This was definitely a thing just back in the 2000s. You had guys like melo, tmac, Paul pierce, wade, Dwight ect all decline in this age range or way before. People always mentioned lebron still being so good when he was 33. At first that seemed like an anomaly. Now, you have guys like curry, kd, kawhi, dame, lebron still(lol) jimmy butler, all still being in their prime at 33+. Is it an advancement in technology and medicine? Something else?
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load management
/threadBill Nye
People were having this conversation in the NFL a few years ago when Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady were all effective into their late 30’s and even 40’s. Everyone thought it was going to be the new normal until a bunch of other QB’s fell off and retired right on schedule.
Turns out it was just a little group of extreme outliers who by random coincidence were all playing at the same time, and human beings still age like human beings. LeBron playing at this level at his age doesn’t mean the universe has shifted any more than Jordan or Kareem still balling when they were 39-40 did. Some dudes really are just built different, and top stars usually play longer because they are falling off from a higher peak.
they’re built different
Two Main Reasons:
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Better Nutrition and Science Medicine Advancements.
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Load Management
With the way things are going. Maybe in 2040s-2050s, Superstars will still be good even at age 40-45.
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Blueberries. It’s a scientific fact. Glad we figured out this kind of stuff.
It’s a different game. It isn’t a game where you bang down low and have to be really physical. A finesse game means players can play longer because shooting doesn’t go away really.
Also, HGH or some other PED. Lebron is absolutely on something and so are many others. The NBA is encouraging it because it’s better than players sitting out.
I can tell you that in the last ten years our understanding of recovery has moved forward by a lot. Just look at myofascial release for instance. That is now common practice among athletes of all levels while ten years ago it was a very niche branch of knowledge.
Probably because LeBron made it cool to take care of your body instead of banging groupies and doing coke everyday.
For three straight years Michael Jordan averaged 40+ minutes per game, Kobe did the same and early in his career LeBron did it four years in a row. The last time someone averaged 40+ minutes was 2010/11 when Monta Ellis played 40.3mpg. Part of the advancements of sports medicine is better understanding of the importance of rest on athletes and its long term benefits, which help extend careers.
Michael Jordan and Karl Malone won MVP at 34/35. John Stockton has been the same level of player in terms of PER between age 25 and 40.