The NBA landscape is brimming with excitement as the new season approaches, and the headlines are dominated by the league's most compelling figures. Among them, LeBron James continues to defy age and expectations. At 39, he recently etched his name in the history books as the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players. Adding to his accolades, James was crowned the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics and secured the MVP award in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
Sam Quinn encapsulates James' enduring prowess succinctly: "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."
Kevin Durant's Consistency
At 35, Kevin Durant remains an elite force in the league. Ranked 9th in the Top 100, Durant's performance last season was nothing short of stellar. Averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while shooting 41% from beyond the arc, Durant played 75 games, proving his consistency and durability. Brad Botkin is full of praise: "Durant remains pretty close to the height of his powers... Durant was the best isolation scorer in basketball last season."
Stephen Curry: An Offensive Virtuoso
Stephen Curry, aged 36 and ranked 6th in the Top 100, continues to be an offensive juggernaut. Botkin highlights Curry's unique skill set: "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's Strategic Play
Jimmy Butler, another seasoned veteran at 35, is ranked 22nd in the Top 100. Known for his ability to conserve energy during the regular season and unleash his full potential in the playoffs, Butler's impact is undeniable. Last season, the Miami Heat outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when Butler was on the floor. Botkin poses an intriguing question: "Are the Heat still good enough to give Butler the opportunity to shift into his playoff gear?"
James Harden's New Chapter
James Harden, now with the Los Angeles Clippers and ranked 44th in the Top 100, embarks on another chapter in his career. As he joins his fourth team in as many years, Jack Maloney observes: "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 in the League
Paul George has made a significant move to Philadelphia, while DeMar DeRozan, aged 35 and ranked 53rd in the Top 100, continues to be a reliable presence in the league. At 36, Mike Conley, ranked 85th, plays a crucial role for the Timberwolves. Jasmyn Wimbish notes: "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 and ranked 88th, remains in high demand. Quinn aptly summarizes Lopez's appeal: "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's Mentorship Role
Chris Paul, 39, has taken on a mentor role with the Spurs, guiding the young phenom Victor Wembanyama. Meanwhile, Al Horford, 38, played a pivotal role in Boston's championship run. Wimbish expresses surprise at Horford's absence from the Top 100 rankings: "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 riveting, with veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and others continuing to shape the league's narrative. Their enduring talent and leadership are testaments to their incredible careers, and fans eagerly await to see the next chapter unfold.