Ranking the best power forwards in the NBA today

The power forward might just be the deepest position in all of basketball right now. There are legendary players still manning the four spot as well as some young stars that are taking over the game.

In all, eight players made the all-star game, three were on the all-defensive first or second-team and five made one of the three all-NBA teams.

Here is a look at the best power forwards in the game today. These rankings are based on what each player did during the 2014-15 season.

All stats and award information from Basketball-reference.com.

30. Adreian Payne, Minnesota Timberwolves

After a slow start to the season that saw Payne play in just three games for the Atlanta Hawks, Payne was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of his best games of the year came in a 13-point loss to the Los Angeles Clipper when he managed 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the floor. He added 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 36:33.

During his time in Minnesota, he appeared in 29 games and averaged 7.2 points on 41.8 percent shooting with 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 24.8 minutes.

29. Louis Amundson, New York Knicks

Amundson landed with the Knicks from Cleveland in the deal that saw J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert go to the Cavaliers and had the most productive statistical season of his career. One of his best outings of the year came in a six-point win over the Detroit Pistons when he finished with 17 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor. He added 14 rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 35:17.

During his time with the Knicks, he appeared in 41 games and averaged 6.0 points on 43.2 percent shooting with 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in 20.9 minutes.

28. Luc Mbah a Moute, Philadelphia 76ers

Like most of the Philadelphia roster, Mbah a Moute struggled through most of the 2014-15 season. One of his best showings came in a three-point loss to the Chicago Bulls when he registered 16 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. He added 11 rebounds, three assists and a block in 33:20.

For the season, he appeared in 67 games and averaged 9.9 points on 39.5 percent shooting with 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.6 minutes.

27. Channing Frye, Orlando Magic

While he had a solid season shooting the 3-point shot (39.3 percent), Frye took a step back during his first season in Orlando. One of his best games of the season came in a five-point win over the Sacramento Kings when he had 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor, including 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. He added 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal in 35:27.

For the season, he appeared in 75 games and averaged 7.3 points on 39.2 percent shooting with 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.9 minutes.

26. Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings

Even though he had the worst shooting campaign of his career, Thompson still made solid contributions for the Kings during his seventh season with the team. One of his best showings of the year came in a nine-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers when he managed 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field. He added 22 rebounds, two assists and a block in 36:26.

For the season, he appeared in 81 games and averaged 6.1 points on 47 percent shooting with 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 24.6 minutes.

25. Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets

Although he played 20 fewer games than his rookie year, Zeller had a much more productive season. One of his best games of the year came in an 18-point win over the Denver Nuggets when he totaled 21 points on 10-for-11 shooting from the floor. He added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in 31:31.

For the season, he appeared in 62 games and averaged 7.6 points on 46.1 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24 minutes.

24. Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee Bucks

Even though his minutes were down, Ilyasova had one of the most productive shooting seasons of his career. On of his best showings of the year came in a four-point win over the Indiana Pacers when he registered 34 points on 12-for-14 shooting from the floor, including 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35:40.

For the season, he appeared in 58 games and averaged 11.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting with 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 22.7 minutes.

23. Amir Johnson, Toronto Raptors

In spite of the fact that Johnson struggled to make free-throws, he shot the ball really well from everywhere else on the floor. On of his best showings of the season came in a 14-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he recorded 27 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the floor. He added seven rebounds, four assists and a steal in 32:36.

For the season, he appeared in 75 games and averaged 9.3 points on 57.4 percent shooting with 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 26.4 minutes.

22. Ed Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Even though he doesn’t get very many touches on the offensive end, he is a very efficient scorer in the paint. One of his most productive showings of the season came in a nine-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets when he managed 16 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the floor. He added 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 28:16.

For the season, he appeared in 79 games and averaged 8.3 points on 60.1 percent shooting with 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 23.3 minutes.

21. Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets

Motiejunas was finally given some real minutes and had the best season of his young career. One of his best showings of the year came in a six-point win over the Boston Celtics when he had 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the floor, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. He added 12 rebounds and an assist in 31:22.

