The NBA has three legends who will retire as first-ballot Hall of Famers: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. However, each of their time is coming to an end, and this season was, unfortunately, a perfect example of that.
LeBron James, despite being 39 years old, had a great season but suffered massive disappointment in the postseason, as did Kevin Durant, who was playing on yet another failed superteam. Even Stephen Curry, the face of a once-dominant dynasty, missed the postseason entirely with the Warriors. We are witnessing the end of an era of these three living superstars who will not play in the second round for the first time in 20 years. The torch is passed, and we have to accept it.
The King’s Throne Is Getting Worn
As LeBron James approaches 40 years old, the basketball world braces itself for the inevitable transition. Easily one of the greatest players of all time, LeBron has defied age this season by posting 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. However, as he inches closer to the fourth decade of his life, whispers of decline become more audible.
As we sit at the end of the season, despite still being a top-10 player, questions loom over his future in Los Angeles, with a hefty $51.4 million player option adding uncertainty to his tenure. While Father Time may not have delivered a decisive blow yet, the signs of change are coming. In the playoffs, where LeBron once reigned supreme, his impact has noticeably waned.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 12 consecutive losses to the Denver Nuggets before Game 4 win and then shocking loss in Game 5 on Monday night, coupled with back-to-back postseason exits, highlight a stark reality: LeBron James, once an unstoppable force in the postseason, now faces formidable challenges in remaining dominant in the playoffs. After all, the proof has been there since he led the Lakers to the championship in the bubble in 2019-20.
James exited the first round against the Phoenix Suns in 2020-21, missed the playoffs in 2021-22, and lost in the Western Conference Finals in a sweep to the Denver Nuggets last year. As he has aged, James has needed more help from his teammates and it simply hasn’t been there enough. The King simply can’t carry teams to the Finals anymore because, at the end of the day, he is human and we expect him to show a steep decline at some point next season.
An Unstoppable Scoring Force Without Impact
With four scoring titles to his name and a place in the Hall of Fame secured, Kevin Durant’s legacy is intact. Yet, despite his undeniable talent and accolades, a shadow looms over his postseason performances since departing from the Warriors in 2019. Critics point to his decision to join the 73-9 Warriors as tarnishing his legacy, despite his back-to-back Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018.
While Durant commands respect across the league, even this season, when he averaged 27.1 points per game, questions persist about his ability to lead a team independently. As he approaches his 36th birthday, the once-dominant force might be in the final stages of his career.
This season, despite sharing the court with formidable talents like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Durant’s Suns faltered in the playoffs, getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the emerging Anthony Edwards outshining him. Along with the Phoenix Suns fans, the franchises’ management team doesn’t look happy and there are even reports that Durant wasn’t happy with his role on the team.
While Durant may still find himself on a competitive roster next season as the Suns will look to continue re-tooling, the harsh truth remains: his impact in the playoffs seems to have diminished. Some might argue, it was never there because he only has one Finals appearance outside of Golden State but lost to the Miami Heat in 2012.
Since leaving Golden State, Durant’s playoff record has been poor. In 2019-20, he missed the entire season with injury. Durant lost in the second round to the eventual champions Milwaukee Bucks in the second round in 2020-21, were swept in the first round in 2021-22, and lost in six games to the champion Nuggets in the second round last year. Durant has not made a Conference Finals since leaving the Warriors and his days of being an elite postseason competitor could be coming to an official end.
Stephen Curry Can’t Save A Dying Dynasty
Despite his best efforts to propel the Golden State Warriors into playoff contention this season, Stephen Curry and his team fell short, bowing out in the play-in tournament to the Sacramento Kings. While Curry is still one of the best players in the league, since he averaged 26.4 points per game this season, questions arise about his leadership off the court, particularly in managing issues like Draymond Green’s behavior and the dissatisfaction of younger players such as Kuminga and Moody.
As the Warriors contemplate a retooling phase, it’s evident that Curry may no longer command the same dominant roster in Golden State. At over 36 years old, the toll of carrying a franchise on his shoulders may be catching up to him, with doubts lingering about his ability to rejuvenate a fading team.
Since winning the championship in 2021-22, the Warriors lost in the second round last year to the Lakers and did not make the playoffs this year. For Curry, the twilight of his career beckons, and it is unlikely we will see the point guard in another NBA Finals, let alone win another championship. Curry seems to be a player for the Warriors for life and might not have a chance to win again if that’s the case.
A Closing Chapter
As we said earlier in this article – LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry will not play in the second round for the first time in 20 years. Looking back at their greatness in terms of playoff success and rivalries, it is safe to say that it’s the end of an era for these three basketball legends.
Even if fans across the NBA Universe will miss their dominance in the league, LeBron, Durant, and Curry should be ready to take a backseat and accept that their primes are nearly finished with a chance to watch the budding superstars come of age.
A new age of superstars is on the horizon, led by the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards, while Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are competing for the throne as well. Even if there are some doubts as to which player can achieve the greatness of James, Durant, and Curry, we have been getting glimpses of that from Jokic and Antetokounmpo, who are NBA champions and multiple-time MVPs.
Jokic and Antetokounmpo are 29 years old themselves, meaning they have a handful of seasons left of their primes. As soon as their dominance is over, expect Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards to have their battles for the title as the face of the NBA. Doncic is doing spectacular things by 25, winning a scoring title and making five All-Star Teams while Edwards’ 31.0 points per game in the first round of the playoffs this year was more than impressive.
These two superstars will be at the top of the league for the foreseeable future while Tatum and Gilgeous-Alexander have multiple opportunities to lead their teams to multiple NBA Finals with the supporting cast behind them. The eras are shifting, and a host of superstars are leading the way.
LeBron James, at 39 years old and nearly 40, most likely has one or two seasons left. If he stays with the Lakers, he might receive a two-year maximum deal, but leaving to join Bronny James on another team could see a slightly longer deal. Regardless, James will soon leave his throne.
Kevin Durant is not the same player that was with the Thunder or Warriors, and his first-round exit this season was as disappointing as it was eye-opening. Durant won’t magically become the leader we expect of him, and as he approaches 36 years old, a maximum of three to four years remains as only an All-Star player who is no longer a superstar.
Finally, Stephen Curry could be the first player to start showing signs of true decline, considering he is a miniature point guard with past health issues. If he remains with the Warriors, Curry would have to carry a heavy burden, which won’t bode well for his longevity. Overall, we need to enjoy the last few seasons of the point guard’s reign in the NBA.
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