Ranking top 25 NBA players of the 21st century, from LeBron to Russ: Kobe misses top five, Jokić over Shaq

The muse for 2000s NBA basketball was laid within the late 90s, when the Lakers traded for Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan. As Michael Jordan and the Bulls took their final dance, these two groups, on the backs of these three gamers, received 5 of the primary six titles of this century, and collectively these three gamers have received a mixed 14 titles. 

Add in 4 every for LeBron James and Stephen Curry, and that is 22 championships over the past 25 years unfold amongst simply 5 gamers.

Positive, there’s overlap in that quantity, however it illustrates simply how dominant these guys have been — and in some instances nonetheless are — as we have a look again on the NBA’s prime 25 gamers 25 years into the twenty first century. Take note, this rating solely accounts for basketball performed after Jan. 1, 2000. Nothing Shaq did in Orlando, or in his first few years with L.A., counts. Technically, neither does Duncan’s first title in 1999, although in spirit that one nonetheless resonates because the true starting of the Spurs dynasty.

This rating, arrived at by the use of our CBS Sports activities NBA employees voting, is certain to be debated. I can already hear the cries of the Kobe contingent for what does, in all equity, really feel like too low a rating to precisely seize his greatness, though I agree with all of the gamers ranked above him. Such is life in what has been by far probably the most collectively gifted period in NBA historical past. To crack the highest half of this listing, you needed to be an all-time nice, and even the fellows on the decrease half are headed straight for the Corridor of Fame, if they don’t seem to be already there.

So, let the arguing start. Simply attempt to preserve it civil.

1. LeBron James

• Years in NBA: 2003-present
• Groups: Cavaliers (twice), Warmth, Lakers

LeBron was topped “The Chosen One” on the duvet of Sports activities Illustrated earlier than he performed a single NBA sport. It was an unattainable degree of hype to reside as much as, and but, by some means, James has really exceeded the expectations in turning into arguably the best participant to ever reside. The man has performed 22 seasons and was a top-10 MVP finisher within the first AND the final. In between, he is received 4 MVPs (in a five-year span) and 4 championships — and oh, by the way in which, he has lengthy handed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because the NBA’s all-time main scorer. By way of peak efficiency, just a few gamers in historical past are even arguably in LeBron’s class. By way of longevity and consistency, no one has, or seemingly ever will, come shut. — Brad Botkin

2. Stephen Curry

• Years in NBA: 2009-present
• Crew: Warriors

There is a case that Curry’s peak was greater than LeBron’s: 4 championships, three of which came to visit LeBron and two of which got here with out the assistance of a real second famous person. Six Finals appearances. Eleven All-NBA alternatives in a 12-year span. Greatest participant on an NBA-record 73-win staff. All-time 3-point chief. Two-time MVP, together with the one unanimous choice in historical past in 2015-16, when he put collectively arguably the best single season ever at 30 PPG whereas capturing a positively preposterous 45% from 3 on over 11 makes an attempt per sport. If anybody even tries to say a participant apart from LeBron has been higher than Curry this century, report them to the right authorities. — Brad Botkin

3. Tim Duncan

• Years in NBA: 1997-2016
• Crew: Spurs

Duncan is much less appreciated, or a minimum of much less celebrated, than his glitziest contemporaries (i.e. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant), however he was higher than each of them. The higher comparisons are Tom Brady And Stephen Curry in that detractors of each these greats tried, for so long as doable, to categorize them as merchandise of their respective programs, however in the long run everybody got here to appreciate that they have been the system. Similar with Duncan and the Spurs. You assume LeBron took the league by storm? Duncan received MVP honors in 2001 and 2002 and completed prime 10 within the voting in every of the primary eight years of the century. Whereas he did not get pleasure from fairly the longevity of LeBron, he was an elite participant for practically 20 years — profitable his fifth and last championship in his sixteenth season and ending top-10 in MVP voting at 39 years outdated. — Brad Botkin

4. Nikola Jokić

• Years in NBA: 2015-present
• Crew: Nuggets

This one is certain to spark some controversy, however I stand in full assist of the cumulative findings of this ballot — Nikola Jokić is a greater basketball participant now than Shaquille O’Neal ever was. That is not a knock on Shaq, an apparent all-time nice and the following man on this listing. Jokić is simply one other degree by way of every thing he brings and general influence. 5 straight years Jokic has completed both first or second in MVP voting; he received three of them and has been one of the best participant on the earth, unequivocally, for the final half decade. The championship he received with the Nuggets, sans a single All-Star teammate, is a better accomplishment than any championship Shaq ever received alongside Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade. By the point Jokić’s profession is over, he can be largely thought to be the best huge man to ever play. — Brad Botkin