For the season, he appeared in 71 games and averaged 12 points on 50.4 percent shooting with 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.7 minutes.

20. Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns

Morris took advantage of his first full season as a starter and put up some impressive numbers. One of his best games of the year came in a four-point win over the Boston Celtics when he recorded 30 points on 14-for-21 shooting from the floor. He added seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in 39:17.

For the season, he started all 82 games and averaged 15.3 points on 46.5 percent shooting with 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 31.5 minutes.

19. Nene, Washington Wizards

Nene had another really solid season as he helped the Wizards to the second round of the playoffs. One of his best outings of the year came in an 11-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks when he totaled 22 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the floor. He added six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 32:33.

For the season, he appeared in 67 games and averaged 11 points on 51.1 percent shooting with 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.3 minutes.

18. Thaddeus Young, Brooklyn Nets

Young came to the Nets in a trade that saw Kevin Garnett go back to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even though Young was only with the Nets for a short time, he did some nice things. One of his best games of the season came in a five-point win over the Toronto Raptors when he had 29 points on 12-for-15 shooting from the floor. He added six rebounds and four steals in 36:49.

During his time with the Nets, he appeared in 28 games and averaged 13.9 points on 49.5 percent shooting with 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.6 minutes.

17. Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics

Even though Sullinger got bit by the injury bug, he still had a very solid season when he was on the floor. One of his best games of the year came in an eight-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans when he registered 27 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the floor and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 32:08

For the season, he appeared in 58 games and averaged 13.3 points on 43.9 percent shooting with 7.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 27 minutes.

16. David West, Indiana Pacers

While his production has dropped each of the last two seasons, West is still a very important piece to the success of the Pacers. One of his best outings of the year came in a one-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers when he totaled 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. He added nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 32:55.

For the season, he appeared in 66 games and averaged 11.7 points on 47.1 percent shooting with 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.7 minutes.

15. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

While Ibaka was still a force on the defensive end, he struggled offensively. In fact, he had his worst shooting year of his entire career from the field. One of his most productive outings of the season came in a 15-point win over the Dallas Mavericks when he had 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. He added a season-high 22 rebounds in 37:52.

For the season, he appeared in 64 games and averaged 14.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting with 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

14. Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

Faried had another really solid campaign even though the Nuggets struggled through a very tough season. One of his best games of the year came in a four-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves when he put up 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the floor. He added a season-high 25 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive end to go along with three assists in 29:46.

For the season, he appeared in 75 games and averaged 12.6 points on 50.7 percent shooting with 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.8 minutes.

13. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Bosh was in the middle of another all-star year, when his season was cut short due to injury. One of his most productive games of the season came in a six-point win over the Phoenix Suns when he totaled 34 points on 14-for-21 shooting from the floor, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range. He added nine rebounds, four steals and an assist in 36:40.

For the season, he appeared in 44 games and averaged 21.1 points on 46 percent shooting with 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 35.4 minutes.

12. Zach Randolph. Memphis Grizzlies

Even though Randolph barely gets off the floor anymore, he is one of the best post players in the NBA today. One of his best games of the year came in a 12-point win over the Phoenix Suns when he had 27 points on 11-for-16 from the floor. He added 17 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 42:21.

For the season, he appeared in 71 games and averaged 16.1 points on 48.7 percent shooting with 10.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.5 minutes.

11. Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

Despite the fact that the Pistons missed the playoffs, Monroe still had a very nice year. One of his best showings of the season came in a 13-point win over the Dallas Mavericks when he finished with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the floor and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. He added 18 rebounds, and six assists in 34:08.

For the season, he appeared in 69 games and averaged 15.9 points on 49.6 percent shooting with 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 31 minutes.

10. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Even though his numbers dropped dramatically with the move to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Love had a solid season for a playoff team. One of his best performances of the year came in a 15-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers when he managed 32 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the floor, including 7-for-8 from beyond the arc. He added 10 rebounds, and three assists in 34:31.

