Preface
Back 17 years ago, a group of young people entered the NBA stage through the NBA Draft, eager to prove their worth and play their own in the biggest basketball tournament in the world. Although this rookie can't shake the status of super big years such as the 03 platinum generation and the 96 golden generation, it seems that they have achieved the same good results. A total of 5 All-Stars have appeared, and many honors including championship, MVP, DPOY, and most improved player have been awarded.
In addition, among the rookies in this year, two Chinese players, Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue, also impressed the domestic players. Now 17 years later, there are still 4 veterans of the 07 class who are fighting in the NBA, let's take a look at who they are and how they are performing now!
Kevin Durant
Season stats: 27.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks
For Durant, there are some controversies in his career, on the one hand, his individual ability is impeccable, since he won the scoring title in 2010 and entered the All-NBA First Team, he is the strongest forward in the NBA other than LeBron James, especially after winning the MVP in the 13-14 season, he has reached the peak of his career.
On the other hand, his mental will has been questioned, after the 2016 airborne Warriors, even if he won 2 championships and FMVP, but it could not change his impression of "surrendering" in the minds of some fans, but it is undeniable that Durant is definitely a superstar at the historical level, and being selected as one of the top 75 superstars is the best recognition of him.
Now 35-year-old Durant has long been a lot of the omnipotent "Du Shao" back then, and the major injury in the 2019 Finals has made Durant's athleticism decline a lot, and the increase in age has brought a lot of impact.
This season, Booker and Bradley Beal's alternate injury suspensions have forced Durant to shoulder the burden of leading the Suns forward, and his performance of 27.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks is absolutely impeccable, especially his three-point shooting percentage of 52.4%, 41.3% and 85.5% respectively, but unfortunately the Suns' record this season is not good.
However, for fans, it is already a very precious opportunity to continue to appreciate Durant's superb skills, and considering the increasing age, I am afraid that the season of Durant's retirement is getting closer and closer.
Al Horford
Season stats: 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1 block
After talking about this year's list, of course, we can't forget Tanhua, Horford, who was selected after Durant, is still active on the NBA stage, and Horford is 2 years older than Durant, and he is 37 years old this year, which proves Horford's irreplaceable role.
Different from Durant's technical characteristics, Horford's role on the court is closer to that of a blue-collar player, but it is indeed a top-level blue-collar team. Whether it is with the Hawks, 76ers, or Celtics, Horford is the best wingman on the inside, and his selection to the All-Star team a total of 5 times in his career is the best recognition of him.
This season, the veteran still has 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1 block contributions, whether it is strategy, blocking, or rim guards, shields, boards, he can easily carry out the coach's requirements, excellent ball intelligence has helped Horford through these 17 seasons, overall his career has been very successful, of course, the most important achievement is missing, that is, the championship.
The Celtics have dominated the league this season, being the only team to win 60 games and show a championship, and perhaps this year will be the perfect time for the 37-year-old to make his dream come true.
Mike Conley
Season stats: 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.2 steals
When the Hawks drafted Horford with the scout pick, the Grizzlies, who held the fourth pick, picked Mike Conley, one of the best guards in the NCAA that year, and Conley lived up to expectations, whether it was in the Grizzlies, Jazz, or now the Timberwolves, he maintained a conscientious attitude, even if his exposure was not high, and the off-court traffic was not large, he was not disturbed, but focused on the game, which is also the attitude that a good player should have.
In the eyes of most fans, Conley is definitely one of the most underrated point guards, due to his own solid style of play, but lack of gorgeousness, and the overall strength of point guards in the West in the past ten years, which made Conley not enter the All-Star for the first time until he was 33 years old, which also made many fans feel incredible. However, Conley himself didn't care too much, as the starting point guard of the Timberwolves this season, Conley can still contribute 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.2 steals, especially his three-point shooting rate is 43.8%, which is fourth in the league.
Conley is a simpler game now, but he's as efficient as ever, and every night he just needs to shoot open threes, pass the ball to Edwards and Towns, and do his job on the defensive end. However, it is such a simple thing, and I am afraid that only he can do it in the alliance. With the Timberwolves all but locked up the top two in the West, perhaps this season will be the best time for the 36-year-old Conley to challenge for a championship.
Jeff Green
Season stats: 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists
Finally, there is another veteran of the class of 07 who is still active on the NBA stage, he is Jeff Green, who was drafted after Conley, although the height of his career is lower than the previous three, but Green's career can also be called inspirational. He and Durant were the first partners back then, and although he was later traded, he was able to get a chance no matter what team he was on.
And the most touching point for fans is that in 2012, Green was diagnosed with heart problems and had to undergo surgery, you must know that heart problems are very serious diseases for an athlete, but Green not only completed the surgery, but even chose to come back after only one season.
He averaged 12 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game throughout his career so far, and is a jack-of-all-trades role player for every team. And last season, Green also successfully won the championship with the Nuggets, which is the best reward for his hard work over the years. Now, at the age of 37, Green is helping young people grow with the Rockets and living a life of play that is the envy of all role players.