The 2000s was a decade of incredible NBA talent, with some of the greatest players in the history of basketball playing during this era.
From the rise of the Kobe-Shaq dynasty in Los Angeles to the legendary Celtics Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the NBA in the 2000s was truly a golden era of basketball.
With so much talent, it’s no surprise that there have been some of the best players to ever play the game. Here we take a look at some of the best players of the 2000s and how they’ve helped shape the game.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James is a professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and has won many awards, including three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards and two Olympic gold medals.
He is also one of the most marketable athletes in the world and has endorsement deals with many of the world’s most recognizable brands. James is a 6 ft 9 in tall, 250 lb forward who has the ability to play all five positions on the court.
He has a great all-around game with excellent shooting, passing, dribbling and defensive skills. He is also a great leader and a great teammate. Throughout his career, he has been praised for his work ethic and commitment to winning.
He has become one of the most dominant players in the NBA and is considered one of the faces of the league.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player whose entire 20-year career was spent with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Bryant was a shooting guard, a position that required a player to be able to shoot accurately from different areas of the court.
Throughout the course of his career, Bryant was considered one of the best and most successful players in the NBA, with five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, and an 18-time All-Star selection.
He was also the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history and held the record for most points scored in a single game with 81. Bryant was a highly recognizable figure in the world of basketball and was renowned for his skill, dedication, and passion for the game.
He was known as the “Black Mamba” for his relentless focus and determination on the court. He was also an influential figure off the court, working with charities and introducing basketball to young people around the world.
Bryant’s death in 2020 was a tragedy that left an entire generation of basketball fans in shock. He is remembered as a beloved figure in the basketball community, and his legacy will continue to live on through his many accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
3. Stephen Curry
Wardell Stephen Curry II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has achieved tremendous success in the NBA, becoming a two-time MVP, five-time All-Star, and three-time champion.
Curry is widely considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and has set numerous records for three-point shooting.
He is also known for his passing ability and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Curry was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He played college basketball for Davidson College, where he led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. In 2009, he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA draft.
Since then, he has established himself as one of the greatest players in the league. Curry’s shooting prowess and ability to create shots for his team have made him a fan favorite in the Bay Area.
He has become a leader for the Warriors and has helped them to three championships in the last five years. His leadership, skill, and determination have made him one of the most successful players in NBA history.
4. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, or Shaq, is one of the most well-known basketball players of all time. He was born in 1972 in Newark, New Jersey and began his professional basketball career in 1992 after being drafted by the Orlando Magic.
Throughout his career, he played for several teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. During his playing days, he was a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, and 15-time NBA All-Star.
He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. After his retirement, Shaq has remained active in the sports world.
He is currently an analyst on the popular television show Inside the NBA, where he provides commentary on the current state of the league as well as his own insights. He is also an investor in several businesses including the new esports organization, NRG Esports.
Shaq’s influence on the basketball world is still felt to this day, and his legacy will continue to be remembered for many years to come.
5. Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is a former professional basketball player who has made a lasting impression on the National Basketball Association. He played 14 seasons in the NBA, primarily as a shooting guard and point guard.
During his time in the league, Iverson earned the nickname “the Answer” due to his impressive ability to consistently answer his opponents’ scoring with points of his own. During his lengthy career, Iverson was known for his aggressive scoring style and fearless attitude.
He was also known for his ability to drive to the hoop, often resulting in difficult layups or fouls. Iverson’s quickness also allowed him to create his own shot, often catching defenders off guard.
Throughout his 14-year career, he was an All-Star eleven times, was awarded the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in 2001, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
6. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is a name that is synonymous with basketball excellence. He is a German-born former professional basketball player who played for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Nowitzki was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and went on to have a remarkable career that spanned over two decades in the league. During his time in the NBA, Nowitzki was an 11-time All-Star, a one-time NBA Champion, and the 2007 NBA MVP.
He was also awarded the NBA Finals MVP when the Mavericks won the championship in 2011. Throughout his career, Nowitzki established himself as one of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, as well as a respected leader in the locker room.
After retiring from the NBA in 2019, Nowitzki was named a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks. In this role, he provides guidance and support to the organization and assists in the development of the younger players.
Nowitzki’s impact on the Mavericks and the game of basketball will not soon be forgotten.
7. Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is a legendary basketball player with an impressive career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Garnett was born on May 19, 1976 in Greenville, South Carolina.
He played basketball for Farragut Career Academy before being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995. Garnett was the first player to be drafted directly from high school into the NBA in 20 years, since Darryl Dawkins in 1975.
Garnett went on to have an illustrious 21-year NBA career, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. During his time in the NBA, Garnett was a 15-time NBA All-Star, 4-time NBA Rebounding Champion, and a 9-time All-NBA Team member.
He was also a member of the 2008 Boston Celtics, the team that won the NBA Championship that season. Garnett was known for his intensity and passion. He was a leader both on and off the court, and his presence was felt by teammates and opponents alike.
Throughout his career, Garnett averaged 17.8 points, 10 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. His hard work and dedication to the game of basketball earned him the respect of his peers and fans.
In 2016, Garnett retired from the NBA and was honored by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that he started his career with. Since the end of his playing career, Garnett has gone on to become an analyst for TNT’s Inside the NBA.
He has also worked as an executive for the Los Angeles Clippers. Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American former professional basketball player who made an incredible impact during his 21 seasons in the NBA.
His passion and intensity on the court inspired many and will be remembered for generations to come.
8. Steve Nash
Stephen John Nash is an exceptional Canadian professional basketball player and coach. He has been an inspiring presence in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for many years.
As a player, he played in the NBA for 18 seasons, during which he was an eight-time All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection. These accolades demonstrate his impressive skill and commitment to the game.
After his time as a player, he moved into coaching, and most recently served as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. His career is a testament to his dedication to basketball and his commitment to excellence, both as a player and a coach.
9. Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is a prominent figure in the world of professional basketball. He is currently the head coach for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Prior to this position, he was a successful professional basketball player for 19 seasons, playing for the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns, the New Jersey Nets, the New York Knicks, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
He was selected as an All-Star nine times and was the NBA Co-Rookie of the Year in 1994. Kidd has been active in coaching since retiring from playing in 2013. In 2014, he was appointed as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, a position he held for two seasons.
After his tenure in Brooklyn, he joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach before moving on to become the head coach of the Mavericks in 2018. Kidd is widely respected for his basketball intelligence and his ability to develop young talent.
He has been credited with bringing an up-tempo style of basketball to the Mavericks, which has been credited with helping them to become an upper-echelon team in the NBA.
Under his guidance, the Mavericks have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and are expected to be a force in the Western Conference in the coming years.
Conclusion
The 2000s NBA saw some of the greatest players in the history of the league. From LeBron James to Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwyane Wade, these players revolutionized the way basketball was played and set the bar for future generations.
Their accomplishments on and off the court have left a lasting legacy and will continue to inspire future generations to reach their full potential.
