With the playoffs underway, I thought it would be a good time to look back at the last 13 years of the NBA. This era is why I love basketball so much. So here is my list of the top 10 NBA players since the year 2010.
Honorable Mentions:
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Chris Paul, Hornets / Clippers / Rockets / Suns
10. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic is a back-to-back MVP and had a solid case for a 3rd one. Not many players in the history of the NBA go back-to-back, and that is why we see Jokic make an appearance on this list. Once the playoff success rolls in for Jokic, he will move up.
9. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Wade teamed up with LeBron in 2010. That came out to be a fruitful decision for his career as he won 2 championships. Even though he wasn't great for the majority of the 2010s, he is a fair inclusion on this list, for now.
8. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder / Houston Rockets / Washington Wizards / Los Angeles Lakers / Los Angeles Clippers

Westbrook receives a lot of slander, deservedly so. There is no denying that Westbrook is an all-time great, despite that. He has the most triple-doubles of all time by a wide margin. I could see him having that record for a very long time. With his MVP season averaging a triple-double, and his multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections, he needs to be on this list, even with his limited playoff success.
7. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans / Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis has been that guy since he was drafted 1st overall in 2012. He has been a defensive stalwart his whole career, as he has been on multiple all-defensive teams. His inclusion on this list is because of his NBA Championship win in 2020 with the Lakers, where he played 1B to LeBron James. He should be able to add his long resume.
6. James Harden, Houston Rockets / Brooklyn Nets / Philadelphia 76ers

James Harden is one of the best playmakers the league has seen in a while. Harden was having scoring seasons that we hadn't seen since Kobe in the mid-2000s while also averaging 7+ assists. Harden has stats that pop off the sheet, and an MVP to show for it. Harden also led the team that gave the KD-led Warriors the biggest challenge in the playoffs. If Harden gets a ring, he will solidify himself as an all-timer.
5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs / Toronto Raptors / Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi really came onto the scene in 2014, when he was the Finals MVP and beat the Miami Heat, led by LeBron. Kawhi has been one of the best perimeter defenders for the better part of the last 10 years (two Defensive Player of the Year awards). Kawhi is one of the best two-way players the game has ever seen. What really solidified Kawhi was his 2019 playoff run with the Raptors, where he straight-up dominated on his way to his 2nd ring and 2nd Finals MVP.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis had a lot of doubters after the Bucks' 2020 bubble run, where they lost to the Miami Heat in embarrassing fashion. A year later, Giannis showed everyone that he is on his way to an all-time great path, with his first championship and his first Finals MVP. Giannis is another one of basketball's elite two-way players, as he has multiple defensive awards, to go along with 2 MVPs. If Giannis keeps up this trajectory, he could be top 10 all-time.
3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder / Golden State Warriors / Brooklyn Nets / Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen. It seemed like he was the 2nd best player in the NBA for a long time, behind LeBron James. He had the scoring titles, the MVP, and all the other accolades he's accumulated. It wasn't enough for him, as he did arguably the weakest move ever in NBA history, joining the 73-9 Warriors to ring-chase. That Warriors team had just beaten him after coming back down 3-1. KD accomplished he wanted in 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs, which is why you see him at this spot on this list.
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter of all time and it isn't even close. He completely changed how the game of basketball is played. He has broken every record that has to do with the 3. He has multiple MVPS (one being unanimous), and multiple championships to show for it. With or without KD, Curry has shown that he is a winner which lands him over KD as the 2nd best player in the last 13 years.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers / Miami Heat / Los Angeles Lakers

This is pretty self-explanatory, right? LeBron James went to 8 straight finals and then 9 out of 10 from 2010-2020. You could argue that he could've or should've won more rings but he was tasked with taking on the best team ever assembled, made just to stop him. Even with that being said, he has 2 MVPs since 2010, while also having 4 championships, and 4 Finals MVPs, along with a list of accolades that would make this section 3 paragraphs. LeBron is far and away the best player since 2010.
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