The 2000’s had been a transition decade for the NBA sandwiched between the Jordan Era in the 1990’s and the LeBron-dominated 2010s. Most notably, the type of play developed all through the aughts. Games had been low-scoring slogs at the outset of the decade characterised by poor spacing, bodily play, and an emphasis on working offenses by means of the low submit.
Enter Mike D’Antoni and the Seven Seconds or Less Suns. D’Antoni put the ball in Steve Nash’s fingers and the battery in his again. By the finish of the decade, groups had been emulating the Suns, putting in offenses that highlighted tempo, house, and the three-point shot.
The 2000s started with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers successful three consecutive NBA Championships however didn’t characteristic one other repeat winner for the relaxation of the decade. It was undoubtedly a player-driven time with superstars in all corners of the league, hoopers like A.I., Dirk, KG, and The Big Fundamental. These are the 20 Best NBA Players of the 2000s.
This checklist was initially revealed in 2012 and has been up to date.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 7x All-Star, All-Rookie, 5x All-NBA
Team(s): Rockets
Stats throughout the 2000s: 19.1 PPG 9.3 RPG 1.9 BPG
Yao was the first of his type — a 7’6” middle who may truly play. Unfortunately, his huge physique couldn’t take the rigors of skilled basketball. Yao appeared to enhance with every season; he was turning into an actual pressure when the accidents began to hit. He had good contact on his jumper and was a stable submit defender. Though he broke down after just some seasons, Yao’s affect on the recreation went past the courtroom. His success in the 2000s helped the league go world.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2007-2008): 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 2002 Most Improved Player
Team(s): Trail Blazers, Pacers, Heat
Stats throughout the 2000s: 16.7 PPG 8.4 RPG 1.8 APG 0.5 SPG 2.1 BPG
Following a four-year stint with the Trail Blazers finest described as an apprenticeship, Jermaine O’Neal grew to become a star with the Indiana Pacers. He formally made The Leap in the 2001-02 season: successful MIP, making Third Team All-NBA and his first All-Star recreation, whereas averaging 19 factors and 10.5 rebounds per recreation. A strolling double-double, O’Neal was one of the NBA’s premiere low-post scorer throughout the 2000s. He had unbelievable footwork for an enormous man and a stable mid-range jumper. O’Neal was one of the decade most underrated superstars.
Accomplishments (2004-2005 – 2008-2009): 3x All-Star, 2009 DPOY, All-Rookie, 3x All-NBA, 2x All-Defense, 2x Rebound Champion
Team(s): Magic
Stats throughout the 2000s: 17.3 PPG 12.5 RPG 1.4 APG 0.9 SPG 2 BPG
Howard was a assured double-double from the second he entered the NBA and placed on an Orlando Magic uniform. A bodily marvel since highschool with uncooked offensive abilities, Howard was by no means going to be Kevin McHale in the submit. But he labored on his bounce hook and have become a stable inside scorer by the finish of the decade. Howard was the finest defensive middle of his time and propelled the Magic on a run to the NBA Finals in June 2009. Though they misplaced to the Lakers in 5 video games, Howard demonstrated the type of affect he may have on the recreation.
