Top 10 Most Influential Basketball Players Over the Past Decade

Very few athletes have had this kind of influence over their organization. In an off-season where he wasn't even signed, Kobe managed to have both Phil Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal shipped out of town. At that very same time, he had the Clippers send their future out the window because they were convinced he would eventually sign with them. The end result? Kobe remained a Laker, and the Clippers remained the Clippers.

After being an introvert to start his career, Bryant has certainly opened up to his team mates recently, and has truly embraced carrying the NBA torch. He's a great ambassador of the game, and he's certainly accomplished. He's a 3-time NBA Champion, All Star, and the reigning MVP. His fame has gone far beyond the North American market, and he's truly been one of the most influential athletes of his generation. The reception he received in China during the 2008 Olympics should speak for just how big a global icon Kobe Bryant really is.

                                                       3. Vince Carter

Before his injuries, and before the trade demands, Vince Carter was the biggest superstar this league had seen since Michael Jordan. His run at the top was very short, spanning from 1999 to 2002, but while he was at the top, he garnered international recognition, and he put the city of Toronto on the NBA map forever.

His dunk against Frederic Weis of France, where he jumped over the seven-footers' head was just the icing on the cake. He put together the most dominant dunk-off performance in NBA history in 2000, and he carried the Raptors to one shot from the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000-2001.

His play of late has been solid, but he's certainly lost his status as one of the league's top five names. While it became obvious that Carter was never ready for the responsibilities of carrying a league the way Jordan did, it was never questioned whether he was talented enough to do so. He'll go down as one of the most marketable athletes of his generation, and the greatest dunker in NBA history.

The summer he spent in China with Yao Ming truly completed the package, and even while posting average numbers, his fans globally were sure to vote Vinsanity into the All-Star game.

If you can't think of a time when Carter was this popular, just look in your closet. Buried deep beneath the pants which used to fit, and the shirt that used to be black, is a purple and black jersey with the number 15 on it. Unless of course you're a Raptor fan, in which case you've probably burnt it.

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