Do you need a PF to win in today's NBA

[Lucky17]

I don't think any specific positions matter as much as overall talent.

This. You can't play a chair at the 4.

[Donoghus]

You need competent players at all 5 positions to win in the NBA.  It's always been that way. 

Now guys can carry other starters but you still need someone competent enough in there. 

[PhoSita]

Not in a traditional sense, no.  These days it's possible to play like the late 00's Magic teams did, with two quick  forwards that spend a lot of time spotting up on the perimeter, only you don't need a dominant rebounder and finisher inside to make it work.

I do think that eventually we're going to see more teams taking advantage of the current undervaluing of traditional big men.  Somebody will just put together a full big man rotation of guys who simply can't be contained by your typical combo forward.

Right now, it seems like if you wanted to go after traditional 4/5 types like Faried, Greg Monroe, Tristan Thompson, Ed Davis, Mason Plumlee, Carl Landry, Brandon Bass, etc. .... you can pretty much have your pick without giving up a ton relative to the production you're getting.

[CFAN38]

I would change this subject to "can you win in todays NBA with a traditional PF". The PF position is the most consistently evolving position in the NBA. In resent years it has gone from essentially a small center who is primarily playing in the paint , to a player who needs a consistent mid range game, now to a position where teams are looking for guy who shoot 3s. 

[SparzWizard]

To answer the original question, I would say SG/SF/PF are the three most important positions.

You gotta have a good point guard

Mario Chalmers won 2 NBA championships playing PG soooo 

[PhoSita]

To answer the original question, I would say SG/SF/PF are the three most important positions.

You gotta have a good point guard

Mario Chalmers won 2 NBA championships playing PG soooo 

Amend "point guard" to say "primary ballhandler" and I think it's spot on.

You need a truly excellent ballhandler to initiate offense these days.  There really aren't any teams anymore that win games by tossing it around the perimeter until they can get an entry pass to a big on the block.

[Dino Pitino]

How many teams win a title without plus defenders in the role of center on defense? Jordan's Bulls might be the only exception.

[kozlodoev]

Green can guard 1-5 for short spurts, but he isn't a SF. His inability to stretch the floor, and space the floor despite being completely open hinders his ability to hone that position. I think PF is is natural position, especially because hes very intelligent, and capable of taking advantage of slower 4's.

You realize he's shooting 39% from three this season (and 34% for his career), right?

[celticsclay]

Not in a traditional sense, no.  These days it's possible to play like the late 00's Magic teams did, with two quick  forwards that spend a lot of time spotting up on the perimeter, only you don't need a dominant rebounder and finisher inside to make it work.

I do think that eventually we're going to see more teams taking advantage of the current undervaluing of traditional big men.  Somebody will just put together a full big man rotation of guys who simply can't be contained by your typical combo forward.

Right now, it seems like if you wanted to go after traditional 4/5 types like Faried, Greg Monroe, Tristan Thompson, Ed Davis, Mason Plumlee, Carl Landry, Brandon Bass, etc. .... you can pretty much have your pick without giving up a ton relative to the production you're getting.

I would agree with all the players you list except Tristan Thompson. He makes about 3-4 times as much as everyone else on your list right?

[PhoSita]

Not in a traditional sense, no.  These days it's possible to play like the late 00's Magic teams did, with two quick  forwards that spend a lot of time spotting up on the perimeter, only you don't need a dominant rebounder and finisher inside to make it work.

I do think that eventually we're going to see more teams taking advantage of the current undervaluing of traditional big men.  Somebody will just put together a full big man rotation of guys who simply can't be contained by your typical combo forward.

Right now, it seems like if you wanted to go after traditional 4/5 types like Faried, Greg Monroe, Tristan Thompson, Ed Davis, Mason Plumlee, Carl Landry, Brandon Bass, etc. .... you can pretty much have your pick without giving up a ton relative to the production you're getting.

I would agree with all the players you list except Tristan Thompson. He makes about 3-4 times as much as everyone else on your list right?

Yet if you offered the Cavs a couple picks and a nice defensive wing I think they'd seriously consider it.

You're right Tristan is making a ton of money, but I think that was kind of a result of him having the Cavs over a barrel because they knew resigning him was necessary to keep LeBron happy.

[Denis998]

Id say a good center is less needed than a good pf. or just have 3 PF's on the floor

[Rosco917]

 The Warrior's don't. The only guy that resembles and old school PF on the Warrior's is Macadoo and he hardly plays.

 Draymond Green is a SF playing PF he's great at it he's also just short of 6'6" without shoes. Looney is also a combo forward but hes hurt.

 They have four centers Bogut, Ezili, Speights, Anderson V.

 And Green, Iggy, Barnes, and Rush are all natural SF's that play anywhere needed. It appears they have no want or need for a Sullinger or David West type of Power Forward.

 Also they have a good sized point in Curry 6'3" and a big two guard in Thompson 6'7" and Livingston off the bench  at 6'7"

 That's 8 players right around the 6'7" mark, so they go small without being very small at all. What a roster.

I think the power forward you use, has a lot to do with the type of center you have, and the style of ball you prefer. If you're using a stretch 5, then maybe a more traditional 4 may be a better fit. Not all teams have bought into the stretch 4 style of play, that so many have gone to. It's nice to be able to play both traditional big, and new style small.