DAR Sports: The Most Accomplished NBA Players Of The 2010s
By @TrueGodImmortal
In the NBA today, there's a lot of great talent... But there's also a gap. There are the true top tier players of the league who have managed to become successful on the court for their great play and earn numerous accolades. Today, I wanted to take a look at the most accomplished guys in the game this past decade. This takes into account championships, All Star rankings, All NBA rankings, importance on the court for their teams, MVPs, Finals appearances, and more. In this decade, there are very few who could be considered legendary and extremely accomplished, so these are guys that can be seen in an elite class without a doubt. Let's get into it.
*Kawhi Leonard
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, 2 Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, 1X Steals Leader, 1X Finals MVP, NBA All Defensive First Team, 2017 MVP Finalist, 2X Defensive Player Of The Year)
-Kawhi hasn't even reached his ceiling yet and look at the accolades he's accumulated over the last few years. Multiple time NBA All Star, NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, he's currently in the race for the NBA MVP (the award will be revealed by the time most of you read this), and he's seen as one of the best defensive players on the planet. He's earned two Defensive Player Of The Year awards and is a finalist for the third straight year, and he could possibly three peat. In just a few seasons, Kawhi has racked up accomplishments worthy of a Hall of Fame career, and the scariest part is that he's just getting started.
*Kyrie Irving
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, 3X NBA Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, All NBA Third Team, Rookie Of The Year)
-While Kyrie isn't seen by many as the best point guard or a top 5 player in the league, he is a very important part of the best team in the East and with that comes accolades. He was the Rookie Of The Year, and he's coming off his best season statistically. Kyrie was voted to the All Star Game before teaming up with LeBron and won All Star Game MVP the year before LeBron came back to Cleveland, so he's definitely got his own accolades as well. He was the biggest part of the Cavs winning in 2016, as he hit "The Shot", and provided LeBron with the most help he's had in a Finals series in his whole career IMO. Kyrie is a NBA Champion and was honestly good enough to be the Finals MVP last year and eventually, he will be the Cavs no. 1 option.... if he stays.
*James Harden
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, All NBA Third Team, 2017 MVP Finalist, 1X Assists Leader, NBA Sixth Man Of The Year, 1 NBA Finals Appearance)
-While I'm not a big Harden fan myself, I'd be lying if I said I didn't respect his game at all. He's been to the Finals, and despite not showing up when needed (he was very young), he still made it there with a young Thunder team, which is more than we can say for a lot of players. He's a multiple time All NBA First Team guy, a multiple All Star, he's seen as one of the best players today, and he's been a MVP Finalist two of the last three years (some feel he was robbed in 2015, but you're wrong). Harden is a top tier player however, and with that comes success. He was a former Sixth Man Of The Year, has been right on the cusp of a scoring title, and his accolades continue to roll in and likely will for years to come. Harden is a force to be reckoned and I don't think he's hit his prime just yet, which could be scary for the league going forward.
*Anthony Davis
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, All NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive, All NBA Rookie First Team, 2X Blocks Leader)
-I thought about placing Paul George on this list and to be honest, maybe I should have. However, Anthony Davis is a beast in his own right and he's been one since he first stepped foot in the league. He's a regular All Star now, voted in as a starter this past season, and he won the All Star Game MVP by breaking the scoring record in the history of the All Star Game. He's able to score at will and has been in top 5 contention for a scoring title just about every season. He hasn't been to the playoffs much, but the truth be told, his individual accolades got him to where he is on this list. With his defense and length being an important piece of his game, he's led the league in blocks twice and been a regular All Defensive guy as well. Being named to All NBA First Team this season helped finalize my decision to put him on this list. If he gets a good team around him, he could be a future NBA Champion.
*Russell Westbrook
(NBA All Star, 2X All Star Game MVP, 2017 MVP Finalist, 1 NBA Finals Appearance, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 2X Scoring Champion)
-The man who is likely going to win MVP this season (he might have by the time you read this) has a nice resume so far and it's still growing. He's been a 2X All Star Game MVP, won 2 scoring titles, has been named to the All NBA First Team, and he's emerged as a leader for his team. Russ might not have the prettiest jumpshot, or the most efficient numbers, but what he lacks in that he makes up for in impact on the game. His accolades this decade make him easily one of the most accomplished in the game.
*Chris Paul
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 4X Steals Leader, 3X Assists Leader, NBA All-Defensive)
-While he hasn't been able to get to the Conference Finals yet, make no mistake about the fact that CP3 is one of the most accomplished guards in the league over the last 7 years. A regular on the All Defensive teams and the All NBA Teams usually, CP3 has been one of the most well rounded point guards in the game since he arrived and he was seen as one of the absolute in the game for some years as well. He has multiple All Star appearances and an All Star Game MVP to go along with that, as well as success as a Steals leader and leading the league in assists multiple times. CP3 is easily one of the most accomplished this decade, even without a Finals appearance to his name.
