2) Shaquille O'Neal
Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal hasn't played in the NBA in more than a decade but still ranks among the best players of the last 25 years. Shaq was nearly 30 at the start of the 2000s but was still dominant. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight championships, from 2000–2002 and a fourth NBA Finals in 2004. Leading a team to four Finals in five seasons and winning three Final MVPs is something that no one else on this list can say.
Even after he was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, he immediately helped them make the Eastern Conference Finals, where they came within minutes of making the NBA Finals. The following year, in 2006, he and Dwyane Wade led the Heat to their first-ever title.
Afterwards, O'Neal tapered off and was dealt to the Phoenix Suns, where he was resurgent, though he ended his career with short stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and finally the Boston Celtics.
Shaq averaged a strong 21.6 points, 10.1 points, and 2 blocks in 752 games. He also made nine all-star appearances, had seven All-NBA first-team selections, won a league MVP, four championships, and three Finals MVPs after the start of the 2000s. As a result, Shaq is one of the very best players to play in the 21st century.