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Eleazar Gonzales ranks his top-10 NBA guards who played in seasons from 2000 to 2010. He breaks down what made their careers so special and their accomplishments.
Most of today's NBA guards have a three-point shot in their arsenals. While it's proof that the three-point shot is now a major weapon for most basketball players, it makes the game more predictable.
The years between 2000 and 2010 saw the emergence of NBA guards who eventually became champions, Hall of Fame inductees, and legends in their rights. Some even have their names written in history books.
In this article, we will discuss the top-10 NBA guards who played from 2000 to 2010.
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Kobe Bryant
Arguably the best guard of the decade, Kobe Bryant spent his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships in half of the 2000s decade -- including the three-peat from 2000 to 2002.
Kobe is regarded as one of the greatest scorers of all time, and it came to a point when he could still score even with two defenders.
And while he did most of his damage on offense, Kobe's defense wasn't a laughing thing, either. It explains why he earned 12 NBA All-Defensive Teams selections in his career -- the second most in NBA history.
Of course, who could forget Kobe's 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors?
15 years ago today 💜💛
Kobe Bryant, 81 points. pic.twitter.com/6lW5SdM9te
— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2021
Allen Iverson
Before the likes of Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Trae Young, and Kyrie Irving entered the league and started breaking ankles with their handles, The Answer stood tall despite his height of six feet. And he could play either guard position at any time.
Allen Iverson was a problem for opponents. A one-time NBA MVP and an 11-time NBA All-Star in that decade alone, Iverson led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001 against the Lakers. It was in the series that Iverson was immortalized for dropping Tyronn Lue after hitting a difficult shot.
On this day in 2001 -
Allen Iverson steps over Ty Lue 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/zSdyanUbFU
— Sidelines - Eagles 🦅🏈 (@SSN_Eagles) June 6, 2023
Tracy McGrady
Many people believed that had Tracy McGrady remained healthy in his career, he could have achieved more. Still, T-Mac won two scoring titles by averaging 32.2 points in 2002 and 28 points in 2003 and was a seven-time All-Star.
T-Mac made it hard for defenders to stop him. He had so many arrows in his quiver that you wouldn't know which arrow he was going to use next. Remember the game against the San Antonio Spurs when McGrady scored 13 straight points in the final 33 seconds to erase the Spurs' lead and guide the Houston Rockets to a stunning victory? It was regarded as one of the greatest scoring barrages of all time.
Throwback to @Tmac_213’s EPIC 13 PTS in 33 seconds! 🚀🔥#TeamDay | @HoustonRockets
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 12, 2023
Jason Kidd
While he won his only NBA championship in 2011, Jason Kidd dominated the point guard position from 2000 to 2010. He established the ways of how a true floor general should run and not just set the offense.
Kidd led the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals only to lose both times. He led the league in assists five times, was a 10-time All-Star, and was a five-time member of the All-NBA First Team. Oh, and he was a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team. That says something about how multi-faceted his game was.
June 6, 2003: New Jersey's Jason Kidd "weaves through everybody and scores" during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio.
Kidd finished with 30 PTS/7 REB/3 AST in the Nets' 87-85 win that tied the series at 1-1. Tony Parker had 21 PTS/5 AST/5 REB for the Spurs. pic.twitter.com/wMsED7TQZY
— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) June 6, 2023
Steve Nash
A two-time league MVP who failed to win a championship in his time, Steve Nash was arguably one of the best point guards in his prime years. As an extension to Mike D'Antoni during their time together with the Phoenix Suns, Nash supervised the Suns' "seven seconds or less" offense that brought them a foot away from the NBA Finals.
Before coming to Phoenix, Nash formed one of the best Big Threes with the Dallas Mavericks alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley. He led the NBA in assists four times in the decade alone and five overall.
ON THIS DAY (May 9, 2005)
Steve Nash 🇨🇦 was awarded his FIRST MVP after averaging 15.5 PTS, 11.5 AST, 3.3 REB & 1.0 STL for the Suns! pic.twitter.com/ozjomQ5mlm
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) May 9, 2024
Ray Allen
Today's NBA fans would remember Ray Allen for his stints with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Older fans know prime Allen with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Seattle SuperSonics was a different beast back then.
Even while he was on his way to becoming the league's all-time second-leading three-point shooter, Allen was already armed with a lethal three-point shot, and his mid-range game is no easy thing to defend. He shot 43.4% from 16 feet to the three-point line on top of his 40% three-point shooting percentage. He also had an unguardable mid-range floater and yes, prime Allen dunked a few times.
Allen won a championship with the Celtics in 2008 and another one later on with the Heat in 2013.
54 points. 18 in the 4th. Seattle Sonics Ray Allen was so smooth 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4waR5bvZWh
— Seattle Sonics ON Tap (@SonicsONTap) April 29, 2024
Manu Ginobili
Hailed as one of the best sixth men to enter the NBA, Manu Ginobili earned his spot in the list of top-10 guards from 2000 to 2010.
Ginobili, who only started 349 of his 1,057 career games with the San Antonio Spurs, was proven more capable of inflicting damage off the bench. In those games, Manu averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. His efforts earned him the Sixth Man of the Year Award and three NBA championships in that decade.
Join us in wishing a Happy 45th Birthday to 2x #NBAAllStar, 4x NBA Champion, 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year and @HoopHall inductee, Manu Ginobili! #NBABDAY pic.twitter.com/Ab6KXOKdLR
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 28, 2022
Tony Parker
Yes, another guard who grew up under the watchful eyes of Gregg Popovich.
Tony Parker is on this list for one reason: the Spurs wouldn't be able to win three NBA championships without him in that decade. In 1,254 regular-season games with the Spurs (and later with the Charlotte Hornets), Parker averaged 15.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. A six-time All-Star and a one-time Finals MVP, Parker won more championships in that decade than most of the young and upcoming point guards because of his intelligence on both sides.
Join us in wishing a Happy 41st Birthday to 6x #NBAAllStar, 4x NBA champion and 2006-07 NBA Finals MVP, Tony Parker! #NBABDAY pic.twitter.com/7tZMgE1Htq
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 17, 2023
Dwayne Wade
You're probably where Dwayne Wade is on this list. After all, most people believe Wade is among the greatest shooting guards to play the game, and rightfully so.
Drafted third overall in 2003, it didn't take long before Wade won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat against a loaded Dallas Mavericks squad in 2006. How great was Wade in the 2006 NBA Finals?
He averaged 34.7 points per game en route to the only Finals MVP Award of his career. He also won the scoring title in 2009.
He later added two more championships with LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
After going down 0-2 during the 2006 NBA Finals, Dwyane Wade responded by delivering a performance for the ages. Wade willed his team to 4 straight victories and a Championship.
His stats in those final 4 games?
39/8/4/2.5 steals/1 block on 51%FG.You can count on 2 hands… pic.twitter.com/T1jE1Yh0HE
— The NBA Realist (@nbarealist23) November 27, 2023
Gilbert Arenas
Once upon a time, the Washington Wizards had a top gunner who gave LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers problems in the playoffs. His name is Gilbert Arenas.
Although he started his career with the Golden State Warriors where he won the Most Improved Player Award in his second year, Arenas' career blossomed in Washington from 2003 to 2010.
In 11 seasons playing for four teams, Arenas averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He also had 128 games where he scored 30 points or more.
Happy birthday to Gilbert Arenas 🥳 pic.twitter.com/ppxDVOTEDT
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 6, 2024
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