A team comprised of living legends and young and up-and-coming stars comprised Team USA this summer and it was never more clear LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant can still play.
The trio carried the US to Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024. Among them, they have 10 combined championship titles. For the past two years, the question has been: Can any of them win another one?
Curry (fifth), Durant (seventh) and James (No. 9) all ended last season in the top 10 on ESPN’s ranking of individual players. But will another year push them closer to the finished line?
Here’s a look at All-Stars who are trying to defeat Father Time:
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Age: 36
Despite being on the back end of his 30s, Chef Curry continues to be an offensive juggernaut. This season, the Warriors will change their offense due to the departure of Klay Thompson. He hasn’t lost a beat offensively and averaged 26.4 points on 40 percent shooting, slightly better than when the team last won the title in 2022.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 39
For the second year in a row, LeBron will be the oldest player in the league. No other player has been as efficient and as effective as James at his age. This summer, he added MVP at the Paris Olympics to his trophy case. New head coach J.J. Redick says he wants to get the ball out of James’ hands, and that might be a good thing. LeBron can always find a way to score 20 points, no matter how the offense works. James played in 71 games last season — compared to 55 and 56 in the previous years. He still averaged 35 minutes per game. No player 37 years or older played more than 30 last season.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Age: 36
After struggling with injuries during the 2023 season, KD played in 75 games and averaged 27 points on 52 percent shooting from the field — 41% from behind the arc. Pretty good, right? The whole world could see how smooth KD was when he checked in against Serbia in the opening match of the Olympics. He’s still a viable lead scorer.
James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 35
Harden openly discussed his taking over the Clippers’ reins during media day. During the preseason, he proved that. The Clippers’ offense will feature a lot more of Harden. With Paul George in Philadelphia, Russell Westbrook’s exit to Denver, and Kawhi Leonard battling injuries, Harden might be the lone All-Star on the court for the Clippers early in the season. After operating as a facilitator in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and last year in Los Angeles, will he go back to Houston Harden?
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Age: 35
Playoff Jimmy has led the Miami Heat to two Finals appearances, and three conference finals in five years. He is a great player who paces himself during the regular season and produces amazing numbers during the playoffs. Entering the final year of his contract, Jimmy’s future is up in the air.
DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings
Age: 35
A reliable and durable guard who can take the last shot for the Kings, DeRozan played 76, 74, and 79 games the past three seasons with the Bulls. With all the uncertainty in Chicago, DeRozan was the steady hand, keeping a mediocre team competitive. He averaged 24 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor and finished second in Clutch Player of the Year voting last season. With De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento, the Kings can spread the pressure around and take some of the scoring burden off of DeRozan.
Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
Age: 36
Every contender would love to have a Brook Lopez — a rim-protecting center who can shoot 3-pointers. He anchored the Bucks’ defense to a ranking of fourth in the league, finishing second in DPOY voting, two seasons ago and can be a killer on the pick-and-roll with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Al Horford, Boston Celtics
Age: 38
Horford remains a key role player and so much more because of his ability to step into a leading part if the situation calls for it. He played a crucial role in Boston’s championship run, averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. That included two 20-point games: he went for 23 against Indiana, and 22 against Cleveland.
Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
Age: 39
A decline has been evident but Paul still averaged 9.0 assists per game last season. Relocated again, Paul is now paired with one of the brightest upcoming stars in the league in Victor Wembanyama. CP3 is tasked with teaching the young Spurs what it takes to win. Doubters can reference his impact on the development of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 38
Lowry remains an effective backup point guard thanks to his championship pedigree and experience. Playing for his former coach Nick Nurse, it’s now on Lowry to help Joel Embiid and the 76ers get to the Promised Land.
–By Aleksandar Mishkov
