18) Jason Kidd
Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd, who is now the coach of the Dallas Mavericks, was one of the biggest stars of the 2000s, starting out with the Phoenix Suns and then the New Jersey Nets. During the early part of the 2000s, Kidd led the Nets to three Eastern Conference Finals from 2000–2003 and back-to-back NBA Finals.
While the Eastern Conference was incredibly weak post-Michael Jordan, Kidd's mastery as a passer helped elevate the Nets, with Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson serving as his wingmen and lob finishers. He was later paired with Vince Carter, who helped Kidd continue to make the Nets contenders.
Over the first six seasons of the 2000s, Kidd averaged a well-rounded 16.1 points, 9.6 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals, while making six straight all-star teams. He also made three All-NBA first teams and two All-NBA second teams. That is in addition to five All-Defensive first and second teams, not to mention 33 triple-doubles, and he led the league in assists four of those five years.
Kidd was eventually traded to the Mavericks, where he was paired with Dirk Nowitzki. That worked out well for both Kidd, the Mavericks, and Nowitzki, with Dallas winning it all in 2011. Kidd is ultimately considered to be one of the best point guards of the 1990s and 2000s and his accolades back that up, making him one of the best players of the 21st century.