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Modern NBA might be a young man’s game, full of pace and power and athleticism. At the same time, however, a range of veterans have proven their worth well into their 30s, with the likes of Chris Paul and obviously LeBron James performing at a high level despite their age.
In the previous century as well, a range of top NBA stars performed at insanely high levels through their 30s, proving the value of experience and going toe-to-toe with players who were well younger. In this article, we look at five NBA players who truly dominated the league well into their 30s.
Five NBA players who performed at a high level well into their 30s
LeBron James became the first ever player last season to average at least 25 ppg for 17 straight seasons. Now 36, James is looking for what would be his fifth NBA championship, and has become a bit of a regular feature as far as NBA MVP conversations go, every season. James features second on the list of the best NBA players who dominated the league well into their 30s, and should have done enough in the next few years to be considered the best ever.
#5 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan spent his 19-year NBA career at the San Antonio Spurs, winning five championships in the process. He is considered to be one of the best players in franchise history and won two of his five rings after he turned 30.
Duncan enjoyed four double-double seasons with respect to points and assists after turning 30 and has a high offensive output even towards the end of his career. The 2014-15 NBA season was his last full season, when he averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 assists per game whilst shooting at over 51% overall.
#4 Wilt Chamberlain
The fact that Wilt Chamberlain won the NBA MVP award only four times despite dominating the league for more than a decade is one of the grave injustices of basketball. Chamberlain played in the NBA until he turned 36, with the five final seasons of his career coming with the LA Lakers.
Chamberlain never averaged less than 18.4 rebounds throughout a season, and enjoyed a total of five seasons in which he averaged more than 20 points per game after turning 30. Chamberlain is also the only NBA player to win three MVP awards after turning 30, as he won it for three straight years from 1966 to 1968.
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#3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 seasons and won the MVP award twice after turning 30. He averaged more than 20 points per game for nine straight seasons after turning 30 and led the league in blocks twice.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also won five of his six total championships and also averaged at least 10 rebounds in five straight seasons after turning 30. Overall, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is probably the fittest NBA player of all time. He did not miss a single NBA game for eight straight seasons to finish his career at the age of 41.
#2 LeBron James
LeBron James' overall output when considered along with his age has been unreal despite him recently turning 36. James has won the championship four times, with two of his rings coming after him turning 30.
In recent seasons, James has continued to post characteristically impressive numbers despite his age, and most recently led the league in terms of assists during the Lakers title-winning 2019 season. James only has to continue at a similar level for a few more seasons to be considered the greatest NBA player past the age of 30.
#1 Karl Malone
Karl Malone is often celebrated for his longevity and has averaged at least 25 points per season for nine straight years since turning 30. Maline won the NBA MVP award twice, at the age of 34 and 36, and produced similar numbers during his 30s as he did the previous decade of his life.
Karl Malone never won the NBA championship, was a 14-time All-Star and enjoyed three double-double seasons in terms of points and assists per game after turning 30. Malone never averaged fewer than 7.8 assists per game through a season, a statistic that he achieved as a 39-year old whilst also averaging 20.8 points per game.
