Performance is one thing, longevity is another. With that in mind, there are only a select few in the NBA who have been blessed with both. Here, we take a look at those elite players who have managed to stretch their careers across two decades or more.
LeBron James joins the 21-year-club
This year, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James will be joining the ranks of an exclusive club as he heads into his 21st season in the league. In such a fast-paced and physically challenging game, not many are able to last two decades in the NBA as the sport takes a big toll on an athlete’s body.
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2023LeBron James became the NBA's #ScoringKing last season 👑
In Year 21, the journey continues.
The @Lakers open the season vs. Denver, Oct. 24 on TNT! #KiaTipOff23pic.twitter.com/t3YTnJIK2d
Nonetheless, a handful have managed to hold off the ravages of time as well as evade career-ending injuries to be able to stay on the court for 20 years or more. Coming into the 2023-24 season, there are only nine players who have managed to play for this long.
Vince Carter, the most seasons of them all
The person who has had the longest career in the NBA is Vince Carter, who played for 22 seasons. The eight-time All-Star first played with the Toronto Raptors in 1998, and was named the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year. He last played with the Atlanta Hawks, and announced his retirement in June of 2020.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) October 3, 2022Preseason, dunk contest, doesn't matter.
Vince Carter in the year 2000 was must-watch. pic.twitter.com/QBMufJtzGu
Following Carter are four men who played for 21 years in the NBA.
The 21-year club
As mentioned before, ‘King James’ will now be joining an elite group that includes four other players. There is the Timberwolves legened, Kevin Garnett, known as one of the best power forwards in league history, who was drafted straight out of high school by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995. After a few years playing with the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets, he closed out his career back with Minnesota. Dirk Nowitzki is another member. The German was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the ninth pick overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, with whom he played his entire NBA career from 1998 to 2019.
In celebration of his #NBABDAY, look back at these two monster Robert Parish blocks. 💪#NBADefenseWeek pic.twitter.com/YEXTJcOqAY
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) August 30, 2022
Center Robert Parish was drafted by Golden State Warriors in the 1976 draft, moved to the Boston Celtics, then the Charlotte Hornets, before playing his last season for the Chicago Bulls and wining the championship with them in 1997, making him the oldest player to win a title at 43. There is also Kevin Willis, who was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1984 and stayed with them for ten years. He then played for various teams until he retired in 2007 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Two decades of greatness
Following the ‘21 Club’, we’ve got four other basketball greats who played for 20 seasons- Los Angeles Lakers legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the late Kobe Bryant, three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee Jamal Crawford, and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.
Udonis Haslem Season 1 Udonis Haslem Season 20 pic.twitter.com/U6e7urW4YF
— NBA Hellas (@nbahellas) September 27, 2022
Greetings, NBA enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of professional basketball, my passion for the sport extends beyond the statistics, transcending into the narratives that shape the careers of the game's most iconic players. With an extensive knowledge base rooted in both historical and contemporary facets of the NBA, I aim to provide you with insights that go beyond the surface.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing the intersection of performance and longevity in the NBA. The piece highlights the remarkable achievement of players who have not only excelled on the court but have defied the physical toll of the game, boasting careers that span two decades or more.
First and foremost, the article showcases LeBron James, a living legend who is about to embark on his 21st NBA season. LeBron's enduring presence in the league is a testament to his exceptional skills, work ethic, and the ability to adapt to the ever-evolving demands of professional basketball. This milestone places him among an exclusive group of players who have demonstrated unparalleled longevity.
The article also pays homage to Vince Carter, the NBA's iron man, who enjoyed an astounding 22-season career. Carter's journey, from his rookie year with the Toronto Raptors to his final stint with the Atlanta Hawks, reflects not only his athletic prowess but also his resilience against the challenges of time and injuries.
The "21-year club" features iconic figures like Kevin Garnett, known for his dominance as a power forward and his loyalty to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dirk Nowitzki, a legendary German player who spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks, and Robert Parish, a versatile center whose championship-winning season with the Chicago Bulls at the age of 43 stands as a testament to his longevity.
Additionally, the article recognizes Kevin Willis, who, after a decade with the Atlanta Hawks, continued to contribute to various teams until his retirement in 2007 with the Dallas Mavericks. These players exemplify the rarity of maintaining peak performance over two decades in a sport as physically demanding as basketball.
The piece concludes by acknowledging four other basketball greats who achieved the milestone of playing for 20 seasons: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the late Kobe Bryant, both synonymous with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jamal Crawford, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.
In essence, the article serves as a tribute to the resilience, dedication, and enduring greatness of NBA players who have left an indelible mark on the league, transcending the boundaries of time and physical challenges.
