NBA All-Decade Team for the 2000s

With the 2008-2009 season coming to an end, it is time to name the All-Decade Team. These are the top 10 players to play in this decade.

Who's been better? Duncan or Shaq? A.I. or McGrady? This is just one man's opinion of who has been the most important, dominant, and successful players of the last decade. Let's get to it!

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq could have gone down as the greatest center of all time, but his petty beef with Kobe and his poor work ethic prevented him from reaching his potential.

Still, he earned three Finals MVPs and four Championships in the decade along with one league MVP.

And at his peak, no center was as statistically dominant as Shaq. Not bad for the self proclaimed MDE—Most Dominant Ever.

Tim Duncan

Timothy Duncan is Mr. Fundamental. He's got three rings, three Finals MVPs and a pair of league MVPs.

Although he has not gotten a Defensive POY award, he's been the most consistent and most effective defender of this decade.

His leadership ability is unquestioned and his cool under pressure is envied. He is without a doubt the greatest power forward of all time.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe is without a doubt the best overall player of the decade and is only third because the other two guys had a bit more championship success.

No. 24 is no slouch though: five Finals appearences, three rings, one MVP, 10-time All-NBA and 8-time All-Defense.

Not to mention 81 points, 62 in three, four straight of 50, etc.

Enjoy his peak because we might not see another player as individually brilliant...ever.

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is the big ticket. Even when he was stuck in Minny, he made a tremendous impact on the game. He's a perennial member of the All-NBA Team and All-Defensive team.

He's got a Defensive POY and league MVP to his credit.

Most importantly, he cemented his legacy with a championship ring. He will be remembered for his intensity and versatility.

Allen Iverson

The Answer led the league in steals three times and led the league in points three times in this decade.

He has a league MVP to his credit and led his team to the finals in his MVP season. This former rookie of the year is probably the best player to ever play the game under 6-foot-4.

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd is the best point guard of the decade and it isn't even close. He's got four All-NBA first teams and multiple defensive team appearances.

He led a New Jersey Nets team that should have never been to the finals to the championship round twice.

He is the epitome of a floor leader, and his vision is unparalleled.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash has back-to-back MVPs in this decade while leading the league in assists for three straight years. He also has three All-NBA first teams.

Still, for being such a great floor leader, he had ample talent to lead his team to the finals and hasn't so far.

LeBron James

This former rookie of the year has lived up to almost unbelievable hype. He's good for 27/7/7 almost every season and only the best players OF ALL TIME have been that good.

In recent years, he's improved his defense and led an average supporting cast to the finals.

His play in the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago is the stuff of legends and I don't care what anyone says, he had a 50 point triple double this season.

At age 24, he's been other-worldly, and I anticipate he'll be the No. 1 player of the next decade.

Dwyane Wade

D-Wade has been unbelievable this decade. His individual statistics when he's healthy are out of this world.

He ends up on this list, however, because he probably had the best Finals performance of the decade, leading his Heat to their first franchise championship when no one thought they can win.

Seems like just when people start to write off Wade, he turns on the jets.

Dirk Nowitzki

The former league MVP has the ability to shoot it better than most guards. He's led his team to the finals, including thoroughly outplaying Tim Duncan in an epic elimination game in the Western Conference showdown.

Most impressive was leading his Mavs to 67 wins in a tough Western Conference his MVP year, despite going 0-4 to start the season.

His play has earned him a place on the All NBA first team three times and the title of best international big man...ever.

Honorable Mention

Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter