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Longevity and consistency in the gruelling league require monumental levels of discipline coupled with a fair share of luck. Veterans undergo the grinding process methodically for years until it becomes a part of their being and the workout regimen becomes a deeply ingrained habit.
Many of them succumb to injuries and/or performance pressure, thereby resulting in an early exit from the spotlight, giving way for the younger generation. The ones that push through all the hurdles the debilitating nature of the competitive NBA universe poses, they have a hell of a story to look back upon.
Often the unflagging work ethic of such luminaries is overlooked amidst the razzmatazz of the newer ones stepping foot every year in the league. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the players that have played the most seasons in the history of the NBA.
Spoiler Alert: It's a tie for now between all the four icons with 21 seasons each to their names.
#1 Kevin Garnett - 21 Seasons
KG was a force to be reckoned with, all throughout his time in the NBA, ever since he got drafted 5th overall (the first player to be drafted by an NBA team directly from high school after two decades) by the Timberwolves in 1995.
Much more than a just stat-sheet-padder, Kevin Maurice Garnett was a leader at heart. He led the T-Wolves to their first playoff appearance in just his second season and earned himself a contract extension that promised him $126 million over six years, which was the highest ever in American professional sports at that time.
He ended up playing his first 12 seasons in Minnesota before being traded (for a record seven players) to the historic Celtics franchise where he'd spend another memorable six seasons to come.
He won his one and only championship with the Celtics in 2008 and was also the league's regular season MVP for the 2003-04 season (averaging 24.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game). Also, he won Defensive Player of the Year award with the Celtics in the 2007-08 season.
KG has left an illustrious legacy behind on the hardwood, which the Celtics and T-wolves' fans will forever be grateful for. He is currently seen as a commentator on an NBA-themed television studio show 'Area 21'.
#2 Robert Parish - 21 Seasons
Another Celtics icon, Robert Parish was drafted in 1976 by the Golden State Warriors at first but played a major part of his career with the Boston Celtics. He was a 7-foot centre but his versatility spanned across all domains of the game.
During his 14 years with the Celtics franchise, he won 3 titles (1981, 1984 & 1986) teaming with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. They came to be known as "The Big Three" and are till date, considered as one of the best frontcourts in NBA history.
During his time in Boston, he clinched a career-high average of 19.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in the 1981-82 season.
Parish is a member of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History", and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Parish, also known as "The Chief," remains connected to the Celtics as the team consultant and works with the team in several areas.
He is the oldest ever (42 years and 65 days old) to start on opening night in the NBA, and the second place is held by a man that follows in the next slides.
#3 Kevin Willis - 21 Seasons
Willis was a 7-foot forward/ centre out of Michigan State University. After being drafted 11th overall by the Hawks in 1984, he contributed to the franchise for the next nine seasons before being traded to the Miami Heat in 1994.
Out of his 21 season length NBA career, Kevin made it to the playoffs in 11 of them and racked up 1,424 regular season games by the time he retired. He was named an All-star as well the All-NBA third team in 1992 during his breakout season, where he averaged 18.3 points and an inhuman 15.5 rebounds per game.
He won his singular NBA ring during his 2-season-long stint with the San Antonio Spurs.
Willis is one of the few in the history of the NBA to have over 16,000 career points and 11,000 career rebounds. He ended his playing career in 2007 and took up the clothing business, Wills & Walker, which specialises in customised clothing for big & tall men.
He is the oldest ever (42 years and 65 days old) to start on opening night in the NBA, and the second place is held by the man that follows in the next slide.
#4 Vince Carter - 21 Seasons & Counting
Vince Carter was a catalyst to the then-struggling Raptors' resurgence ever since he stepped foot on the court. He averaged 18.3 points per game in his first season and won 'Rookie of the year'.
He was instrumental in leading the organisation to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2000 and subsequently, its first ever playoff series win in 2001.
What made him great straight off the bat, was the years spanning from 2000 to 2007. He was an All-star throughout this span of time and also averaged a career-high 27.6 points per game during his 2000-01 season.
Carter's resilience and basketball sustenance have been lauded across the league as he has grown older playing the game he so dearly loves.
As of this moment, Carter is residing with the Atlanta Hawks and just became the second oldest player ever in NBA history to start a season opener at 41 years and 261 days old, when he played against the New York Knicks in the 2018 season opener.
