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Originally Posted by Sliccat
Like I said, Before Malone, power fowards were just short centers. Malone pretty much created the identity of today's power foward.
He changed the way people in that position were percieved. Although Barkley, Mchale, and a few others also deserve some credit for this, Karl Malone made the PF position something you could build a team around. That whole idea comes from him. He's also the first PF to be utterly unstoppable. Barkley was quicker than some and stronger than others, but Karl Malone was quicker and stronger than everybody. and he could shoot, pass, run, and defend. In his career, only MJ, Shaq, and possibly Iverson changed the way the game was played more. Even Bird and Magic didn't have as much on-court impact.
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I'd love to hear some other perspectives on this. You've made me think, but I'm not quite persuaded.
McHale and Barkley were both drafted before Malone. What was different about his career? How was his impact greater than Barkley's?
Also, what about Pettit? And Baylor (who played more power forward before settling in at small forward) and Elvin Hayes (who settled in at power forward after playing center)?
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