NBA: Top 5 Most Valuable Veterans

During every offseason, teams focus on adding fresh young blood into their rosters. Of course, youngsters are what great teams are built on. Get ‘em young and the possibilities are endless.

However a team filled with youngsters isn’t enough for it to make a mark. However talented they might be, one always needs veterans either for their experience, wisdom, or simply to cool down locker room egos. The NBA is as equally filled with declining veterans pushing late 30s as it is with burgeoning youngsters. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 most valuable veterans in the league.

Now, when I say most valuable it’s in regard to how much each veteran contributes to their team, or in other words, how much a team depends on that particular veteran and not how talented the player is. So if the team depends almost entirely on a particular veteran, he’ll be nearer to the top. If they have another player to shoulder the weight, but this guy still plays a major role, he’ll be closer to the bottom.

5. Kevin Garnett; PF/C, Brooklyn Nets; Age: 37

KG’s still got it, even after 18 years in the NBA. One of the most intense power forwards in the league, Garnett still has enough left in his tank to make an impact on whatever team he plays for, which right now, is the deep-pocketed Brooklyn Nets.

While Garnett was one of the most important players on the Celtics roster, one has to agree that he no longer remains so at Brooklyn. He will no longer be the player everyone looks to get the ball to when it comes to inside the paint, nor will he be the most dominating defensive presence around the rim. Both those titles go to the budding youngster, All-Star Brook Lopez.

However, that is not to say that Garnett will no longer be looked up to. He’s a former NBA Champion, NBA MVP and a 15 time All-Star. He will be the mentor to everyone else, as well as being the no. 2 guy in the frontcourt. And he will also play a vital role in shaping up Lopez’s game.

4. Zach Randolph; PF, Memphis Grizzlies; Age: 32

Randolph is one of those players who really matured as they grew older. While he faced numerous off the court problems in his youth, Randolph has gotten his head straight and focused on what’s really important: Getting it done.

He has evolved into one of the league’s premier Power Forwards and rebounders. Z-Bo got his 2nd All-Star nomination last season.

Along with last year’s Defensive player of the year, Marc Gasol, Randolph has formed one of the league’s most dynamic frontcourt pairs. Randolph’s offensive skill complements Gasol’s dominating defensive presence around the rim extremely well.

Randolph led the Grizzlies in rebounding last season. In fact, he ranked third in the league in this category. He’s also one of those guys who you can dump the ball into inside and get an easy bucket. His offensive low post skills are unparalleled. He’s also improving defensively and is a more rounded player than before. He’s one of the key players, albeit not the focal point, of the Grizzlies.

3. Tim Duncan; PF/C, San Antonio Spurs; Age: 37

Is he really 37 years old? Nobody who’s watched him play would say so. He’s playing like he’s still in his prime and was one of the “fundamental” reasons of the Spurs reaching the NBA finals.

The Big Fundamental still has plenty left in his tank. He’s the leader of the Spurs, irrespective of Parker being the on floor captain. Timmy D has an indomitable will and this is the key reason why he’s lasted this long while consistently playing at a level which simply cannot be described by any word but this: Elite.

Duncan still remains the focal point of his team. He was the team’s leading rebounder and shot blocker last season. He also ranked second in points per game.

While his team lost to the younger and more agile Miami Heat last season, one would not expect Duncan to fold and sail off into the sunset. He will lead the Spurs’ title charge yet again, and nobody would be surprised if this man carries them to the top.

2. Dirk Nowitzki; PF, Dallas Mavericks; Age: 35

The former NBA Champion, 11 time All-Star and future hall of famer will reprise his role, yet again as the focal point of the Mavericks this season.

The Mavericks came crashing down from NBA Champions (who defeated King James and Co.) to the 10th seed in the western conference within a span of 2 years. This season the Mavs have rebuilt and will be looking forward to reclaim their spot in the postseason and who’re they looking at to lead them there? Nowitzki, as usual.

In all fairness, the Mavs have assembled a decent team to take them beyond April, but their focal point is still Dirk. However, the Mavs have an explosive guard in Monta Ellis which means that he’ll be able to shoulder some of the offensive load with Nowitzki. They have also acquired Dalembert, who’ll be able to handle some of the work off the glass too.

Overall, this season’s Dallas team is better, more balanced than last year, but they’re still banking heavily on Nowitzki to produce. He’s had a full offseason to recover from his injury and they’ll be hoping that the league’s best offensive PF will be back to his usual elite standards.

1. Kobe Bryant; SG, Los Angeles Lakers; Age: 35

Kobe Bean Bryant might just be the best player on the planet right now, if you don’t name LeBron James or Kevin Durant. It would be stupid of the Lakers to not rely on this phenomenal scorer to get them out of the mess they find themselves in.

Bryant was the league’s third-leading scorer last season, with 25.5 PPG. He had several 40+ games dotting his stellar performance last season. He’s returning from injury and will join Steve Nash and Pau Gasol in a bid to somehow sneak the Lakers into the playoffs.

Kobe showed everyone that he’s just as tough, just as tenacious as he was in his youth, by playing against the Indiana Pacers right after he sprained his ankle against the Hawks in the previous game. It’s this innate sense of toughness which has kept him going for 17 seasons in the NBA.

Love him or hate him, you have to admit that one simply cannot count The Black Mamba out.