The 2020 NBA Playoffs are almost over as the playoff bubble comes to a close in Orlando, Florida, and basketball fans will now turn to NBA 2K21 to satiate their basketball hunger. Every fan has their favorite position and players, but with the success of LeBron James and Kevin Durant this last decade, the small forward position has strikingly rose in popularity.
It is such a versatile position in basketball that can be played by athletes of all different shapes and sizes. In NBA 2K's MyTeam mode, which are the 10 best small forward cards currently available, though? Let's answer that question down below.
10 Larry Bird '95 (92)
It only feels right that a list having to do with small forwards starts with Larry Bird. Bird is not only considered the best Boston Celtic of all-time by a good portion of the NBA fan base, but he also happens to statistically be one of the best scorers the game has ever seen. There's a legendary story about him at an All-Star weekend where he told all of his opponents he was winning the 3-point contest minutes before it started, then went out and did it. Seems fitting that that type of confidence is met with a 92 overall card in NBA 2K21's MyTeam mode.
9 Purvis Short '90 (93)
Contrary to his name, Purvis Short stood at a reasonable small forward height of 6'7" and weighed just over 200 lbs. Short never made an All-Star team and didn't have many accomplishments in the league outside of playing for 13 seasons which means he must have done something right. Despite having a 93 overall card that is kind, to say the least, sometimes players who contributed to the NBA in ways not remembered by history deserve their spot in the sun. Just don't expect him to put much effort in when playing defense.
8 Rolando Blackman '94 (93)
Let's now talk about the pride of Panama City, Rolando Blackman. Blackman was a 4x NBA All-Star who went on to have a successful career in Italy playing basketball overseas after retiring from the NBA following his 14th season in 1994. For his career, he ended up averaging 18 points per game and finished with over 17,500 career points under his belt. The Panamanian was honored via a 93 overall card that, based on the ratings, can score from outside but won't rebound effectively and is useless inside the paint.
7 Mark Aguirre '94 (93)
Mark Aguirre was a 6'6" small forward who primarily spent his career in Dallas playing for the Mavericks, but eventually suited up for both the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers. Despite most of his stats coming in a Mavericks jersey, Aguirre ended up winning two NBA championships as a member of the bad boy Pistons.
His 93 overall card in NBA 2K21's MyTeam is a solid inside scorer with above-average athleticism and great rebound ratings for the small forward position. Avoid letting him handle the basketball if you can.
6 Kevin Durant (95)
Kevin Durant has been one of the best players in the NBA since entering the league, and sadly the NBA wasn't the same without him this year. It's unclear how successful his team-up with Kyrie Irving will be in Brooklyn, but there's no denying how great he is. Durant's ability to score and rebound at the height and length he possesses is almost unfair at times. Fans often argue about his legacy and how he'll be remembered, but if this 95 overall card is any indication, no one will ever say he wasn't talented and a scoring phenom.
5 Luka Doncic (95)
In only his first two years Luka Doncic is quickly ascending to superstar status and becoming one of the faces of the league. Like LeBron James, it's the things Donic does outside of scoring that makes him incredibly special. During the 2020 NBA Playoffs, he added to his early legacy with a dynamite game-winning shot and it seems we'll be seeing his feats of athleticism for years to come. MyTeam has rewarded the youngster with a 95 overall card that's an absolute bucket from anywhere on the court and a solid playmaker in its own right.
4 Bernard King '93 (95)
Being a New York Knicks fan must be one of the most painful things someone could do to themselves. Despite the lack of success, the team has seen some remarkable players come through and call Madison Square Garden home.
Bernard King was one of those players, and he made a name for himself in New York despite only playing 138 games with the organization. Despite his card being a 95 overall, it is a liability both in rebounding as well as on defense, so many equip him as your 6th man of the bench if you acquire it.
3 Paul George (95)
This card is currently a joke to many fans considering the number of memes and punchlines lobbied at Paul George in the wake of his subpar performance during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Rumors are swirling on whether or not the Los Angeles Clippers will be moving on from George a year into his deal. Whether you enjoy the jokes at his expense or not, George was a legitimate superstar in Indiana for the Pacers. This 95 overall card is more a throwback to that era of his career and doesn't reflect his recent struggles in the city of Los Angeles.
2 Elgin Baylor '72 (95)
Elgin Baylor was simply a man among boys when he dominated the NBA through the 60s. He put up scoring record after scoring record and also established himself as arguably the greatest rebounder of all-time at the forward position. He stood at just 6'5" and managed to average almost 20 rebounds in a single season. This 95 overall card has zero weaknesses as long as you're not expected him to be your primary ball-handler or playmaker. Let him move without the ball and see how good Baylor was.
1 Paul Pierce '08 (96)
For Paul Pierce's sake, thankfully his 96 overall card doesn't have a rating for television commentary. The career Pierce put together on the court and the one he's started on network TV couldn't be farther apart. Despite never looking like a world-class athlete or being flashy, Pierce was a scorer and clutch performer for the Boston Celtics and helped them win a championship. Oddly, he has the highest overall small forward card in MyTeam, but that will likely change with future updates and additions.