5. Shaquille O’Neal

• Years in NBA: 1992-2011
• Groups: Magic, Lakers, Warmth, Suns, Cavaliers, Celtics

Superman. Diesel. The Huge Aristotle. Name him what you need, however Shaq was probably the most dominant basketball gamers to ever take the ground. His grace and agility have been unprecedented for a person of his large 7-foot-1, 300-plus pound body, and the fearsome mixture led to 4 NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP, two scoring titles, three All-Defensive alternatives and 14 All-NBA appearances. This all got here from a participant who many consider did not essentially dedicate himself 100% towards basketball. He’d be greater on this listing if it encompassed his early profession with the Orlando Magic, however his most spectacular accomplishments got here after the flip of the century as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Warmth. He’s fifth all-time in profession participant effectivity score, based on Basketball Reference, trailing Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Nikola Jokić. — Colin Ward-Henninger

6. Kobe Bryant

• Years in NBA: 1996-2016
• Crew: Lakers

A large and vocal contingent of NBA followers think about Kobe Bryant to be one of the best basketball participant who ever lived. Analytics do not precisely assist that case, making him the premier check case within the ongoing battle of numbers versus the attention check. Taking part in all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers, Bryant was a five-time champ, two-time Finals MVP, one-time league MVP, 12-time All-Defensive choice and 15-time All-NBA selection. It speaks to his lasting influence that these unimaginable accomplishments pale compared to his legacy of “Mamba Mentality,” which has solely grown stronger following his tragic demise in 2020. Folks shout “Kobe!” as they hurl balled up wads of paper towards rubbish cans. In his 2015 poem, “Pricey Basketball,” which later served because the screenplay for an Oscar-winning quick movie, Bryant completely encapsulated what the sport meant to him and, correspondingly, what he meant to so many followers: “You requested for my hustle/ I gave you my coronary heart/ As a result of it got here with a lot extra.” — Colin Ward-Henninger

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Years within the NBA: 2013-present
• Crew: Bucks

Antetokounmpo is likely one of the best growth tales in league historical past. Rising from obscurity in Greece, he is received all there may be to win: Most Improved Participant, Defensive Participant of the Yr, MVP (twice), Finals MVP and a championship. Alongside the way in which he is made 9 All-Star appearances, 9 All-NBA appearances and 5 All-Defensive appearances, all with the Milwaukee Bucks. One-team superstars are uncommon lately, and Antetokounmpo could ultimately take his title off that listing. However no matter occurs down the road, what he is finished in Milwaukee won’t ever be forgotten. He arrived as a thin teenager with huge desires and achieved all of them as he grew into probably the most imposing two-way forces the sport has ever seen. — Jack Maloney

8. Kevin Durant

• Years in NBA: 2007-present
• Groups: Thunder, Warriors, Nets, Suns, Rockets

All through Durant’s 17-year profession he is constantly been on a really quick listing of the sport’s finest gamers. It did not take lengthy for him to ascertain himself as one of many best scorers the league has ever seen, due to the very fact he is capable of pull up from nearly anyplace on the ground whereas standing at 6-foot-11. He ushered in a wave of recent forwards, and now yearly we’re seeing guys enter the league with a KD-like construct doing issues we would by no means count on them to do. — Jasmyn Wimbish 

9. Kevin Garnett

• Years in NBA: 1995–2016
• Groups: Timberwolves (twice), Celtics, Nets

Earlier than “positionless basketball” and “unicorn” entered the basketball lexicon, Garnett was a famous person huge man who moved like a wing and had guard abilities. All of the tales about his depth and trash speak are true, as is all of the lore about him setting the tone for the Boston Celtics’ 2008 title run. He was not, nevertheless, simply certainly one of basketball’s all-time nice screaming maniacs. He was certainly one of basketball’s all-time greats, and he occurred to be a screaming maniac. The defense-first model of Garnett was precisely what Boston wanted, however the man that carried the Wolves to a number of 50-win seasons — and received MVP on a 58-win staff that made the convention finals the one time Minnesota put collectively an honest supporting solid — may do every thing, on each ends. — James Herbert

