Let’s put
things in perspective here.
Around the
same time Tim Duncan entered Wake Forest University in 1993, Michael
Kidd-Gilchrist came into this world. Now MKG is a little over 19 years old,
averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as a rookie for the
Charlotte Bobcats. Meanwhile, Duncan, now in his fifteenth season in the pro
game, is still lording it over the opposition, norming nearly 18 points, more
than 10 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per outing. Statistically speaking, and
despite being a few months away from his 37th birthday, he’s having
his best season since ’07-’08.
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| Tim Duncan is still too good to be called old, even if he IS nearly 37 years old. (image by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) |
Duncan,
however, doesn’t have a monopoly on the “oldie but goodie” tag. Two Boston
Celtics have also been defying Father Time to continue towing the Big Green –
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Once a
high-flying big man who could get past slower 4s and 5s with impunity, Kevin
Garnett has had to redefine his game since becoming a Celtic in 2007. The big
guy blow-bys have become few and far between, and the 15-20-foot jumpers have
become more ubiquitous.
That is,
after all, the way to survive in this game. One’s athleticism can only take him
so far. Eventually, he will have to adapt, and there’s hardly a better example
than KG. His current numbers: 15.4ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.0apg, while shooting 53.8%
from the field. For any guy, those stats would already be mighty impressive,
but for someone who was drafted straight out of HS in 1995 – he IS the poster
boy for prep-to-pros – those stats are outright amazing.
KG’s own
teammate, Paul Pierce, is also another great example of a player who has had to
adjust in order to keep up with the times. Whereas TD or KG might still do well
draining mid-rangers and simply holding down younger bucks in the post, Pierce
has had to contend with a never-ending influx of speedy and shifty swingmen. He
continues to run after shooters, and to move laterally against the Melos and
LeBrons. And he still does them better than most guys.
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| Paul Pierce, at 35 years old, is still one of the most dangerous swingmen in the world. (image by Elise Amendola/AP) |
Pierce’s
numbers: 20.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.6apg, and 1.6spg. Like TD and KG, Pierce will
remain a strong contender for an All-Star spot this season, and maybe a couple
more seasons after. Eventually, however, these three will have to call it quits
and hang up their jerseys. When that happens, the younger set can look back at
three guys who have managed to transcend the usual limits of NBA careers.
Duncan,
Garnett, and Pierce. Three sure fire Hall-of-Famers. Three living legends. Three
champions. Three oldies, but goodies.
Game
Recaps (courtesy of the Sports Network):
Minnesota 99, Oklahoma City 93
The
Minnesota Timberwolves used a fourth- quarter scoring barrage from J.J. Barea
and a solid all-around effort from Kevin Love to halt the Oklahoma City
Thunder's 12-game winning streak in a 99-93 decision at Target Center. The
Timberwolves, losers of 12 straight against their Northwest Division rivals
coming in, had allowed five consecutive opponents to score over 100 points, but
held the NBA's highest scoring team to 40 percent shooting. Barea erupted for
14 points in the final frame, while Love added 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven
assists for Minnesota, which improved to 8-3 at home. The Thunder were led by
Kevin Durant's 33 points, seven rebounds and six assists, though it wasn't
enough to extend the club's longest winning streak since relocating to Oklahoma
City. Russell Westbrook finished with 30 points, 11 boards and nine helpers,
but shot just 9-of-28 from the floor and committed eight turnovers.
Miami 110, Dallas 95
LeBron James
logged 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists and was able to watch from the
sideline in the fourth quarter as the Heat annihilated the Mavericks in a
110-95 mismatch at American Airlines Center. After losing in the aforementioned
Finals series, Miami swept Dallas last season with a pair of double-digit
decisions and led by as many as 36 Thursday by shooting 54 percent from the
field. Dwyane Wade contributed 19 points and six assists while Chris Bosh added
17 points in the lopsided victory, Miami's fifth in its last six games. The
short-handed Mavs shot just 39 percent from the floor and an even worse 3-of-22
from 3-point range to lose for the fourth time in five games. Jae Crowder had a
team- high 15 points in defeat.
Portland 101, Denver 93
Nicolas
Batum poured in a game-high 22 points on Thursday, as the Portland Trail
Blazers took advantage of a woeful shooting night from the Denver Nuggets to
take a 101-93 victory at the Rose Garden. With starting center LaMarcus
Aldridge sidelined with a left ankle injury, J.J. Hickson carried the load down
low with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Wesley Matthews donated 20 points for
the Blazers, who have won four straight games for the first time since March
2-8, 2011. Denver netted 74 points in the paint, but made just one field goal
outside the painted area and set an NBA record for most missed three-point attempts
without a make after going 0-for-22 from long range to snap a three-game
winning streak. Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer each scored 13
points in the setback, Denver's sixth straight in Portland.
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