The NBA landscape has changed dramatically since January 1, 2010. Seven teams have won the 10 titles since the turn of the decade with three teams winning their first title and Golden State ending a 40-year title drought. Legends have left the game, and the game is in a tremendous spot with stars across the league.
Here is a look at the All-Decade teams. The list is completely objective.
Criteria:
All-Star Appearances and All-Defensive 2nd Teams: 1 point
All-Defensive 1st Team: 2 points
All-NBA 3rd Team, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player: 3 points
All-NBA 2nd Team, Finals MVP: 5 points
All-NBA 1st Team: 7 points
MVP: 10 points
111 players were eligible for consideration, but only the top 15 players will be mentioned.
All-Decade First Team:
LeBron James: Cavaliers (’10, ’15-’18), Heat (’11-’14), Lakers (’19-present)
Points: 130
Stats: 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists
Accolades: 10 All-Star games, 10 All-NBA Selections (nine 1st, one 3rd), three MVPs, three Finals MVPs, 5 All-Defensive Teams (four 1st, one 2nd)
James is the runaway leader in terms of points earned. He is the only player to win 3 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, and appear on all 10 All-NBA rosters. Despite suiting up for three different teams, James was as consistent as they came.
Kevin Durant: Thunder (’10-’16), Warriors (’17-19′), Nets (present)
Points: 87
Stats: 28.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists
Accolades: 10 All-Star games, nine All-NBA selections (six 1st, three 2nd), MVP, two Finals MVPs
While Durant finished miles back from James, the 2014 MVP was the only real contender for second place. He only won one MVP award in the decade, but he joined James as the only player to make all 10 All-Star rosters while making nine All-NBA teams.
Russell Westbrook: Thunder (’10-’19), Rockets (present)
Points: 60
Stats: 23.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists
Accolades: Eight All-Star games, eight All-NBA teams (two 1st, five 2nd, one 3rd), MVP
It was very weird to type out “Rockets” next to Westbrook’s name, but the former Thunder star posted an unforgettable decade. While his listed stats do not reflect his chase for triple-doubles, Westbrook was a tremendous player for the entire decade.
Stephen Curry: Warriors (’10-present)
Points: 60
Stats: 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists
Accolades: Six All-Star games, six All-NBA teams (three 1st, two 2nd, one 3rd), two MVPs
Curry books his place in the first team with a dominant six-year stretch to end the decade. Despite missing out on Rookie of the Year in 2010, Curry became an All-Star by Year 5 and did not look back. Curry will likely add more accolades in the coming years and could make the All-Decade Team for the 2020s.
James Harden: Thunder (’10-’12), Rockets (’13-present)
Points: 58
Stats: 24.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists
Accolades: Seven All-Star games, six All-NBA teams (five 1st, one 3rd), MVP, Sixth Man of the Year
Harden gets the benefit of being named Sixth Man of the Year, but he had already solidified a spot in the top five without it. Harden’s five appearances in the All-NBA 1st team ended up as the third most of the decade. Harden could contend for a spot on the 2020 All-Decade Teams.
All-Decade 2nd Team:
Chris Paul: Hornets/Pelicans (’10-’11), Clippers (’12-’17), Rockets (’18-’19), Thunder (present)
Points: 54
Stats: 18.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.6 assists
Accolades: Seven All-Star games, six All-NBA teams (three 1st, two 2nd, one 3rd), seven All-Defensive Teams (six 1st)
Paul picks up 13 points from his consistent defensive excellence, the most of any player. While the decade started during Paul’s peak years in New Orleans, Paul was able to play at a high level in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and in Houston. Now 34, Paul has his best years behind him.
Dwight Howard: Magic (’10-’12), Lakers (’13), Rockets (’14-’16), Hawks (’17), Hornets (’18), Wizards (’19)
Points: 46
Stats: 17.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks
Accolades: Five All-Star games, five All-NBA teams (tree 1st, one 2nd, one 3rd), two Defensive Player of the Years, three All-Defensive teams (all 1st)
The most traveled of the 15 selections, Howard has taken quite the dive since his years in Orlando. Howard will turn 34 during the season and will likely not star for another NBA team. His peak was as high as any of the players around him, but his fall was catastrophic.