*Stephen Curry
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 50/40/90 Club, 1X Scoring Champion, 400 Three Pointers In A Season, 1X Steals Leader, Back To Back MVP, First Ever Unanimous MVP, 3 Straight Finals Appearances, 2X NBA Champion)
-Truth be told, in many ways, Steph might be the most accomplished on this entire list. He's made history time and time again, has some heavy team accomplishments under his belt (73-9 regular season record, 16-1 best playoff record), and his solo accolades over the last 4-5 seasons is absolutely crazy. He's revolutionized the game in many ways over the last 5 years, turning it into a shooter's league, and influencing the style of play. There aren't many players who have revolutionized the game quite like Steph, and his impact will continue to be felt for a lot of years to come. Steph is the first ever Unanimous MVP, a back to back two time MVP, the leader in three pointers in a season and single game, he owns 4 of the top 5 three pointers in a season records, he has won 2 NBA Titles in 3 straight appearances, resided in the illustrious 50/40/90 club, won a scoring title, and led the league in steals once. When it's all said and done, this decade might be remembered as his perhaps, because while Bron and the Heat dominated first half of the decade, it seems the 2nd half of the decade is going to run through the Warriors and Steph.
*Kevin Durant
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, 2014 NBA MVP, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 50/40/90 Club, 4X Scoring Champion, 2 Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, 1X Finals MVP)
-He's currently making a claim for being the best player in the world and challenging LeBron for his throne. Truthfully, he might have taken that title during this year's Finals, but it remains to be seen this upcoming season. With the Thunder, KD was one of the best players, but his work with the Warriors has brought him to a whole new level. He's won a NBA Title now and a Finals MVP along with it, and he holds the honor of the first Finals MVP to shoot 50/40/90 in the Finals. Before that, KD won 4 scoring titles and a MVP award, giving him all the accolades he needed before he walked away with the biggest accolades this past season. There's no doubt KD is one of the most accomplished in the game today and possibly ever.
*LeBron James
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, NBA All Defensive, 3X NBA MVP, 7 Straight Finals Appearances, 3X NBA Champion, 3X Finals MVP)
-There's no one who has dominated this decade like him honestly, even if Steph has the most accolades. Truth be told, LeBron changed the landscape of the team game, as his teaming up with the Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh was a turning point of the league from then on. Since then, LeBron has been the league standard, dominating with the teams he assembles, earning three NBA Titles and three Finals MVPs, and three NBA MVP awards as well, setting the pace for which greatness is measured. He's been to 7 straight Finals, landing in every Finals of this decade except the first in 2010. LeBron is the most accomplished player of this decade, due to his success and setting more all time records as he moves along. His career could be meeting the final year or two, but LeBron shows he's never lost a step and doesn't seem to be on the verge of losing it ever.
-True
In the NBA today, there's a lot of great talent... But there's also a gap. There are the true top tier players of the league who have managed to become successful on the court for their great play and earn numerous accolades. Today, I wanted to take a look at the most accomplished guys in the game this past decade. This takes into account championships, All Star rankings, All NBA rankings, importance on the court for their teams, MVPs, Finals appearances, and more. In this decade, there are very few who could be considered legendary and extremely accomplished, so these are guys that can be seen in an elite class without a doubt. Let's get into it.
*Kawhi Leonard
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, 2 Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, 1X Steals Leader, 1X Finals MVP, NBA All Defensive First Team, 2017 MVP Finalist, 2X Defensive Player Of The Year)
-Kawhi hasn't even reached his ceiling yet and look at the accolades he's accumulated over the last few years. Multiple time NBA All Star, NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, he's currently in the race for the NBA MVP (the award will be revealed by the time most of you read this), and he's seen as one of the best defensive players on the planet. He's earned two Defensive Player Of The Year awards and is a finalist for the third straight year, and he could possibly three peat. In just a few seasons, Kawhi has racked up accomplishments worthy of a Hall of Fame career, and the scariest part is that he's just getting started.
*Kyrie Irving
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, 3X NBA Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, All NBA Third Team, Rookie Of The Year)
-While Kyrie isn't seen by many as the best point guard or a top 5 player in the league, he is a very important part of the best team in the East and with that comes accolades. He was the Rookie Of The Year, and he's coming off his best season statistically. Kyrie was voted to the All Star Game before teaming up with LeBron and won All Star Game MVP the year before LeBron came back to Cleveland, so he's definitely got his own accolades as well. He was the biggest part of the Cavs winning in 2016, as he hit "The Shot", and provided LeBron with the most help he's had in a Finals series in his whole career IMO. Kyrie is a NBA Champion and was honestly good enough to be the Finals MVP last year and eventually, he will be the Cavs no. 1 option.... if he stays.
*James Harden
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, All NBA Third Team, 2017 MVP Finalist, 1X Assists Leader, NBA Sixth Man Of The Year, 1 NBA Finals Appearance)
-While I'm not a big Harden fan myself, I'd be lying if I said I didn't respect his game at all. He's been to the Finals, and despite not showing up when needed (he was very young), he still made it there with a young Thunder team, which is more than we can say for a lot of players. He's a multiple time All NBA First Team guy, a multiple All Star, he's seen as one of the best players today, and he's been a MVP Finalist two of the last three years (some feel he was robbed in 2015, but you're wrong). Harden is a top tier player however, and with that comes success. He was a former Sixth Man Of The Year, has been right on the cusp of a scoring title, and his accolades continue to roll in and likely will for years to come. Harden is a force to be reckoned and I don't think he's hit his prime just yet, which could be scary for the league going forward.
