NBA: Best Players of the decade.

10. Dwayne Wade SG (MIA)
Decade Averages: 25.1ppg 4.8rpg 6.6apg
Decade Achievements: Champion (2006), Finals MVP (2006), 4xAll NBA (2005-2007, 2009) 2xAll Defensive (2005, 2009), 5xAll-Star (2005-2009) Scoring Champion (2009)

I almost put Pierce here, because Wade was injured for 2 seasons and came at the halfway point with LeBron-but Wade was just too damn good to keep off this list. He established himself as one of the league's premier clutch players his rookie year with his game winning basket in game 1 against Charlotte (Hornets) in the first round of of the '04 play-offs eventually winning in 7. With the arrival of Shaq in '05 he lead the Heat to the conference finals before bowing to the Pistons. The following year he lead the Heat to the Finals and sparked a remarkable comeback from 2-0 to win the title, and earned Wade MVP honors. 07-08 Wade only played 50 games a piece but he came back strong in '09, winning the scoring title, leading the Heat to the 5th seed and finishing 3rd in the MVP race.

9. Steve Nash PG (DAL, PHO)
Decade Averages: 16.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 9.3 APG
Decade Achievements: 2xMVP (2005-2006), 6xAll-NBA (2002-2003, 2005-2008), 6xNBA All-Star (2002-2003, 2005-2008)

Don't get me wrong, I love Steve Nash. He's a an extremely accurate passer, shooter and a lot of fun to watch and he seems like a really good guy. However, I think if he doesn't got to Phoenix, he's not a HOF. Not that it matters he did end up finding a system perfect for him in Phoenix, winning back-to-back MVPs and quaterbacking on of the best offensive shows of the decade. Unfortunately as I said in my first ever NBA post, I believe the window has closed for Nash and the Run-and-Gun Suns, but he can still put on a show.

8. Allen Iverson SG (PHI, DEN, DET)
Decade Averages: 27.8ppg 3.3rpg 6.1apg
Decade Achievements: MVP (2001), 6xAll-NBA (2000-2003, 2005-2006) 10xNBA All-Star (2000-2009), 3xScoring Champion (2001-2002, 2005)

The smallest player on this list, but he sure didn't play like it. During his years in Philly some of the stunts he pulled were unprecedented for a player his size. From put back slams to crossing up the greatest player of all time. His 48 point performance that gave the Lakers their only loss in the playoffs was one of the best Finals performances ever, although it ultimately meant nothing, you can't say Iverson didn't give it his all that series. Despite his issues with practice, Iverson gave it his all every game. It's unfortunate that his narcissism kept him from playing on any real contenders


7. Dirk Nowizki PF (DAL)
Decade Averages: 23.6ppg 8.8rpg 2.7apg
Decade Achievements: MVP (2007), 8xAll-NBA (2002-2009), 8xNBA All-Star (2002-2009)

We have never seen a player in the NBA quite like Nowizki. He's a 7 footer, yet he is one of the best shooter's in NBA history. His versatility is only surpassed by LeBron James. One of the leagues top scorers he was top 10 in ppg for 7 seasons. One of the best playoff performers to not have won a ring. In the latter half of the decade it seemed like every season ended in the same fashion. Strong regular season, disappointing play-off run. The Spurs always had their number. In 06 when they finally made it out of the West then they blow a 2-0 lead to the Heat in the Finals. The following year they win 67 then get dropped 1st round by the Warriors. A ring would help his legacy, but there is still not denying Dirk's greatness.


6. Jason Kidd PG (PHO, NJN, DAL)
Decade Averages: 14ppg 9.2apg 7.2rpg
Decade Achievements: 5xAll-NBA (2000-2004) 8xAll-Defensive (2000-2007), 7xNBA All-Star (2000-2004, 2007-2008) 4xAssists Leader (2000-2001, 2003-2004),

A modern day Oscar Robertson and the best point guard of the post-Jordan Era. He edges out Nash for best PG because Kidd plays well at both sides of the ball and he is a triple-double machine, currently 3rd all time in that category along with being second in assists and fourth in steals. His early years in New Jersey were his best, leading the Nets to consecutive Finals in 02 and 03. Unfortunately he ran into the decades two biggest powerhouses. If He can win a championship in his final years with Dallas I will make the argument Jason Kidd is one of the top five point guards ever.