Accomplishments (2002-2003 – 2008-2009): 4x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 2003 ROY
Team(s): Suns
Stats throughout the 2000s: 18.5 PPG 8.4 RPG 1.3 APG 0.8 BPG
(*20*) made an instantaneous splash after going straight from highschool to the NBA, successful Rookie of the Year after which averaging over 20 factors per recreation in his sophomore marketing campaign. But he made an excellent better leap after the Suns signed Steve Nash in the summer time of 2004. Now teamed with a exact choose and roll companion, (*20*) put up large numbers averaging 26 and 9 for the Seven Seconds of Less Suns. STAT (the nickname stood for Standing Tall and Talented) was a hyper-athletic huge who may run the flooring. In time, he’d develop a submit recreation. (*20*)’s Suns had been perennial contenders, however they may by no means get previous the Suns, falling to Tim Duncan thrice in 4 seasons throughout the decade.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 4x All-Star, 4x DPOY, 5x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense, 2004 NBA Champion, 2x Rebounding Champion
Team(s): Magic, Pistons, Bulls, Cavs
Stats throughout the 2000s: 6.8 PPG 11.2 RPG 1.6 APG 1.4 SPG 2.3 BPG
Ben Wallace went from journeyman to absolute beast the second he arrived in Detroit. A ferocious rebounder and stout submit defender, Wallace made an instantaneous affect in the Motor City. He received Defensive Player of the Year 4 occasions in 5 seasons and helped set up the Pistons as a pressure in the Eastern Conference. In 2004, the Pistons received their first NBA Championship since 1990, knocking off the Kobe and Shaq Lakers in a single of the greatest upsets in Finals historical past.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 4x All-Star, 2004 Finals MVP, 2004 Champion, 2x All-Defense, 3x All-NBA
Team(s): Nuggets, Timberwolves, Pistons
Stats throughout the 2000s: 15.6 PPG 3.1 RPG 5.9 APG 1 SPG
Larry Brown modified Chauncey Billups’ profession. Before Billups made his technique to Detroit, he was thought-about a tweener guard with no true place. Brown trusted Billups at the level and by no means seemed again. As good as Billups was in the common season, he appeared to all the time increase his recreation in the playoffs. Mr. Big Shot was the chief of a Pistons staff that made it to seven-straight Eastern Conference Finals. His most interesting second occurred in the 2004 NBA Finals, throughout which he averaged 21 factors and 5 assists on his technique to successful Finals MVP.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA
Team(s): Raptors, Nets
Stats throughout the 2000s: 23.9 PPG 5.4 RPG 4.4 APG 1.3 SPG
Half Man, Half Amazing defied gravity like no different again in the 2000s. In February 2000, he ushered in the decade in type with the biggest slam dunk contest efficiency in historical past. The dude put his elbow by means of the rattling rim for Pete’s sake. As a dunker, he had no friends. But Carter was no one-trick pony. He may rating from anyplace on the courtroom. Even although he was a excessive flyer, Air Canada had a candy jumper and underrated submit recreation.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 9x All-Star, 2x All-NBA, 2008 Champion
Team(s): Bucks, Sonics, Celtics
Stats throughout the 2000s: 22.1 PPG 4.4 RPG 3.8 APG 1.2 SPG
Ray Allen had one of the sweetest trying photographs in NBA historical past however that wasn’t all he may do again in the 2000s. Back when individuals had been nonetheless calling him Jesus Shuttlesworth, Allen was an all-around participant who may drive, dish, and shoot. His groups in Milwaukee and Seattle weren’t thought-about reliable contenders. But he received an NBA Championship as quickly as he attached with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in Boston.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Champion
Team(s): Raptors, Magic, Rockets
Stats throughout the 2000s: 24.4 PPG 6.3 RPG 5.2 APG 1.4 SPG 0.9 BPG
Tracy McGrady’s profession was stuffed with “could’ve beens.” What may’ve been if he and Vince Carter stayed collectively in Toronto? What may’ve been if Grant Hill’s ankle healed correctly? What may’ve been if Yao Ming by no means had foot issues? By the finish of the decade, it was McGrady’s flip. What may’ve been if he by no means had knee and again issues. Before the accidents, McGrady was the most unstoppable scorer in the recreation, as soon as even scoring 13 factors in 35 seconds in opposition to the defending NBA champion Spurs.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 7x All-Star, 2008 Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA, 2008 Champion
Team(s): Celtics
Stats throughout the 2000s: 23.3 PPG 6.3 RPG 4 APG 1.5 SPG
The Truth stayed loyal to Boston and he was rewarded for it. After years of carrying the Celtics franchise on his again, Danny Ainge traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen inside a single offseason forming an unstoppable Big Three. KG’s protection and Allen’s taking pictures completely complimented Pierce’s mid-range recreation and the Celtics went on to say their seventeenth NBA Championship. Pierce was the nearer for that Celtics staff and was awarded the 2008 Finals MVP despite the fact that he spent half of recreation one in a wheelchair!
