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 during the last 25 years unfold amongst simply 5 gamers.

Positive, there’s overlap in that quantity, but it surely illustrates simply how dominant these guys had been — and in some instances nonetheless are — as we have a look again on the NBA’s high 25 gamers 25 years into the twenty first century. Take into accout, 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 workers voting, is bound 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, despite the fact that I agree with all of the gamers ranked above him. Such is life in what has been by far essentially 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 are not already there.

So, let the arguing start. Simply attempt to maintain 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 recreation. It was an inconceivable degree of hype to reside as much as, and but, in some way, 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 best way, 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 probably ever will, come shut. — Brad Botkin

2. Stephen Curry

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

There is a case that Curry’s peak was larger than LeBron’s: 4 championships, three of which came visiting LeBron and two of which got here with out the assistance of a real second celebrity. Six Finals appearances. Eleven All-NBA choices in a 12-year span. Greatest participant on an NBA-record 73-win crew. 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 recreation. If anybody even tries to assert a participant aside 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
• Staff: 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 attainable, to categorize them as merchandise of their respective methods, however in the long run everybody got here to appreciate that they had been the system. Identical with Duncan and the Spurs. You suppose LeBron took the league by storm? Duncan received MVP honors in 2001 and 2002 and completed high 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 almost 20 years — profitable his fifth and closing 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
• Staff: Nuggets

This one is bound to spark some controversy, however I stand in full help 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 subsequent man on this listing. Jokić is simply one other degree when it comes to every part he brings and general impression. 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 planet, unequivocally, for the final half decade. The championship he received with the Nuggets, sans a single All-Star teammate, is a higher accomplishment than any championship Shaq ever received alongside Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade. By the point Jokić’s profession is over, he will probably 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 Large Aristotle. Name him what you need, however Shaq was one of the crucial dominant basketball gamers to ever take the ground. His grace and agility had 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 choices and 14 All-NBA appearances. This all got here from a participant who many imagine did not essentially dedicate himself 100% towards basketball. He’d be larger 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, in keeping with Basketball Reference, trailing Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Nikola Jokić. — Colin Ward-Henninger

6. Kobe Bryant

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

A large and vocal contingent of NBA followers contemplate Kobe Bryant to be one of the best basketball participant who ever lived. Analytics do not precisely help 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 impression that these unbelievable accomplishments pale compared to his legacy of “Mamba Mentality,” which has solely grown stronger following his tragic loss of life in 2020. Individuals shout “Kobe!” as they hurl balled up wads of paper towards rubbish cans. In his 2015 poem, “Expensive 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
• Staff: Bucks

Antetokounmpo is likely one of the biggest 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 best way 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 as of late, and Antetokounmpo could ultimately take his identify off that listing. However no matter occurs down the road, what he is executed 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 one of the crucial 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 greatest gamers. It did not take lengthy for him to determine himself as one of many biggest scorers the league has ever seen, due to the very fact he is capable of pull up from nearly wherever on the ground whereas standing at 6-foot-11. He ushered in a wave of contemporary forwards, and now yearly we’re seeing guys enter the league with a KD-like construct doing issues we might by no means anticipate 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 celebrity huge man who moved like a wing and had guard expertise. 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, nonetheless, 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 crew that made the convention finals the one time Minnesota put collectively an honest supporting forged — might do every part, on each ends. — James Herbert