5. LeBron James SF (CLE)
Decade Averages: 27.5 RPG: 7.0 APG: 6.7
Decade Achievements: MVP (2009), Rookie of the Year (2004), 5xAll-NBA (2005-2009), 1xAll-Defensive (2009), 5xAll-Star (2005-2009), Scoring Champion (2008)

The fact that LeBron entered the league around the decades halfway point and is this high on most All-Decade lists speaks volumes of his immediate impact in the NBA. He came into a club that hadn't seen major success since the early 90's and turned them around. In 2007 he carried Cleveland on his back all the way to the Finals. Two years later in his first MVP season he lead the Cav's to a league best 66-16 regular season record. The most athletic player in the history of basketball, hands down. Many argue he is the best in the league right now, I respectfully disagree however, I'm pretty confident who my #1 is when I'm making my second All-Decade list in 2020.

4. Kevin Garnett PF (MIN, BOS)
Decade Averages: 21.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 4.6 APG
Decade Achievements: MVP (2004), Champion (2008), Defensive player of the year (2008) 9x All NBA (2000-2008), 9x All Defensive (2000-2008), 4X RPG leader (2004-2007) 10x All-Star (2000-2009)

While I'm sure his favorite season is going to be the storybook 2008 title run as 1/3 of the Boston 3 Party, we saw the best of Kevin Garnett in Minnesota. He was the MVP in the 2004 season when he brought the T'Wolves to the Western Conference Finals. A season in which he put up monsterous numbers (24.2ppg, 13.9 rpg, 5apg, 1.5spg, 2.2bpg).Up until the conclusion of this season he was 1 of only 3 players averaging 20-10 and one of only a handful averaging 20-10-5, but the last 2 injury plauged years brought his numbers down just a shade below those averages. It's of little concern to him, he's a first ballot HOF and might be the second best power forward ever. Nobody in the NBA today can match the passion and intensity Garnett brings night in and night out

3. Shaquille O'Neal C (LAL, MIA, PHO)
Decade averages: 22.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.6 APG
Decade Achievements: MVP (2000) 4xChampion (2000-2002, 2006) 3xFinals MVP (2000-2002), 8XAll NBA (2000-2006, 2009) 3xNBA All Defensive (2000-2001, 2003) 9XAll-Star (2000-2007,2009)

I believe that Shaq is the most talented center, and most physically dominant player in NBA history. He is #3 on the decade list but on an all-time list, I'd put him ahead of the guy at #2. If he stayed healthy he would probably be #1 on this list. At the start of the decade Shaq was a God amongst men. There was nobody in the NBA was physically capable of defending Shaq on the block. Won 4 titles with the decades two best shooting guards. However age caught up to Shaq during the latter half of the decade as we saw him become less and less effective.


2. Tim Duncan PF (SAS)
Decade Averages: 21.2 points per game, 11.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Decade Achievements: 2xMVP (2002-2003), 3xChampion (2003, 2005, 2007), 2xFinals MVP (2003, 2005) 10xAll NBA (2000-2009) 10xAll Defensive (2000-2009), 10xAll Star (2000-2009),

The Big Fundamental, the best power forward and one of the most consistent players in league history. He is one of the best low post defenders the game has ever seen, offensively he was a monster on the block. He spearheaded one of basketball biggest powerhouses, the only team to win 50+ games from 2000-2009 and second most championships in the decade. Duncan is fundamentally sound, talented, a leader and a proven winner, he just gets the job done without any controversy, the quintessential franchise player.


1. Kobe Bryant SG (LAL)
Decade averages: 28.2 ppg 5.9 rpg 5.2 apg
Decade Achievements: MVP (2008) 4xChampion (2000-2002,2009), Finals MVP (2009) 10x All Star (2000-2009,), 10x All NBA (2000-2009), 9x All Defensive (2000-2004, 2006-2009) 2xScoring Champion (2006-2007)

He started out the decade as the #2 to Shaq in what I believe is the second best duo in NBA history. Many argue that Tim Duncan is the best player of the decade, which is perfectly valid. I believe that Kobe's title run in the final season 2000s puts him above the rest. I know many condemn Kobe for playing the supporting role on the Lakers. I tend to disagree with the fact that he was the #2 for all three runs I believe they were 1 and 1A after the 2000 season, but that's another argument. With the departure of Shaq we got to see the full potential of Kobe Bryant which included outscoringing the entire Dallas Mavericks 62-61 throughout 3 quarters and the greatest scoring performance ever recorded (81). How can you argue with that?

Honorable mention: Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen