The Top 10 Small Forwards of the 1960s

By Oliver Wiener June 09, 2024 08:35

The 1960s was when the shooting forward was born and plenty of legends at the position made their mark on the game. In the interest of elucidating the playing styles of all the top small forwards of the 1960s, consider this Fan Arch ranking of the top 10 threes of the 1960s and how they shaped the game and the decade at large.

1. Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor Baylor is a Hall of Famer who was one of the best scorers and most acrobatic players of the 1960s, and he helped invent basketball - or at least turn it into way more of a highlight factory.

Playing from 1958 to 1971, he was especially known for his offensive prowess. Baylor changed the game in a major way, raising the bar for small forwards as scorers, rebounders, and playmakers.

2. Rick Barry

There is no denying just how much Rick Barry impacted the game of basketball back in the 1960's

. Barry was a complete beast; you could argue his overall game made the small forward position more prominent. His scoring prowess combined with defensive skills made him one of the greatest small forwards of his era.

3. John Havlicek

John Havlicek A meek superstar who embodied a blue collar approach to basketball resulted in John Havlicek becoming one of the best players in the 1960s.

That relentless energy, defensive tenacity, and his scoring output made him an integral Celtic.

What makes Havlicek so intriguing is that his impact on the game was more than just statistics he embodied the blue-collar spirit of hard work and perseverance on the court.

4. Billy Cunningham

Cunningham redefined what a small forward could do in the 1960s, and his impact was felt from end to end of the court with his versatile playing style.

With his scoring ability, he was also one of the hungriest rebounders and defenders of the position and creates a good precedent for the small forward mold during that time.

5. Lou Hudson

Hudson was one of the best small forwards in the league of the 1960s because of his scoring and skill around the basket.

On the game of basketball, he would make his mark on being a reliable offensive force, combined with key defensive value for his team.

6. Tom Heinsohn

Tom Heinsohn may have come to define almost anything related to basketball in the 1960s with his lefthanded shooting, tireless rebounding and the same voluble demand for excellence.

Heinsohn was one Boston Celtics player who played such a vital role at his small forward position that his performance helped shape the landscape of 1960s basketball.

7. Paul Silas

Paul Silas, who was a high scoring rebounding machine and staunch defender himself, is ideally a top small forward of the 1960s.

His influence on the game reached far beyond just simple scoring numbers, with his toughness and defensive abilities redefining what was expected from small forwards in his time.

8. Jerry West

Hall of Famer Jerry West scored 20,000 points and dished out 5,000 assists in a career when he was the best point guard in the league.

A prolific small forward during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, West's influence was not limited to his statistical exploits as he established new standards for small forwards.

9. Jack Twyman

Jack Twyman Many '60s small forwards: A Juan licensed to Reid Among the unsung heroes of the 1960s, Jack Twyman was in the front rank of small forwards.

While his game characteristics earned him the title of a star small forward of his era, his legacy is furthered by his longevity and commitment to quality on court.

10. Cliff Hagan

During the 1960s, Cliff Hagan was a huge figure in the game of basketball, as he was adept at scoring, defense and overall for being an important component to helping out a team be successful.

Hagan used his minutes and his talent to become one of the best small forwards in the NBA, a key player during this era of basketball.

These small forwards of the 1960s demonstrated a great league wide talent, tenacity, and influence on the future of professional basketball.

Their legacies not only shaped the stories of 1960s basketball, but they also contributed to the molding of the small-forward position in what would be a decade full of developmental changes.

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