The 2019-20 NBA season is still an ongoing adventure to determine who will be the champions for the season, however, with the decade coming to a close it is time to take a look as to the players to make the All-Decade team.
This decade has proven to be one of the best decades in NBA history, not only from the talent that has entered the league, but also by how the game is played. This decade was dominated by two “super-teams” in both the Heat of the early 2010s and the Warriors of the late 2010s. The other dominant force to describe this era was the league’s three-point revolution.
During this decade, if you were going to be one of the best players in the league then you needed to know how to shoot. This is what we have seen with the best teams in the league (the champions), the teams that had great shooters won more often than not. However, not all the best players were the best shooters in the league.
In order to be the best and qualify for this roster you had to stand above the rest of the league for a significant amount of time during the decade.
This team will have three divisions within the team, a first team, a second team, and a third team. Just like the All-NBA selections the first team will consist of the best players in the decade and produce the starters, the second team will consist of the bench, and the third team will consist of the reserves. One stipulation I had while creating this team was that each of the “teams” had to consist of 1 of each position (1PG, 1SG, 1SF, 1PF, 1C), or players who consistently play multiple positions.
Looking back at the past decade, here are the players who would make the All-Decade team.
First Team All-Stars All-NBAs PPG RPG APG
PG: Stephen Curry 6 6
23.5 4.5 6.6
Stephen Curry is on this list not only because of his impact on the court, but because of how he helped revolutionize the game in general. The three-point shot was a useful weapon in the previous decade, but Curry changed that. Now when you look at the league—and even around your local courts—you will see players shooting pull up three’s off the dribble and shooting them about five feet behind the three-point line.
Because of his ability to make these shots with such ease it changed the way defenses had to play him, instead of playing a normal defense Curry would have to be covered immediately cross half-court which helped open up the offense for the entire team.
Even without changing the entirety of the game, Curry would still be a lock for the first team, a three-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and the third all-time leading 3-point shooter, Curry’s place on this list is unquestioned as a player who helped define the decade.
SG: James Harden 7 6
24.3 5.2 6.2
Shooting guard was probably the weakest position throughout the decade with great players, although that may be the case Harden would probably be atop the list even if there was more competition. Sure, Harden doesn’t have the postseason success as some of the other players on this team, but he is one of the best offensive players that we have seen this past decade.
Harden’s growth from the start of the decade speaks wonders to the player that Harden is, starting as a sixth man to becoming one of the greatest forces in the league, if Curry made the three point shot great then Harden did that with his ability to get to the free throw line. Harden can get to the line so easily, he has made that an art of his own, allowing him to be so dangerous on the offensive end.
Harden’s stats and accolades speak for themselves, a MVP winner—probably should be two-time MVP winner—third leading scorer over the decade, Harden is another player who’s place in history will be there when his career is over and making this team is just a rest stop in a productive career.
SF: Kevin Durant 10 9
28.0 7.4 4.4
Kevin Durant is an anomaly on the offensive end, a seven-foot forward who can shoot like a guard who is one of the toughest players in the league to defend. While on the Thunder Durant was one of the–if not the best—scorer in the league, capturing the scoring title four times during the decade. Not only could Durant score, but he was also very efficient when looking to score, notching a 62.6 true shooting percentage for the decade.
Although Durant was known as an offensive machine he could play on the defensive end, he just wasn’t a standout player on that end. LeBron James stated that Durant was one of the best players that he has ever played against, coming from one of the best players of all-time that is a good praise for the talent of Durant.
When Durant left to go to Golden State, he earned some media scrutiny, but his presence as a great basketball player was still undeniable. Over the decade Durant won an MVP, was an all-star every year, and won two championships along the way. Durant’s place in history as one of the greatest scorers of all-time is already set, now is the time to add on to the legacy.
PF: LeBron James 10 10
26.9 7.7 7.6
There should be no surprise here that one of the greatest players of all-time would be on the list as being one of the best of the 2010s. James was top 10 in the decade in many of the top categories, including points, rebounds, assists, and minutes logged. LeBron is a special, one of a kind player that was unlike anything the league had ever seen.
