The 25 greatest NBA players of the 21st century

Since the end of the 20th century, the NBA has seen a new wave of stars who have become cultural icons across the globe for their innovative playing styles and impact on the sporting landscape.

As the all-time NBA top scorer with over 41,000 points, LeBron James has dominated the NBA for over 20 years, winning four championships, MVPs, and Finals MVPs. Who knows when he will call it a day?

Steph Curry revolutionized the NBA with his freakish shooting ability. The four-time NBA champion is the all-time leading scorer in threes made and has forever changed the way kids play basketball.

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Kobe Bryant is the 21st-century Michael Jordan. With his offensive bag, he made his opponents fear him on the court and even scored 81 points in a game. He is a five-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP.

Shaquille O'Neal is the most dominant player ever. At the start of the century, he won everything. He secured four NBA titles (three in a row), three Finals MVPs, and one MVP. Even a triple-team couldn't stop him.

The 'Big Fundamental' affected winning in every way for the San Antonio Spurs and helped deliver five championships to the city. He was a three-time Finals MVP and two-time MVP. In his career, he averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers ever, with four scoring titles. At 6 ft 11, Durant has the handles and finishing touch of a guard. His pull-up jumper is unguardable, helping him win two NBA titles and two Finals MVPs.

Dirk Nowitzki is arguably the greatest non-American basketball player. He played his whole career with the Dallas Mavericks and scored 31,560 points. Nowitzki beat LeBron in the 2011 NBA Finals and secured the Finals MVP award.

The 'Greek Freak' is still one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA due to his sheer size, strength, and athleticism. He has won two MVP awards, one Finals MVP, and secured the 2021 NBA Championship. Will he win more in Milwaukee?

The 'Big Ticket' Kevin Garnett is one of the most ferocious players in NBA history. He was a lockdown defender and could score a bucket against anybody. 'KG' was the 2004 MVP, 2008 DPOY, and 2008 champion.

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In recent years, Nikola Jokic has been the best player in the NBA by a long shot. He has won three MVPs in the past four seasons and won the 2023 NBA Finals, securing himself the Finals MVP. He is averaging over 30 points this season for Denver.

'Flash' burst onto the scene in 2006 after guiding the Miami Heat to the NBA title and didn't look back. The '06 Finals MVP joined with LeBron James in South Beach to win another two NBA titles and form one of the most formidable duos in NBA history.

In his prime for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double in four seasons. He is the all-time leader in triple-doubles and secured the MVP award in 2017. Westbrook is a two-time scoring champion.

James Harden is one of the most lethal shooters in NBA history. He averaged 36.1 points per game in the 2018-19 season. He is a three-time scoring champion and won the MVP in 2018.

'Point God' Chris Paul has been an ever-present star in the NBA since 2005. He has led the league in assists five times, steals six times, and is a 12-time All-Star.

Despite injuries in recent years, Kawhi Leonard is one of the best two-way players the NBA has ever seen. He led the Spurs to a title in 2014 and the Toronto Raptors to one in 2019, securing Finals MVP in both. He is also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

'The Answer' had the deadliest crossover the game has ever seen, and he played much bigger than his 6-foot frame. He was the 2001 MVP, an 11-time All-Star, and a four-time scoring champion.

Steve Nash played 18 seasons in the NBA and is one of the century's most influential point guards. He is an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP. He led the league in assists in five seasons.

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Jason Kidd was one of the greatest passers of the ball and led the league in assists in five seasons. His creativity at the point guard position helped the New Jersey Nets to two NBA Finals before winning a title in 2011 with Dallas. He averaged 8.7 assists for his career.

Ray Allen was one of the most clutch shooters in the NBA Playoffs. Thanks to his deadly three-point shooting, he helped Boston and Miami to championships. He is a ten-time NBA All-Star and averaged 18.9 points in his career.

Milwaukee Bucks star Dame Lillard is also one of the most electrifying shooters in the NBA's history. His nickname 'Dame Time' comes from his ability to hit clutch shots in the biggest games. He is an eight-time All-Star and won the 2024 NBA Cup.

Kyrie Irving may have the greatest ball handle the NBA has ever seen. Irving has created his legacy by hitting unworldly shots out of nothing and helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA Championship from 3-1 down.

Lakers big man Anthony Davis is the only player to win the NCAA tournament, Olympic gold, the NBA Cup, and an NBA Championship. His accomplishments are due to his ridiculous offensive and defensive ability, which makes him an unstoppable force on his day.

A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time blocking leader, five-time rebounding leader, and eight-time All-Star, Dwight Howard was a different beast in his prime for the Orlando Magic. He won an NBA Championship in 2020 with the Lakers for all his efforts.

'The Truth' Paul Pierce is a Boston Celtics legend who delivered them a championship in 2008 and secured the Finals MVP. Pierce was a ten-time All-Star and scored 26,397 points in his career.

76ers big man Joel Embiid has established himself as one of the premier players in the NBA today. He was the 2023 MVP and led the league in scoring in 2022 and 2023. The 7ft giant is a seven-time All-Star.

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