December 11, 2009, Newsletter Issue #428: NBA All-Decade Team

Tip of the Week

With the end of the decade rapidly approaching, one can’t help but become nostalgic. It’s only natural to think back on the last ten years -- all the great teams, all the great players -- and feel the need to quantify all of the greatness the last ten years has brought us. What better way to do this than to make an All-Decade list? America loves list. So here’s mine:

All-Decade PG:

Steve Nash: For me, this was an easy one. Yes, I am a huge Nash fan, but of anybody on this list, only he and Tim Duncan have 2 MVP’s to their names. He was actually close to a third MVP if it wasn’t for his good buddy Dirk Nowitzki, who won a close vote in ‘07. A six-time all-star, he completely revolutionized the position IMO. Also the only guy in NBA history to shoot over 50% from the field, over 40% from three point territory, and over 90% from the free throw line for three consecutive seasons. On top of that he led the league in assists for 5 consecutive seasons(‘04-’08). His only knock is that he was never able to win a championship, but IMO he was robbed of that opportunity in ‘07 when convicted felon Tim Donaghy stole game three from the Suns, and soon after the NBA would steal the series when both Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw were suspended for getting up off the bench after Nash was hip checked into the scorer’s table by Robert Horry in the waning moments of game 4. The Spurs would go onto win this travesty of a series, going on to play the incredibly mediocre Cavs in one of the most lopsided NBA Finals in recent memory.

All-Decade SG:

Kobe Bryant: This was another easy one. The guy is in discussion for GOAT(Greatest-Of-All-Time) player in NBA history. He is a four-time NBA champion, his latest being the most impressive seeing how he did it without Shaq. He’s an 11 time all-star, making every all-star game of the decade, 2 time scoring champ, 1 time MVP, and he also won his first Finals MVP for last years performance. There is probably not a more scrutinized player in the NBA, but he’s proven over and over why he is considered the best player since Michael Jordan.

All-Decade SF

Lebron James: Ever since he stormed the league in ‘03, he’s lived up to all of the hype. He’s already led his mediocre Cavs to the Finals in ‘07, before getting destroyed by the Spurs. He’s also won an MVP(‘09), and a scoring championship(‘08). He is probably the most unique player to come into the league in a while, using a combination of speed and power that leaves fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

All-Decade PF

Tim Duncan: “The Big Fundamental” as Shaq calls him, the guy is considered by many as the greatest power forward of all-time. He’s a four time NBA champion, three time Finals MVP, and a two time regular season MVP. He is also an 11 time all-star, making an appearance every year of the decade. He’s not flashy, but he’s a winner which is a one way ticket onto an all-decade list.

All-Decade Center

Shaquille O’Neil: Shaq has dominated the decade with brute force. He’s a four time champion, his latest with a different sidekick, Dwayne Wade. He’s a three time Finals MVP, winning only one regular season MVP(‘00). He’s a 15 time all-star, along with a two time scoring champion. There has never been someone of his size to dominate the game like he has and there may never be again. I would say only Kareem-Abdul Jabbar is above him as greatest Center of all-time.
 

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