The Ageless Wonders of the NBA: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and More Continue to Shine
As the NBA season approaches, the spotlight falls once again on its seasoned veterans, whose remarkable abilities and enduring influence continue to defy the passage of time.
At the forefront is LeBron James, who, at 39 years old, remains a beacon of excellence. Recently crowned the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players, James’s accolades speak volumes. His MVP title at the 2024 Olympics and his triumph in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament further underscore his undiminished prowess. As Sam Quinn eloquently puts it, “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.”
Another perennial powerhouse, Kevin Durant, at 35, continues to assert his dominance on the court. Ranked 9th in the Top 100 and having played 75 games last season, Durant remains a vital force. Averaging 27-6-5 on 41% from beyond the arc, he maintains his status as an elite scorer. Brad Botkin highlights Durant's exceptional capabilities: “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.”
In a similar vein, Stephen Curry, now 36, shows no sign of slowing down. Ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry’s unparalleled shooting and movement continue to set him apart. Botkin again captures this sentiment: “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.”
Jimmy Butler and James Harden, both aged 35, also continue to leave their mark. Ranked 22nd and 44th in the Top 100 respectively, they bring unique strengths to their teams. Butler, with the Miami Heat, maintained a significant impact as evidenced by the team outscoring opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor last season. Botkin again sums it up: “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?”
Harden’s journey to the Los Angeles Clippers marks his fourth team in as many years. Yet, his ranking and the higher scoring burden he is expected to shoulder are indicators of his enduring skill. Jack Maloney notes, “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 like Mike Conley, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and Al Horford continue to impart their experience and leadership. At 36, Conley, now with the Timberwolves and ranked 85th, remains a treasured asset. As Jasmyn Wimbish states, “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.” Brook Lopez, also 36, provides invaluable contributions on both ends of the floor for his team, earning him the 88th spot in the rankings. Quinn emphasizes, “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.”
Chris Paul, serving as a veteran mentor for the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama at age 39, and Al Horford, fresh off a crucial role in Boston's championship run at 38, continue to excel. 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.”
As these seasoned warriors gear up for another NBA season, their enduring talent and leadership remain vital. The league benefits immensely from their presence, even as a new generation of stars rises.