10. Dirk Nowitzki

• Years in NBA: 1999-2019
• Crew: Mavericks

If Nowitzki’s peak was in at the moment’s NBA, he’d be top-of-the-line lively gamers. He entered a league the place it was frowned upon for 7-footers to be taking part in away from the basket, and but he proved that not solely is it doable, however confirmed that that is how basketball may be performed. Nowitzki was revolutionary throughout the 2000s, a 7-footer with elite effectivity from in all places on the ground and an iconic shot that’s arguably probably the most unguardable in league historical past. A shot that many have tried to duplicate, however no one does a one-legged fadeaway like Dirk. — Jasmyn Wimbish

11. Dwyane Wade

• Years in NBA: 2003-2019
• Groups: Warmth (twice), Bulls, Cavaliers

Prime Dwyane Wade was the closest factor to Kobe Bryant. Wade was in all probability the higher athlete, The abilities — significantly the footwork and array of shotmaking — have been extremely comparable. He was unstoppable the yr he received the scoring title (2009) on a staff with out one different participant the protection was involved about. Stan Van Gundy by no means trusted younger gamers, however he put the ball in Wade’s fingers as a rookie for a game-winning shot within the playoffs and he delivered. And he by no means stopped over a 16-year profession that noticed him win three championships (one because the No. 1 man in simply his third season) and end within the prime 10 of MVP voting seven instances. — Brad Botkin

12. Chris Paul

• Years in NBA: 2005-present
• Groups: Hornets, Clippers (twice), Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, Spurs

Pay no thoughts to the no-ring absolutists on the market. Paul, who’s second solely to John Stockton in profession assists, is likely one of the 5 best level guards to ever play. He is made 12 All-Star groups, 11 All-NBA groups and eight All-Protection groups. Six instances he led the league in steals. Ten instances he completed top-10 in MVP voting, together with 4 within the prime 5. Most significantly: Paul has performed for seven groups in his profession, and people seven groups have improved by a mixed 64 wins within the first yr he arrived. That tells you every thing it’s worthwhile to know. — Brad Botkin

13. Kawhi Leonard

• Years in NBA: 2011–current
• Groups: Spurs, Raptors, Clippers

Leonard arrived within the NBA as an elite defensive prospect, a 6-foot-7 ahead with a 7-3 wingspan, huge fingers and the pace and energy to remain in entrance of anyone. As an alternative of merely turning out to be top-of-the-line one-on-one defenders who has ever lived, although, he additionally grew to become top-of-the-line one-on-one scorers who has ever lived. On multiple event, he had a authentic declare to the title of Greatest Participant on the Planet. Guys who shoot 25% from 3-point vary in school aren’t imagined to develop into unguardable soar shooters within the professionals, however Leonard is an anomaly in some ways. One among them, sadly, is that, whereas he has achieved greater than anybody may have imagined — he is been an All-NBA lock when wholesome since 2016 and he received two Finals MVPs 5 years aside — his listing of accolades has been severely shortened by accidents. Curse Zaza Pachulia’s foot. — James Herbert

14. Steve Nash

• Years in NBA: 1996-2014
• Groups: Suns, Mavericks, Lakers

Usually talking, Nash’s profession is underrated. His capturing numbers have been traditionally elite, as he is the one participant in league historical past to have greater than two 50-40-90 seasons (he has 4). His help numbers have been additionally historic, as there’s solely two different gamers to common 11+ assists in a single season 5 or extra instances, the opposite two are John Stockton and Magic Johnson. There have not been many gamers within the final 25 years who’ve been extra impactful to their staff’s success than Nash, and his two MVP trophies are a testomony to that. — Jasmyn Wimbish

