The decade of the 2010’s has come and gone with the quickness! With regard to the National Basketball Association, we witnessed a change in playing style that resulted in more 3 pointers taken, shorter possessions, and more defensive restrictions. The best players of the decade all took advantage of the game’s evolution in one way or another.
During the decade we witnessed history in a variety of forms. In 2016 we saw the Golden State Warriors pass the 1996 Chicago Bulls for the best regular season of all-time with a record of 73-9. Also in 2016 we saw the Cleveland Cavaliers become the first team to come back and win from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. In 2017, we saw Russell Westbrook become the 2nd player ever to average a triple double over the course of the entire regular season. All in all, the 2010’s was an exciting time to be a fan of the NBA.
Disclaimer: The years that were considered for the 2010’s decade start from the 2009-2010 season and conclude with the 2018-2019 season. With all that being said, let’s take a look at this list which ranks the top 10 players of the decade.
10. Blake Griffin
- Decade Seasons Played: 9 seasons (2011-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 21.9 PPG
- Decade Games Played: 604
- Decade Games Started: 604
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 50%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 13,200
- Decade Accolades: 6x NBA All-Star (2011-2015, 2019), 3x All-NBA Second Team (2012-2014), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2019), NBA Rookie of the Year (2011)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Blake Griffin missed the entire 2009-2010 season due to injury, but he came out on fire during his first full season of 2010-2011. He was voted as an All-Star during his rookie season which is pretty rare. Blake Griffin during the decade was a league favorite to watch because of his explosive dunks and athleticism but he wasn’t just a dunker. Griffin averaged 20+ points in 8 of his first 9 seasons in the NBA. Statistically, Blake Griffin had an amazing decade. I believe he should get more credit for how productive he was during the 2010’s.
9. Klay Thompson
- Decade Seasons Played: 8 seasons (2011-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 20 PPG
- Decade Games Played: 615
- Decade Games Started: 578
- Decade 3 Point Percentage: 42%
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 46%
- Decade Accolades: 3x NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018), 5x NBA All Star (2015-2019), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2016), 1x NBA All Defensive Second Team (2019), 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012), 1x NBA Three-Point Contest Champion (2016)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Klay Thompson comes in as the 9th best player of the decade. He is already regarded as one of the best shooters of all-time and he’s arguably not even the best shooter on his own team. I feel as though Klay is always looked at as the Robin to Steph Curry’s Batman. This might be partly true, but team defenses needed to always respect Klay Thompson’s presence on the floor. Klay’s presence made it easier for Steph to thrive. Klay was the 3rd leading scorer on the team during the 2015 NBA Finals (15.8 PPG). He was the team’s 2nd leading scorer on the historic 2016 Warriors team (22.1 PPG). In 2016, Klay also set a record by scoring 60 points while playing only 29 minutes and only dribbling the ball 11 times the entire game. Klay Thompson has had an exceptional decade.
8. Dwyane Wade
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 19.2 PPG
- Decade Games Played: 583
- Decade Games Started: 446
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 48%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 13,243
- Decade Accolades: 2x NBA Champion (2012, 2013) 8x NBA All Star (2010-2016, 2019), 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010), 1x All-NBA First Team (2010), 1x All-NBA Second Team (2011), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2012, 2013), 1x All-NBA Defensive Second Team (2010)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Some of Dwyane Wade’s most impressive moments of his career came during the 2000’s decade. It was during that decade when he won his first NBA Championship in 2006. His best moments of the 2010’s decade came while being the compliment to Lebron James in Miami from 2010 to 2014. It was during those four seasons where Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, and the Miami Heat were able to make 4 consecutive NBA Finals appearances where they were able to win 2 championships. Dwyane Wade deserves a lot of credit for allowing Lebron James to take the lead of a team in which he had been the face of for 7 seasons prior.
