The 75 greatest NBA players of the 2000s, ranked

34) Baron Davis

One-time NBA star Baron Davis probably didn't live up to his full potential during his 13-year career but he was still one of the best players of the 2000s. Davis spent the majority of the decade playing with the Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets and established himself as an exciting and explosive athlete.

Over a three-season stretch from 2001–02 to 2003–04, Davis averaged an outstanding 19.5 points, 7.6 assists, and 2 steals per game. He made two all-stars during that span. However, he was later traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he was even better, averaging 20.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 2 steals over four seasons.

That included his iconic 2007 playoff run, where he led the eighth-seed Warriors over the 67-win Dallas Mavericks and took them to the West semi-finals. Davis averaged an outstanding 25.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.9 steals during that 11-game run and followed that up with arguably the best season of his career in 2007–08 before leaving for the L.A. Clippers.

That decision turned out to be a mistake but in 673 games, Davis averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds between 1999–00 and 2008–09, making him a standout player during the 2000s.