The 21st Century has been a defining era for the National Basketball Association (NBA). What was once a predominantly American league with a few international stars has become a global spectacle, influencing everything from fashion and music to social activism and business.
At the heart of this are the players – the icons who redefined not just how basketball is played but what it means to be an athlete in the modern era.
This isn’t just about stats, championships, or highlight reels. It’s about the players who expanded the NBA’s influence well beyond the court. From sparking social movements to launching billion-dollar ventures, today’s superstars wear more than jerseys – they carry influence, purpose, and vision.
The team at ProfitDuel, an industry leader in sportsbook promos and matched betting, has highlighted six of the most influential NBA players of the 21st Century.
Shaquille O’Neal
Though much of Shaquille O’Neal’s prime came in the late ’90s, his influence carried powerfully into the 21st century. At the dawn of the 2000s, Shaq was the most dominant force in basketball – physically imposing, charismatic, and a media juggernaut.
He led the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to 2002 and won Finals MVP all three times. His dominance forced rule changes and defensive adjustments across the league. Few players have had such a tangible impact on how the game is played since then.
But Shaq’s influence went well beyond basketball. He was one of the first NBA players to fully embrace celebrity culture – appearing in movies, rap albums, and endorsements galore. Today, he remains a constant presence in the public eye as an analyst, entrepreneur, and pitchman. Shaq helped pave the way for athletes to transition into media personalities.
Kevin Durant
Few players are as effortlessly dominant as Kevin Durant. At nearly 7 feet tall with a guard’s handle and a shooter’s touch, Durant is one of the most unguardable players in NBA history.
His on-court impact is massive: two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, four scoring titles, and a regular-season MVP. But his influence off the court and the debates he ignites make him particularly significant.
His decision to join the already-stacked Golden State Warriors in 2016 was one of the most controversial moves in NBA history. Critics called it weak; supporters called it strategic. But either way, it highlighted the complexity of modern players’ decisions.
Durant has also embraced digital culture more openly than most athletes. From his Twitter activity to his Boardroom media venture, he’s helped define a modern superstar’s voice in the age of direct-to-fan communication.
Dwayne Wade
Dwyane Wade may not always be the first name in GOAT conversations, but his influence – especially culturally – is undeniable. A 13-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, Wade was the heart of the Miami Heat for over a decade and a pioneer in his own right.
His acrobatic playing style set a new bar for two-way guards. Wade’s 2006 Finals performance, where he averaged 34.7 points and earned Finals MVP, remains one of the most dominant displays in playoff history. Wade was also a major figure in the player empowerment movement. In 2010, his partnership with LeBron and Chris Bosh reshaped how superstars approached free agency and catalyzed the formation of “superteams.”
Beyond basketball, Wade has been lauded for his style, vulnerability, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, especially as a father. He helped broaden the image of masculinity in sports and became a role model for empathy.
Stephen Curry
With his limitless range and lightning-quick release, Stephen Curry changed not only how teams play but also how young players are taught the game.
Drafted in 2009 by the Golden State Warriors, Curry’s early career was marred by injuries. But once healthy, he became the engine behind a dynasty. His shooting ability, alongside Klay Thompson and under coach Steve Kerr, led the Warriors to multiple championships and ushered in the small-ball, three-point era.
Curry’s influence is visible at every level of basketball today, from AAU teams to the NBA. Coaches design offences around spacing and shooting, and kids everywhere pull up from 30 feet with confidence. He redefined what a superstar could look like.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s influence transcends basketball. His “Mamba Mentality” – a philosophy of relentless self-improvement and competitive fire – became a mindset adopted by athletes, professionals, and fans alike. If LeBron was the face of versatility, Kobe was the embodiment of obsession.
On the court, Bryant was an offensive maestro, combining footwork, skill, and intensity in ways reminiscent of his idol Michael Jordan. He won five championships with the Lakers and scored 81 points in a single game in 2006 – second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100.
Kobe was also instrumental in bridging generations. He came into the league in the late ’90s, battled with legends like Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan, and later mentored stars like Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum. Internationally, he helped revive USA Basketball during the 2008 Olympics and built a massive following, particularly in China. Even after his tragic death in 2020, Kobe’s impact continues. His legacy as an athlete ensures his influence remains prevalent.
LeBron James
No conversation about modern basketball can conclude without LeBron James. Since entering the league straight out of high school in 2003, LeBron has been a generational force both in terms of talent and impact.
On the court, he redefined the standard for what a basketball player could be. A 6’9″, 250-pound forward with the court vision of a point guard and the explosiveness of a wing, LeBron blurred positional lines and ushered in the era of “positionless basketball.” He’s also been remarkably consistent – racking up MVPs, championships, and All-NBA honours across multiple franchises.
Off the court, LeBron has been equally influential. From launching The Decision in 2010 to founding SpringHill Entertainment and his “More Than An Athlete” campaign, he set the blueprint for players in the modern media age.