15. James Harden

• Years in NBA: 2009–current
• Groups: Thunder, Rockets, Nets, 76ers, Clippers

Daryl Morey was proper: Peak Harden is arguably one of the best offensive participant ever. His potential to be the engine of an offense grew to become apparent as quickly as he obtained to Houston in 2012, however, when Mike D’Antoni confirmed up in 2016, the Rockets started one thing of an experiment: If surrounded by stationary shooters (and screen-setters, a minimum of at first), how a lot may one staff ask of 1 sensible playmaker earlier than the effectivity suffers? The reply, it turned out, was a hell of so much: For 4 straight seasons, Harden had a utilization price above 33% (topping out at 39.6% in 2018-19) and a real capturing proportion between 61.3% and 62.6%. Harden has some has some duds on his playoff résumé and his ball-dominant model is not for everyone, however even his largest detractors should acknowledge that, when he mastered the stepback 3, he broke typical NBA protection — opposing coaches determined to effectively guard him from behind to forestall the stepback and, later, merely trap him in the backcourt to get the ball out of his fingers. — James Herbert

16. Luka Dončić

• Years in NBA: 2018-present
• Groups: Mavericks, Lakers

Dončić rating this excessive with solely seven seasons beneath his belt ought to let you know every thing it’s worthwhile to learn about the place his profession is headed. It is a man who has extra All-NBA First Crew alternatives than Stephen Curry, has completed within the prime 5 of MVP voting in three of the final 5 seasons, and is an absolute wizard on the basketball ground. You would be onerous pressed to seek out many different gamers who can management a sport in addition to Dončić can offensively, and those who can are ranked extremely excessive on this listing. His IQ, clutch shot making, and skill to fully rip the soul out of an opponent along with his scoring make him somebody no staff needs to face. The very fact he is solely 26 and doubtless hasn’t reached his peak ought to be terrifying for everybody else. — Jasmyn Wimbish

17. Jason Kidd

• Years in NBA: 1995-2013
• Groups: Mavericks (twice), Suns, Nets, Knicks

Lookup “level guard” within the basketball dictionary and you will find a photograph of Kidd — in all probability seeking to the fitting because the phrases fly swiftly and precisely to the left. The Bay Space product ranks third all-time in profession assists, and you would be extra comfy with the ball in his fingers than arguably any participant in basketball historical past. His influence on this century largely got here in two phases — first because the engine of a New Jersey Nets staff that made consecutive Finals appearances within the early 2000s, after which because the elder statesman on the 2011 champion Dallas Mavericks. A testomony to his work ethic, Kidd went from a digital non-shooter early in his profession to the highest 10 in profession 3-pointers made on the time of his retirement. No matter your staff wanted, on both finish, Kidd gave it to you with most effort and precision. — Colin Ward-Henninger

18. Dwight Howard

• Years in NBA: 2004 – 2022
• Groups: Magic, Lakers (thrice), Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards, 76ers

It is simple to neglect due to the lackluster conclusion to his profession and his jovial persona, however prime Dwight Howard was a PROBLEM. In 5 seasons from 2007-2012, he averaged 21 factors, 14 rebounds and a couple of.5 blocks per sport on 59% capturing whereas profitable three straight Defensive Participant of the Yr awards. His mixture of dimension and athleticism is likely to be probably the most spectacular in league historical past, placing him on par — bodily, a minimum of — with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. Howard was principally the perfect model of a flexible, rim-running, shot-blocking middle — a talent set which nearly each NBA staff remains to be searching — and he simplified his sport whereas profitable a title with the Lakers in 2020. His lasting legacy seemingly can be his beaming smile and his unforgettable Dunk Contest performances, however Howard is undeniably probably the most dominant huge males of the century. — Colin Ward-Henninger

19. Anthony Davis

• Years in NBA: 2012-present
• Groups: Pelicans, Lakers, Mavericks

At any time when Davis has been wholesome he has been top-of-the-line gamers within the league, equally dominant on each ends and impossibly expert for a person of his dimension. Peak Davis was 2016-18 in New Orleans earlier than he pressured his approach out, when he was a 28 and 11 man and doubtless one of the best defender on the planet. He had some big years with the Lakers, too, highlighted by the 2020 championship run through which he become Kevin Durant contained in the bubble, making an absurd 55% of his mid-range jumpers past 16 toes. That was one of many craziest outlier capturing performances in historical past, however it occurred, and it largely led the Lakers to their solely championship within the LeBron period. — Brad Botkin

20. Allen Iverson

• Years in NBA: 1996-2010
• Groups: 76ers (twice), Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies

