, who became a crucial piece of the
Detroit Pistons in the 2000s, was known for his ability to play both ends of the court. The styles with which small forwards score vary widely. Some are very accurate shooters, such as
Kevin Durant, and some prefer to initiate physical contact with opposing players, such as
LeBron James. Other small forwards are often primarily
slashers who also possess
jump shots. In some cases, small forwards position on the baseline; in other cases, they operate as off-ball specialists. The defensive specialists among them are notably versatile, often being able to guard multiple positions using their size, speed, and strength. Having adequate footwork, and a solid defensive stance contributes to why small forwards are successful. When it comes to statistics, small forwards must be all over the map and at least have stats in most categories. There are many small forwards that are well known for their contributions and versatility. Top small forwards in the history of the WNBA include:
Maya Moore,
Angel McCoughtry,
Tamika Catchings,
Elena Delle Donne, and
DeWanna Bonner. Small forwards inducted in the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame include
Julius Erving,
Larry Bird,
James Worthy,
Elgin Baylor,
Paul Pierce,
Vince Carter,
John Havlicek,
Scottie Pippen,
Alex English,
Bernard King,
Chris Mullin,
Dominique Wilkins,
Rick Barry,
Grant Hill,
Tamika Catchings,
Cheryl Miller, and
Sheryl Swoopes. ==See also==