Third Best player of the 00's

[Matt15]

Same as the 90's thread, which player would you say is the third best of the 2000's? I personally have Duncan and Kobe as the two best of the 00's so third for me would probably be KG.

[Vorikan]

I would say Shaq, he was the best player in the league from 00-03. And he was still very good with the Heat, even winning a championship in 06.He dropped off after 06 ,but he has done enough at the beginning of 00's to be the 3rd best player of that decade.

[Cavsfansince84]

These kinds of discussions become a bit too convoluted imo when we try to force things to fit into decades.

[eminence]

If peak prime I probably go like this:

Shaq
Duncan
KG
LeBron

Wade
Kobe
Dirk
Nash
CP3
McGrady

For cumulative value in the 00s more like this:

Duncan
KG

Kobe
Dirk

Nash
Shaq
LeBron

[ceoofkobefans]

If we’re talking overall in the 00s I’d say it’s Kobe TD then kg but If we’re talking peaked its Shaq LeBron TD Kobe KG

[Narigo]

Kobe

[PierceFan4ever]

I mean it’s Shaq by far and he has a strong case for #1 as well

[RoyceDa59]

Come on guys it’s Shaq Duncan and Kobe as the big 3 from the 2000’s.

[Statlanta]

Dirk Nowitzki.

9 50 Win seasons, one of the greatest offenses of all time, MVP, 2 WCF appearances, NBA Finals appearance

Comparable to better numbers than Bryant, O'Neal and Garnett.

[Colbinii]

Come on guys it’s Shaq Duncan and Kobe as the big 3 from the 2000’s.

I have KG and Dirk ahead of Kobe for the 2000s

[dygaction]

Shaq/Duncan/Kobe
Dirk/LeBron/Wade
KG/Nash/Pierce

[falcolombardi]

Shaq/Duncan/Kobe
Dirk/LeBron/Wade
KG/Nash/Pierce

Good tier, albeit i would switch shaq/duncan and kg with wade

[dygaction]

Shaq/Duncan/Kobe
Dirk/LeBron/Wade
KG/Nash/Pierce

Good tier, albeit i would switch shaq/duncan and kg with wade

Not that you say it, I think I agree with the KG/Wade switch.

[ceoofkobefans]

Come on guys it’s Shaq Duncan and Kobe as the big 3 from the 2000’s.

I have KG and Dirk ahead of Kobe for the 2000s

I understand why so many people in this forum are so high in Kg and in turn have Kg over Kobe but the argument for dirk over Kobe just doesn’t make sense for me EVEN IF you think dirk is a better scorer Kobe is still clear as a playmaker which makes him a better offensive player and Kobe is the better defender

[ceoofkobefans]

Shaq/Duncan/Kobe
Dirk/LeBron/Wade
KG/Nash/Pierce

Kobe Duncan KG
Shaq LeBron Dirk
Nash Wade Pierce?

[Colbinii]

Come on guys it’s Shaq Duncan and Kobe as the big 3 from the 2000’s.

I have KG and Dirk ahead of Kobe for the 2000s

I understand why so many people in this forum are so high in Kg and in turn have Kg over Kobe but the argument for dirk over Kobe just doesn’t make sense for me EVEN IF you think dirk is a better scorer Kobe is still clear as a playmaker which makes him a better offensive player and Kobe is the better defender

Dirk may not be as good of a playmaker in the sense of passer as Kobe [He isn't] but Dirks offensive value is heavily reflected in his teams ATG offenses.

[falcolombardi]

Come on guys it’s Shaq Duncan and Kobe as the big 3 from the 2000’s.

I have KG and Dirk ahead of Kobe for the 2000s

I understand why so many people in this forum are so high in Kg and in turn have Kg over Kobe but the argument for dirk over Kobe just doesn’t make sense for me EVEN IF you think dirk is a better scorer Kobe is still clear as a playmaker which makes him a better offensive player and Kobe is the better defender

Dirk is not a strong passer in a vacuum but he was a willing ball mover (kobe bled some value with heroballing it at times with tough shots instead of moving the ball) and his (specially for era) rare big man gravity caused huge matchup issues to teams even when he was "just" a screener or spot up shooter

His offensive results/impact are tough to explain with the scoring alone otherwise

[HeartBreakKid]

Shaq, Garnett and Duncan were the best 00 players.

Bryant, Wade, James, Nash and Nowitzki are the next tier.

[ceoofkobefans]

I have KG and Dirk ahead of Kobe for the 2000s

I understand why so many people in this forum are so high in Kg and in turn have Kg over Kobe but the argument for dirk over Kobe just doesn’t make sense for me EVEN IF you think dirk is a better scorer Kobe is still clear as a playmaker which makes him a better offensive player and Kobe is the better defender

Dirk may not be as good of a playmaker in the sense of passer as Kobe [He isn't] but Dirks offensive value is heavily reflected in his teams ATG offenses.

Dirk also played on a lot of offensively slanted teams Kobe didn’t and was always leading elite or near elite offenses and he’s led some of the best PO offenses ever If you care about rhat

[Doctor MJ]

For me the top spot is a tough call between KG & Duncan.

#3 I'll go with Kobe.

Shaq is literally the Player of the Decade if you pick the right 10 year range, but he's not in prime throughout this entire decade.