Best NBA Players by Decade
A decade-by-decade ranking of the best NBA players of all time — the top 5 from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s. Then build your own all-time decade team on Lock The Lineup.
The Best of the 1980s
The decade that turned the league into appointment television: rivalries, dynasties, and the first true global superstars.
- Magic Johnson — Five rings, three MVPs, and the most influential point guard ever.
- Larry Bird — Three straight MVPs and the Celtics' Big Three centerpiece.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — Still the all-time leading scorer entering the 80s; six rings overall.
- Michael Jordan — Arrived in 1984 — by 1988 he was the league's best player.
- Hakeem Olajuwon — Footwork, blocks, and the foundation of two later championships.
The Best of the 1990s
Defense ruled, the Bulls dynasty defined the decade, and a generation of franchise centers fought for what was left.
- Michael Jordan — Six titles, six Finals MVPs. The undisputed peak of the sport.
- Hakeem Olajuwon — Back-to-back championships and a 1994 MVP / DPOY / Finals MVP sweep.
- Karl Malone — Two MVPs and the most prolific power forward of the era.
- David Robinson — MVP, DPOY, Rookie of the Year — the Spurs' decade-long anchor.
- Scottie Pippen — All-NBA wing defense and the perfect Robin to Jordan's Batman.
The Best of the 2000s
Shaq and Kobe, Duncan's quiet dominance, the rise of the international star, and the seeds of the modern offense.
- Tim Duncan — Three titles, two MVPs, and the most consistent superstar of the decade.
- Kobe Bryant — Five rings (across two eras), one MVP, the decade's defining shot-maker.
- Shaquille O'Neal — Four titles, the league's most unstoppable scorer through 2002.
- Kevin Garnett — MVP, DPOY, and the engine of the 2008 Celtics championship.
- Dirk Nowitzki — Reinvented the stretch four; 2007 MVP and a future Finals MVP.
The Best of the 2010s
Pace, space, and the three-point revolution: super-teams, unicorns, and a decade-long argument over the GOAT.
- LeBron James — Four MVPs, three rings in the decade, eight straight Finals appearances.
- Stephen Curry — Two MVPs (one unanimous) and the player who broke the math of the sport.
- Kevin Durant — Four scoring titles, an MVP, and back-to-back Finals MVPs in Golden State.
- Kawhi Leonard — Two Finals MVPs with two different franchises; era-defining two-way wing.
- James Harden — MVP, three scoring titles, the most prolific shot-creator of the decade.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best NBA player of the 2010s?
LeBron James — four MVPs across his career, three Finals titles in the decade (2012, 2013, 2016), and eight straight Finals appearances from 2011 to 2018.
Who was the best player of the 1960s?
Bill Russell. Eleven championships in thirteen years, five MVPs, and the defensive standard the rest of the league chased for a decade.
Why is the 80s debate so close?
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird split the era cleanly: five titles to three, three MVPs each, and a head-to-head rivalry that defined the league's resurgence. Most rankings give Magic the slightest edge on accolades.
Who's the front-runner for the 2020s?
Nikola Jokic, with three MVPs and a Finals title, has the early lead. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remain in the picture as the decade continues.