Can You Identify All of These NBA Stars From the Past Decade?

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By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

Over the past decade, there have been many changes in the NBA, from rules to playing styles. As with any decade, however, the biggest change might be the rotation of players who have risen to the top of the league. Of course, some of these players were also dominant in the previous decade, while others will continue to be dominant moving into the next decade, but no matter how many years their careers span, their legacies were primarily shaped during the 2010s.

What exactly made these players great over the last decade? Most of them put up huge numbers, often breaking records that had been set 20, 30 or even 40 years ago. Accolades are another defining characteristic for these NBA stars, as they made All-Star Games and won MVPs. Then, of course, there's no better way for a player to define their rise to stardom than by winning an NBA championship, which many of these stars were also able to do.

From rings to trophies, will you be able to name these stars who have done it all? You might know the superstar who won titles in Cleveland and Miami, but what about the first player to average a triple-double since Oscar Robertson? These are the kind of questions you'll face, so make sure you're ready before you get started.

Scoring has been at an all time high with this elite player on the floor. Who is he?

Since the 2013-14 season, James Harden has increased his scoring every year, averaging a league high the past two seasons. However, his regular season scoring hasn't quite translated into playoff success, as he has yet to reach the NBA Finals while leading the Houston Rockets.

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Can you identify this star who is often mentioned in conversation as one of the greatest players of all time?

LeBron James is known as "The King" for a reason, and even at the age of 35, he hasn't quite relinquished his throne. So far in the 2019-20 season, James is averaging over ten assists per game for the first time in his career while still scoring over 25 points per game.

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Do you recognize this NBA player who was elected to the All-Star Game every year over the past decade?

After the Golden State Warriors lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant decided to join the Warriors, who had posted a historical 73-win season the year prior. With Durant now on the team, the Warriors went to three more Finals and won two of them.

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What's the name of this player who redefined the three-point shot?

Stephen Curry, a three-time NBA champion, has already broken several records from beyond the arc. One of his most significant records is regular season three-pointers made, which he reset three different years between 2013 and 2016.

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It takes a superstar to average a triple-double for a season, but that's exactly what which player shown here accomplished?

Russell Westbrook is known for his motor on the basketball court, where he is a nonstop hustle player from the start to the finish of a game. His motor is why he racks up stats in every major category, even though it occasionally serves as a detriment to his teammates.

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One of the best two-way players in the game, who is this?

Kawhi Leonard is one of only a few players to win championships on two different teams while also winning Finals MVP in both runs. He actually led the Toronto Raptors to a championship in only one season with the team, defeating the Golden State Warriors to take home his second title.

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Are you familiar with this NBA star who is just a freak of nature on the court?

At only 25 years old, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the 2019 NBA MVP, averaging 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds. That season, he led the Milwaukee Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost in six games to the Toronto Raptors.

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Leadership was always one of the best qualities of which player depicted in this image?

Entering the league in 1997, Tim Duncan was a star from the moment he hit an NBA court. He didn't slow down moving into the 2010s, helping the San Antonio Spurs consistently make the playoffs while also winning a title in 2014.

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How familiar are you with this big man who has the handles of a guard?

Drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the first overall pick in 2012, Anthony Davis came into the league with plenty of hype surrounding him. He hasn't disappointed as an individual player, making six All-Star Games, but his playoff success has been minimal.

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One of the fiercest competitors on the basketball court, is this a player you're familiar with?

With a high basketball IQ, Chris Paul always has high expectations for both himself and his teammates. He backs up those expectations, however, not only on offense but also on defense, having earned his way onto nine All-Defensive Teams.

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The dribbling skills of this point guard are almost unmatched. Who is he?

In his rookie season, Kyrie Irving proved that he not only deserved to be the first overall pick but also that he was going to be a star in the league. Averaging 18.5 points and 5.4 assists per game, Irving was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 2011 season for his play.

