Over and Back: The best NBA players of the 2010s

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 19: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 19, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

NBA.com recently released their All-Decade Team article looking at the best players of the 2010s and we’re here to tell you if they were right or wrong!

All-Decade teams are a tricky endeavor, but NBA.com just released their three teams for the best players of the 2010s, which means it’s time for a pod debating those choices! Here’s a look at their selections for all three teams:

First Team:

Stephen Curry
James Harden
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Kawhi Leonard

Second Team:

Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Anthony Davis
Blake Griffin
Carmelo Anthony

Third Team:

Dwyane Wade
Kobe Bryant
Paul George
LaMarcus Aldridge
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Topics include a look at who made the team and why, who shouldn’t have been named to any of the three teams, reactions to Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade’s inclusions, whether Kawhi Leonard or Russell Westbrook should have made the First Team, where to place Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin’s surprisingly great decade, how Giannis Antetokounmpo made himself a contender for this list in just a few years, as well as notable snubs from the list like Al Horford, Kevin Love, Damian Lillard, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan and more!

We also take a statistical look at the list using basic numbers in addition to advanced stats (Win Shares, WS/48, Box Plus-Minus) but also weigh historical significance, narratives, All-Star games, All-NBA team berths and more to determine who belongs and who is getting the boot.

Lastly, we discuss the changing and evolving NBA during this decade and potential topics for future episodes including All Mid-Decade Teams, looks at other All-Decade teams and more.