OrlandoMagic.com's Josh Cohen ranks his 10 best NBA players from the 2000s (1999-00 season to 2009-10 season). Click through this slideshow for full analysis and rankings.

Note: The contents of this gallery have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic and do not reflect the opinions of the Magic’s Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.

#10 Paul Pierce

What made the 2007-08 Celtics so good and so unique was that their star trio did whatever it took to win the title. Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sacrificed for the betterment of the team. Individual stats didn’t seem to matter when they teamed up, as all three averaged lower scoring numbers than the previous season when KG was in Minnesota, Allen in Seattle and Pierce, without a second All-Star, in Boston. They were extremely balanced during the 2008 Finals, in particular, when they defeated the Lakers in six games. Pierce averaged 21.8 points that series, Allen 20.3 and Garnett 18.2.

Other players deserving consideration on this list include Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Tony Parker, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Chauncey Billups.

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