LeBron is 39 years old, KD is 35 years old, and Steph is 36 years old. All three made an All-NBA team this season averaging over 25 points per game each.
Though there has been a clear decline in athleticism, they have all still been able to compete as top 10 level players.
For KD and Steph specifically, people will say that KD and Steph’s game don’t really rely on athleticism, but I don’t think this is completely true. Durant prior to his Achilles injury in 2019 used to be one of the best prolific drivers in the league, especially during his early OKC days. Steph, on the other hand, runs a lot during the game to open himself up for shots.
What have these 3 future hall of famers done to allow them to age gracefully, while other superstars start to or have fell off by the time they hit their age?
LeBron, KD, and Steph have adapted their games with a focus on skill and basketball IQ, rather than relying solely on athleticism. This shift has allowed them to remain highly effective and productive despite their ages.
Steph works insanely hard to keep in shape since he runs far more than either of those guys sitting a game. There have been reports that guys working out with Curry can’t hang and I think I heard a draft prospect threw up trying to keep up with him.
I love these stories that turn into myth. My favourite is that dude that threw up was luka
It’s a myth Steph runs way more than others in games. Last season he was 55th in distance traveled. The same story goes for distance traveled per minute. Yes he’s constantly moving off ball but he’s not driving as much as others and rests a lot on defense so it kind of evens out a bit. He still runs a shitload of course but it’s way overblown. He wasn’t the top runner per minute even in his absolute prime. It seems like ppl just believe anything they hear about Steph since he’s such a legend.
It is mostly rule changes and a change in defensive meta. No way they still remain this healthy and effective if they were subjected to more physically punishing fouls.
For all the shooting skills they may possess, they would be a shadow of their former selves if they get ankle and knee injuries.
First thing is that they care about their body. Steph’s workouts are already legendary in their intensity. LeBron is the poster child of putting both money and maximum time to work on your body. And KD doesn’t get enough credit for basically staying “the same”.
But speaking individually LeBron as a player really went far. He came into the League without a jumper (if he was shooting a jumper even when he got hot that was considered a bad shot for him, and good for the other team because you didn’t need to double team him) through the years his jumper became automatic where if he gets hot he will stay hot unless you do something about that; he developed a post game. So he went from mainly a unstoppable driving machine to all around offensive machine. Where he can drive, shoot and go to the low post depending on the situation. Also, his BBIQ only got higher with age where he can recognize any mistake you do defensively and react instantly. Basically, his body is still at that level where it can keep up what his mind wants to do. Because like most retired players already have said “You know when to retire when your mind knows where you have to be and what to do, but your body can’t do that”.
Steph and KD are more about working on their strengths (shooting and getting to their position) to perfection.
Steph not only became stronger (which reduced his injury risk), he also got way more athletic (look how agile he is now compared to like 2014-2015 when he used to flop around). This also made him a much better defender.