With the 2021-22 NBA season approaching its midpoint, we have decided to re-rank every starter at every position. With point guards and shooting guards in the rearview mirror, we now turn our attention to Danny Green and the league’s starting small forwards.
You could argue Green isn’t even the Sixers‘ starting small forward. Matisse Thybulle has started in 17 of 32 appearances this season, but when everyone is healthy (and Green has very rarely been healthy this season), he still stands well above Thybulle in terms of production and fit with the other starters.
So, for now, we will act as though Green is the Sixers’ starting three, even if there’s some doubt as to his long-term status in the starting five. That said, here is every starting small forward in the NBA, ranked from worst to best.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 30. Avery Bradley, Lakers
The Lakers continue to run what amounts to three guards, LeBron James, and a big man. Anthony Davis’ eventual return shouldn’t change that, even if Avery Bradley’s long-term status in the starting five is tenuous at best. Bradley is a veteran with a lot of experience league-wide, but the production and impact have not matched the reputation for several years now. He’s hitting 3s at a healthy clip (38.3 percent), but the Lakers would be better off phasing him out of the rotation.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 29. Patrick Beverley, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are also sticking with three guards at the moment, and role-wise, Patrick Beverley is essentially a plucky undersized wing. He’s supplying 9.6 points and 5.1 assists while playing his trademark brand of gritty on-ball defense. The scoring efficiency isn’t there right now, but Beverley is a winning play by sheer force of will (and admittedly an oddball on the “small forwards” list, but alas…)
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 28. Danny Green, Sixers
Danny Green is on the decline, but he gets too much grief from the Sixers fanbase. He has been really solid in year 13, averaging 6.7 points on .407/.381/.900 splits and, more importantly, racking up 1.3 steals per game. Green’s quick hands and excellent off-ball awareness make him a positive defender, even if his deteriorating athleticism makes him vulnerable in certain one-on-one matchups.
There’s momentum toward Matisse Thybulle eventually taking over as the Sixers’ starting small forward, assuming Ben Simmons is out for the season. That said, Green has been the far more consistent player this season and remains a much more prolific fit next to Joel Embiid, which is all that really matters most nights.