A playmaker like Magic, a defender like Pippen, and one of the most feared drivers in the history of the league. With all of this LeBron added to his legacy by adding some championship rings throughout the decade, two in Miami and bringing the first ring in Cleveland’s history.
LeBron is just a different player, someone who never seems like they will slow down, he is still playing as if he were in his prime while he is in his 17th season. Although it would never happen, it is not crazy to argue that James should have won the MVP every single season over the decade because he always was the most valuable player to his team, however, it’s safe to say that he will be fine with only winning three times while adding three championships to his resume.
C: Anthony Davis 6 3
24.0 10.5 2.2
Davis was one of the most highly touted players coming out of college in recent memory, a player with the length of a center and the handles of a point guard, Davis seemed like he was miles ahead of everybody else. Davis has worked on his shot throughout the years, making him a force on the perimeter on offense, while being deadly in the paint, both offensively and defensively.
Davis may have been underutilized during his career and injuries have hurt him a little bit, but there is no questioning that when healthy Davis is a force to be reckoned with.
Now that Davis has joined forces with LeBron it seems like he will finally begin to get the accolades that he deserves. However, accolades are not necessarily needed to know how much of a force Davis is. Davis has earned his spot in the first team partly because of the lack of talent of centers throughout the decade but also because of how good of a player he is.
Second Team
PG: Russell Westbrook 8 8
24.2 7.4 8.8
Westbrook made history over the later years of the decade because of his ability to obtain a triple-double. Before Westbrook somewhat normalized this the last player to average a triple-double over the course of a season was Oscar Robertson in 1961-62. It was thought that no player would ever be able to accomplish this again, this was true until Westbrook in 2016-17. Not only did Westbrook accomplish this once but he has done it three seasons in a row. No matter if he is a “stat stuffer” what he has accomplished is unparalleled over the course of NBA history.
If not for Curry revolutionizing the game and being one of the most dominant players of the decade then Westbrook would have been an easy choice with his accolades. Westbrook might get overlooked a little due to his shooting percentages, but he is still an eight-time all-star and an MVP winner. So even though he may not be a starter, Westbrook deserves to be on this team.
SG: Klay Thompson 5 2
19.5 3.5 2.3
As stated earlier, shooting guard was the weakest position of the decade, due to this Thompson will be making the second team. Now this is not saying that Thompson is a weak player, but it is a little odd that a player that has never been the main option is making the bench. This also speaks volumes about Thompson as a player. Would Thompson be as effective as a primary option? Possibly, but all that is certain is that he is a great complimentary scorer to Curry.
Thompson is a very good defender and a sharpshooting guard out on the wing who was a very important part to the Warriors’ championships. Possibly the best catch and shoot player in the league, Thompson would be a welcomed addition to any team, and this would be one of them. Thompson doesn’t necessarily have all the accolades but that doesn’t dismiss his talent as a player. A three-time champion and a five-time all-star, Thompson has been a key part to the most successful team of the latter half of the decade, enough to earn him a spot.
SF: Kawhi Leonard 3 3
18.1 6.4 2.5
Keeping Leonard off the first team was a very tough decision but it was one that had to be made. Just by looking at the stats, Leonard does not jump off the page to anyone, but his presence on the court is unmatched. On defense, Leonard will scare anyone with the unfortunate pleasure of drawing him. In this decade Leonard not only helped dismantle one dynasty, but he helped dismantle two.
The Miami Heat had everything going for them until they went up against Kawhi and the Spurs and Kawhi “sent” LeBron back to Cleveland and then last season he helped send KD off to Brooklyn when he beat the Warriors while giving the Raptors their first championship. Even though Leonard didn’t have a full decade to play he has been able to beat you on both the offensive and defensive end, winning two defensive P.O.Ys. and two final MVPs. Again, it was a tough choice to keep him off the first team, but a second team spot is still a great honor and one that Leonard very much so deserves.
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo 3 3
19.5 8.6 4.2
Giannis is the type of player who should be running the league in the upcoming decade, but still had a good enough end of the decade to earn him a spot on this list. When he first entered the league, he was a Kevin Durant body type without the shooting ability of Durant. As the seasons have gone by, he has built up muscle, enough to bully players in the paint both offensively and defensively.
