2020 Player of the Decade is...

photo credit: msn.foxsports.com

First things first. The best player in the first decade of the 2000s...KOBE BRYANT. You can debate Shaq and Tim Duncan in there, but my list has Kobe at the top. 5 Championships out of 10 possible? Yeah, he's definitely my pick. So who takes the crown for the second decade in the new millennium? My guess has 2 guys at the top. LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Who will be the best?

Here are the lists of individual accolades up 'till now of the 2 superstars.

LeBron James
1st Over-All pick in the NBA Draft (2003-Cleveland Cavaliers)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2003-2004)
6 All-Star Game appearances (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
2 All-Star Game MVP awards (2006, 2008)
2 NBA MVP awards (2008-2009, 2009-2010)
NBA All-Rookie 1st Team (2003-2004)
4 All-NBA 1st Team selections (2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010)
2 All-NBA 2nd Team selections (2004-2005, 2006-2007)
2 All-Defensive 1st Team selections (2008-2009, 2009-2010)
Olympic Basketball Bronze Medal (2004)
Olympic Basketball Gold Medal (2008)

LeBron James averaged 20.pts, 5,9 ast, and 5.5 reb a game his rookie year and is 1 of 4 rookies ever to do so in the history of the NBA. In his rookie year, he took the Cleveland Cavaliers from 17 wins to 35. By his 3rd year, he led the Cavaliers to a 50-win season and a trip to the NBA playoffs breaking an 8 year absence in the post-season by the Cavs. By his 4th year, James led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1992, beating the Detroit Pistons to take the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals. This was the Cleveland Cavaliers' first ever NBA Final appearance in franchise history. Since 2006, LeBron James has led the Cavaliers to the NBA playoffs, at least making it to the Semi-Finals of the Eastern Conference every time. In the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 NBA seasons, James led the Cavaliers to the number 1 over-all record in the NBA.

Kevin Durant
2nd Over-All pick in the NBA Draft (2007-Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2007-2008)
1 All-Star Game appearance (2010)
NBA Rookie-Sophomore Game MVP award (2009)
NBA All-Rookie 1st Team (2007-2008)
1 All-NBA 1st Team selections (2009-2010)
FIBA World Championship Gold Medal (2010)
FIBA World Championship MVP award (2010)
NBA Scoring Leader (2010)

Kevin Durant was a decorated college player his freshman year at the University of Texas and had much to prove coming into the NBA. Durant averaged 20.3 pts, 4.4 reb, and 2.4 ast his rookie year, winning the Rookie of the Year award. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 50 win season and the 8th seed of the Western Conference by his 3rd year in the league. In that same year, Durant captured the NBA scoring title, averaging 30.1 points, becoming the youngest player ever to do so at the age of 21. He was the focal point, on a young Team USA, who led the United States to a decisive win over Turkey in the gold medal match-up, scoring 28 points, with 7 for 13 shooting from 3-point range.

At this point in their careers, LeBron has accomplished a lot more than Durant has. He has more MVP trophies and multiple playoff berths. Whereas Durant has only been to the post season once and is yet to hold any NBA MVP trophies. LeBron's been in the league 4 more years than Durant, but if health is never an issue, Durant looks poised to reach every accolade LeBron has. This year, Durant is likely to reach the playoffs again with another 50 win season and likely to win the MVP award (barring any injury). Not to mention, Durant seems to be a lock on the 2012 Olympic team, and if the top players from 2008 return, I don't see anyone beating that team for the gold medal.

Regardless of what's been done so far by these two players, I'm pretty sure that they will be apart of plenty more All-Star games and All-NBA 1st team selections in the near future. So the list of accomplishments by both players will grow and comparing the two will get even harder.

Putting aside the individual achievements, lets look at the numbers to get some answers. For the 2009-2010 season:
LeBron James averaged 29.7 pts, shooting .503 from the field, .333 from 3-point range, and .767 from the free-throw line. James also averaged 7.3 reb, 8.6 ast, 1.6 stl, and 1.0 blk a game.
Kevin Durant averaged 30.1 pts, shooting .476 from the field, .365 from 3-point range, and .900 from the free-throw line. Durant also averaged 7.6 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.4 stl, and 1.0 blk a game.

Scoring wise, James and Durant are two of the most dominant and dynamic scorers in the league. Durant will probably give a run at the scoring title again this upcoming season with James going to Miami, but they both can score the basketball at will. LeBron scores more of his baskets inside, averaging an impressive 50% shooting from the field, but Durant is a much better shooter from 3-point range and the free-throw line, averaging, respectively, 36% and 90%. They both are also very impressive defensively as they average over a steal per game and a block per game. The only noticeable difference between the two is in assists where LeBron averaged a stunning 8.6 assists this past season. LeBron has a knack for finding open team mates, and that is something that Durant will need to learn to do as he continues to grow his skills.

After all the facts, the verdict is...

