Shoutout u/SpiralDUBS for the idea 💡
Kobe Bryant
Analysis: This was a difficult one but overall he won 1 MVP, 4 Championships, and multiple finals appearances he is one of the biggest winners in NBA History and no one else defines the 2000’s than Kobe
Tim Duncan
Analysis: Creating a dynasty as soon as he was drafted winning 5 chips, 2 MVPs, and one of the best playoff runs in NBA History in 2003. One of the best defensive players ever and changed a franchise forever.
Shaquille O’ Neal
Analysis: The reason why Shaq is here is even with the decline he had later in the decade he was still a clearly dominant force in the NBA (I mean he averaged 40!!!! in a finals). Winning chips with different franchises and being a double double threat night in and out no one else could come close to his pure dominance at the time.
Kevin Garnett
Analysis: KG is an interesting piece as he is no doubt one of the decades best but had so little success due to being on a middling TWolves team for most of his career. Even through that he showed his elite defense, and tenacity throughout the decade and showed that with the right supporting cast around him he can be a constant threat to make it to the finals.
LeBron James
Analysis: Although coming in later than a lot of others James was shown to be a true force by only his second year. Carrying middling Cavs teams to unforeseen heights that Cleveland never thought they would see. His ability at such a young age to be the most dominant on the floor every night was impressive (ECF game where he scored the last 25 points for his team comes to mind) showing how only being in the league for 7 years by the end of the 2000’s he already amassed 1 MVP, Scoring Title, ROTY, 6x All Star, 6x All NBA is just enough to show how he dominated quick and fast.
Allen Iverson
Analysis: You might look at AI’s accolades and see a disappointing career all things considered and yes their is some of that but you also forget how he made the NBA Finals with old Dikembe Mutombo and Pepe Sanchez (tell Jordan to win with them and see how he feels). Even in losing he clearly was one of if not the best in the court in that series (Outside of 40ppg Shaq) the legendary stepover of Tyronn Lue, the game 1 when he single handily won them the game he is just purely too iconic to be off this list.
Dirk Nowitzki
Analysis: Although he didn’t clearly establish his legacy till 2011, 2000s Dirk was one of the best scorers we’ve seen. A 6’11 German hitting 3s and one legged middys was unheard of. Making the finals in ‘06 even after losing teammate Steve Nash and being a constant force to play against in the West. Even though he had his downs his highs were some of the biggest we’ve seen in Basketball.
Steve Nash
Analysis: I have a sweet spot for Nash as to be he is one of the most influential players ever. Hear me out he was one of the biggest pioneers of creating an entire offense and system around just one player basically being a major part of the creation of the heliocentric offense we’ve seen in the past decade, 7 seconds or less is the biggest offensive gameplan impact ever. Nash himself was also a truly dominant passer and one of the most efficient players in the league as he looking looks like a player who maybe if he started in early 2010’s would be seen as at least top 20 all time.
Jason Kidd
Analysis: Moving on to another generational PG, Kidd reminds me a lot of Chris Paul in how much he truly affects a team. In 2000 when he went to Brooklyn they were a year off of getting the #1 pick and then in only 2 years made the finals. Wherever Kidd went he elevated the team beyond their expectations and was a constant triple double machine.
Dwyane Wade
Analysis: Wade purely to me is one of the most underrated players and one of the best peaks as he was a scoring champ, Top 3 In MVP, Finals MVP, and multi All NBA member by only the age of 28. The clear best players on championship team with Shaq, no doubt he should make this list without question.