{"id":513660,"date":"2026-03-04T11:52:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/513660\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:52:28","slug":"10-best-nba-players-of-the-2000s-ranking-a-golden-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/513660\/","title":{"rendered":"10 best NBA players of the 2000s: Ranking a golden era"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2000s delivered an era of star-studded basketball that remains some of the most exciting in NBA history.<\/p>\n

With arguably half of the Top 10 greatest players of all time dominating the court during this decade, fans witnessed legendary battles that redefined the league.<\/p>\n

Here, I rank the 10 best NBA players of the 2000s.<\/p>\n

Top 10 NBA players of the 2000s 10. Tracy McGrady \"Michael<\/p>\n

Michael Jordan guarding Tracy McGrady<\/p>\n

Credit REUTERS – Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

7x All-Star 7x All-NBA 2x Scoring Champion <\/p>\n

Teams:<\/p>\n

24.4 PPG 6.3 RPG 5.2 APG 1.4 SPG 0.9 BPG <\/p>\n

Tracy McGrady should be among the first names mentioned when considering the best NBA players of the 2000s.<\/p>\n

McGrady absolutely dominated at the start of the decade, winning the NBA scoring title twice, including one season in which he averaged over 32 points per game.<\/p>\n

If not for the injuries that significantly shortened his career, we would likely speak of him even more highly.<\/p>\n

He most likely would have added at least a couple more All-Star and All-NBA selections \u2013 and perhaps even a championship \u2013 to his r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Instead, his career will forever remain one of the biggest “what if” stories of all time.<\/p>\n

9. Allen Iverson \"Allen<\/p>\n

Allen Iverson<\/p>\n

Credit AP \u2013 Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

10x All-Star 2001 MVP 6x All-NBA 3x Scoring Champion 3x Steals Champion <\/p>\n

Teams:<\/p>\n

28.1 PPG 3.6 RPG 6.2 APG 2.2 SPG <\/p>\n

Allen Iverson is the player who defines the 2000s.<\/p>\n

AI captured the hearts of millions, from his off-court style to his incredible handles<\/a> and streetball-inspired play.<\/p>\n

While he, like T-Mac, never secured an NBA title, his 2000-01 campaign remains one of the greatest individual seasons in history.<\/p>\n

That year, he led an underdog Philadelphia 76ers squad to the NBA Finals, where they eventually fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.<\/p>\n

Iverson won the NBA MVP that season, posting a dominant stat line of 31.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.<\/p>\n

8. Steve Nash \"Amar'e<\/p>\n

Amar’e Stoudemire guarding Steve Nash<\/p>\n

Credit Getty Images-Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

6x All-Star 2x MVP 6x All-NBA 3x Assist Champion 16.2 PPG 3.2 RPG 9.1 APG 0.8 SPG <\/p>\n

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash was the centerpiece of the iconic “7 Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns teams of the mid-2000s.<\/p>\n

His incredible court vision, playmaking, and shooting ability made him the ideal point guard, leading one of the best offenses of the era.<\/p>\n

Despite debates over his back-to-back MVP wins, Nash cemented his status among the top NBA players of the 2000s by fundamentally changing the game through extreme pace, early shot-clock threes, and high pick-and-roll spacing.<\/p>\n

7. Dwyane Wade \"Dwayne<\/p>\n

Dwayne Wade<\/p>\n

Credit Getty Images \u2013 Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (2003-2004\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

5x All-Star 2006 Finals MVP 2006 Champion All-Rookie 2x All-Defense 4x All-NBA 2009 Scoring Champion 25.2 PPG 4.9 RPG 6.7 APG 1.8 SPG 1 BPG <\/p>\n

As a Miami Heat superstar, Dwyane Wade was one of the most unstoppable mid-2000s NBA players.<\/p>\n

During his prime, Wade’s blend of unparalleled speed, athleticism, and skill made him a nightmare for opposing defenders.<\/p>\n

His 2006 NBA Finals performance against the Dallas Mavericks is still considered one of the best Finals showings of the modern NBA era.<\/p>\n

“Flash” led the Heat to the 2006 championship, averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, earning Finals MVP honors.<\/p>\n

6. Dirk Nowitzki \"Dirk<\/p>\n

Dirk Nowitzki<\/p>\n

Credit Reuters-Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

8x All-Star 2006 MVP 9x All-NBA 23.6 PPG 8.9 RPG 2.8 APG 0.9 SPG 1 BPG <\/p>\n

Dirk Nowitzki redefined the power forward position in the 2000s.<\/p>\n

Possessing an exceptional shooting touch from anywhere on the floor, Nowitzki was virtually unstoppable during his mid-to-late 2000s prime.<\/p>\n

His signature one-legged fadeaway became one of the most unguardable moves in NBA history, bringing him incredible success.<\/p>\n

During his 2007 MVP campaign, he led the Mavericks to a 67-15 record while averaging 24.6 points and 8.9 rebounds on historic 50-40-90 shooting splits.<\/p>\n