There in all probability is not a extra fearless basketball participant within the final 25 years than Iverson. Standing at simply 6-foot with footwear on, Iverson by no means was scared to drive into the lane regardless of the likes of Shaquille O’Neal or Kevin Garnett lurking beneath the basket. The very fact he managed to guide the league in scoring on 4 separate events and win NBA MVP regardless of his small stature alone makes his place on this listing legitimate. He may not have been probably the most environment friendly scorer, however Iverson’s fast first step and athleticism made him tough to bottle up. He had nice stability regardless of getting knocked round each time he penetrated the lane, and possessed a never-quit perspective that made him somebody you’d need in your staff. Basketball apart, there arguably is not a extra impactful participant to the tradition of basketball than Iverson within the final 25 years. — Jasmyn Wimbish

21. Tracy McGrady

• Years in NBA: 1997–2012
• Groups: Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks

It’s unattainable to not play the what-if sport with McGrady. What if his knees, shoulder and again hadn’t betrayed him? What if he’d stayed with Vince Carter in Toronto or Tim Duncan had include him to Orlando or he’d simply gotten a couple of possibilities to chase a championship with a wholesome model or Grant Hill or Yao Ming as a co-star? What if he’d been born later and empowered to play a James Harden- or Luka Dončić-like position within the pace-and-space period? By advantage of McGrady’s immense expertise, he may/ought to have completed his profession with greater than his seven All-Star alternatives, seven All-NBA Crew alternatives and two scoring titles. Throughout his regrettably quick prime, he was all the time the smoothest scorer on the courtroom, typically one of the best athlete and, although he appeared nonchalant at instances, he may absolutely explode at any second. — James Herbert

22. Damian Lillard

• Years in NBA: 2012-present
• Groups: Blazers, Bucks (twice)

Lillard burst onto the scene as an sudden Rookie of the Yr in 2012. By Yr 2 he was an All-Star. Starting in his fourth season, he ran off 5 top-eight MVP finishes in a six-year span. There was a time when Lillard was completely probably the most feared shooter on the earth not named Stephen Curry, and he’ll additionally go down as probably the most clutch gamers the league has ever seen. One other man who will seemingly end his profession and not using a championship, however anybody with a good midway goal viewpoint is aware of he was by no means on a staff that was able to profitable a championship, to say nothing of the truth that his prime coincided with the rise of Curry and the Warriors within the West. You may’t maintain that in opposition to him. — Brad Botkin

23. Jayson Tatum

• Years within the NBA: 2017-present
• Crew: Celtics

In Tatum’s eight seasons, he is made six All-Star appearances, 5 All-NBA Groups, together with 4 consecutive First Groups, received a title and by no means missed the playoffs. Probably the most versatile and constant gamers of his era, he was additionally probably the most sturdy till an Achilles tendon tear throughout the 2025 playoffs that can price him the 2025-26 season and perpetually alter his profession. It doesn’t matter what occurs as soon as he returns to the courtroom, although, Tatum has already established himself as a Celtics nice and boasts a Corridor of Fame résumé. — Jack Maloney

24. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

• Years in NBA: 2018-present
• Groups: Clippers, Thunder

The person with the longest final title in NBA historical past additionally had a few of the longest odds to superstardom of anybody on this listing. Drafted eleventh general in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed promise as a rookie with the Clippers, who reluctantly included him in a commerce to the Thunder with a view to land Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the identical summer time — however you possibly can’t discover a single individual exterior of the Gilgeous-Alexander family who anticipated him to blossom into an MVP, the league’s main scorer and an NBA champion earlier than his twenty seventh birthday. His positional dimension and distinctive basketball cadence make him nearly unguardable, and he is an anomaly within the trendy sport as a guard who does most of his scoring injury contained in the 3-point line. — Colin Ward-Henninger

25. Russell Westbrook

• Years in NBA: 2008-present
• Groups: Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets

Westbrook has all the time had his flaws, however to let the latter third of his profession paint a disproportionate image of the participant he is been on the entire is a serious mistake. It is a man who averaged a triple-double in 4 completely different seasons. He has an MVP and completed within the prime 4 in voting 4 instances. Solely prime Derrick Rose (and perhaps Ja Morant) has a case over Westbrook as probably the most athletic level guard to ever play. Dwyane Wade as soon as stated: “There was a stretch when Russell Westbrook was the best participant on the planet fingers down.” That is likely to be a stretch, however it’s not that huge of a stretch. Prime Westbrook, as the youngsters say, was an issue. — Brad Botkin