Stretch four
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The Stretch Four is a term used in basketball to describe a player who plays the power forward position, but has skills outside those normally associated with the position. Power forwards (PF's) predominantly play close to the basket, using their size and strength to provide interior defense, rebounding, and scoring close to the basket. A stretch four is a player that is of power forward size, and usually guards other power forwards. The differences come largely on the offensive end: stretch fours generally have superior ball-handling, passing, and especially shooting skills. This allows them to "stretch" the opponent's defense, creating more driving lanes for guards and more post spacing for centers. Rashard Lewis of the NBA's Miami Heat, Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Dirk Nowitzki are often characterized as a stretch four—Rashard was originally a small forward, but after his arrival in Orlando from Seattle, he played mostly at the power forward position.