling short once again.

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