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 6x All-Star, 2x MVP, 6x All-NBA, 3x Assist Champion
Team(s): Mavs, Suns
Stats throughout the 2000s: 16.2 PPG 3.2 RPG 9.1 APG 0.8 SPG
Steve Nash was already one of the NBA’s prime flooring generals throughout his time in Dallas however all hell broke unfastened as soon as he began enjoying in Mike D’Antoni’s Seven Seconds or Less system in Phoenix. The Suns tempo and house offense modified the league without end with Nash successful back-to-back MVP Awards in the course of. They’d unfold out the flooring with shooters, permitting Nash to penetrate and dish. It’s 2025 and groups are nonetheless emulating the 2005 Suns.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 10x All-Star, 2001 MVP, 6x All-NBA, 3x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion
Team(s): 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons
Stats throughout the 2000s: 28.1 PPG 3.6 RPG 6.2 APG 2.2 SPG
Allen Iverson outlined the NBA at the flip of the century. With his cornrows, tattoos, and IDGAF perspective, The Answer was the face of the post-Jordan NBA. The little man with huge coronary heart may ball too. A 6’0” taking pictures guard with no conscience, Iverson was pound-for-pound the biggest scorer in NBA historical past. His peak got here throughout the 2000-01 season throughout which he received the MVP and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. The Sixers would possibly’ve misplaced to the Lakers in 5 however the sequence defining picture is AI stepping over Tyronn Lue after icing Game One.
Accomplishments (2003-2004 – 2008-2009): 5x All-Star, 2006 Finals MVP, 2006 Champion, All-Rookie, 2x All-Defense, 4x All-NBA, 2009 Scoring Champion
Team(s): Heat
Stats throughout the 2000s: 25.2 PPG 4.9 RPG 6.7 APG 1.8 SPG 1 BPG
Flash hit the league like a supernova as half of the iconic 2003 NBA Draft Class. He had such a whole recreation for a rookie and will rating in a number of methods. When he first entered the league with Miami, Wade was fearless, driving to the rim, absorbing contact, hitting the deck, and sacrificing his physique to the basketball Gods on a nightly foundation. In simply his third yr, he was the Batman to Shaq’s Robin and received an NBA Championship and Finals MVP with one of the most dominant performances in league historical past.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 7x All-Star, 8x All-Defense, 5x All-NBA, 4x Assist Champion
Team(s): Suns, Nets, Mavs
Stats throughout the 2000s: 14 PPG 7 RPG 9.2 APG 1.9 SPG
Like a real level guard, J-Kidd didn’t have to attain to make an affect. He led the New Jersey Nets to 2 straight Finals appearances, whereas making each participant on his his staff higher. He had unparalleled courtroom imaginative and prescient and a knack for realizing when to push the tempo or decelerate the recreation. He was additionally a lockdown defender. Though he lacked accuracy from deep early on, he finally developed right into a prime three-point sniper. Put a clip of Kidd’s alley-oops in the Smithsonian.
