The NBA season is fast approaching, and several seasoned players are making headlines as they continue to defy age and expectations. Among these veterans, LeBron James stands out. At 39 years old, LeBron remains a formidable presence on the court. Recently, he became the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players and was named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics. Demonstrating his enduring talent, LeBron also clinched the MVP award in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament. As commentator Sam Quinn noted, "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 prominent figure in the league is Kevin Durant. At 35, Durant continues to showcase his prowess, ranking 9th in the Top 100. Last season, he averaged 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 41% from beyond the arc over 75 games. Brad Botkin aptly summarized Durant's performance, stating, "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."
Stephen Curry, now 36, remains a pivotal player for his team. Ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry continues to mesmerize fans and foes alike with his movement and shot-making talent. Botkin observed, "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."
At 35, Jimmy Butler continues to be a critical asset for the Miami Heat, ranking 22nd in the Top 100. Last season, the Heat outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when Butler was on the floor. Botkin highlighted Butler's strategic approach, "...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's career has seen many team changes in recent years. Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden is ranked 44th in the Top 100. Jack Maloney commented on Harden's evolving role, "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."
One of the NBA's elder statesmen, Mike Conley, 36, remains a valuable veteran presence for the Timberwolves. Ranked 85th in the Top 100, Conley's experience is a key asset for the young team. As Jasmyn Wimbish noted, "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."
At 36, Brook Lopez continues to make a significant impact, ranking 88th in the Top 100. Sam Quinn noted the invaluable nature of Lopez's contributions, "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, another veteran at 39, has taken on a mentorship role with the Spurs, guiding the promising Victor Wembanyama. Paul's wealth of experience is invaluable to the young roster, providing both on-court wisdom and off-court leadership.
Al Horford, at 38, played a crucial role in Boston's championship run. Despite not cracking the Top 100, Horford's impact was undeniable. As Wimbish remarked, "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 thrilling with these seasoned stars continuing to make their mark. These veterans, defying age and expectations, remain pivotal figures in their teams and the league at large. Their enduring talent and leadership not only inspire younger players but also captivate fans worldwide.