Ian WhiteThe All-NBA Old Timer Team
December 11th 2010 17:28
Category: No Category
Age is nothing but a number, it's not how old you are it's how old you feel, 30's the new 20, 40's the new 30, 90's the new 80. All trite sayings used to boost the dwindling self confidence of those insecure about aging. However there is certainly much truth to be garnered here, but you generally don't think about it in pro sports. In the NBA the big endoresments and nightly highlight reels are dedicated to the young guys. They dazzle us with their inhuman speed as we witness these elite athletes zip up the court jumping so high their heads scrape the backboard. But the best athletically aren't neccessarily the best players. Just ask Joe Alexander. You have to know how to put it all together, and that takes years. After all, the prime is considered mid-twenties. The one thing that is generally true for pro athletes though is a noticable decline in ability as they age and their bodies get progressively worn out. Still, the great thing about life is that there are no absolutes apart from death. You can always find an exception to the rule, and they can be some of the greatest of spectacles. For this NBA season, we currently have enough for a starting 5 of the players thriving despite pushing 40. One of them is having arguably their most impressive individual season. I'll list them by my ranking based on stats and impact, starting from 5.
Shaquille O'Neal
5. MPG: 22 PPG: 11.2 RPG: 6.4 APG: 0.8 BPG: 0.8 FG%: 68 FT%: 55 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 16
Shaq, the Diesel, the Big Shaqtus, Kazaam...too soon? He is a man of many names, and apparently more than one gender. Etched on the tiny list of the most dominant players in NBA history, Shaq has been known for goofy and sexually ambiguously antics just as much as his stellar play. Since winning his 4th ring with Miami though, it hasn't been smooth sailing for Mr. Shaq Fu as he's on his 4th team in the last 4 seasons, and has thus far given them empty promises of championship glory and produced a fair share of DNP's and weight gains. But his latest championship proclamation may not be so dubious. Boston currently has the best record in the east and don't look to be slowing down, despite a plague of injuries, including to Shaq. But in limited playing time and in a reduced role, he has been a godsend for the Celtics, providing the toughness, rebounding, and rim defense of Perkins (Not the pick and roll defense) but also has given them a player who at the age of 37 still commands a double team down low and possesses the superlative passing skills to make teams pay. Now while I think the all star talk is overblown considering the other eastern conference options at center, he has nevertheless been without question a fantastic acqusition for the Celtics on their quest for their 17th banner.
Grant Hill
4. MPG: 29 PPG: 14.3 RPG: 4.8 APG: 2.2 SPG: 0.7 FG%: 53 FT%: 80 Team Record: 11-12 Games played: 23
One of the NBA's most disappointing stories, Grant Hill had hall of fame ability, averaging nearly a triple double his first few years with the Pistons, but was constantly derailed by severe ankle problems that robbed him of his prime. However through a revamped training routine, dedication, and the sorcerers working with the Phoenix Suns training staff, Hill has stumbled upon the fountain of youth. In his 3 seasons with Phoenix, Grant hasn't played less than 70 regular season games and is still giving teams headaches at age 38. Hill has become a go to guy for the usually over matched Suns acting as both an efficient scorer, elite defender, and scrappy rebounder tallying at least 20 points 6 times this season and posting 2 double digit rebounding games. He is a major reason the Suns are in the hunt for the 8th seed in the insanely competitive western conference.
Jason Kidd
3. MPG: 32.7 PPG: 7.9 RPG: 4 APG: 8.8 SPG: 1.7 FG%: 35 FT%: 81
3p%: 35 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 22
Mr. triple double is still kicking at 37. Experts before the season predicated that this would be Kidd's year on the decline, especially with his lackluster performance in Dallas' annual playoff exit. But he's been rejunaveted by Rick Carlise better montiuring his minutues (He couldn't have known playing a 36 year old too much was a bad thing) as he's once again top 10 in assists per game at the 6th spot and has helped Dallas explode out of the gates tied for second best record in the league at 18-4 with Boston and currently on an 11 game winning streak. Kidd is once again benefiting from being able to spot up and shoot when defenders collapse on Dirk, converting the three at 35%. He still rebounds well, though not like in years past, but has posted gaudy assists numbers including an 18 assist outburst in a blowout of the Bobcats. He's been a spectacular floor general, but too bad he can't pass to himself since his overall FG% is the same as his 3 point mark, which isn't a good thing. Fortunately he knows not to take a lot of shots to keep from stifling the offense. And despite cement slowly filling his sneakers on the defensive end, his effort is still there and his hands are still quick, snagging nearly 2 steals per game. Perhaps maybe this will be the year Dallas doesn't choke when the games truly matter, now that they have the blueprint for their veteran leader's success and much better team defense .