Accomplishments (2003-2004 – 2008-2009): 5x All-Star, 2009 MVP, Rookie Of The Year, 5x All-NBA, 2009 All-Defense, 2008 Scoring Champion
Team(s): Cavs
Stats throughout the 2000s: 27.5 PPG 7 RPG 6.7 APG 1.8 SPG 0.9 BPG
LeBron’s rise to stardom was one thing that the NBA had by no means seen earlier than. He was in the nationwide highlight from his sophomore yr of highschool and handled lofty, if not, unrealiastic expectations. And but he ended up surpassing them. James was already a prime 5 participant at the time of his breakthrough second: Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. With the sequence tied 2-2, LeBron went into Detroit and stole the Pistons soul, scoring 25 straight factors in the Cavs double time beyond regulation win.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 8x All-Star, 2006 MVP, 9x All-NBA
Team(s): Mavs
Stats throughout the 2000s: 23.6 PPG 8.9 RPG 2.8 APG 0.9 SPG 1 BPG
Dirk Nowitzki was a one-of-one. A 7-footer with infinite vary who may nonetheless play together with his again to the basket. Alongside Steve Nash, Dirk appeared primed to steer the Mavericks to an NBA Championship. But these plans went awry when Nash signed the Phoenix Suns in the summer time of 2004. But Dallas reloaded and Dirk received an MVP and reached the Finals in 2006 earlier than dropping to the Heat in a controversial six recreation sequence. He’d go down in historical past as the biggest taking pictures huge man of all time.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 10x All-Star, 2008 Champion, 2004 MVP, 2008 DPOY, 10x All-Defense, 8x All-NBA, 4x Rebounding Champion
Team(s): Timberwolves, Celtics
Stats throughout the 2000s: 21.6 PPG 12.1 RPG 4.7 APG 1.3 SPG 1.6 BPG
Kevin Garnett did all of it for the Wolves. One of the most full gamers in the league, Garnett was an all-world defender, his bounce shot was water and he was a ferocious chief. No one was extra intense than the Big Ticket. But Garnett let loyalty get the finest of him for the higher half of his profession. He was the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves for 12 years till basic supervisor Kevin McHale despatched him packing to Boston in the summer time of 2007 for a pair gamers and a pair of picks. Now half of a Big 3 with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, KG would win a DPOY and an NBA Championship. Anything is POSSIBLE!!!!
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 9x All-Star, 2000 MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 4x Champion, 8x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 2000 Scoring Champion
Team(s): Lakers, Heat
Stats (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 23.1 PPG 10.6 RPG 2.7 APG 2.2 BPG
The Most Dominant Ever. The Big Aristotle. Shaq Diesel. Superman. Whatever you name him, simply acknowledge that Shaquille O’Neal was the most unstoppable pressure in the NBA for the first half of the 2000s, driving the Lakers to a few consecutive NBA Championships and successful three Finals MVPs. He couldn’t be stopped it doesn’t matter what opposing groups did. Double groups didn’t work, neither did the Hack-a-Shaq. Though Shaq dominated together with his dimension and energy, he was extraordinarily expert. He was an underrated passer who may discover shooters on the perimeter and had deft submit strikes like a nimble, drop-step bounce hook that might not be blocked. We could by no means see one other Shaq.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 10x All-Star, 2x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 10x All-Defense, 10x All-NBA, 3x Champion
Team(s): Spurs
Stats (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 21.4 PPG 11.7 RPG 3.3 APG 2.3 BPG
Tim Duncan is the biggest energy ahead in NBA historical past despite the fact that he actually was a middle. Semantics apart, Duncan reigned supreme from the second he stepped into the league. The Big Fundamental was good at every little thing however excelled at the issues that don’t present up in the field rating like staff protection and management. He was the engine of the Spurs dynasty and one of the finest gamers of all time.
Accomplishments (1999-2000 – 2008-2009): 10x All-Star, 2008 MVP, 2009 Finals MVP, 4x Champion, 10x All-NBA, 10x All-Defense, 2x Scoring Champion
Team(s): Lakers
Stats throughout the 2000s: 28.2 PPG 5.9 RPG 5.2 APG 1.7 SPG
At the begin of the 2000s, Kobe Bryant was the puckish, impatient quantity two to Shaquille O’Neal. Together they received three consecutive NBA Championships earlier than Bryant determined he wished to do issues on his personal, and in the summer time of 2004, he drove O’Neal out of city. Bryant struggled at first together with his new supporting forged. But he received a number of scoring titles and even dropped 81 factors on the Raptors one night time in January 2006. The Lakers reloaded although and Bryant closed the decade with an MVP, an NBA Championship, and a Finals MVP, cementing his place as the finest NBA participant of the 2000s.