The Top 10 Players Of The Last Decade

I know I'm a bit late but I never took writing for this site too seriously up until recently. John Hollinger is actually the biggest tool I've ever seen his top 10 is complete garbage so I'm here to set the record straight. All 10 of the players on this list are 10 of the top 50 to ever play the game. Although your favourite might be missing, a few of mine are as well. Many talented players came into the decade with a buzz, but then slowly faded away. (see: Antoine Walker, Latrell Sprewell, Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jermaine O’Neal, Elton Brand, etc.) Other superstars succumbed due to injury. (see: Yao Ming, Chris Webber, Grant Hill). Finally, the only reason I did not include LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in my list is because of the fact that they only played six seasons of this decade. Just for the record, LeBron will be a top 10 player of all time when it is all said and done, and D-Wade won’t be too far behind him.

Just Missed:  Chris Webber, Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen



10. Vince Carter / Tracy McGrady

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DENVER - FEBRUARY 20: Vince Carter #15 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars laughs with Tracy McGrady #1 of the Western Conference All-Stars during the 54th All-Star Game, part of 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend at Pepsi Center on February 20, 2005 in Denver,

Fitting that the cousins would be together lol.

VC

I couldn’t remove my favorite player from this list. Yes, I am a bit biased. Although this is true, people forget that VC was number 1 in jersey sales for quite some time, and was selling out arenas all over the United States during the early part of the decade. His best years were in Toronto, but he was still an All NBA player and All Star during his short stint in New Jersey.

Accomplishments: ROY, 8x All Star, All NBA 2^nd and 3^rd team, Slam Dunk Champion, Holder of 4 NBA playoff records 

Tmac

Straight out of high school. People did not see the full display until he left Toronto, but he was still seen as one of the best young players in the league during his stint with the Raptors.  In Orlando, he became one of the top 5 players in the entire league, and one of the best all around performers of all time. Yes, he has yet to get out of the first round. Although this is true, McGrady is one of the rare players whose stats are BETTER IN THE PLAYOFFS than they are in the regular season.

Accomplishments: NBA Most Improved Player, 7x All Star, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 2x All NBA 1^st team, 3x All NBA 2^nd team and 2x All NBA 3^rd team, Holder of 7 Orlando Magic records  

9. Steve Nash

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

Kid Canada is easily the 2^nd best PG of the 2000’s. Although he was in the shadow of the next member of this list for the earlier part of the 00’s, he still organized and ran the Mavericks offense beautifully. When Nash arrived in Phoenix, he cemented his legacy as one of the best PG’s of all time, and one of the most efficient offensive players of all time as well.

Accomplishments: 2x NBA MVP, 7x NBA All Star, 2x All NBA 2^nd and 3^rd team, 3x All NBA 1^st team, 2x Skills Challenge Champion, 4x APG leader, 5x member of 50-40-90 club, J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

8. Dirk Nowitzki

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 17: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a freethrow during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 17, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

The Big German could easily be the greatest international player in NBA history. He has consistently been a top 10 player in the NBA and has changed the power forward position. He led the Mavericks to numerous WCF’s and the NBA Finals. Although he has yet to win a title, the Mavs addition of Tyson Chandler might make the 2010-2011 campaign his best chance yet.

Accomplishments: NBA MVP, 9x NBA All Star, 4x All NBA 1^st team, 4x All NBA 2^nd team, 2x All NBA 3^rd team, 3 Point Champion

7. Paul Pierce

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics yells after scoring a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (

The dynamic duo of Pierce and Walker could have brought the Celtics a title in 2002 had it not been for another superstar on my list. Also, it’s not so bad when you’re given a signature nickname by a top 8 player in NBA history. Before 2008, I couldn’t have put Pierce on this list. After the way he dismantled the Lakers, and more importantly, outplayed Kobe Bryant, he became not only a top 10 player of the decade, but one of the top playoff performers of all time.

Accomplishments: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, 8x All Star, All NBA 2^nd team and 3x All NBA 3^rd team, 3 Point Champion, Holds over 15 Celtic records and 2 NBA Finals records

6. Jason Kidd

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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

Mr. Triple Double is the best point guard of the 2000’s, and one of the best in NBA history. Although he hasn’t won a title, he led the Nets from the doghouse to back to back finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. In my opinion, he should’ve won NBA MVP in either of those years. Kidd can dominate the game without scoring and makes everyone around him better. His passing skills are incredible, his speed is near the top of the NBA, and he may be the best rebounding guard in NBA history.

