Top 10 Most Influential Basketball Players Over the Past Decade

In the 1990's, everyone wanted to be 'like Mike'. For a while, it seemed that everyone wanted to be like 'the Answer'. Things went south with the Sixers as they chose to rebuild and Iverson now finds himself teamed with Carmelo Anthony in Denver. While he may have lost a step and is no longer considered the top player in the game, he'll certainly be remembered as one of the greatest, and most influential basketball players to ever play in the NBA.

                                
8. Emanuel Ginobili

Ginobili's contributions, much like Parker's, stretch beyond the NBA. He's an Olympian, a three-time NBA Champion, a former Euroleague Finals MVP, one of the 50-greatest contributors in Euroleague history, an NBA All-Star, and he might have a solid resume for the Hall of Fame. He's been the modern-day Drazen Petrovic for the International game, serving as a blue-print for all young Europeans to follow. Ginobili's NBA averages will never reflect his talents due to the strength of San Antonio's roster.

His rise to stardom was in his rookie season. While playing very little during the regular season behind Steve Smith, he found his way into Popovich's plans in the playoffs as the Spurs eliminated the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and eventually the New Jersey Nets for their second ever NBA Championship.

That off-season, Ginobili was named Argentina's Athlete of the Year, and he even met with Argentine president Nestor Kirchner. Ginobili has dazzled fans with his creative style, and has achieved basketball greatness on every level of basketball on the planet.

                                                            7. Rafer Alston

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