Editing Power forward

{{short description|Position in the sport of basketball}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Multiple image
| total_width       = 340px
| image1            = Tim Duncan Walks Verizon Center's Floor (cropped).jpg
| caption1          = [[Tim Duncan]] is often regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2, 2005 |title=ESPN.com's Greatest Power Forwards |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2074360 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |work=ESPN |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Charley|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3747894 |title=Best all-time power forwards|work=Fox Sports|publisher=MSN|date=July 18, 2005|access-date=January 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050719002301/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3747894|archive-date=July 19, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=DuPree|first=David|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/2007-06-06-bonus-duncan_N.htm|title=Tim Duncan: Best power forward ever?|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=June 7, 2007|access-date=June 17, 2007}}</ref>
| image2            = BreannaStewart foulshot (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = [[Breanna Stewart]] is regarded as a top power forward in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA).<ref>{{cite web |date=June 28, 2018 |title=Who are the top five power forwards in the WNBA?
 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2074360 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=ESPN }}</ref>
}}

The '''power forward''' ('''PF'''), also known as the '''four''', is one of the five traditional [[Basketball positions|positions]] in a regulation [[basketball]] game. Traditionally, power forwards have played a role similar to [[center (basketball)|centers]] and are typically the tallest or second tallest player on the court. During an offensive possession, the power forward typically plays with their backs toward the basket and are typically a "go-to" position in regard to scoring in the [[Post (basketball)|post]]. In a [[pick and roll]] offense, the power forward typically sets a screen for a guard and "rolls" towards the basket to receive a pass (or "pops" towards the perimeter for an open shot). When on [[Defense (sport)|defense]], they typically position themselves under the basket in a [[zone defense]] or against the opposing power forward in [[man-to-man defense]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA.com - Players and Positions |url=http://www.nba.com/canada/Basketball_U_Players_and_Posi-Canada_Generic_Article-18037.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021001084016/http://www.nba.com/canada/Basketball_U_Players_and_Posi-Canada_Generic_Article-18037.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2002 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> The power forward position entails a variety of responsibilities, including [[rebound (basketball)|rebound]]ing, [[Screen (sports)|screen]] setting, [[Block (basketball)|rim protecting]], and scoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=25 May 2022 |title=How to Play Power Forward in Basketball |url=https://www.hoopsaddict.com/how-to-play-power-forward-in-basketball/#What_is_the_Role_of_a_Power_Forward_in_Basketball |website=Hoops Addict}}</ref> 

Many power forwards are noted for their mid-range jump-shot, and several players have become very accurate from {{convert|12|to|18|ft}}. Earlier, these skills were more typically exhibited in the European style of play. Some power forwards, known as [[stretch four]]s, have since extended their shooting range to include [[three-point field goal]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stankovic |first=Dusan |date=October 2018 |title=RELATION OF POWER, SPEED AND AGILITY IN BASKETBALL PLAYERS BY POSITION |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363335472 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref>

In the [[NBA]], power forwards usually range from 6' 9" (2.06 m) to 6' 11" (2.11 m) while in the [[WNBA]], power forwards are usually between 6' 0" (1.83 m) and 6' 3" (1.91 m). Despite the averages, a variety of players fit "[[Tweener (basketball)|tweener]]" roles which finds them in the [[small forward]] or center position depending on matchups and coaching decisions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Burns |first=Scott |date=January 11, 2013 |title=Ranking the NBA's Best "Tweeners" |url=https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/1480043-ranking-the-nbas-best-tweeners.amp.html |access-date=March 26, 2020 |publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> Some power forwards, such as [[Draymond Green]] and even 6' 5" (1.96 m) [[P. J. Tucker]], have played at the [[Center (basketball)|center]] position, possessing the skills, but lacking the height that is usually associated with the position.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stein |first=Marc |date=10 September 2020 |title=Rockets' 'Microball' Puts P.J. Tucker at the Center of Chaos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/sports/basketball/nba-rockets-pj-tucker-mic.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

Power forwards who have been inducted in the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] include [[Karl Malone]], [[Lauren Jackson]], [[Vern Mikkelsen]], [[Tina Thompson]], [[Dirk Nowitzki]], [[Chris Webber]], [[Kevin Garnett]], [[Dolph Schayes]], [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]], [[Charles Barkley]], [[Dennis Rodman]], [[Elvin Hayes]], [[Bob Pettit]], [[Jerry Lucas]], [[Dave Debusschere]], and [[Tim Duncan]].

== The "stretch four" ==
{{See also|Stretch four}}
[[File:Robert Horry 2012 (cropped).jpg|thumb|264x264px|Power forward [[Robert Horry]] innovated the power forward position by pioneering the "stretch four" shooter.]]
Some power forwards are noted for their perimeter shooting, both from the mid-range and three-point distance. Since the 2000s, several power forwards have become very accurate from {{convert|12|to|18|ft}}. Earlier, these skills were more typically exhibited in the European style of play. Some power forwards, known as [[stretch four]]s, have since extended their shooting range to include [[three-point field goal]]s.<ref name=":0" /> Some stretch fours utilize their mid-range scoring in the post. [[Dallas Mavericks]] franchise player [[Dirk Nowitzki]] utilized the [[fadeaway]] shot to great effect. Stretch fours have also proven to be reliable in certain pick and roll designs, in which the power forward "pops" away from the basket for an open shot if the guard is being doubled while moving off of a screen. 6'10" (2.08m) power forward [[Amar'e Stoudemire]] utilized the "pick and pop" play to great effect while playing with [[Steve Nash]] on the [[Phoenix Suns]] from 2004 to 2010. Notable examples of stretch fours include [[Jayson Tatum]], [[Robert Horry]], [[Al Horford]], [[Rasheed Wallace]], Amar'e Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, [[Carmelo Anthony]], [[Kevin Love]], and [[Steve Novak]].

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Basketball Positions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Power Forward (Basketball)}}
[[Category:Power forwards| ]]
[[Category:Basketball positions]]
[[Category:Basketball terminology]]