21st Century NBA Legends: Ranking the Greats

Since the start of 2000sthe NBA has experienced deep mutations: the era of “Super Teams”, the explosion of three -point shooting, the globalization of basketball, the rise of advanced statistics and the advent of multidimensional players. In this context, some names have imposed themselves to the point of redefining roles, styles and even entire players in play.

Thus, instead of rewarding a simple successful campaign, CBS Sports Handed, voting in support, to distinguish the real giants who have shaped the NBA in the 21st century. A list that The Playoffs invites you to discover, one trophy after another.

MVP of the century: LeBron, Curry and Duncan, pillars of an era

In the category of the most precious player, there are few those who remain in conversation for more than a decade. However, since 2000, three names dominate without dispute: LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan. LeBron leads almost all possible indicators – points, passes, rebounds and titles. Its longevity and influence make it obvious.

Curryhe revolutionized basketball thanks to his outdoor shot. He has not only accumulated titles and trophies of MVPhe upset the way the game is practiced at all levels. Duncan, finally, with its formidable discretion and efficiency, was the cornerstone of one of the strongest dynasties in history.

The most striking: despite the presence of giants like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal Or Kevin Durant, the voting consensus was surprisingly unanimous. In order: LeBron, Curry, Duncan. Unanimity which illustrates not only their individual grandeur, but also the way in which each has embodied and shaped an era of modern NBA.

Legendary defenders: Duncan, Draymond and Garnett on the front line

Choosing the best defender is always the headache, as the statistics are not enough to grasp the influence of a player. Nevertheless, three names symbolize the defensive excellence of the century: Tim DuncanDraymond Green et Kevin Garnett.

Surprising fact: Duncan never won the official defender of the year. But his constancy and his role as defensive leader in San Antonio make it the reference of the modern era. Green, for his part, redefined defense in a game that has become faster and stretched, establishing itself as the central gear of the Warriors dynasty. Garnettit embodied a rare mixture of versatility, energy and tactical intelligence, and fully shone in Boston once surrounded by missing pieces.

The big ones absent? Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard And Rudy Gobert, all multiple winners of the official trophy. The reason is clear: beyond counters or rebounds, it is the ability to shape whole defensive systems that awarded. Duncan Finally took the advantage, but of a short head, proof that this trio belongs to the greatest defenders of all time.

Marking rookies: LeBron opens the way to Wembanyama and Dononic

Designating the most impressive recruit since 2000 is not an easy task. Three names have however imposed themselves: LeBron JamesVictor Wimbanyama and Luka Doncic.

LeBron won the distinction of little, thanks to its immediate impact to Cleveland. As soon as he arrived, he transformed a team of 17 victories into a competitive franchise, and this in an NBA where the defenses were much more rough than today.

Victor Wembanyamafrom its first season, showed that it was a real anomaly of nature with elite advanced statistics, and the defensive presence of a veteran. Doncicas for him, seduced from his beginnings with his full game: an outstanding creator capable of carrying an offensive collective alone.

Weight candidates like Blake Griffin Or Chris Paul remain at the gates of the podium: the first for his raw statistics, the second for an impact undoubtedly underestimated in a difficult context. One thing is certain: each of these rookies immediately raised the level of its franchise.

The strategists of the century: Popovich, Jackson and Spoelstra

On the bench, three coaches marked the modern era: Gregg PopovichPhil Jackson and Erik Spoelstra. Popovich, inducted in Hall of Fame Even before the end of his career, is the only one to have been unanimous among the voters. Its five titles, its longevity and its ability to develop its systems over several decades make it a separate one.

Jackson, although having one more title over the period, saw his offensive heritage – the famous triangle – lose his relevance in the current NBA game. Spoelstraon the other hand, imposed itself as a master of adaptation: he led the Heat to success with radically different staff, proving that he could win with or without stars.

Other names deserve to be cited, such as Steve Kerr or Rick Carlislebut they do not yet reach the same stature. As for Mike d’Antoni, a major innovator of the modern attack, he pays his absence of ring. The lesson is clear: the titles count, but constancy, longevity and innovation define the real architects of an era.

Les rois rois banc : Ginóbili, Iguodal et Williams

Finally, place in the most singular trophy on this list, that of the sixth man of the century, where three radically different profiles emerge: Manu Ginóbili, Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams.

Ginóbili was much more than a luxury scorer: a real secret weapon of Popovich, he has often changed the fate of whole series by his creativity and his audacity. Iguodalafor his part, has never played the classic role of the sixth man, but his defensive contribution, his versatility and even his title of MVP of the finals made him essential to Golden State. Williams, finally, represents the archetype of the “microwave scorer”: a player capable of chaining the baskets at the speed of light and accumulating individual trophies.

But the final vote favored the impact on victory. Ginobili And Iguodala, unlike Williams, were masterpieces of Champions collective. What remember that the real sixth man is not limited to scoring points, but to transform the fate of a team as soon as he leaves the bench.

Credit: © Bob Dannan-Imagn Images