Only time will tell. Individual accolades like MVP trophies, All-NBA 1st team selections, scoring titles, etc. are great and all, but they won't prove someone is the best (i.e. Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Karl Malone). For me, it comes down to whoever has the most Championship rings by 2020. Winning the final prize (multiple times) is what gets you the title of Best Player in the NBA for the 2nd decade in the new millennium. Also known as the title of the Best Player in the NBA after Kobe Bryant retires.
photo credit: NBA / Getty Images

Top 5 Candidates for Most Improved Team (2010-2011)

The crazy ride of the summer of 2010 for the NBA is finally coming to an end, and as the dust settles, these 5 teams are looking like the most improved.

#5 - Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings (Tied for 5th)

For these 3 teams, the future rests in the success of their young players.

The Los Angeles Clippers (29-53) improvement depends solely on how healthy Blake Griffin is. If Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon continue their solid play from last year, Blake Griffin joining the team can only be a huge plus. Baron Davis will have to cut down on taking bad shots and begin to get his team mates involved. The Clippers also have 2 good looking rookies in Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe. Look for these rookies to get some playing time to help the Clippers. With Blake in their starting line up, the Clippers are looking to be a team on the rise. Let's just hope the Clipper's curse is broken with Blake Griffin.

The Sacramento Kings (25-57) proved to have a draft steal in Tyreke Evans who averaged 20.1 ppg, 5.3 reb, and 5.8 ast his rookie year. Evans, who won the Rookie of the Year award last year, attained a lot of inside help this year when the Kings drafted DeMarcus Cousins with the 5th pick. These 2 players are looking to be the franchise guys the Kings need to build their team around. With the addition of a solid center in Samuel Dalembert and a core in Omri Casspi, Jason Thompson, and Carl Landry this team will be a much improved team this year.

With the number 1 pick in this summer's draft, the Washington Wizards selected John Wall. He is no doubt the future of this Wizards team, and it's improvement will depend on how well John Wall plays. What happens with Gilbert Arenas is still in question, but the Wizards are looking forward with their number 1 pick. Wall's scoring and play-making ability should help young guys like Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee succeed and the signing of Kirk Hinrich is a plus for this young squad. Look for guys like Al Thornton and Yi Jianlian to make some contributions also. With more playing time together, this team should be a lot better than last years debacle of a team.

#4 - New York Knicks (29-53)
The New York Knicks have finally found their franchise player in Amare Stoudemire. His offensive ability alone can lift this Knicks team to a higher ranking and it doesn't hurt to have a young, talented player in Danilo Gallinari to help. Although Raymond Felton is no Steve Nash, he is a much better point guard than Chris Duhon and should help this team. With solid wings in Wilson Chandler and newly acquired Kelenna Azubuike, this team is looking to get at least 10-15 more wins. Also, look out for Timofey Mozgov to be a sleeper for the Knicks this upcoming season. Now only if they can somehow get rid of Eddy Curry's contract...

#3 - Houston Rockets (42-40)
What are the two most important words to the Rockets? Yao Ming. He is the difference maker for this Rockets squad. If he's healthy, the Rockets instantly become a play-off contender. Without him, they stay below the playoff cut. But looking at this team, it has all the ingredients needed to build a championship contender. Aaron Brooks is a lightning quick point guard who can penetrate and shoot lights out. Kevin Martin is an above average shooting guard who can score if given the chance. Battier is the designated defensive stopper, who can knock down the occasional 3. You have Luis Scola as the hardworking, hustling, big man to help along side Yao Ming. Then you have a young group in Kyle Lowry, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, and Jordan Hill who should round out this teams bench nicely. It's the makings of a great team, but without Yao Ming they will never get beyond good.
The Rockets are hoping they won't be seeing Yao in any suits this upcoming season.

#2 - Chicago Bulls (41-41)
All-Star point guard, check. All-Star post-scorer, check. Insanely hard-working, team-energizing center, check. 3-point shooters, check. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, or Chris Bosh, unavailable. So, so close! Although Chicago didn't get any of the Big 3 of the Summer of 2010, they still came out with a talented, low-post scoring machine. They will definitely improve to the top 5 in the East and maybe even the whole NBA. This team will rely heavily on Derrick Rose's play-making abilities and newly signed Carlos Boozer's inside scoring, along with Noah's defensive hustle. Look for Brewer and Korver to jack up plenty of 3's, while their bench gets solid minutes. If Coach Thibodeau gets this team and not just Noah to love defense, they will definitely be one of the most improved teams in the NBA.

#1 - Miami Heat (47-35)
47 wins and 5th place in the East with a horrible team? Dwyane Wade is pretty darn good. With the addition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, this team is automatically a contender for the NBA Championship and the favorite for the number 1 seed in the East. That gives them the label of most improved team in the NBA. Having solid backups in every position helps too. Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem will play key roles on this team. Big Z, Joel Anthony, and the rest of the bigs will need to focus on rebounding and defending. Eddie House and James Jones need to do one thing and that's make 3's. Barring any significant injury to the Big 3, this team will be hard to beat. Even though the Lakers, Magic, and Celtics say they aren't scared, I know no one would want to face them in the playoffs.Miami's Big 3 (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh) sittin' pretty after their big summer.





Writer's Note
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