The 20 Best NBA Players After Turning 35

Some kept starting into their forties, others reinvented themselves entirely, and a couple simply refused to slow down. Cast your vote!

1

LeBron James

Still an All-NBA scorer past 40, having signed for a 24th season after turning 41.

1000pts

2

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Won Finals MVP at 38 and played on until 42, the oldest to take that award.

805pts

3

John Stockton

Started every game of his final season at 41 and still led the league in assist efficiency.

618pts

4

Jason Kidd

Made All-NBA at 37 and won a title at 38 as New Jersey's athleticism drained away.

534pts

5

Kevin Durant

Kept scoring at an All-Star clip into his late thirties after two devastating injuries.

463pts

6

Paul Pierce

Was still Boston's closer at 36 and a useful playoff starter for years after that.

463pts

7

Stephen Curry

Still the gravity the whole Golden State offence bends around in his late thirties.

379pts

8

Karl Malone

Made All-NBA at 38 and was still the best power forward in the league most nights.

379pts

9

Udonis Haslem

Stayed in the league to 43 on defence, rebounding and the loudest voice in the room.

379pts

10

Robert Parish

Played 21 seasons and won a fourth ring at 43, the oldest champion in league history.

379pts

11

Chris Paul

Ran playoff offences into his 40th year, still one of the league's best pick-and-roll minds.

379pts

12

Steve Nash

Led the NBA in assists at 36 and shot better from the field than most guards half his age.

379pts

13

Manu Ginobili

Came off San Antonio's bench until 41 and still ran their best playoff lineups.

379pts

14

Kevin Garnett

Held down a title-contending defence in Boston well past his 35th birthday.

379pts

15

Michael Jordan

Came back at 38 with Washington and still averaged over 22 points a game.

278pts

16

Dikembe Mutombo

Blocked shots as a starting centre at 42 with no obvious loss of timing.

278pts

17

Vince Carter

Stretched his career to 22 seasons and age 43 by reinventing himself as a shooter.

278pts

18

Tim Duncan

Anchored a championship defence at 38 and retired as a starter, not a bench veteran.

278pts

19

Dirk Nowitzki

Played until 40 in Dallas and became the first European to reach 21 seasons.

278pts

20

Ray Allen

Hit the most important three in Heat history at 38 with the season on the line.

154pts