The NBA season is right around the corner, and the league is buzzing with noteworthy updates on its premier players. LeBron James, now 39, continues to redefine aging in professional sports. Incredibly, he recently became the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players. His prowess was further cemented when he was named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics and clinched the MVP award in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
As Sam Quinn aptly summarized, "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."
Durant's Resilience
Another player making headlines is Kevin Durant. At 35, he's still very much at the peak of his career. Ranked 9th in the Top 100, Durant's stats from the last season speak volumes – he averaged 27-6-5 with a remarkable 41% shooting from beyond the arc over 75 games. Brad Botkin observed, "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."
Curry's Timeless Talent
Stephen Curry, aged 36, is another veteran who continues to dominate the court. Ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry still possesses the offensive flair that has made him a household name. Botkin noted, "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."
Butler's Strategic Play
Jimmy Butler, at 35, comes in at 22nd in the Top 100. Last season, the Miami Heat outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when Butler was on the floor. As Botkin elaborated, "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 Basketball Odyssey
James Harden’s career trajectory continues to be a topic of interest, especially following his move to the Los Angeles Clippers. At 35 and ranked 44th in the Top 100, Harden is now on his fourth team in as many years. Jack Maloney commented, "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 Leading by Example
At 36, Mike Conley is a highly respected veteran in the league, playing for the Timberwolves and ranked 85th in the Top 100. Jasmyn Wimbish pointed out, "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, is ranked 88th. Quinn summarized the sentiment around Lopez, noting, "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."
Then there's Chris Paul, at 39, serving as a veteran mentor for the Spurs and their young phenom Victor Wembanyama. Al Horford, 38, also remains relevant. He played a crucial role in Boston's championship run, earning a nod from Wimbish: "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."
Intriguing Moves and Rankings
The ongoing movements and rankings within the NBA further add to the intrigue. Paul George’s shift to Philadelphia raises questions about the dynamic in the Eastern Conference. At the same time, players like DeMar DeRozan, 35 and ranked 53rd, continue to make their mark. As these veterans balance experience with performance, the upcoming season promises a compelling mix of seasoned stars and rising talent.
With such a rich tapestry of stories and performances, the approaching NBA season guarantees excitement and high-stakes drama. As these athletes defy age and continue to excel, fans have every reason to stay glued to the action-packed months ahead.