Giannis has become one of the most dominant players in the league and will only continue to get better as time moves on. An MVP award and three All-NBA honors helped boost his case to make this team and his late-decade surge was one of other greats in their prime. Giannis looks like he will be one of the top players in the league for years to come, but for this decade he was not able to make the first team.
C: DeMarcus Cousins 4 2
21.2 10.9 3.2
Cousins seems to have been overlooked throughout his whole career, never a true dominant force on the defensive end, his offensive talent was good enough to capture him a spot on this team. The biggest thing to help his case compared to other centers is that he was consistent—up until injuries occurred.
Cousins worked his way into being one of the best big men of the past decade, but because he was never on a great team he got overlooked, by the fans and the rest of the league. Although Cousins does not have the accolades to his name, when you go back and look at the stats you will see that Cousins was a beast and deserving of a spot on this roster.
Third Team
PG: Chris Paul 7 6
18.0 4.4 9.4
Paul has been one of the best point guards in the league since he entered in 2005. However, when it comes to a list like this that becomes his biggest downfall. He was in his prime for the latter half of the previous decade and the early part of this decade. This doesn’t mean that Paul was bad by the later part of the decade, but it is evident that regression has started to take place.
Out of all the point guards on this list Paul is probably the best pure point guard on this list, being a better facilitator than scorer, but he ranks behind the other point guards on this list. Although Paul was a very good point guard for a majority of the decade, I just can’t see a reason to place him above either Curry or Westbrook, solidifying his place on the third team.
SG: Dwyane Wade 8 4
20.1 4.6 4.7
At the start of the decade Wade was still one of the best players in the league, then LeBron James joined the Heat to help bring some championships to Miami. Once LeBron joined the Heat, Wade was no longer the best player on the team, he was playing second fiddle to the best player on the planet. In their first season together, they looked like they were the best team in the league, however, they lost the championship that season.
Over the next two seasons, Wade was still dangerous but was helped by LeBron and won two more championships on the way. Although LeBron may have been the best player Wade played a key role in those championships. Wade could have earned himself a higher spot on this list, but he started to diminish in play due to his knees and that he was getting closer to retirement. Wade finished his career with very good accolades but was not able to crack the bench on this loaded team.
SF: Paul George 6 5
20.0 6.4 3.3
It may seem that George is getting disrespected by placing him on the third team for the decade, but small forward has had the most depth at the position throughout the decade. Because of this looking at George on the third team is still an accomplishment. George grew to be a great two-way player and became a team leader during his time in Indiana, although he was a good offensive player, he really makes his mark on the defensive end.
George has played like a star for much of this decade, but due to the talent at that position he has not gotten the accolades that he may deserve. A six-time All-star who made five appearances on the All-NBA team and four appearances on the All-defense roster, George has proven he is one of the best at the position during the decade.
PF: Blake Griffin 6 5
21.7 8.9 4.4
When Griffin entered the league, he had all of the athleticism to make him potentially one of the greatest players in the league. Because of this Griffin had so much hype entering the league, this may be a reason why Griffin is overlooked, because he has not been able to live up to the hype. Don’t get it twisted, Griffin is still a very productive player, just not the player many thought he would be.
As he aged though he also went through more injuries causing him to change the way he played the game. Now Griffin has developed his game into more of a jump shot game, while still being a ferocious rebounder. Griffin may have gotten some of the accolades he has because of his name, but in the latter half of the decade when he refined his skillset, he has proven that he is deserving of those accolades.
C: Dwight Howard 5 5
16.9 12.4 1.5
Howard was one of the most dominant centers in the league on the defensive end when he was in his prime. That carried over into the early years of the 2010s where Howard was still the most feared players to meet in the paint. Then Howard went to some other teams and, while still a good scorer and a great rebounder, he wasn’t quite the same defensive player as before.
Because of this he was only able to earn a third team spot for the decade. If Howard was a little more consistent over the course of the decade, he easily could have gone up a spot because center is not the strongest spot in the league, but just like Paul, entering the league in 2004 hurt his cause for that to happen. Although Howard is not what he once was he still has managed five All-stars and five All-NBA in the decade while also adding two defensive player of the year to round out this All-Decade team.