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The Portland Trail Blazers have been carried by which player shown here over the last decade?

Damian Lillard was ready for the NBA from the moment he hit the court, starting all 82 games in his rookie season. Those starts helped Lillard build his confidence, as he went on to increase his scoring total for five straight seasons.

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This NBA star can put up over 20 points a game while also playing elite defense. Do you know who he is?

Paul George had a gruesome leg injury in the 2014 offseason that many thought he would never fully recover from. However, George not only recovered but actually got better, even putting himself in the MVP conversation during the 2018-19 season by dominating both sides of the court.

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Can you identify this player who always plays with elite effort?

Jimmy Butler had a rough year-and-a-half run with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it wasn't because of his play on the court. Unfortunately, Butler had higher expectations for his teammates that he thought they weren't living up to, which is why he was eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Can you name this three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors?

Playing beside Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson was often overlooked in the Golden State Warriors' run to three straight NBA Finals between 2017 and 2019. However, Thompson was a major part of their success because he opened up the floor with his ability to shoot the three.

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Which player depicted in this image could jump through the roof when he first came into the league?

Blake Griffin was one of the main members of "Lob City" with the Los Angeles Clippers because of his ability to dunk lob passes from anywhere around the rim. Griffin even used his dunking ability to win the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest by jumping over a car to secure the victory.

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2019 marked the end of this future Hall of Famer's career. Who is he?

Despite being one of the best players in the league, Dwyane Wade made several sacrifices to bring LeBron James to Miami, where they went to four straight NBA Finals. Together, they walked away with two titles, which gave Wade three championships for his career.

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Are you familiar with this superstar who was elite even as injuries slowed him down?

Kobe Bryant's final game in the NBA was a show of just how great his NBA career was. Playing at home against the Utah Jazz, Bryant put up 50 shots to score 60 points, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a 101-96 victory.

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Will you be able to select the name of this star who has been a full-time starter since his second year in the league?

Kemba Walker led the Charlotte Hornets during his first eight seasons in the NBA. However, the Hornets only made the playoffs twice during that span, so the team decided not to give Walker a max contract in 2019. Since the Hornets wouldn't invest in him, Walker decided to carry his talents elsewhere.

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The Boston Celtics were captained for years by which player shown here?

Even though Paul Pierce won the only title of his career in 2008, he continued to carry the Boston Celtics through the end of 2013. During his time with the Celtics, Pierce made ten All-Star Games and was elected to four All-NBA Teams.

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Can you identify this star who can light it up any time he gets hot?

The only thing that has slowed Bradley Beal down over the past decade is his supporting cast. After all, Beal has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizards, but the team has yet to make it out of the second round.

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How well do you know this player who has been the defensive leader for the Golden State Warriors since their dynasty started?

Draymond Green had his best defensive year in 2016-17, the same season he won his second NBA title. That season, Green averaged a career high two steals per game while also pulling down 7.9 rebounds throughout the regular season.

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Is this star with the ability to play on or off the ball a player you're familiar with?

Victor Oladipo went from a decent player to an NBA star when he was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Indiana Pacers. In his initial season with Indiana, Oladipo made his first All-Star Game while also leading the Pacers to the playoffs.

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This star has the versatility to contribute on any team he plays for. Who is he?

Al Horford is a do-it-all center on the basketball court who utilizes a balanced game to dish out passes, pull down rebounds and score when called upon. He's also a hustle player on defense, with the ability to guard most big men in the league.

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What's the name of this star who reached the playoffs for six straight seasons on two different teams?

DeMar DeRozan felt betrayed when he was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 offseason. In his first game against his former team, DeRozan lit up the stat sheet, recording the first triple-double of his career.

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Few players in NBA history were as willing to make sacrifices to win a championship as which star depicted here?

Kevin Love probably had the defining moment of his career in the last minute of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. Stuck against Stephen Curry on defense, Love prevented Curry from getting off a good three-point shot, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first title in NBA history.

