This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
As the decade comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the highs and lows of the NBA. One player who stands out as a true legend of the decade is Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship in 2011 and retired with a record 21 consecutive seasons with one team.
Nowitzki's legacy was cemented when he led the Mavericks to a title in 2011, a feat that few thought possible given the team's roster at the time. His title breakthrough solidified his place as one of the all-time greats, and he retired as a top-20 selection all-time.
On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Knicks have struggled to find success under the ownership of James L. Dolan. Since 2010, the team has a dismal record of 319-484 and has won only one series in three playoff appearances. The team is on pace to miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, a stark contrast to the success of other teams in the league.
One of the most memorable moments of the decade came in 2012, when Jeremy Lin's 'Linsanity' took the league by storm. However, the Knicks were unable to sustain their success, and the team has continued to struggle under Dolan's leadership.
Despite the struggles of the Knicks, there were many other teams and players who made significant contributions to the decade. The 2014 San Antonio Spurs, led by Kawhi Leonard, rebounded from a heartbreaking loss in the 2013 NBA Finals to win the championship in 2014. Leonard's performance in the 2014 Finals cemented his place as one of the decade's dynasty disrupters.
Leonard's success continued in the 2019 season, when he led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history. The Raptors' victory marked the first time a team outside of the United States had won an NBA championship.
Another player who made a significant impact on the decade was Klay Thompson, who hit 11 three-pointers in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals to save the Warriors from elimination. Thompson's performance was a highlight of the decade and cemented his place as one of the league's top shooters.