Kevin Garnett
2. MPG: 32.5 PPG: 15.6 RPG: 9.6 APG: 2.3 SPG: 1.6 BPG: 0.8 FG%:53 FT%: 86 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 22
Report's of KG's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Big Ticket, who I think is the best all around power forward ever, is playing at his DPOY level from back in 07. He's also averaging the most rebounds since 07 and shooting at blistering percentages while playing that same floor smothering defense. All thanks to his recovery from the knee injury that made him appear to be decompsing. But it takes a year to fully recover from that even after it's healed, and if you remember correctly, the comeback was last year's playoffs when Boston gave LA everything they could handle thanks to inspired play by Garnett. With Boston suffering injuries to Rondo, Shaq, J.O., and Delonte West, plus not having Perk until mid-season, KG has been one of the constants for the streaking C's who are early favorites to come out of the east and look maybe even more capable of knocking off the suddenly tame Lakers who are still without Andrew Bynum and his glass knee, since the big fella opted to enjoy himself rather than have immediate offseason surgery. If Kevin Garnett continues to play at this level, it'll be really difficult for this improved roster of AARP members to fold the next time around.
Steve Nash
1. MPG: 33.8 PPG: 18.4 APG: 10.5 FG%: 51 3pt%: 32 FT%: 88
Team Record: 11-12 Games Played: 21
Nash once again tells us to take convention and shove it. He's not that fast, can't jump that high, and he's 37. None of it matters. The Canadian point guard continues to defy all reason as he's been more wine than man, simply improving with age. In his 30's he's won back to back MVP awards (admittedly bad 3 years for the award) and has played out of his mind for the Suns. In each of his full seasons with Phoenix he's averaged at least 15 points and 9 assists and has shot no less than 50% from the field, 40% from 3, and 88% from the freethrow line. This season Nash has posted his 3rd best PPG mark and sits 3rd in the league in assists with 10.5, the 6th out of 7 seasons where he has averaged a double double. The only thing down this year is his 3pt% and of course the Suns' record. But hey, it's not his fault owner Rick Sarver preferred to pay Hakim Warrick and Hedo Turkoglu instead of Amare Stoudemire. But even with that massive downgrade in talent, Nash once again is keeping this team competitive. He's even made the aforementioned Warrick look servicable and at times decent. Nash certainly won't get his 3rd MVP award with the team hovering around .500, but if there was ever a year he deserved mention, it's this one. Though since they have no chance of winning the championship outside of everybody dropping dead but themselves and the Wizards, it begs the question, when will the immortal Nash be given a change of sceneary and a chance to truly compete?
Shaquille O'Neal
5. MPG: 22 PPG: 11.2 RPG: 6.4 APG: 0.8 BPG: 0.8 FG%: 68 FT%: 55 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 16
Shaq, the Diesel, the Big Shaqtus, Kazaam...too soon? He is a man of many names, and apparently more than one gender. Etched on the tiny list of the most dominant players in NBA history, Shaq has been known for goofy and sexually ambiguously antics just as much as his stellar play. Since winning his 4th ring with Miami though, it hasn't been smooth sailing for Mr. Shaq Fu as he's on his 4th team in the last 4 seasons, and has thus far given them empty promises of championship glory and produced a fair share of DNP's and weight gains. But his latest championship proclamation may not be so dubious. Boston currently has the best record in the east and don't look to be slowing down, despite a plague of injuries, including to Shaq. But in limited playing time and in a reduced role, he has been a godsend for the Celtics, providing the toughness, rebounding, and rim defense of Perkins (Not the pick and roll defense) but also has given them a player who at the age of 37 still commands a double team down low and possesses the superlative passing skills to make teams pay. Now while I think the all star talk is overblown considering the other eastern conference options at center, he has nevertheless been without question a fantastic acqusition for the Celtics on their quest for their 17th banner.
