An Early look at the 2000-2010 All-Decade team.

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MACAU, CHINA - AUGUST 01: LeBron James #6, Jason Kidd #5, Dwyane Wade #9, Carmelo Anthony #15 and Kobe Bryant #10 of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team talk during the USA Basketball International Challenge exhibition game against the Lithuani

As the decade starts to come to an end, I'm taking a look at an early projection of the All-Decade team. Now, to be on this team you have to be a pretty dominate figure in basketball and have had pretty good success in the post season.

The guys on this list have all these qualities, and some of my picks may surprise a few people. But when you think about the people I left off the list, they may have been a dominate figure but have not had much success in the playoffs.

Reserve 1—Dwyane Wade

MIAMI - APRIL 27: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat drives around Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 27, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Haw

25.1 PPG 6.9 APG

The guy can get to the hoop faster than anyone in the NBA (besides maybe Lebron). D-Wade developed a mid range shot, elevating his game to the next level.

His leadership and composure is amazing, leading a 15 win team to the playoffs the following year.

Everyone says LeBron doesn't have help, well D-Wade doesn't have much help either.

Reserve 2—Steve Nash

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 15: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on March 15, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

14.4 PPG 8.0 APG

A great leader on the court and can run an offense as good as anyone in the NBA. The downside to his career is that he has never made the Finals and he plays suspect defense.

To leave Nash of this list would be ludicrous, he had some good success in the playoffs and again he is just a tremendous leader.

Resevre 3—Kevin Garnett

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 12: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after the Celtics gain possession of the ball in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks on November 12, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defea

20.2 PPG 11.1 RPG

He is one of the best low post players in the NBA, and he has a good mid range jump shot too. This duel threat makes him one of the toughest people to defend in the NBA.

We also can't forget what he means to a team defensively. He blocks shots, he rebounds, and he is great at shutting a guy down. You can go on but the person I have ahead of him is a tad better.

Reserve 4—Ray Allen

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 27: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics takes a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers on February 27, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.The Celtics defeated the Pacers 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

20.9 PPG 4.4 RPG

It was hard putting Ray Allen on this list, but he is one of the best shooters of all-time. 20.9

Despite his age he still manages to get up and shoot the three with a hand in his face. Maybe there are better defenders out there but I'd rather have a clutch shooter on my team any day.

Reserve 5—Dwight Howard

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: (L-R) Hedo Turkoglu #15, Dwight Howard #12 and Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic walk across the court in the final moments of the Magic loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amw

17.3 PPG 12.5 RPG

The guy is a beast.

Even though Orlando has a perimeter offense, he was the main offensive option. He managed to be effective by going to the line and getting points using his ever—expanding list of low post moves.

He still has room to improve, but there is no doubt in anyone's mind that Dwight has the potential to be great.

Starter—PG Jason Kidd

DALLAS - APRIL 25: Guard Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks gives a thumbs up during a 99-90 win against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2

13.8 PPG 9.2 APG

Even though he hasn't won a title, he has led his team to the Finals, thich gives him the edge over Nash, not to mention he is a better defender.

Even with age and declining defensive skills against younger defenders, now and in his prime he can lead a team, especially offensively.

I don't think he is going to win a title in Dallas, but he still can lead your team to the Finals.

Starter—SG Kobe Bryant

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86. NOTE TO USER:

25.1 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.6 APG

No surprise here.

Kobe is not called The Closer for nothing. When the lights are brightest most people fold, but not him. He steps up and commands the court like the Jordan and Magic.

With the new addition of Artest, I believe Bryant will get his fifth ring and finally can be mentioned with Jordan as the greatest of all-time.

Starter—SF LeBron James

CLEVELAND - MAY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the hoop against Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 28, 2009 in Cleveland, O

27.5 PPG 7.0 RPG 6.7 APG

Prince James, like Skip Bayless likes to call him (LOL). I agree especially with this tape thing.

Yet again, there is no denying his greatness on the court, and he has done it without much help from his peers.

When you score 29 straight points to lead your team to the Finals that means there is something great inside.

The biggest knock on him was his mid range shot... which he developed this year.

Now the biggest knock on him is the way he went out in the Eastern Conference Finals year with not talking to the media and not shaking hands with anyone on the Magic.

I think if he wins a ring this year with Shaq he wipes that away from his image and erases the name of Prince James for Skip Bayless's and my mouth.

Starter—PF Tim Duncan

DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a shot against Erick Dampier #25 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2

21.4 PPG 11.7 RPG

In his prime you can make the arguement that Tim Duncan was the best PF to ever play the game.

With his low post defensive and offensive skills he helped develop the game of Tony Parker who, when he came out of France, was really a 6th man three point shooter type of guy.

Duncan is a guy who makes everyone around him better, and it shows with the Parker's and the Oberto's of the world. When it's all said and done, in my opinion, Tim Duncan will be the greatest PF to ever play the game.

Starter—C Shaquille O'neal

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 15: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game on March 15, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

24.7 PPG 11.2 RPG

I don't know what nickname he goes by now. All I'm going to say is that he has a greater presence on the court than any other player to play the game.

His massive size and athleticism is flat out amazing. In his prime he was dominating with Kobe and made Kobe a better player.

Shaq still dominates opponents with his size and still can push weaker and smaller defenders out the way for the rebound. When it's all said and done, I think there will be an argument that he is better than Wilt.

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