The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - Colin's Top 20, Last 20: NBA Players

Episode Date: June 5, 2022

Colin counts down the biggest basketball stars from Steph Curry, to LeBron James, to KD, to Kobe, to AI on his list of the Top 20 NBA players of the last 20 years. Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates and check out FanDuel for the best wagering and daily fantasy action! #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to.

Listen and learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Colin so they know we sent you. Please use the promo code Colin, C-O-L-I-N. Fandul Sportsbook app, sign up. It's time for another top 20, last 20. Our look at the top 20 NBA players over the last 20 years. Here's our criteria. Winning, awards, star power, and influence. Top 20, last 20. Here we go. It's not easy to have influence tucked in the Pacific Northwest,

but Damien Lillard is number 20. The second player in NBA history to have two series clinching buzzer beaters, Jordan is the other. Over the last 20 years, only eight players on this list have averaged more points per game. A shoe line, a music career. Anybody who's just known by one name also makes the list. Dame at 20. Number 19, Jason Kidd. On a short list with Magic Johnson as one of the great passers in league history. A 10-time All-Star, although only six,

fit into our 20-year criteria. Three NBA finals, including leading the Mavs along with Dirk Nevetsky to a shocking win over Miami. Jason Kidd at number 19. At number 18, James Hardin. He doesn't give you much in terms of leadership or defense, but he's one of the great pure scores in the last 20 years. In fact, he has the second most threes made in that time. An MVP in a 10-time All-Star.

To illustrate how prolific James Hardin is, the NBA recently changed a rule to hinder Hardin's number one offensive move. James Hardin at 18. Number 17, Steve Nash. Nash won two MVPs, an eight-time All-Star, and nobody's average more assists over the last 20 years on this list than Steve Nash. Those Phoenix run-and-gun teams set the table for the Golden State Warriors.

They were the Microsoft to the Warriors being Apple. He makes our list at number 17. Coming in at 16, Draymond Green. Three titles, four times an NBA All-Star, including a defensive player of the year. Nobody currently in the NBA is a greater example of basketball of basketball. basketball being more than just points than green. A catalyst for years were the warriors in, before, during, and after their dynasty. It should also be noted, he hosts the greatest sports podcast in America on my network.

Dremond at 16. Coming in at 15, Dirk Novitsky. Who scored more points than any international player ever in the NBA. He also led perhaps the greatest upset in the last 20 years in the NBA finals. That 2011 finals run included a sweep of the defending champion Lakers, beating Oklahoma City with hardened KD and Westbrook, and then shocking LeBron, Wade, and Bosch in the finals. A 14-time All-Star.

At number 15, the always well-liked Dirk Novitsky. At number 14, if you loved Hoops, you loved Alan Iverson. A reminder, though, his MVP was out of our 20-year window. That's why he's a couple of spots lower. But he still remains iconic. Two-time scoring champ, two-time steals champ. He was hyper-aggressive, attitude and toughness. When you've been out of the league for over a decade and people still reference one of your press conferences, you make the list.

Number 13, Paul Pierce, who I consider the most underreesome. NBA player of the last two decades. Using the wheelchair was the Willis Reed moment of his era. He was a one-time champ and a one-time finals MVP where he went toe-to-toe and out-duled Kobe Bryant. Over the last 20 years, only eight men have scored more points on this list. Paul Pierce at 13. Number 12, he can drive us crazy, but while he's doing it, he'll drive around you in

score, it's Kyrie Irving, who made one of the biggest shots in NBA history and certainly in the last 20 years. That was 2016 against the Warriors in game seven. He's also perhaps the best small closer either hand in league history, a seven-time All-Star and an NBA champ, the often infuriating Kyrie Irving at 12. At 11, Kawhi Leonard. Okay, he doesn't talk much. Orr, at all. But is there a better get a basket, get a stop guy in the last several years? Two championships and two finals MVP's. He would be higher on the list if he just simply played more games. He also has something I didn't know before making this list. He has the highest winning percentage of every great player over the last 20 years. Soft-spoken and rarely speaking,

Kauai Leonard at 11. At number 10, Chris Paul. What? You didn't think he'd make my top 10? A 12-time All-Star and the best pure point guard in some time, he's won everywhere he's played. The consummate pro. He won in New Orleans, Clippers, Rocket, Sons, all setting franchise records, old school tough and new school smart. He's so famous, his alter ego is also famous.

