As we all know, the profession of athletes is most affected by age restrictions, especially sports related to running and jumping, and the golden age is only more than 10 years. However, there are some strongmen in the NBA who have grown against the grain, even if they are over half a hundred years old, they can still maintain their condition very well and play a long career that is beyond the reach of people. Today, the author will take you to take a look at the six ruthless people in the NBA who have super long careers, each of which is more than 21 seasons, longer than many people have watched the game.
Dirk Nowitzki, who entered the league in the '98-'99 season and retired after the '18-'19 season, played in the NBA for 21 years
One of the greatest international players, Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks' all-time first, is one of the longest-serving players in the NBA. And Nowitzki not only played for a long time, but also won honors compared to other players, a total of 21 years, averaged 26.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game at his peak, averaged 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game throughout his career, was selected to the NBA All-Star team 4 times, 14 NBA All-Star teams, 06-07 NBA regular season MVP, 10-11 season championship and so on.
Especially in 11 years, he led the team to win the NBA championship, which is the highest honor in the NBA, which is enough to make him famous in the history of the NBA. After retiring, people have not forgotten his contributions to the NBA, being selected as one of the NBA's top 75 superstars in 2021 and named to the best European First Team in NBA history in 2022.
Robert Parish, who entered the league in '76-77 and retired at the end of '96-'97, played in the NBA for 21 years
The Celtic legend Robert A. Paris is also one of the longest-serving NBA players, although the overall honor and statistics are not as good as Nowitzki, but he is also definitely a legend, since entering the peak of the league in 1976, he averaged 20 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and averaged 14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game throughout his career, won 4 NBA championships, was selected to the NBA All-Star team for 9 times, was selected as the NBA 50 superstar in 96, etc., no one dares to say that he is a mediocre player.
Kevin Garnett, who entered the league in the 95-96 season and retired after the 15-16 season, played in the NBA for 21 years
The legendary Kevin Garnett, as the Wolves selected by Minnesota, although the championship was won by the Celtics, he dedicated the peak of his career to the Timberwolves, averaging 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game, leading the weak team Huskies at that time to play famous.
Garnett's entire career is also good, averaging 18.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in 21 years in the NBA, winning the 03-04 NBA regular season MVP, 4-time NBA rebounding champion, 9-time NBA All-Star Team, 15-time NBA All-Star Team, 07-08 NBA championship and other honors, and even increased his career total defensive rebounds to 11,409 before retiring, surpassing Carl J. With 11,406 goals, Malone became the all-time defensive rebounding leader, and he is a superstar who can leave a name in NBA history.
Kevin Willis, who entered the league in the '84-85 season and retired at the end of the '06-07 season, played in the NBA for 21 years
As one of the representatives of the 84 diamond generation, Kevin Willis is the second oldest player in the NBA, and he was 45 years old when he retired, and he couldn't even run and jump as another player. In his 21-year NBA career, he averaged 21 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in his peak season, and averaged 12.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his entire career, and helped the Spurs win the NBA championship in the 02-03 season.
LeBron James, who entered the league in the 03-04 season, currently plays for the NBA for 21 years
LeBron James, who is even more heavyweight, as a superplayer who is still in service, can even cut an overall statistic of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game this year to lead the team into the playoffs. Although there is a high probability that he will not be able to go far in the playoffs, it is hard to believe how many more seasons he can play if he can maintain this form at the age of 40. Just looking at his state, and even saying that it will not be a problem to play for another five years, it makes people feel that he is growing in reverse.
In addition, James has been playing in the league since 2003, averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in his peak season, and can win 4 NBA championships, 4 NBA regular season MVPs, 2 Olympic gold medals, 20 All-Star teams, and 75 superstars in 2021, becoming the NBA's all-time scoring champion in 2023, becoming the first player in the NBA to reach a career total of 40,000 points, and the oldest active player, so the word legend basically can't describe him, and it is more appropriate to call him an NBA living fossil.
Vince Carter, who entered the league in the '98-'99 season and retired at the end of the '19-'20 season, played in the NBA for 22 years
"Half-man, demigod" Vince Carter, as the world-renowned super slam dunk king, I am afraid that many people did not expect that he is the longest career player in the NBA so far, after all, people have the impression that violent players like this have a short career life.
However, the reason why legends call them legends is that they have perseverance that many people can't predict, and Carter will not give up on his career path unless he is too old to run on the field. In his 22-year career, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1 steal per game, and in his peak season, he averaged 27.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Although his career honors are only 8 NBA All-Stars, 3 NBA All-Star teams, and no championships, no one will say that he is not a legend.