7. Kobe Bryant
- Decade Seasons Played: 7 seasons (2009-2016)
- Decade Points Per Game: 24.7 PPG
- Decade Games Played: 398
- Decade Games Started: 398
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 43%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 9,823
- Decade Accolades: 1x NBA Champion (2010), 1x NBA Finals MVP (2010), 7x NBA All-Star (2010-2016), 4x All-NBA First Team (2010-2013), 2x All-NBA Defensive First Team (2010, 2011), 1x All-NBA Defensive Second Team (2012)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Kobe Bryant is another player who’s best of times happened during the decade prior (the 2000’s). But at the beginning of the decade, Kobe was still arguably the best player in the NBA. Kobe won his 4th championship in 2009 which is one year prior to the start of the decade. But in the first season of the 2010’s decade, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were able to repeat to win the 2010 NBA Finals. The championships of 2009 and 2010 really solidified Kobe as an all-time great. It was those championships in which Kobe won his first NBA Finals MVPs since Shaquille O’Neal was the NBA Finals MVP of the 2000, 2001, and 2002 NBA Finals. Kobe was still a force to be reckoned with for the years after his 5th and final NBA Championship. When he tore his achilles in April of 2013, things really were never the same after that. He wrapped up his legendary career by retiring in 2016.
6. Russell Westbrook
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 23.9 PPG
- Decade Assists Per Game: 8.7 APG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 7.3 RPB
- Decade Games Played: 666
- Decade Games Started: 666
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 44%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 17,603
- Decade Accolades: NBA MVP (2017), 8x NBA All-Star (2011-2013, 2015-2019), 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2016), 2x All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017), 5x All-NBA Second Team (2011-2013, 2015, 2018), 1x All-NBA First Team (2019), 2x NBA Scoring Champion (2015, 2017), 2x NBA Assists Leader (2018, 2019)
Analysis by esLists.com:
The NBA really has never seen a talent quite like Russell Westbrook. The way he plays combined with his unique talent and athleticism is so rare. Westbrook played on some great Oklahoma City teams throughout the 2010’s. Being paired with Kevin Durant for most of the decade, meant the Oklahoma City Thunder were title contenders each year. Even after Kevin Durant left the team in 2017, Russell Westbrook was still able to carry his team all while becoming just the 2nd player in NBA History to average a triple double for an entire season. He is an incredible player that produced enormous stats year after year.
5. James Harden
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 24.3 PPG
- Decade Assists Per Game: 6.2 APG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 5.2 RPB
- Decade Games Played: 765
- Decade Games Started: 552
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 44%
- Decade 3 Point Percentage: 37%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 15,809
- Decade Accolades: NBA MVP (2018), 7x NBA All-Star (2013-2019), 5x All-NBA First Team (2014, 2015, 2017-2019), 1x All-NBA Third Team (2013), NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2012), 2x NBA Scoring Champion (2018, 2019), 1x NBA Assists Leader (2017), NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2010)
Analysis by esLists.com:
It’s almost hard to believe that James Harden was once on the same team as both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. On those Oklahoma City teams, James Harden was tasked with being the team’s spark off the bench and he did just that which led to him winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2012. It was when James Harden went to the Houston Rockets for the 2012-2013 season that he became a true superstar. Harden has been a next-level scoring machine since then. He is one of the best and most creative scorers that the league has ever seen. Harden is also a true innovator as well. His step-back 3 Pointer is virtually unguardable. He has also perfected the ability to get calls in his favor as well. James Harden’s stats are good enough to considered the 1st or 2nd best player of the decade but it is his lack of postseason success that has plagued his career thus far.
4. Kawhi Leonard
- Decade Seasons Played: 8 seasons (2011-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 17.7 PPG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 6.3 RPB
- Decade Free Throw Percentage: 85%
- Decade Games Played: 467
- Decade Games Started: 440
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 50%
- Decade Total Points Scored: 8,250
- Decade Accolades: 2x NBA Champion (2014, 2019), 2x NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019), 3x NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019), 2x All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017), 1x All-NBA Second Team (2019), 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016), 3x NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015-2017), 1x NBA Steals Leader (2015), 2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014, 2019), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
Analysis by esLists.com:
“The Klaw” comes in as the 4th best player of the decade. Kawhi Leonard’s statistics don’t stand out like some of the others of this list but his run during the decade is remarkable because he was able to win an NBA Finals and NBA Finals MVP for 2 different franchises (Spurs in 2014, Raptors in 2019). He also was drafted into a great situation with the San Antonio Spurs. He was able to play with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili from the beginning of his career. During the 2013 NBA Finals, Leonard averaged about 15 PPG but the Spurs would go on to lose the series. It was during the 2014 NBA Finals when Kawhi really took the next step. During that series he averaged nearly 18 PPG and was named NBA Finals MVP. Kawhi Leonard will look to win an NBA Finals with his 3rd team during the decade of the 2020’s.