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Recognized as a walking bucket on offense, who is this star?

Though Carmelo Anthony has always been able to score, he often slows the pace of the game because he likes to hold onto the basketball as the shot clock runs down. This type of play was common when Anthony first entered the league, but he's had to adjust his game somewhat to fit into the modern NBA.

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Are you familiar with this big man who has one of the best post games in the NBA?

A testament to his talent, LaMarcus Aldridge has not missed the NBA Playoffs since not making it in 2013. During that span, Aldridge played for two different teams and even advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2017 with the San Antonio Spurs.

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Can you identify this legend who's regarded as one of the best European players to ever make it in the NBA?

Dirk Nowitzki had one of the greatest playoff runs in NBA history in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent his entire NBA career. Not only did he win the NBA championship, but he was also named the Finals MVP by averaging a team high 26 points and 9.7 rebounds.

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Even though he doesn't have a three-point shot, this player has still been dominant in the league. Do you know who he is?

A big man with the ability to block shots, slam down dunks and grab rebounds, Dwight Howard's only major problem has been his willingness to play a modern NBA style. However, considering he once averaged over 20 points per game, it makes sense that he'd want to get his touches under the basket, even if it doesn't benefit his team.

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Are you familiar with this star who was an integral part of the Miami Heat's success in the early 2010s?

Chris Bosh had a tough decision to make, following the 2009-10 season when his contract came up. He could've stayed in Toronto, where he was clearly the team leader. Instead, he decided to go to Miami, where he defined his legacy by winning two NBA championships.

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No defender wanted to be stuck in isolation against which gifted scorer shown here?

A seven-time All-Star, Joe Johnson was usually clutch in big moments, always willing to take on the responsibility of scoring as time ran down. Though he never led the league in scoring, he did finish his career averaging 16 points per game.

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Name this center who can bang with the best of them underneath the rack?

After spending his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol was finally traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2019. The trade paid off for Gasol, who went on to win the first NBA title of his career.

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This player came into the NBA with athleticism that's rarely been seen in the league. Who is he?

Though he eventually fell from his height, Derrick Rose had a stretch at the beginning of the 2010s when he was one of the best players in the league. He even won the NBA MVP in 2011, when he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists.

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One of the major players in the San Antonio Spurs dynasty, is this a star you're familiar with?

After the departure of David Robinson, the San Antonio Spurs needed a star to pair with Tim Duncan. That's when Tony Parker stepped up to the plate, helping the Spurs win four NBA championships, which included a Finals MVP performance in 2007.

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Do you recognize this player who was always more than willing to set up his teammates?

With the ability to put up a triple-double on any given night, Rajon Rondo shaped himself into one of the best players in the NBA by playing both offense and defense. His greatest skill has always been distributing the ball, as he led the league three times in assists.

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Can you identify this player who finally won the title that had been eluding him in 2019?

Kyle Lowry was out to show the basketball world exactly what kind of player he was in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Even though he wasn't the biggest star on the team, either in size or numbers, he still was dominant, averaging 15 points per game throughout the playoffs while adding 6.6 assists to go along with his scoring.

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A two-time champion and six-time All-Star, who is this star player?

From winning two championships to earning his way onto four All-NBA Teams, Pau Gasol has done it all in the NBA. However, the six-time All-Star will probably tell you that one of his greatest honors was being a member of Spain's Olympic teams, with whom he won two silver medals and a bronze.

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Are you familiar with this dominant wing defender?

Andre Iguodala won the first NBA title of his career in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. In that championship run, Iguodala was named the Finals MPV, primarily because of his defensive play on LeBron James.

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Do you recognize this player who gives opposing offenses fits because of his length?

Rudy Gobert's offensive numbers won't draw any attention his way, but his defensive skills easily make him a star in the league. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Gobert averages 2.2 blocks per game for his career, including a league high 2.6 blocks in the 2016-17 season.

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