What’s that old saying? Like a fine wine, you only gets better with age?
Over the past week I watched the San Antonio Spurs climb into top spot in Western Conference. The Spurs will likely wrap up one of the top two seeds in the West come playoff time; doing this all with two of their stars (Duncan, Ginobili) on the wrong side of 35.
Including these two, there have been other veteran players, who are over the age of 35, having solid seasons for their playoff contending teams. To honour these wily vets, here is a look at my NBA “All-Seasoned” Team.
Forward – Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
The Big Fundamental is in his 16th season and at age 37 is still quietly getting it done for the Spurs. Leading San Antonio to a conference best 48-16 record, Duncan is averaging 15.2 points, 10 rebounds and 2.9 assists per night.
According to ESPN.com; Duncan ranks 7th amongst power forwards this season with a 21.20 PER, ahead of younger stars like Serge Ibaka, David Lee and Paul Milsap. Even when you put him up against qualified centers, Duncan’s rating would even put him ahead of Chris Bosh and Joakim Noah.
Looking ahead to next season, Duncan has a 2014-2015 player option, and my guess he picks it up to play one final year with the Spurs.
Forward – Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
At age 35, Nowitzki is having another all-star season (12th time in the past 13 years) as he is averaging 21.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per night, with a 24.0 player efficiency rating.
With the Mavericks sitting 8th in the West, Dirk’s play has kept Dallas battling for a playoff spot. To top it off, just this week, he passed the legendary John Havlicek for 12th place all-time in NBA scoring.
With the future hall-of-famer being a free agent at the end of this season, look for Dirk to re-up with a three-year deal to finish his career off in Dallas, I just can’t imagine him in any other jersey.
Forward – Paul Pierce (New Jersey Nets)
Paul Pierce has had some rough patches this season, but over the past week, the 36-year-old vet turned back the clock leading the Nets to big wins over Toronto and Miami. The truth knocked down a huge three pointer in the win on Monday, and followed that up with by hitting a dagger on Wednesday night, to go along with his 29 points against Miami.
Pierce’s stats this season don’t leap off the page (13.5 PPG / 4.8 RPG / 2.6 AST), but he has shown flashes of his old self during Brooklyn’s climb up the east standings. Over the last 18 games, Brooklyn is 13-5, with Pierce having eight games where he scored 15 points or more during that span.
At season’s end Pierce is a free agent, and my guess he makes a return visit to Boston to end off his career.
Guard – Vince Carter (Dallas Mavericks)
The highlight reel plays are now few and far between for the former superstar, but Vince Carter is proving, at the age of 37, that he can still put up solid numbers. Carter is quietly having a solid season for the Dallas Mavericks averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per night.
The one knock on Carter late in his career has been his health. However, during the 2012-2013 season, Vince played in 81 games for the Mavericks, and has followed it up this year by playing in 65 of 66 contests so far.
When you compare his player efficiency rating (16.43) to other shooting guards this season; Carter ranks 12th amongst all qualified shooting guards; ahead of younger players such as Gordon Hayward, Lance Stephenson, Joe Johnson and Klay Thompson.
With Carter being a free agent after this year, and with the Raptors celebrating their 20th anniversary, don’t be surprised to find “Air Canada” rocking the purple and red next season.
Guard – Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs)
Rounding out my all-veteran roster is the 36-year-old, Manu Ginobili. During the Spurs 9-1 run over their last 10 games, Ginobli has averaged 14.4 points and 4.6 assists. Generally mentioned as the third star behind Duncan and Parker, Ginobili always manages to make big plays when they count and has generally been seen as the key ingredient to the Spurs decade of success.
This season Manu is ranked 4th in player efficiency rating (20.44) amongst qualified shooting guards, ahead of Demar DeRozan, Monta Ellis, and Arron Afflalo. If you were to put Manu up against point guards, his rating would have him ahead of Ty Lawson, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and his teammate Tony Parker.
Much like Duncan, Manu has one year remaining on his deal that will likely lead him into retirement after next season.
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