Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The 2000s were defined by dominant big men, legendary shooting guards, fierce rivalries and championship dynasties. The decade featured the continued brilliance of established superstars alongside the emergence of a new generation that would carry the NBA into the 2010s. Hall of Fame careers, MVP awards, NBA championships and unforgettable playoff performances made this one of basketball’s greatest eras.
Below are the defining legends for every NBA franchise during the 2000s.
| Team | 2000s Legend | Why They’re a Legend |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | Joe Johnson | Six-time All-Star who became the face of Atlanta basketball during the latter half of the decade. |
| Boston Celtics | Paul Pierce | NBA champion, Finals MVP and long-time franchise leader who restored Boston to championship glory. |
| Charlotte Bobcats | Gerald Wallace | Franchise’s first All-Star and defensive leader during Charlotte’s early NBA return. |
| Chicago Bulls | Derrick Rose | Rookie of the Year whose remarkable rise began at the end of the decade, signaling Chicago’s resurgence. |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | LeBron James | MVP, scoring superstar and leader of Cleveland’s first NBA Finals appearance in 2007. |
| Dallas Mavericks | Dirk Nowitzki | MVP, perennial All-NBA forward and one of the greatest international players ever. |
| Denver Nuggets | Carmelo Anthony | Elite scorer who led Denver to consistent playoff appearances throughout the decade. |
| Detroit Pistons | Chauncey Billups | NBA champion, Finals MVP and leader of one of the decade’s best defensive teams. |
| Golden State Warriors | Baron Davis | Leader of the unforgettable “We Believe” playoff team that shocked the NBA in 2007. |
| Houston Rockets | Yao Ming | Eight-time All-Star whose global impact extended far beyond the basketball court. |
| Indiana Pacers | Jermaine O’Neal | Multiple All-Star and MVP candidate who anchored Indiana’s championship-caliber teams. |
| Los Angeles Clippers | Elton Brand | Two-time All-Star who helped turn the Clippers into a respectable playoff team. |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Kobe Bryant | Five-time NBA champion, MVP and the defining superstar of the decade. |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Pau Gasol | Franchise’s first superstar and cornerstone of Memphis’ early playoff teams. |
| Miami Heat | Dwyane Wade | NBA champion, Finals MVP and one of the greatest shooting guards in league history. |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Michael Redd | Elite scorer and All-Star who carried Milwaukee’s offense for much of the decade. |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Kevin Garnett | MVP and one of the greatest power forwards ever before finishing the decade in Boston. |
| New Jersey Nets | Jason Kidd | Hall of Fame point guard who led New Jersey to consecutive NBA Finals appearances. |
| New Orleans Hornets | Chris Paul | Rookie of the Year who quickly became one of the NBA’s elite point guards. |
| New York Knicks | Allan Houston | Veteran scorer who remained one of New York’s most respected players in the early 2000s. |
| Oklahoma City Thunder / Seattle SuperSonics | Kevin Durant | Rookie of the Year and emerging superstar who transformed the franchise before the decade ended. |
| Orlando Magic | Dwight Howard | Three-time Defensive Player of the Year who led Orlando to the 2009 NBA Finals. |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Allen Iverson | MVP, scoring champion and one of the most iconic players of his generation. |
| Phoenix Suns | Steve Nash | Two-time MVP and leader of one of the NBA’s most revolutionary offenses. |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Brandon Roy | Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star whose brilliant career was shortened by injuries. |
| Sacramento Kings | Chris Webber | Superstar forward who led Sacramento’s unforgettable early-2000s championship contenders. |
| San Antonio Spurs | Tim Duncan | Multiple NBA champion, Finals MVP and the greatest power forward in NBA history. |
| Toronto Raptors | Chris Bosh | Franchise cornerstone and perennial All-Star before joining Miami. |
| Utah Jazz | Deron Williams | Elite point guard who led Utah to multiple deep playoff runs. |
| Washington Wizards | Gilbert Arenas | Explosive scorer and three-time All-Star known as “Agent Zero.” |
The Defining Legends of the 2000s
The following players shaped the NBA more than anyone else during the decade:
- Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
- Shaquille O’Neal (Los Angeles Lakers / Miami Heat)
- LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
- Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
- Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)
- Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves / Boston Celtics)
- Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
- Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets)
- Yao Ming (Houston Rockets)
The 2000s Era
The 2000s represented the transition from the Michael Jordan era to a new generation of superstars. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan dominated the championship landscape, while Steve Nash revolutionized offensive basketball with the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns. LeBron James entered the league in 2003 and quickly became the NBA’s next global superstar, while future Hall of Famers such as Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose emerged near the end of the decade. The 2000s remain one of the NBA’s most competitive and memorable eras, producing countless legendary players whose influence continues to shape the game today.