Cliff Paul. Chris Paul, my guy, at 10. At number nine, Janus. Simply put, he's so great, he missed the first 11 years of our timeline and still makes it. A champ and a finals MVP, his 50 points to win the title last year is the most ever in a close-out final game in league history. Janice was able to bring a championship to small market Milwaukee. The last player to do that, the great Luow Cinder. Currently in the league, he is usually the best offensive closer and best defensive player in the game.

Yannis's body and game are completely unique. He's our new LeBron. Number eight, Kevin Garnett. The only thing better than one-name player, are initial players. Like Damian Lillard, it's hard to be a superstar in Minnesota. Kevin was an NBA champ with the Celtics, a one-time MVP, and also a defensive player of the year. Not only an 11-time All-Star, but seven times an all-defensive player. He was intimidating, a trash talker, a shutdown defender, a get-a-basket guy. KG was the kind of personality you could throw a team

on his shoulders. It's what the Celtics did and it paid dividends. KG at 8. Number seven, just ahead of KG is Tim Duncan. The resume of a champion, the personality of an accountant. He single-handedly could make an NBA finals boring, but what a monster right out of college. Duncan like KG could dominate the boards. He was a 12-time All-Star, a five-time first-team all defensive player, and over the last 20 years, only one other player had a higher winning percentage. He was at the beginning, middle, and end of the Spurs dynasty, the Hall of Famer Tim Duncan at 7. At 6, Duane Wade, has there ever been a player that's more popular in a single city than DeWave? Duane was a three-time champ and a one-time finals MVP.

Only 6'4, Wade had the physicality and presence of a much bigger player. Over 20 years, he made 13 All-Star teams. He leads Miami in virtually every crucial category in franchise history. He also had the ability to recruit stars. They respected him so much, from Shaq to LeBron. D. Wade at 6. Number 5. The Incredibly Gifted Kevin Durant.

A unique and sometimes sensitive personality, he is an all-time shotmaker. I believe he's one of the only players ever that would beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one. KD was a two-time NBA champ, a two-time finals MVP, and a one-time MVP. The 2017 Warriors team was arguably the best of the last 20 years. He's averaged over 27 points over the last two decades. the highest average on this list. And you always feel like if he wanted to, he could score even more. Kevin Durant at 5.

Number four, Shaq. You see him now is a funny TV personality. He was no joke when he played. An unstoppable force. A two-time champ, a finals MVP. The Kobe Shaq Dynasty was an all-timer. He does now more endorsements than a single-time. any living active or inactive player.

A Hall of Famer and a Jersey retired with both the Lakers and the Heat, has there ever been a more physically dominant player than Shaquille O'Neal? I don't think so. Shack. High on the list at number four. Number three, he changed the game at every level. Steph Curry. AAU, high school, college pros.

Shots you would have been benched for you take now. because of Steph Curry. Three rings, multiple-time MVP, in fact the only unanimous MVP in league history. An argument to be made, ball handling and shooting, he's the best we've ever had. He's also a selfless leader, an incredibly high basketball IQ, and has led a dynasty in the last decade. Steph Curry, one of my faves at three. at number two, the closest thing we've ever seen to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant. Three rings with two different great centers. He was a multiple-time finals MVP, eight-time all defense, two-time scoring champ.

Kobe made all-NBA first team 11 times. He was even more artistic than Jordan. Each time down the floor, one of the most creative shot-making. makers in league history held you captive. So dominant in All-Star games, the NBA named the MVP of that game after Kobe. Like Jordan, he was corporate but cool, chill but dynamic, everything you needed him to be in the biggest moments. And in typical Kobe fashion, his last game, he dropped 60.

Always a flare for the dramatic. When you close your eyes and think. of Kobe Bryant. It's one of the coolest games and creative of all time. Truly an artist. The legend Kobe Bryant at number two. And number one, is there any question? It's LeBron James. LeBron has four MVP's, four NBA titles, and four finals MVP's, 18 all-star appearances over the last two decades. The most points combined between regular season and the playoffs. The Swiss Army knife of my life in pro basketball. Ball handling, scoring, defense, leadership, vertical game, horizontal game. Nobody's ever been quite like LeBron. When LeBron held the decision, it was controversial, but it empowered players

and mobility, and the league and its stars have never looked back. More than ever, play. players have a say in their careers, and they can thank the king for that. Every 10 to 20 years, a player will come into the NBA, and there's nobody else you can compare him to. Arguably, the greatest player and most versatile player in the history of this sport on our planet. LeBron James, the king at number one. There it is, our top 20 NBA stars of the last 20 years. Make sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss our next. Top 20, last 20.

Other podcast from some SNL, late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. Help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for baseball.

Answer. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle. Right. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing.

How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two.

Listen to Stuff to Bole your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.