LeBron James Still a Dominant Force at 39
As the NBA season approaches, the league is abuzz with discussions surrounding some of its most notable veterans. LeBron James, at 39 years old, continues to defy the typical career trajectory. Recently, James achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA athletes. Moreover, his accolades have extended to the international stage where he was named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics.
Despite his age, the legendary forward isn't slowing down. "Sure, it's unreasonable to expect the impending quadragenarian to be the NBA's best player over the course of an 82-game season anymore, but make no mistake, in a smaller sample, there still might not be a single player in all of basketball that inspires more fear in his opponents than LeBron James," writes Sam Quinn. This sentiment is echoed by James's recent performance in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament, where he also clinched the MVP award.
Kevin Durant: Still Near the Peak
Kevin Durant, another stalwart of the league, enters the new season at 35 years old. Ranked 9th in the Top 100, Durant continues to impress with his consistent performance. Last season, he averaged 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, shooting an impressive 41% from beyond the arc. "Durant remains pretty close to the height of his powers. Last season he averaged 27-6-5 on 41% 3-point shooting... Durant was the best isolation scorer in basketball last season," notes Brad Botkin.
Durant's durability was also on display last season as he played in 75 games, demonstrating not only his elite skill set but also his resilience.
Stephen Curry's Timeless Talent
At 36, Stephen Curry continues to define himself as a generational talent. Currently ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry shows minimal signs of offensive decline. "Curry is still an offense unto himself with his inimitable movement and pure shot-making talent. At 36 years old, it's hard to see where he's declined at all offensively," says Botkin.
Jimmy Butler's Strategic Approach
Jimmy Butler, aged 35 and ranked 22nd, has solidified his reputation based on strategic pacing. Last season, the Miami Heat outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when Butler was on the floor. Botkin mentions, "Butler is what he is: A great player who paces himself in the regular season in order to produce superstar postseason stretches... The question is: Are the Heat still good enough to give Butler the opportunity to shift into his playoff gear?"
James Harden with the Clippers
The ever-nomadic James Harden, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, is embarking on his fourth team in as many years. Ranked 44th, Harden, aged 35, finds himself in a position where scoring will be critical for his team's success. Jack Maloney points out, "Harden's basketball odyssey took him to Los Angeles last season... Harden will need to take on a bigger scoring burden than he has in recent years in order for the Clippers to stay relevant in the Western Conference."
Veterans Bringing Value
Several other veterans also continue to make their mark. Paul George's move to Philadelphia signals a significant shift, while DeMar DeRozan remains impactful at 35 and ranked 53rd. Mike Conley, at 36, ranks 85th and serves as a key veteran for the Timberwolves. "Conley will enter the upcoming season as one of the oldest players in the league, but he's also still one of the most valuable veterans a young team -- like the Timberwolves -- could have," Jasmyn Wimbish asserts.
Brook Lopez, at 36, is ranked 88th and continues to be a valuable asset. As Quinn says, "Everyone wants a Brook Lopez... there simply aren't other centers who take nothing off of the floor on either end while adding quite a bit on both."
Not to be overlooked, Chris Paul, serving as a veteran mentor for the Spurs and their young standout Victor Wembanyama, continues to showcase his leadership at 39. Al Horford, 38, played a crucial role in Boston's championship pursuits. Reflecting on this, Wimbish remarks, "I'm actually quite surprised Horford didn't make our Top 100, but it just shows how much talent is in the NBA... he was one of the most important players on the floor for the Celtics."
The upcoming NBA season promises to be a fascinating one, with veteran players demonstrating that age is but a number. Their contributions, experience, and undeniable talents will certainly be focal points as they help shape yet another thrilling chapter in basketball history.