If we talk about the NBA over the last 20 years, the league has changed beyond recognition. Nowadays, the game of basketball is much more focused on the accurate use of the three-point shot rather than the time when the NBA was mostly dominated by big men.
Regardless of the change in the style of how basketball is being played in the league, a sample of the last 20 years can be taken to determine the best 20 players in the same time period.
If this question is asked to any random NBA fan, you will get a different list, but the top guys will most likely remain the same. The likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, etc. have truly dominated the league during that time span.
NBA analyst Colin Cowherd, who is known for his quirky takes, recently gave a list of his top 20 NBA players in the last 20 years. Just taking a look at it will help you understand that Cowherd’s list is inaccurate in many ways.
Colin Cowherd and @TheVolumeSports Top 20 NBA stars over the last 20 years pic.twitter.com/PQOrcnP8tp
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 6, 2022
Obviously, NBA fans were furious with this list released by Colin. They didn’t hold back when it came to trolling the NBA analyst. Here are some of the best comments that we could find on the post:
https://twitter.com/AllAboutRings7/status/1533654462132367361
Draymond pic.twitter.com/SSv6r7XiDi
— 🦇 (@EasyCantMiss) June 6, 2022
I understand his playing style and stuff may be horrible at times. But not having russ on this is absolutely insane
— YungDbreezy/Son Whoaku #Himsey (@KidKinsey) June 6, 2022
Duncan not being top 3 is actually insane . I judge someone’s basketball knowledge depending on their take of duncans carrer
— wgeh (@wge15_) June 6, 2022
Draymond , kyrie and cp3 over harden is nasty work 🤮🤮🤮 terrible list
— readabook160 (@readabook160) June 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/etredeleau/status/1533680224851877888
I will never understand how a player who isn’t the best on their team considered greater then player who are the best on the team
— Bones🦴 (@Boness305) June 6, 2022
Lmao this dude has LeBron ahead of Kob. The hate for Russ is real. Dame over Russ Lmao. Thank heaven y'all sports evangelists don't and never will have the last word. Russ and Bron are every record in the league, where is Dame?
— FelaKuti Austin Knecht 🇭🇹🇧🇯🇵🇭💜💛 (@jahpeoplewin) June 6, 2022
Draymond pic.twitter.com/R46SgV6aZa
— 𝘉𝘙𝘠 ⁶ 𝘔𝘖𝘕𝘛𝘈𝘕𝘈 ²³ 👑 (@BryMontana) June 6, 2022
Paul pierce over Dirk is a crime. So is Chris Paul. Arguably Kevin Durant and forsure Dwade. Dirk is easily top 10
— Evan “The Franchise” Carter (@SpinzAndWinz) June 6, 2022
Why is KD and Wade ahead of Duncan?
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) June 6, 2022
Some of y'all seem to be forgetting that it says last 20 years. Which means starting in the year 2003. That's why Shaq and Duncan are as low as they are. Kyrie is still too high though, even though I love him
— Sebastien Darius (@sebasdarius) June 6, 2022
This list is mad goofy. Kwahi over paul all day… And wtf is draymond doing that high… 💀💀 he ain’t better than 2 MVPs. Shi he shouldn’t even be considered as top 20 player. And as a heat fan… Duncan over wade. I hate to say it, but Duncan was just that guy.
— Lowry&Me (@Lowrysleftcheak) June 6, 2022
The fact Westbrook isn’t here solidifies this list was made by casuals. Westbrook is at least above Pierce, Kyrie, and Dame. He transcended winning. Dwight Howard also completely destroyed an MVP Lebron and lead the greatest Magic team in history yet he’s below Dame too
— DET Raz (@Prazbound) June 6, 2022
The disrespect to Duncan is CRAZY. The disrespect to dirk is CRAZY. The disrespect to ai is CRAZY.
— k (@krishon82787499) June 6, 2022
What’s wrong with this list? Well, where do we even begin? Most fans have already pointed out the flaws in this list. To be honest, the absence of Russell Westbrook is truly shocking.
Although Russ might be out of his prime right now, during the last decade, Westbrook was simply one of the best players in the league. Additionally, like many pointed out, Draymond Green seems to be the outcast on this list.
All things considered, it’s a terrible list and hopefully Colin will give a proper explanation for the choices that he has made for this list.