Grant Hill
4. MPG: 29 PPG: 14.3 RPG: 4.8 APG: 2.2 SPG: 0.7 FG%: 53 FT%: 80 Team Record: 11-12 Games played: 23
One of the NBA's most disappointing stories, Grant Hill had hall of fame ability, averaging nearly a triple double his first few years with the Pistons, but was constantly derailed by severe ankle problems that robbed him of his prime. However through a revamped training routine, dedication, and the sorcerers working with the Phoenix Suns training staff, Hill has stumbled upon the fountain of youth. In his 3 seasons with Phoenix, Grant hasn't played less than 70 regular season games and is still giving teams headaches at age 38. Hill has become a go to guy for the usually over matched Suns acting as both an efficient scorer, elite defender, and scrappy rebounder tallying at least 20 points 6 times this season and posting 2 double digit rebounding games. He is a major reason the Suns are in the hunt for the 8th seed in the insanely competitive western conference.
Jason Kidd
3. MPG: 32.7 PPG: 7.9 RPG: 4 APG: 8.8 SPG: 1.7 FG%: 35 FT%: 81
3p%: 35 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 22
Mr. triple double is still kicking at 37. Experts before the season predicated that this would be Kidd's year on the decline, especially with his lackluster performance in Dallas' annual playoff exit. But he's been rejunaveted by Rick Carlise better montiuring his minutues (He couldn't have known playing a 36 year old too much was a bad thing) as he's once again top 10 in assists per game at the 6th spot and has helped Dallas explode out of the gates tied for second best record in the league at 18-4 with Boston and currently on an 11 game winning streak. Kidd is once again benefiting from being able to spot up and shoot when defenders collapse on Dirk, converting the three at 35%. He still rebounds well, though not like in years past, but has posted gaudy assists numbers including an 18 assist outburst in a blowout of the Bobcats. He's been a spectacular floor general, but too bad he can't pass to himself since his overall FG% is the same as his 3 point mark, which isn't a good thing. Fortunately he knows not to take a lot of shots to keep from stifling the offense. And despite cement slowly filling his sneakers on the defensive end, his effort is still there and his hands are still quick, snagging nearly 2 steals per game. Perhaps maybe this will be the year Dallas doesn't choke when the games truly matter, now that they have the blueprint for their veteran leader's success and much better team defense .
Kevin Garnett
2. MPG: 32.5 PPG: 15.6 RPG: 9.6 APG: 2.3 SPG: 1.6 BPG: 0.8 FG%:53 FT%: 86 Team Record: 18-4 Games Played: 22
Report's of KG's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Big Ticket, who I think is the best all around power forward ever, is playing at his DPOY level from back in 07. He's also averaging the most rebounds since 07 and shooting at blistering percentages while playing that same floor smothering defense. All thanks to his recovery from the knee injury that made him appear to be decompsing. But it takes a year to fully recover from that even after it's healed, and if you remember correctly, the comeback was last year's playoffs when Boston gave LA everything they could handle thanks to inspired play by Garnett. With Boston suffering injuries to Rondo, Shaq, J.O., and Delonte West, plus not having Perk until mid-season, KG has been one of the constants for the streaking C's who are early favorites to come out of the east and look maybe even more capable of knocking off the suddenly tame Lakers who are still without Andrew Bynum and his glass knee, since the big fella opted to enjoy himself rather than have immediate offseason surgery. If Kevin Garnett continues to play at this level, it'll be really difficult for this improved roster of AARP members to fold the next time around.
Steve Nash
1. MPG: 33.8 PPG: 18.4 APG: 10.5 FG%: 51 3pt%: 32 FT%: 88
Team Record: 11-12 Games Played: 21
Nash once again tells us to take convention and shove it. He's not that fast, can't jump that high, and he's 37. None of it matters. The Canadian point guard continues to defy all reason as he's been more wine than man, simply improving with age. In his 30's he's won back to back MVP awards (admittedly bad 3 years for the award) and has played out of his mind for the Suns. In each of his full seasons with Phoenix he's averaged at least 15 points and 9 assists and has shot no less than 50% from the field, 40% from 3, and 88% from the freethrow line. This season Nash has posted his 3rd best PPG mark and sits 3rd in the league in assists with 10.5, the 6th out of 7 seasons where he has averaged a double double. The only thing down this year is his 3pt% and of course the Suns' record. But hey, it's not his fault owner Rick Sarver preferred to pay Hakim Warrick and Hedo Turkoglu instead of Amare Stoudemire. But even with that massive downgrade in talent, Nash once again is keeping this team competitive. He's even made the aforementioned Warrick look servicable and at times decent. Nash certainly won't get his 3rd MVP award with the team hovering around .500, but if there was ever a year he deserved mention, it's this one. Though since they have no chance of winning the championship outside of everybody dropping dead but themselves and the Wizards, it begs the question, when will the immortal Nash be given a change of sceneary and a chance to truly compete?
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