KOBE BRYANT
The “Black Mamba” spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. In the 2000s, he was a four-time NBA champion and Finals MVP in 2009. He was league MVP in 2008 and won scoring titles in 2006 and 2007. He scored 81 points in a 2006 game against Toronto — the second-most ever. He was a four-time All-Star Game MVP and a nine-time All-Defense first-team selection. The Lakers have retired both his jersey numbers — 8 and 24. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at age 41. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
TIM DUNCAN
Duncan teamed up with Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and coach Gregg Popovich to lift the San Antonio Spurs to their greatest heights during this decade. The power forward was league MVP in 2002 and 2003. He won three of his five NBA titles in the 2000s, with two Finals MVP awards. He was an All-Defense first-team choice seven times in the decade. “The Big Fundamental” used exceptional footwork and an…