NBA 2010’s: Decade Recap!
With lots of great players playing throughout the decade, their have been plenty of iconic moments to go around. Here were some of the best for the decade.
2010: This was a very great year in the NBA, with Kobe Bryant winning the championship in 7 games against their rivals, the Boston Celtics. But, the most memorable thing of that season was The Decision.
“I’ve decided to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” – Lebron James
Lebron James make his televised decision that he would be leaving the Cavaliers and be joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Lebron received lots of back lash for this as he made the wild proposition about how many rings that the Heat would win, and how easy it would be.
Tyronn Lue and Donyell Marshall retired.
2011: It was the first year of the big 3 in Miami. Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in league history, winning the award at the age of 22. Lebron James made the Finals, where he underperformed and the Heat lost in 6 games to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Rasheed Wallace and Steve Francis retired.
2012: Lebron James and company wanted revenge for their 2011 loss. Lebron James won MVP, and Dwight Howard was traded to the Lakers, a move that would turn out to be disastrous. The Heat again made the Finals, where they were met by the young Thunder with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. But, LBJ was determined. They rolled through the Thunder, winning the series in 5 games, and giving Lebron his first ring. The United States Basketball Team got the gold medal from London.
Yao Ming, Shaquille O’Neal and Brandon Roy retired.
2013: Lebron James looked for his 2nd ring, and this would be his prime in the NBA. James won MVP again, and he was close to winning defensive player of the year. The Heat went into the playoffs, this time met by the veteran San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs led 3-2 in the series, and they were on the brink of beating the Heat. But, Ray Allen tied the game with the most clutch shot in NBA Finals history. He tied the game at 95 with 5.2 seconds left, and this forced overtime. The Heat won this game, forcing a Game 7. Lebron James had 37 points in Game 7, and the Heat won their 2nd straight championship.
Brian Scalabrine, Rasheed Wallace (2nd Time) and Jerry Stackhouse retired.
2014: The Heat looked for their 3rd straight ring, but they were slowly declining. They were cleaned up but the Spurs in 5 games, with Kawhi Leonard winning Finals MVP. Kevin Durant won MVP this year for the Thunder. Lebron James left the Heat in free agency back for his home town in Cleveland.
Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Brandon Roy (2nd Time), Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson and Michael Redd retired.
2015: Lebron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love help Cleveland reach the NBA Finals, but they are met by MVP Steph Curry and company. The injured Cavs try their best, but they lose in 6 games to Golden State. This is the start of a dynasty and a rivalry.
Derek Fisher, Shane Battier, Quentin Richardson, Chauncey Billups, Corey Maggette, Rip Hamilton and Steve Nash retired.
2016: The Warriors become a power house, winning an NBA record 73 games. Steph Curry became the first unanimous MVP, and he hit 402 3’s in a single season. They would roll through the playoffs, where they were met again by a healthy Cavaliers team. The Warriors were up 3-1 in the Finals, but Lebron James refused to lose. He stormed back, forcing Game 7 in Golden State. James then blocked Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving hit the game winner with less than a minute left to give the Cavs the win. Lebron James won Finals MVP, and he finally gave Cleveland a ring.
Team USA won the gold medal at the Rio Summer Games.
Shawn Marion, Andrei Kirilenko, Kenyon Martin, Elton Brand, Jason Richardson and Kobe Bryant retired.
Kevin Durant came to Golden State in the off season, making him the most hated athlete in the world.
2017: Now with KD, the Warriors had a huge target on their back. Russell Westbrook won the MVP averaging a triple double, the first time a player has done that since Oscar Robertson. The Warriors again met the Cavs in the NBA Finals, but they easily rolled by them in 5 games. Durant got his first ring and Finals MVP.
Things got uneasy in Cleveland, and Kyrie Irving was traded to Boston, and Gordon Hayward joined him.
Paul George went to the Thunder to team up with Russell Westbrook.
Chris Paul went to the Rockets to team up with James Harden.
Tim Duncan, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett, Greg Oden, Ray Allen and Kevin Martin retired.
2018: The Warriors looked to repeat. The Celtics suffered a huge blow losing Gordon Hayward to a injury on opening day, and he would be done for the rest of the year. The Cavs struggled without Kyrie Irving, and they made the playoffs as they 5 seed. They won in the first round in 7 games, barely beating the Cavs. Lebron continued to dominate against the #1 seed Toronto Raptors. Lebron met the Celtics in the Finals. Kyrie Irving and Hayward are both out for the whole series. Lebron barely won this series, winning in 7 games. The Warriors were finally tested, and they won in 7 games in the Western Conference Finals again the Rockets. The Warriors swept the Cavs in the Finals, their 2nd straight title and their 3rd in 4 years.
Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Raptors.
Paul Pierce, Metta World Peace, David Lee, Carlos Boozer, Caron Butler, Mike Miller and Stephon Marbury retired.
2019: Giannis Antetokounmpo had an MVP Season, leading the Bucks to 60 wins and #1 seed. The 1st round of the playoffs was a great one. Damian Lillard sent the Thunder home with his 2nd playoff series game winner. The Blazers would defeat the young Nuggets in the 2nd round in 7 games. The Nuggets are a new threat in the West. The Blazers would go all the way to the Western Conference Finals, where they would be swept by the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant was injured all series, and was doubtful for the NBA Finals. In the Eastern Conference, Kawhi Leonard beat the 76ers in the 2nd round in Game 7 with his game winner. Kawhi also defeated the Bucks in 6 games to reach the Finals. Without Kevin Durant, the Raptors jumped out to a 3-1 lead. KD came back for Game 5, but he tore his Achilles early in the game. The Warriors would lose in 6 games overall, with Klay Thompson also tearing his ACL. Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP.
This free agency was a huge one.
Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers to team up with Lebron.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George went to the Clippers.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant went to Brooklyn.
Kemba Walker went to the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler went to the Heat, and Josh Richardson went to the 76ers.
Al Horford went to the 76ers.
The 2019 Free agency completely changed the landscape of the NBA, and as the 2019-20 season has gotten underway, it is a close and tight as we thought it would be. The Playoffs for this season should be the best ones we have had in years.
I hope you have enjoyed this decade recap, please leave a comment on how you think this NBA season will go, and what the 2020’s will be like.
