Garnett has the championship, the DPOY, and the longevity. He was very good for nearly the entire decade. I can see that. I guess the argument for Nowitzki would be longevity as well, and I do consider him a top 10 player in this decade. But I would not rank him ahead of James.
All-NBA Third Team of the 00' decade Tony Parker Tracy McGrady Paul Pierce Rasheed Wallace Ben wallace All-NBA Fourth Team (if there were one) Chauncey Billups Ray Allen Carmelo Anthony Antawn Jemison Chris Bosh PS. I wonder how high T-mac would be if he would have at least gotten out of the first round..... -rocketblaze
Yeah, my list would be similar except I'd have Kidd on my 1st team (have we forgotten how good he was in the first half of the decade compared to any other PG?). Then, I'd swap Sheed out for Pau Gasol. I think Gasol might be one of the most overlooked players in the history of the league.
Steve Nash and Allen Iverson? I guess they are just putting all the MVPs there. Can I put up a case for Jason Kidd? 2000-01 NBA All-Defensive (1st) 2000-01 NBA All-NBA (1st) 2001-02 NBA All-Defensive (1st) 2001-02 NBA All-NBA (1st) 2002-03 NBA All-Defensive (2nd) 2002-03 NBA All-NBA (2nd) 2003-04 NBA All-Defensive (2nd) 2003-04 NBA All-NBA (1st) 2004-05 NBA All-Defensive (2nd) 2005-06 NBA All-Defensive (1st) 2006-07 NBA All-Defensive (2nd)
Yeah odd how its like that. To those confused, we didnt start counting calendar years at the year 0. We started with 1, and 1 thru 10 makes a full ten years set. VISUALLY (the eighties as an example) eighties are '80-'89 cuz we see the "8's" for the VISUAL distinction. The number change to "9" means its 90's time. But you dont technically start at zero. Anyways The Shaq considerations are interesting. I dont think it has much to do with his decline, cuz to me its the same as us having Hakeem as the top center of the 90's who had a similar decline. Even though Kobe's '09 title validated himself and he's maintained his elite level play longer, he wasnt the best on his own team with Shaq there. And Kobe wasnt always the best in the league, though Kobe got robbed of an MVP before they finally gave it to him. Those who put Duncan first could put Shaq 2nd ahead of Kobe. Kobe got what he wanted forcing Shaq out of town - the full limelight.
I hate to say it , but you've got to give it to him, he's a "once in a life time" kind of talent. The only BB cards I have left from when I was a kid are Kobe rookie cards, last time I checked one was going for like 600 on Ebay, so I'm all for him winning a couple more tittles as long as it's not at the Rockets expense.
Shaq or Duncan for sure, but it would be McGrady hands down if he had better teammates and a better trainer.
Sigh.... Michael Jeffery Jordan and Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal say hi. I'd even take Tim Duncan over Kobe.
How is Kobe above Duncan and Shaq. They all have 4 titles, but Duncan was the main man for 3 this decade, and Shaq as well. Kobe doesn't have any more MVPs or Final MVPs than either player.
I think either Shaq or Duncan are the player of the decade...they were the leaders for their championship teams......Kobe has only been the leader for one of his championships, this past year!!!! -rocketblaze
It's a toss up between Duncan and Shaq for me as well. But if they play one on one, Shaq will own Duncan.
Basketball is a 5-man game. Back on topic, I agree that Duncan should be the man. Kobe and Shaq is kind of a tie. Shaq has a better peak. Kobe has a more consistent career. To me, a player of the DECADE should be playing at All-NBA level THROUGHOUT the whole decade. Of that, only Duncan, Kobe, and Garnett qualify, imo.
