Mount Rushmore of Small Forwards Since 2000

The small forward position since 2000 has been home to some of the NBA's most versatile and dominant players over the past twenty-five years. For players who began their careers in 2000 or later, four names stand out from all others when it comes to the Mount Rushmore position. 

*Mount Rushmore 2000 criteria requires players to have entered the league no earlier than the 2000 season*

One of the few clear-cut members of the entire Mount Rushmore 2000 conversation, LeBron James is also a strong candidate for the G.O.A.T. Since entering the league in 2003, James has collected four NBA titles, four NBA MVP awards, and 4 NBA Finals MVP honors. He has only missed out on being an All-Star just once in his illustrious career. A combination of size, basketball IQ, and playmaking ability, James has turned the traditional scoring role into a point forward position. Longevity and continued excellence throughout multiple decades have cemented his status atop this mountain. 

One of the most impressive pure scorers in NBA history, especially for one who stands 6’11” but has the shooting touch of a guard. Since his much-anticipated debut in 2007, Durant has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the court with effortless precision and high efficiency. Owner of two NBA Championships, a pair of Finals MVPs, and an NBA MVP, Durant has proven to be virtually unguardable by both smaller and bigger players. Some may question the value of his two titles, famously signing with the heavily favored Golden State Warriors as a free agent, but nobody can question his talents or place on Mount Rushmore 2000.

He may be the poster boy for the “load management” era, but when Leonard is on the court, there are few two-way players in this era who are better. Originally a defensive specialist, Leonard transformed himself into an offensive threat. Claiming two championships with two different franchises, winning the Finals MVP both times, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year helped lead the Toronto Raptors to Canada’s first NBA Championship. 

One of the most gifted pure scorers the league has ever seen, Anthony’s offensive arsenal was virtually unstoppable, mixing in a deadly mid-range game, post moves, and the ability to put the ball on the deck and attack the basket. Entering the league as part of one of the most heralded draft classes in history, Melo was a ten-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection, finishing his 19-year career as the league’s twelfth all-time leading scorer. Unlike the others on this list, all of whom have NBA titles to their name, team success eluded Anthony throughout his career.