Small Forwards
LeBron James
2015-16 Season
PPG APG RPG
25.6 6.4 7.8
Career
27.3 6.9 7.2
If you trade LeBron James for Carmelo Anthony, then the New York Knicks would probably become championship contenders. If you put him on the Charlotte Hornets, especially if you can keep Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, then they probably will become contenders. The same with the Pacers, Lakers or any other team you want to name. I’m not sure you can say the same thing about Curry, Durant, or any other superstar. Yeah you could probably put those guys on a bad team and they make the playoffs. But LeBron James took a Cleveland Cavalier team that didn’t make the playoffs the year before to the championship series; that’s a fact. You may not like or respect LeBron James game, but you can’t say you haven’t seen it. He is one of the top five players to ever play the game. Period… Like his Nike ad campaign says. You are witness.
Kawhi Leonard
2015-16 Season
PPG APG RPG
21.7 2.6 7.5
Career
12.9 1.9 6.2
Well damn, this has been a rude awakening. The small forward spot has traditionally been the easiest picks. I used to put LeBron in the top spot and then go with Kevin Durant. By chance if Carmelo Anthony was having a slightly better year, then he would get the spot. Before his injury Paul George was in this conversation. He is not on par with KD and Melo from a scoring perspective, but he can hold his own. I also think he is a better passer and defender than Melo and KD. That’s cool and all but I have to consider the fact that Durant, Melo, and George collectively played a total of 73 games last year.
I then I have to consider that Kawhi Leonard is the best one on one defender at this position. I then have to consider that his 16 points during the regular season and his 20 during the playoffs are not weak. You then throw in his 7 rebounds a game then you ask yourself the question. Is Kawhi Leonard one of the top ten players in the NBA? I hate to say he got this spot by default. But I would still pick those three players ahead of him. It’s not that he doesn’t have the talent. It is I have yet to see him lead a team on his own. The thing that secured his spot was watching the first game of the year against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I saw him guard Kevin Durant one on one all night. He held KD to only 22 points and had 32 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. H is averaging a career high 21 points this season and I’m thinking that will continue. A above average offense game to go with his defense should justify this pick.