When the 2010s started it seemed that it was over of the NBA golden era. The NBA players didn’t average over 30 points per game and when looking at the statistics some may think that the decade had a slow start and would be mediocre, to say the least. But it was far from the truth, the 2010s are the years of extremely talented players and crazy achievements which are almost impossible to accomplish with modern rules and strict regulations. The past decade came down in NBA history as an incredibly competitive one.
Los Angeles Lakers
The 2009-2010 season still belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers who dominated the previous era but it would soon be changed. The 2010s were led by the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
Stephen Curry
In the 2009 NBA Draft, Steph Curry was picked seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors. Since then, he’s helped to create the true Warriors Dynasty. Stephen Curry is an All-Star player, one of the most prolific scorers, with his ability to almost never miss while shooting from the three-point line. He became the first-ever unanimous MVP in 2015 and the first Warrior since Wilt Chamberlain to obtain this award.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors weren’t considered a particularly great team but they weren’t lacking in talent. On May 14, 2014, the Golden State Warriors named Steve Kerr as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year $25 million contract. A former NBA champion guard with an all-time record for accuracy in three-point shooting, Kerr was a perfect match for Stephen Curry. This squad would be down as one of the best in NBA history.
The Warriors Dynasty
Curry is still leading the Warriors, along with his sidekick Klay Thompson. Both of the players were on the team when they started their crazy winning streak of 2015, which lasted 28 games! Also, with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors broke the Chicago Bulls record of 72-10! They scored 73 to 9 record but ultimately lost the championship that year.
The Warriors didn’t give up and after a long summer of training, they got back stronger, winning the NBA championships in 2015 and then adding two more in 2017 and 2018. They were almost unbeatable. There was only one enemy who could face them. And his name was LeBron James.
LeBron James
In the 2010s LeBron was already a seasoned player. He had one MVP under his belt and added two more during the decade. He played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the team couldn’t keep up with him and he became a free agent. He did it in a spectacular way, which was hated by the sports commentators and the public.
A TV special called “The Decision” was broadcast live and people could watch 75 minutes of LeBron making the choice which team he should sign. He chose the Miami Heat because he was tempted with a promise of better team members. It was the first superstar NBA team that was created by the players, not the managers due to the free agency factor.
Media Scrutiny
LeBron James was heavily criticized by the media and by former NBA superstars Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson for not trying to give a one-man show which was so popular during the 1990s NBA. But the decision he made turned out to be the right one, as he went on to win two consecutive NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013.
In 2014 LeBron James got back with the Cleveland Cavaliers to repay his debts and acquired another ring in 2016. This time he was treated as a hero, not as a traitor and his reputation was back on track.
King LeBron James
Every team in which LeBron James played was a true danger for the forming dynasty of the Warriors. He was the opponent to beat, just as the Lakers had the Celtics through most of NBA history, the Warriors had not a whole team, but whichever team LeBron James played.
Players of the 2010s
As fun as the LeBron vs Curry arc was to watch for the public, people’s eyes were also set on other great players of the 2010s who excelled during the decade. Many of them who were drafted for NBA teams during that time are still active and are currently breaking crazy NBA records.
Kevin Durant
The face of Nike, Kevin Durant was the only player who averaged 30 points per game at the beginning of the decade, acquiring four scoring titles. He was selected Most Valuable Player of 2014 and later he joined the Warriors to win two championships. Durant has a range of skills, making him a big scoring threat. He is strong, athletic, and determined, making him one of a kind.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is a power forward and a center. Davis has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game eight times, and he’s appeared on four All-NBA First Teams and four All-Defensive Teams. Drafted by New Orleans Pelicans in 2012, he quickly became one of the most dominant two-way players and rim protectors in the league, at least when healthy
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s stardom wasn’t over in the 2010s. He was after his sixth ring but could ‘only’ win five in seven tries. He got back to his final season of 2015-2016. As he was already considered a legendary player, a basketball God walking among the rest, and was an immensely respected figure, he had to ask the NBA players and other teams not to hold any ceremonies for him and not give him any gifts publicly. Despite the Lakers ending the season with the worst record in franchise history, Kobe Bryant went out with grace, scoring 60 points in his final game.
James Harden
James Harden is an extremely talented shooting guard and a point guard, making joining these two positions look easy. He was drafted in 2009 by Oklahoma City Thunder but he didn’t extend his contract and had transferred to the Houston Rockets. James hasn’t won a championship ring yet which makes him a victim of circumstances, because he is a prolific shooter and a great player, a role model for a Sixth Man (NBA Sixth Man of 2012). He was awarded Most Valuable Player Award in 2018 and he was selected to the NBA All-Star team nine times. James Harden can be definitely considered one of the most versatile players in NBA history.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is mostly known for the outrageous number of triple-doubles he’s gotten, from the time he scored the first one in his career as Oklahoma City Thunder rookie. He was the first rookie to have a triple-double since Chris Paul. After that, he became a regular threat, in 2017 being chosen Most Valuable Player of the Year and eventually becoming the all-time leader in triple-doubles.
NBA Finals
The last decade gave us the battle of basketball titans with some fresh blood leading their teams to NBA Championships. In the beginning, it was hard to predict who will be playing in the next NBA Finals, but as time passed, the positions started to be more established.
2010 – As the tradition says, the Los Angeles Lakers met the Boston Celtics in a Final NBA game. This time the Lakers were victorious.
2011 – New stars on the horizon, Dallas Mavericks beat Miami Heat, who already had LeBron James in their squad.
2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Miami Heat and King James.
2013 – San Antonio Spurs lost to Lebron James’ Miami Heat.
2014 – San Antonio Spurs had its revenge on the Miami Heat.
2015 – Golden State Warriors destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers
2016 – The Warriors were beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James back in their team.
2017 – The Warriors won with the Cleveland Cavaliers making themselves a true dynasty.
2018 – The Warriors, led by Curry, won with the Cleveland Cavaliers again.
2019 – Golden State Warriors gave the crown to the Toronto Raptors at the end of the decade.
NBA History
The league’s history is full of great NBA players and breathtaking performances. When looking back at NBA history it’s hard to imagine that the skinny blue-collar workers, playing basketball for fun, will create something as big and marvelous as the NBA is now.
But the league surpassed all of the prejudices and raised absolute superstars, who are now role models for future generations. Nowadays, people struggle to choose a favorite because of the head-to-head competition. The NBA season is one of the most awaited parts of the year and the All-Star Weekend is a heavily commercialized tradition.
Who scored the most points in the NBA in the 2010s?
It was LeBron James with 19,550 points.
Who dominated the 2010s NBA?
The 2010s were undoubtedly the decade of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Dirk Nowitzki. Or, as some like to call them, “the big three.” While Curry and James lead in terms of achievements during this time period.
Who was the best NBA player in the 2010s?
LeBron James was undoubtedly the best NBA player of the 2010s. This is due to a multitude of factors, including his remarkable physical abilities, his unparalleled leadership and mental aptitude, and his commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