For the season, he appeared in 75 games and averaged 16.4 points on 43.4 percent shooting with 9.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 33.8 minutes.

9. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

Favors had the best year of his young career under new coach Quin Snyder. One of his most productive outings came in a 27-point win over the Phoenix Suns when he registered 32 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the floor and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. He added nine rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist in 30:23.

For the season, he appeared in 74 games and averaged 16 points on 52.5 percent shooting with 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in 30.8 minutes.

8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Nowitzki had another fine season as he led the Dallas Mavericks to another playoff appearance and made his 13th all-star game. One of his best games of the year came in a five-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder when he scored 30 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field and 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. He added five rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal in 29:03.

For the season, he appeared in 77 games and averaged 17.3 points on 45.9 percent shooting with 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.6 minutes.

7. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Green had by far the best season of his three-year career under new coach Steve Kerr. He earned all-defensive first-team and finished second in the voting for the most improved player award. One of his most impressive performances of the year came in a 10-point win over the Chicago Bulls when he had 31 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the floor, including 7-for-13 from beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks in 40:59.

For the season, he appeared in 79 games and averaged 11.7 points on 44.3 percent shooting with 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks in 31.5 minutes.

6. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Millsap had another monster season as he helped to lead the Atlanta Hawks to an Eastern Conference-best 60 wins while earning another trip to the all-star game. One of his most outstanding performances of the year came in a three-point win over the Utah Jazz when he registered 30 points on 13-for-23 shooting from the floor, including 4-for-8 from 3-point range. He added 17 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 39:48.

For the season, he appeared in 73 games and averaged 16.7 points on 47.6 percent shooting with 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.7 minutes.

5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

While Duncan averaged the lowest minutes of his career, he still showed why he is considered one of the all-time greats of the game. He made his 15th all-star game and earned third-team all-NBA. One of his best performances of the season came in a four-pint loss to the Los Angeles Clippers when he had 30 points on 12-for-14 shooting from the floor and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. He added 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 33:10.

For the season, he appeared in 77 games and averaged 13.9 points on 51.2 percent shooting with 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in 28.9 minutes.

4. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

While Griffin still provides highlight reel dunks on a regular basis, he has developed into one of the most well-rounded big men in the league. He made his fifth straight all-star game and was third-team all-NBA. One of his most productive outings of the season came in a  four-point loss to the Golden State Warriors when he had 40 points on 16-for-25 shooting from the floor and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. He added 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 42:31.

For the season, he appeared in 67 games and averaged 21.9 points on 50.2 percent shooting with 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists, in 35.2 minutes.

3. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Aldridge had another huge year even though he battled through an injury that would’ve sidelined most players for the season. He made his fourth straight all-star game and earned second-team all-NBA. One of his best showings of the year came in a five-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he recorded 38 points on 13-for-23 shooting from the floor, including 2-for-3 from distance. He added 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in 40:41.

For the season, he appeared in 71 games and averaged 23.4 points on 46.6 percent shooting with 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 35.4 minutes.

2. Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

Gasol found new life in his first year as a member of the Chicago Bulls. He earned his fifth all-star game and first since 2010-11 while earning second-team all-NBA. His best showing of the year came in an eight-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks when he had 46 points on 17-for-30 shooting from the floor and 12-for-13 from the free-throw line. He added 18 rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 38:35.

For the season, he appeared in 78 games and averaged 18.5 points on 49.4 percent shooting with a career-high 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks in 34.4 minutes.

1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

While plenty of power forwards had fantastic seasons, Davis’ was by far the best. He made his second straight all-star game while earning second-team all-defense and first-team all-NBA. One of his best showings of the season came in an 11-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks when he registered 43 points on 17-for-23 shooting from the field and 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal in 40:39.

For the season, he appeared in 68 games and averaged 24.4 points on 53.5 percent shooting with 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.1 minutes.

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