Like a fine wine, right?
OK, maybe the old phrase doesn’t apply to all aging athletes. But some are certainly doing a solid job of fighting off Father Time.
With youngsters stealing the NBA spotlight (we’re looking at you Stanley Johnson, Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis), we’ve decided to dedicate a small space for the veterans, the oldies-but-goodies, the been-there-done-that players who are showing everyone they can still get the job done.
The 2015-16 season is still fresh and crisp, so what better time to roll out our inaugural list.
- Notes: Season statistics are through games of Nov. 19.
- Any player who turns 33 during the regular season can be added to the rankings.
1. Dirk Nowitzki (37 years old), Dallas Mavericks
Season stats: 18.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
That fine wine reference above could certainly pertain to Nowitzki, who continues to deliver despite averaging just 28.6 minutes. The season is early, but the future Hall of Famer is shooting career bests from the field (.521) and the free-throw line (.912). For good measure, Nowitzki has the Mavericks among the early surprises at 8-4.
2. Pau Gasol (35), Chicago Bulls
Season stats: 13.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.3 apg
Save some of that chilled Pinot Noir for the big Spaniard, who continues to fill the stats line with impressive numbers. Despite seeing his minutes decrease, Gasol is averaging close to a double-double while blocking two shots per game, which would be his best since the 2006-07 season. With his skill set, I’m convinced Gasol has at least another three solid seasons left in him.
3. Dwyane Wade (33), Miami Heat
Season stats: 17.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.7 apg
The miles are certainly catching up to Wade, who’s averaging a career-low 29.3 minutes while shooting just .428 from the field. On the positive ledger, Wade has gone over 20 points in six of the 10 games he’s played, and he’s had to pick up some of the playmaking duties with Goran Dragic off to a sluggish start.
4. Zach Randolph (33), Memphis Grizzlies
Season stats: 14.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
The scoring is down a tick, but all other stats are relatively close to his career averages. In fact, his current .857 clip from the free-throw line would easily surpass his career best of .821 set in 2008-09. At this point of his career, we know exactly what to expect from Z-Bo, which is pretty darn good.
5. Tim Duncan (39), San Antonio Spurs
Season stats: 11.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
Don’t be fooled by the low scoring output. It’s status quo for the big man, who is delivering while teaching LaMarcus Aldridge the finer points of San Antonio’s offense. Keep in mind, too, that Duncan is doing this while averaging just 27.2 minutes and 7.9 field-goal attempts per game.
6. Jamal Crawford (35), Los Angeles Clippers
Season stats: 13.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.3 apg
If dribbling skills were a factor in determining our rankings, Crawford would have a permanent spot. Highlights notwithstanding, the veteran guard continues to provide his usual spark off the bench (though he’s started two of 11 games) for the Clippers. And don’t expect his .256 mark from beyond the arc to remain there for long; he’s a career 35 percent from long range.
7. Kobe Bryant (37), Los Angeles Lakers
Season stats: 16.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
If this is indeed Bryant’s final season, it looks like it could be a bumpy one. Exhibit A: 6-for-19, 5-for-16, 3-for-15 and 8-for-24. Those are the shooting stats for four games from Bryant, who is shooting .336 for the season. Ouch.
8. Joe Johnson (34), Brooklyn Nets
Season stats: 11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.7 apg
Despite averaging more minutes (35.3) than the previous two seasons, Johnson’s scoring average is down three points from 2014-15. The biggest reason is 34 percent from the field. Johnson, however, is still managing decent numbers in rebounds and assists.
9. Kyle Korver (34), Atlanta Hawks
Season stats: 10.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.3 apg
Korver’s numbers are pretty much in line with those over the previous three seasons. We know what to expect from the veteran shooter, who’ll almost certainly improve on his 40 percent from behind the arc.
10. Tyson Chandler (33), Phoenix Suns
Season stats: 6.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 0.8 bpg
Chandler is all about defense, and that’s exactly what he’s providing the Suns. What’s impressive is that the big man is averaging double figures in rebounds despite playing just 27.5 minutes — his lowest since 2009-10.
Honorable mention: Tony Parker (33), Tony Allen (33), Luis Scola (35), Mike Dunleavy (35)
Will turn 33 this season: Leandro Barbosa (Nov. 28), Mo Williams (Dec. 19),Kevin Martin (Feb. 1), Devin Harris (Feb. 17)
