Basketball

The Best NBA Players Of The Decade  

Aaron Hager
1.6k votes 112 voters 65 items

List Rules Vote based only on players' success from 2010-2019.

The best NBA players of the 2010s feature an array of legends continuing to write their legacies along with new stars breaking out on the scene. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan were already greats starting the decade, but they continued adding to their stories. New stars like Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo started taking over the game as the sport evolved.

The decade showcased the top basketball players of the 2010s, almost all making All-Star Game appearances, receiving All-NBA votes, and contending in the postseason. Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers had the biggest impact going to the most NBA Finals, and all featured superstars who would be major factors on any list like this.

But which player deserves to be voted the best of them all? All the best NBA players of the decade a rebe featured here, along with their accomplishments from just the 2010s. Vote up the best players of the 2010s to help decide the true top superstar!

list ordered by
1
LeBron James is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 3× NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016)
  • 3× NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016)
  • 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (2010, 2012, 2013)
  • 10× NBA All-Star (2010–2019)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2018)
  • 9× All-NBA First Team (2010–2018)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2019)
  • 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2010–2013)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
2
Kobe Bryant is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA champion (2010)
  • NBA Finals MVP (2010)
  • 7× NBA All-Star (2010–2016)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2011)
  • 4× All-NBA First Team (2010–2013)
  • 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2010, 2011)
3
Stephen Curry is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 3× NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018)
  • 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2015, 2016)
  • 6× NBA All-Star (2014–2019)
  • 3× All-NBA First Team (2015, 2016, 2019)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2014, 2017)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2018)
  • NBA scoring champion (2016)
  • NBA steals leader (2016)
  • 50–40–90 club (2016)
  • NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2015)
  • NBA Sportsmanship Award (2011)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2010)
4
Tim Duncan is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA champion (2014)
  • 4× NBA All-Star (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015)
  • All-NBA First Team (2013)
  • 2× All-NBA Third Team (2010, 2015)
  • 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2010, 2013, 2015)
  • NBA Teammate of the Year (2015)
5
Kevin Durant is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA champion (2017, 2018)
  • 2× NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018)
  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2014)
  • 10× NBA All-Star (2010–2019)
  • 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019)
  • 6× All-NBA First Team (2010–2014, 2018)
  • 3× All-NBA Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019)
  • 4× NBA scoring champion (2010–2012, 2014)
  • 50–40–90 club (2013)
6
Dwyane Wade is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA champion (2012, 2013)
  • 8× NBA All-Star (2010–2016, 2019)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010)
  • All-NBA First Team (2010)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2011)
  • 2× All-NBA Third Team (2012, 2013)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2010)
7
Dirk Nowitzki is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA Champion (2011)
  • NBA Finals MVP (2011)
  • 6× NBA All-Star (2010–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2010, 2011)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2012)
  • NBA Teammate of the Year (2017)
8
Kawhi Leonard is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA champion (2014, 2019)
  • 2× NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019)
  • 3× NBA All-Star (2016, 2017, 2019)
  • 2× All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2019)
  • 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
  • 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015–2017)
  • 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014, 2019)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
9
Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2019)
  • 3× NBA All-Star (2017–2019)
  • All-NBA First Team (2019)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2017, 2018)
  • NBA All-Defensive First Team (2019)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2017)
  • NBA Most Improved Player (2017)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2014)
10
Anthony Davis is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 6× NBA All-Star (2014–2019)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2017)
  • 3× All-NBA First Team (2015, 2017, 2018)
  • NBA All-Defensive First Team (2018)
  • 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2015, 2017)
  • 3× NBA blocks leader (2014, 2015, 2018)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
11
James Harden is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2018)
  • 7× NBA All-Star (2013–2019)
  • 5× All-NBA First Team (2014, 2015, 2017–2019)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2013)
  • NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2012)
  • 2× NBA scoring champion (2018, 2019)
  • NBA assists leader (2017)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2010)
12
Damian Lillard is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 4× NBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)
  • All-NBA First Team (2018)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2016, 2019)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2014)
  • NBA Rookie of the Year (2013)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
13
Klay Thompson is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 3× NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018)
  • 5× NBA All-Star (2015–2019)
  • 2× All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2016)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2019)
  • NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2016)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
14
Russell Westbrook is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2017)
  • 8× NBA All-Star (2011–2013, 2015–2019)
  • 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2016)
  • 2× All-NBA First Team (2016, 2017)
  • 5× All-NBA Second Team (2011–2013, 2015, 2018)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2019)
  • 2× NBA scoring champion (2015, 2017)
  • 2× NBA assists leader (2018, 2019)
15
Carmelo Anthony is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 8× NBA All-Star (2010–2017)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2013)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2012)
  • NBA scoring champion (2013)
16
Kyrie Irving is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA champion (2016)
  • 6× NBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2014)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2019)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2015)
  • NBA Rookie of the Year (2012)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2012)
  • NBA Three-Point Shootout champion (2013)
17
Steve Nash is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA All-Star (2010, 2012)
  • All-NBA Second Team (2010)
  • 2× NBA assists leader (2010, 2011)
  • 4× 50–40–90 club (2010)
18
Paul Pierce is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 3× NBA All-Star (2010–2012)
  • NBA Three-Point Shootout champion (2010)
19
Paul George is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 6× NBA All-Star (2013, 2014, 2016–2019)
  • All-NBA First Team (2019)
  • 4× All-NBA Third Team (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)
  • 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2014, 2019)
  • 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013, 2016)
  • NBA steals leader (2019)
  • NBA Most Improved Player (2013)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2011)
20
Chris Paul is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 7× NBA All-Star (2010–2016)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
  • 3× All-NBA First Team (2012–2014)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2015, 2016)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2011)
  • 6× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2012–2017)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011)
  • 2× NBA assists leader (2014, 2015)
  • 4× NBA steals leader (2011–2014)

 
21
Andre Drummond is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA All-Star (2016, 2018)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2016)
  • 3× NBA rebounding leader (2016, 2018, 2019)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2013)
22
Kevin Garnett is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 3× NBA All-Star (2010, 2011, 2013)
23
Chris Bosh is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 2× NBA champion (2012, 2013)
  • 7× NBA All-Star (2010–2016)
24
Derrick Rose is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2011)
  • 3× NBA All-Star (2010–2012)
  • All-NBA First Team (2011)
25
Jimmy Butler is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best NBA Players Of The Decade

Accomplishments in the decade:

  • 4× NBA All-Star (2015–2018)
  • 2× All-NBA Third Team (2017, 2018)
  • 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014–2016, 2018)
  • NBA Most Improved Player (2015)