Kawhi Leonard: Spurs (’12-’18), Raptors (’19), Clippers (present)
Points: 46
Stats: 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Accolades: Three All-Star games, three All-NBA teams (two 1st, one 2nd), two Defensive Player of the Years, two Finals MVPs, five All-Defensive teams (three 1st)
Leonard is on his third team in three seasons, but he has established himself as a generational talent on both ends of the floor. Leonard has brought a title to two cities, winning Finals MVP both times. Leonard’s stats do not match with other stars, but he should score around 25 points per game for the 2020s. Notably, Leonard is the highest-ranking player who did not play the full 10 seasons.
Kobe Bryant: Lakers (’10-’16)
Points: 45
Stats: 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Accolades: Seven All-Star games, four All-NBA teams (all 1st), Finals MVP, three All-Defensive teams (two 1st)
Bryant is the only member of the teams who did not play in the 2019 campaign. The Black Mamba was only one of four Finals MVPs to make the group. Despite only playing in seven of the 10 seasons, Bryant is safely entrenched in the second team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Bucks (’14-present)
Points: 36
Stats: 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Accolades: Three All-Star games, three All-NBA teams (one 1st, two 2nd), MVP, Most Improved Player, two All-Defensive teams (one 1st)
Antetokounmpo has yet to turn 25, but he is firmly locked in as a top-10 player of the 2010s. The reigning MVP only played in six of the 10 seasons (the fewest among the top 15), but his 2019 campaign launched him into the upper echelon of 2010 players. Antetokounmpo is the last MVP to make the team. Sorry, Derrick!
All-Decade Third Team:
Paul George: Pacers (’11-’17), Thunder (’18-’19), Clippers (present)
Points: 34
Stats: 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Accolades: Six All-Star games, five All-NBA teams (one 1st, four 3rd), Most Improved Player, four All-Defensive teams (two 1st)
George likely makes the second team if he plays a full 2015 campaign, but sadly he missed 76 of 82 games. 2019 was George’s best season as he cracked the All-NBA first team for the first time. George should be present on the 2020s All-Decade team.
Anthony Davis: Hornets/Pelicans (’13-’19), Lakers (present)
Points: 31
Stats: 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks
Accolades: Six All-Star games, three All-NBA teams (all 1st), three All-Defensive teams (one 1st)
Davis will have a new home in the 2020 season, but his time in New Orleans was admirable. The Lakers will more than likely get the peak years of Davis, and he will likely make the 2020s decade team. Moving forward, Davis has a streak of six consecutive All-Star games, which he will look to continue.
Blake Griffin: Clippers (’11-’18), Pistons (’18-present)
Points: 30
Stats: 21.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Accolades: Six All-Star games, five All-NBA teams (three 2nd, two 3rd), Rookie of the Year
Griffin was tremendous in 2019. Making his first All-Star game since 2015, Griffin punched his ticket into the All-Decade team with a dominant first full season for the Pistons. Griffin has developed into a solid three-point shooter, so he should continue to be a high-level player.
Damian Lillard: Trail Blazers (’13-present)
Points: 27
Stats: 23.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists
Accolades: Four All-Star games, four All-NBA (one 1st, two 2nd, one 3rd), Rookie of the Year
Lillard is currently in his absolute prime. He has averaged a minimum of 19 points per game in each season, and he has raised it to a staggering 26.2 points per game since 2015. While he is unfortunate to only have four All-Star appearances, Lillard should be in line for plenty of accolades over the next few seasons.
Dwyane Wade: Heat (’10-‘16, ’18-’19), Bulls (’17), Cavaliers (’18)
Points: 27
Stats: 20.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Accolades: Eight All-Star games, four All-NBA teams (one 1st, one 2nd, two 3rd), 2nd team All-Defense
Wade retired at the end of the 2019 season, and he ends his career as a member of the 2010 All-Decade team. Wade went to four NBA Finals and added a pair of rings to his legacy. He was out of place in Chicago and Cleveland, but he ended his career with a bang in Miami.
