The excitement is palpable as the NBA season draws near, with fans eagerly anticipating what promises to be another thrilling year of basketball. Central to the buzz are some of the league’s most iconic players, with varying degrees of experience, prowess, and expectations swirling around them.
LeBron James: Defying Age and Expectations
LeBron James, at 39 years old, continues to defy the conventional limits of athletic longevity. The four-time MVP recently became the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition involving active NBA players. Adding to his impressive resume, James was named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics and clinched the MVP award in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament. Sam Quinn aptly 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."
Durant’s Enduring Dominance
Kevin Durant also remains a force to be reckoned with at 35 years old. Ranked 9th in the Top 100, Durant delivered a stellar performance last season by averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 41% shooting from beyond the arc. He played 75 games, showcasing remarkable durability. Brad Botkin highlighted his 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: A Perennial Offensive Juggernaut
At 36, Stephen Curry continues to be an offensive marvel. Ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry's movement and shot-making talent remain unparalleled. According to Brad Botkin, "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 and Harden: Contrasting Journeys
Jimmy Butler, aged 35 and ranked 22nd, has shown strategic pacing in the regular season, preserving his energy for the playoffs. During last season, the Miami Heat outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when Butler was on the floor. Brad Botkin observed, "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?"
In contrast, James Harden's career has been markedly transient. Harden, 35, now with the Los Angeles Clippers and ranked 44th, faces the challenge of rediscovering his top scoring form. Jack Maloney wrote, "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."
Veteran Presence and Future Stars
The NBA landscape is also enriched by seasoned veterans like Mike Conley, Chris Paul, and Al Horford, who continue to impart wisdom and stability to their teams. Mike Conley, aged 36 and ranked 85th, plays for the Timberwolves. Jasmyn Wimbish emphasized his value, stating, "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."
Chris Paul, at 39, has embraced a mentor role with the Spurs, particularly for rising star Victor Wembanyama. Meanwhile, Al Horford, 38, played a pivotal role in Boston's championship run last season. Reflecting on Horford’s contribution, Wimbish commented, "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."
A League Rich with Talent
From the timeless brilliance of LeBron James to the veteran expertise of Chris Paul and Al Horford, the NBA continues to showcase an extraordinary array of talent and experience. Brook Lopez, despite being 36 and ranked 88th, is still highly esteemed for his two-way contributions. As Sam Quinn put it, "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."
With the amalgamation of seasoned veterans and prime players like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, NBA fans have every reason to be excited about the upcoming season. As anticipation builds, the narrative of endurance, skill, and evolution continues to captivate the basketball world.