Mount Rushmore: 1990s Power Forwards

On this episode of NBA Now and Then: The Greatest Comparisons, hosts Uriah, Lucas, Maurice, and Ben take a deep dive into one of the most loaded eras in basketball history, deciding who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of 1990s Power Forwards.

The conversation starts with a rundown of Ranker.com’s top power forwards of the decade, sparking immediate debate over placements, positional definitions, and notable omissions like Juwan Howard and Antonio McDyess. As the list narrows, the group lands on the era’s unquestioned elite: Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Kevin Garnett, analyzing their decade-long impact through scoring averages, rebounding dominance, efficiency, All-NBA selections, and All-Star appearances.

From there, we each nominate a fourth Mount Rushmore candidate. Ben makes the case for Chris Webber as the most complete and skilled big man of the era. Lucas champions Larry Johnson, citing his box-office appeal, on-court explosiveness, and cultural relevance as “Grandmama.” Maurice rounds it out with Dennis Rodman, emphasizing his unmatched rebounding, elite defense, championships, and psychological edge.

The episode then shifts into detailed head-to-head breakdowns between Rodman, Webber, and Johnson, comparing wins, stats, and game-high performances. The analysis highlights how differently each player influenced games: Rodman through effort and defense, Webber through all-around production, and Johnson through scoring and star power.

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