NBA legend Dominique Wilkins recently shared his list of favorite small forwards, highlighting iconic players across multiple eras. In an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio, Wilkins praised stars from his generation and beyond, emphasizing their lasting impact on basketball.
Wilkins acknowledged LeBron James as a centerpiece in discussions about all-time greats. “LeBron in this era here being the best small forward, he’s a part of ANY conversation of one of the greatest small forwards EVER,” Wilkins stated, placing James among basketball’s elite.
The Hall of Famer paid tribute to predecessors like Elgin Baylor and Julius Erving, as well as contemporaries such as Larry Bird and Bernard King. He also gave credit to overlooked stars like Alex English, Adrian Dantley, and Mark Aguirre, acknowledging their significant yet often underappreciated contributions.
Wilkins did not exclude himself from the list, citing his own accomplishments during a career that spanned 17 years. The nine-time All-Star averaged 24.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and is widely regarded as one of the most explosive athletes in league history.
He also singled out Carmelo Anthony as a player deserving of recognition. “Carmelo Anthony? No question,” Wilkins said, praising Anthony’s career as one of the best scorers in NBA history. He noted Anthony’s roots in Baltimore and his consistent excellence during his time with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks.
Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection, was also named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Although he never reached the NBA Finals, Anthony had several deep playoff runs and was regarded as one of the most lethal scorers of his generation.