Accomplishments: ROY, 10x NBA All Star, 5x All NBA 1^st team, All NBA 2^nd team, 4x All Defensive 1^st team, 5x All Defensive 2^nd team, Skills Challenge Champion, 5x APG leader, only player with 15,000 points 7000 rebounds and 10000 assists, one of two to average a triple double in a playoff series twice, holds 9 Dallas Maverick records, 3^rd in all time triple doubles

5. Allen Iverson

Bubbachuck

The Answer was the logo of the NBA during the early 2000’s. He is one of the top 30 players in NBA history, and the smallest on that list. Yes he was more often that not the smallest guy on the court; but he was the best, and dominated the game. Although he is on the decline now, he was one of the top players in the league from 2000-2008. It’s a shame he does not have a ring.

Accomplishments: NBA MVP, ROY, 11x NBA All Star, 4x NBA Scoring Champion, 3x All NBA 1^st team, 3x All NBA 2^nd team, 2x NBA All Star Game MVP, 6^th highest PPG in NBA history, over 24,000 points

4. Kevin Garnett

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 4: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is seen during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 4, 2004 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 94-92 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

KG is easily the most versatile and well rounded player of the decade. If it weren’t for the rings, he’d be ahead of both Bryant and Duncan on my list. He showed us time and time again in Minnesota and Boston that he is capable of playing just about any position on the floor. The ball handling, passing, speed, shooting, and athleticism are unheard of for a PF. The man averaged over 20 PPG, 10 RPG, and 5APG for 6 STRAIGHT SEASONS. He can he do everything on both ends. It’s rare for a team’s best player to be so unselfish, focused, and determined to make everyone else around him do the best they can.

Accomplishments: NBA Champion, NBA MVP, NBA DPOY, 13x NBA All Star, 4x All NBA 1^st team, 3x All NBA 2^nd team, 2x All NBA 3^rd team, 8x All Defensive 1^st team, 2x All Defensive 2^nd team, NBA All Star Game MVP, 4x RPG leader, only player with 20000 points 11000 rebounds 4000 assists 1200 steals and 1500 blocks, holds over 5 Timberwolves records,

3. Tim Duncan

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs stands for the National Anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

The Big Fundamental and greatest PF ever could be the #2 player of the decade on some lists. The reason he isn’t on mine is because of the fact that Bryant has more titles. Duncan did win a title in 1999, but that is not part of the 2000’s. O’Neal has more Finals MVP’s during the decade, and Bryant has the same number. Duncan still dominated the league without flash, but with substance. His consistency and clutch playoff play made him great.

Accomplishments: 4x NBA Champion, 3x NBA Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP, ROY, 12x NBA All Star, 9x All NBA 1^st team, 3x All NBA 2^nd team, 8x All Defensive 1^st team, 5x All Defensive 2^nd team, NBA All Star Game MVP, Holds a million Spurs records

2. Kobe Bryant

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball during the NBA game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena on December 19, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 98-71. NOTE TO US

Love him or hate him (I hate him), but he is one of the top 10 to ever do it. Although he can be a nuisance on the court, his will to win is what separates him from just about everybody. He wasn’t the man on the Laker teams from 2000-2002, but he was more than a sidekick. He became a true superstar during this time and still hasn’t fallen off.  In terms of putting the ball in the bucket, it’s hard to find someone better. Next season will be very interesting in terms of Kobe’s legacy.

Accomplishments: 5x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, NBA MVP, 13x NBA All Star, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 8x All NBA 1^st team, 2x All NBA 2^nd team, 8x All Defensive 1^st team, 3x NBA All Star Game MVP, Slam Dunk Champion, All Time Leading Scorer in Lakers History, 81 point game

1. Shaquille O'Neal

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6 Jun 2001: Shaquille O''Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The 76ers won 107-101. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/Allsport.

Shaq, Diesel, The Big Aristotle, The Big Cactus, and now The Big Shamrock is the greatest player of the last decade, and one of the top 8 to ever play. The only man to defeat Michael Jordan in a playoff series during the 1990’s was nearly unstoppable in his prime. People tend to forget how skilled Shaq was during his time with the Magic, Lakers, and Heat. He is the only man to ever be rated 100 in an NBA game.

Accomplishments: 4x NBA Champion, 3x Finals MVP, NBA MVP, ROY, 15x NBA All Star, 2x NBA Scoring Champion, 8x All NBA 1^st team, 2x All NBA 2^nd team, 3x NBA All Star Game MVP, One of 3 players in NBA history to be MVP, All Star MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season