3. Steph Curry
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 23.5 PPG
- Decade Assists Per Game: 6.6 APG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 4.5 RPB
- Decade Free Throw Percentage: 91%
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 48%
- Decade Three Point Percentage: 44%
- Decade Games Played: 694
- Decade Games Started: 688
- Decade Total Points Scored: 16,315
- Decade Accolades: 3x NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018), 2x NBA MVP (2015, 2016), 6x NBA All-Star (2014-2019), 3x All-NBA First Team (2015, 2016, 2019), 2x All-NBA Second Team (2014, 2017), 1x All-NBA Third Time (2018), 1x NBA Scoring Champion (2016), 1x NBA Steals Leader (2016), 1x NBA Three Point Contest Champion (2015), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2010)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Steph Curry’s first season in the NBA came at the very beginning of the decade in the 2009-2010 season. Steph is widely regarded as the best shooter the league has ever seen. He also currently has the all-time best free throw shooting percentage at around 91%. Curry’s ability to shoot multiple feet behind the 3 point line really started a new trend in the NBA; a new trend that really emphasized spacing the floor. Also his ability to move without the ball is truly remarkable as well. Steph Curry is already an all-time great. He has had regular season AND postseason success. The only major accolade that he has yet to capture is NBA Finals MVP. All in all, Steph Curry achieved massive success during the 2010’s.
2. Kevin Durant
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 28 PPG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 7.4 RPB
- Decade Assists Per Game: 4.4 APG
- Decade Free Throw Percentage: 89%
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 50%
- Decade Three Point Percentage: 38%
- Decade Games Played: 695
- Decade Games Started: 695
- Decade Total Points Scored: 19,445
- Decade Accolades: 2x NBA Champion (2017, 2018), 2x NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018), 1x NBA MVP (2014), 10x NBA All-Star (2010-2019), 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019), 6x All-NBA First Team (2010-2014, 2018), 3x All-NBA Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019), 4x NBA Scoring Champion (2010-2012, 2014)
Analysis by esLists.com:
Kevin Durant really came into his own during the 2010’s. Statistically, he was at or near the top of the league in most offensive categories. Durant spent the majority of the decade with the Oklahoma City Thunder but he was finally able to get his elusive first NBA Championship in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors. The nearly 7 foot superstar is able to do things on the basketball court that people at his height shouldn’t be able to do. Many people, myself included, still question his decision to go to the 73 win Golden State Warriors in 2017 but he made the decision that was best for him at the time and no one can be mad at this. KD is an all-time NBA great, and he is the #2 player of the decade.
1. Lebron James
- Decade Seasons Played: 10 seasons (2009-2019)
- Decade Points Per Game: 26.9 PPG
- Decade Rebounds Per Game: 7.7 RPB
- Decade Assists Per Game: 7.6 APG
- Decade Field Goal Percentage: 53%
- Decade Games Played: 726
- Decade Games Started: 726
- Decade Total Points Scored: 19,550
- Decade Accolades: 3x NBA Champion (2012, 2013, 2016), 3x NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016), 3x NBA MVP (2010, 2012, 2013), 10x NBA All-Star (2010-2019), 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2018), 9x All-NBA First Team (2010-2018), 1x All-NBA Third Team (2019), 5x NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009-2013), 1x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
Analysis by esLists.com:
The undisputed best player of the decade is Lebron James. He went to the NBA Finals 8 straight times during the decade (2011-2018). Lebron was able to take teams that had no business in the playoffs all the way to the NBA Finals. Had it not been for Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, it is likely that Lebron James would have 5 or 6 rings rather than just 3. He has been a great ambassador for the league who is not afraid to speak up on social injustices and issues. Lebron James will turn 35 just as we head into the next decade. There is no reason to believe that Lebron won’t be continuing his dominance for many years to come.
Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you feel about this list via the comments, social media, subscribing, and by voting in my poll below.