*Anthony Davis
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, All NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive, All NBA Rookie First Team, 2X Blocks Leader)
-I thought about placing Paul George on this list and to be honest, maybe I should have. However, Anthony Davis is a beast in his own right and he's been one since he first stepped foot in the league. He's a regular All Star now, voted in as a starter this past season, and he won the All Star Game MVP by breaking the scoring record in the history of the All Star Game. He's able to score at will and has been in top 5 contention for a scoring title just about every season. He hasn't been to the playoffs much, but the truth be told, his individual accolades got him to where he is on this list. With his defense and length being an important piece of his game, he's led the league in blocks twice and been a regular All Defensive guy as well. Being named to All NBA First Team this season helped finalize my decision to put him on this list. If he gets a good team around him, he could be a future NBA Champion.
*Russell Westbrook
(NBA All Star, 2X All Star Game MVP, 2017 MVP Finalist, 1 NBA Finals Appearance, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 2X Scoring Champion)
-The man who is likely going to win MVP this season (he might have by the time you read this) has a nice resume so far and it's still growing. He's been a 2X All Star Game MVP, won 2 scoring titles, has been named to the All NBA First Team, and he's emerged as a leader for his team. Russ might not have the prettiest jumpshot, or the most efficient numbers, but what he lacks in that he makes up for in impact on the game. His accolades this decade make him easily one of the most accomplished in the game.
*Chris Paul
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 4X Steals Leader, 3X Assists Leader, NBA All-Defensive)
-While he hasn't been able to get to the Conference Finals yet, make no mistake about the fact that CP3 is one of the most accomplished guards in the league over the last 7 years. A regular on the All Defensive teams and the All NBA Teams usually, CP3 has been one of the most well rounded point guards in the game since he arrived and he was seen as one of the absolute in the game for some years as well. He has multiple All Star appearances and an All Star Game MVP to go along with that, as well as success as a Steals leader and leading the league in assists multiple times. CP3 is easily one of the most accomplished this decade, even without a Finals appearance to his name.
*Stephen Curry
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 50/40/90 Club, 1X Scoring Champion, 400 Three Pointers In A Season, 1X Steals Leader, Back To Back MVP, First Ever Unanimous MVP, 3 Straight Finals Appearances, 2X NBA Champion)
-Truth be told, in many ways, Steph might be the most accomplished on this entire list. He's made history time and time again, has some heavy team accomplishments under his belt (73-9 regular season record, 16-1 best playoff record), and his solo accolades over the last 4-5 seasons is absolutely crazy. He's revolutionized the game in many ways over the last 5 years, turning it into a shooter's league, and influencing the style of play. There aren't many players who have revolutionized the game quite like Steph, and his impact will continue to be felt for a lot of years to come. Steph is the first ever Unanimous MVP, a back to back two time MVP, the leader in three pointers in a season and single game, he owns 4 of the top 5 three pointers in a season records, he has won 2 NBA Titles in 3 straight appearances, resided in the illustrious 50/40/90 club, won a scoring title, and led the league in steals once. When it's all said and done, this decade might be remembered as his perhaps, because while Bron and the Heat dominated first half of the decade, it seems the 2nd half of the decade is going to run through the Warriors and Steph.
*Kevin Durant
(NBA All Star, All Star Game MVP, 2014 NBA MVP, All NBA First Team, All NBA Second Team, 50/40/90 Club, 4X Scoring Champion, 2 Finals Appearances, 1X NBA Champion, 1X Finals MVP)
-He's currently making a claim for being the best player in the world and challenging LeBron for his throne. Truthfully, he might have taken that title during this year's Finals, but it remains to be seen this upcoming season. With the Thunder, KD was one of the best players, but his work with the Warriors has brought him to a whole new level. He's won a NBA Title now and a Finals MVP along with it, and he holds the honor of the first Finals MVP to shoot 50/40/90 in the Finals. Before that, KD won 4 scoring titles and a MVP award, giving him all the accolades he needed before he walked away with the biggest accolades this past season. There's no doubt KD is one of the most accomplished in the game today and possibly ever.
*LeBron James
(NBA All Star, All NBA First Team, NBA All Defensive, 3X NBA MVP, 7 Straight Finals Appearances, 3X NBA Champion, 3X Finals MVP)
-There's no one who has dominated this decade like him honestly, even if Steph has the most accolades. Truth be told, LeBron changed the landscape of the team game, as his teaming up with the Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh was a turning point of the league from then on. Since then, LeBron has been the league standard, dominating with the teams he assembles, earning three NBA Titles and three Finals MVPs, and three NBA MVP awards as well, setting the pace for which greatness is measured. He's been to 7 straight Finals, landing in every Finals of this decade except the first in 2010. LeBron is the most accomplished player of this decade, due to his success and setting more all time records as he moves along. His career could be meeting the final year or two, but LeBron shows he's never lost a step and doesn't seem to be on the verge of losing it ever.
-True
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