10. Dirk Nowitzki

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

If Nowitzki’s peak was in immediately’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 attainable, however confirmed that that is how basketball may be performed. Nowitzki was revolutionary through the 2000s, a 7-footer with elite effectivity from in all places on the ground and an iconic shot that’s arguably essentially 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 most likely the higher athlete, The abilities — significantly the footwork and array of shotmaking — had been extremely comparable. He was unstoppable the 12 months he received the scoring title (2009) on a crew 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 arms 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 high 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 biggest 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 high 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 12 months he arrived. That tells you every part you’ll want 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 arms and the pace and energy to remain in entrance of anyone. As a substitute 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 reliable declare to the title of Greatest Participant on the Planet. Guys who shoot 25% from 3-point vary in faculty aren’t speculated to grow to be unguardable leap shooters within the execs, however Leonard is an anomaly in some ways. Certainly one of them, sadly, is that, whereas he has achieved greater than anybody might 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 had 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 had 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 crew’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 acquired 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 might one crew ask of 1 good playmaker earlier than the effectivity suffers? The reply, it turned out, was a hell of loads: For 4 straight seasons, Harden had a utilization price above 33% (topping out at 39.6% in 2018-19) and a real capturing share 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 greatest detractors should acknowledge that, when he mastered the stepback 3, he broke standard NBA protection — opposing coaches determined to successfully guard him from behind to forestall the stepback and, later, merely entice him within the backcourt to get the ball out of his arms. — 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 inform you every part you’ll want to learn about the place his profession is headed. This can be a man who has extra All-NBA First Staff choices than Stephen Curry, has completed within the high 5 of MVP voting in three of the final 5 seasons, and is an absolute wizard on the basketball flooring. You would be arduous pressed to search out many different gamers who can management a recreation in addition to Dončić can offensively, and those who can are ranked extremely excessive on this listing. His IQ, clutch shot making, and talent to utterly rip the soul out of an opponent together with his scoring make him somebody no crew desires to face. The actual fact he is solely 26 and doubtless hasn’t reached his peak must 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 — most likely trying to the correct 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 snug with the ball in his arms than arguably any participant in basketball historical past. His impression on this century largely got here in two phases — first because the engine of a New Jersey Nets crew 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 crew 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 character, however prime Dwight Howard was a PROBLEM. In 5 seasons from 2007-2012, he averaged 21 factors, 14 rebounds and a pair of.5 blocks per recreation on 59% capturing whereas profitable three straight Defensive Participant of the Yr awards. His mixture of measurement and athleticism may be essentially 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 best model of a flexible, rim-running, shot-blocking heart — a talent set which just about each NBA crew continues to be looking — and he simplified his recreation whereas profitable a title with the Lakers in 2020. His lasting legacy probably will probably be his beaming smile and his unforgettable Dunk Contest performances, however Howard is undeniably one of the crucial 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 measurement. Peak Davis was 2016-18 in New Orleans earlier than he pressured his manner 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 during 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, but it surely 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 most likely is not a extra fearless basketball participant within the final 25 years than Iverson. Standing at simply 6-foot with sneakers 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 actual fact he managed to steer 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 won’t have been essentially the most environment friendly scorer, however Iverson’s fast first step and athleticism made him troublesome 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 crew. 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 inconceivable to not play the what-if recreation 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 number 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 function within the pace-and-space period? By advantage of McGrady’s immense expertise, he might/ought to have completed his profession with greater than his seven All-Star choices, seven All-NBA Staff choices and two scoring titles. Throughout his regrettably quick prime, he was at all times the smoothest scorer on the courtroom, usually one of the best athlete and, although he appeared nonchalant at instances, he might completely 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 essentially the most feared shooter on the planet not named Stephen Curry, and he’ll additionally go down as one of the crucial clutch gamers the league has ever seen. One other man who will probably end his profession with no championship, however anybody with an excellent midway goal viewpoint is aware of he was by no means on a crew 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
• Staff: 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. One of the crucial versatile and constant gamers of his era, he was additionally one of the crucial sturdy till an Achilles tendon tear through the 2025 playoffs that may value him the 2025-26 season and without end 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 identify in NBA historical past additionally had a number 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 may’t discover a single particular person 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 measurement and distinctive basketball cadence make him just about unguardable, and he is an anomaly within the trendy recreation as a guard who does most of his scoring harm 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 at all times 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. This can be a man who averaged a triple-double in 4 totally different seasons. He has an MVP and completed within the high 4 in voting 4 instances. Solely prime Derrick Rose (and possibly Ja Morant) has a case over Westbrook as essentially 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 arms down.” That may be a stretch, but it surely’s not that huge of a stretch. Prime Westbrook, as the youngsters say, was an issue. — Brad Botkin