5. Kevin Garnett \"Kevin<\/p>\n

Kevin Garnett<\/p>\n

Credit AFP-Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013\u00a02008-2009):<\/p>\n

10x All-Star 2008 Champion 2004 MVP 2008 DPOY 10x All-Defense 8x All-NBA 4x Rebounding Champion <\/p>\n

Teams:<\/p>\n

21.6 PPG 12.1 RPG 4.7 APG 1.3 SPG 1.6 BPG <\/p>\n

Garnett’s tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves peaked in 2004, when his MVP performance led the franchise to its first Western Conference Finals.<\/p>\n

Although he never surpassed that level of success with the Timberwolves, his value was undeniable.<\/p>\n

In 2007, he was traded to the star-studded Boston Celtics in one of the biggest trades in NBA history.<\/p>\n

With the Celtics, Garnett immediately won a championship in his first season and claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award, cementing his status as one of the greatest forwards ever.<\/p>\n

4. LeBron James \"LeBron<\/p>\n

LeBron James<\/p>\n

Credit T.Tumalovi\u010dius, reporteris.com<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (2003-2009):<\/p>\n

5x All-Star 2009 MVP Rookie Of The Year 5x All-NBA 2009 All-Defense 2008 Scoring Champion 27.5 PPG 7 RPG 6.7 APG 1.8 SPG 0.9 BPG <\/p>\n

Some still believe this version of LeBron James is the greatest we’ve ever seen.<\/p>\n

Carrying the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back, James transformed them into perennial contenders, a feat highlighted by leading the team to its first-ever NBA Finals in 2007.<\/p>\n

Remarkably, LeBron remains among the league’s elite today, even as its oldest active player<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Shaquille O’Neal \"Shaquille<\/p>\n

Shaquille O’Neal with Kobe Bryant<\/p>\n

Credit AP \u2013 Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013 2008-2009):<\/p>\n

9x All-Star 2000 MVP 3x Finals MVP 4x Champion 8x All-NBA 3x All-Defense 2000 Scoring Champion <\/p>\n

Teams:<\/p>\n

23.1 PPG 10.6 RPG 2.7 APG 2.2 BPG <\/p>\n

Shaquille O’Neal secured four titles in the 2000s and stood as the league’s most dominant force during the decade’s first half; however, a late-career decline places him third on this list.<\/p>\n

Following his 2006 title with the Miami Heat, injuries began to derail his career and diminish his on-court impact.<\/p>\n

Despite that, his accomplishments earlier in the decade cement his place in history as one of the best centers to ever play the game<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Though many believe he deserved multiple MVP awards, O’Neal somehow finished his career with only one, despite leading the Lakers to the league’s most recent three-peat.<\/p>\n

2. Tim Duncan \"Tim<\/p>\n

Tim Duncan with Tony Parker<\/p>\n

Credit Getty Images \u2013 Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013 2008-2009):<\/p>\n

10x All-Star 2x MVP 2x Finals MVP 10x All-Defense 10x All-NBA 3x Champion 21.4 PPG 11.7 RPG 3.3 APG 2.3 BPG <\/p>\n

Tim Duncan is a symbol of one of the most dominant franchises<\/a> of the 2000s, the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n

“The Big Fundamental” led the Spurs to three NBA championships during this era, earning league MVP twice and Finals MVP honors.<\/p>\n

As the widely acknowledged greatest power forward in NBA history<\/a>, Duncan firmly secures the No. 2 spot on this list.<\/p>\n

His consistency and impact on both ends of the floor may not get as much attention among fans, but his accomplishments speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

1. Kobe Bryant \"Kobe<\/p>\n

Kobe Bryant<\/p>\n

Credit Reuters-Scanpix<\/p>\n

Accomplishments (1999-2000\u00a0\u2013 2008-2009):<\/p>\n

10x All-Star 2008 MVP 2009 Finals MVP 4x Champion 10x All-NBA 10x All-Defense 2x Scoring Champion 28.2 PPG 5.9 RPG 5.2 APG 1.7 SPG <\/p>\n

The closest thing we’ve seen to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant dominated the 2000s for the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

Between a three-peat alongside Shaquille O’Neal, a legendary 81-point performance, and his 2009 title, the Black Mamba cemented his legacy as 2nd best shooting guard of all time<\/a> and the greatest Laker ever<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beyond being a lethal offensive talent, Bryant was an elite defender who earned ten consecutive All-Defensive selections during the decade.<\/p>\n

The fact that he secured only one MVP award in 2008 underscores the depth of talent in this era\u2013a golden age that Kobe defined as its most thrilling superstar.<\/p>\n

\"Edvinas<\/p>\n

\n Edvinas Kuzas began his basketball media career in 2025, joining BasketNews as a Daily Writer. He brings a deep understanding of the sport, shaped by years of following both its history and trending topics. Alongside his writing, he is currently pursuing a degree in basketball coaching, further expanding his knowledge of the game. This combination allows him to provide more analytical, insightful, and opinion-based perspectives on basketball.\n <\/p>\n

About author<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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