Age-old question: Can these NBA stalwarts fight off Father Time?

NEW YORK – A team comprising living legends and young and up-and-coming stars represented the United States this summer, and it was never more clear LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant can still play.

The trio carried the US to Olympic gold in Paris 2024. Between them, they have combined to win 10 National Basketball Association (NBA) championship titles. For the past two years, the question has been: Can any of them win another one?

Curry (fifth), Durant (seventh) and James (ninth) all ended last season in the top 10 on ESPN’s ranking of individual players. But will another year push them closer to the finishing line?

Here is a look at NBA All-Stars and former All-Stars who are trying to defeat Father Time:

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, 36

Despite being on the back end of his 30s, Curry continues to be an offensive juggernaut. This season, the Warriors will change their offence due to the departure of Klay Thompson. He has not lost a beat offensively and averaged 26.4 points on 45 per cent shooting, better than when the team last won the title in 2022 (25.5 points on 43.7 per cent shooting).

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, 39

For the second year in a row, James 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 Most Valuable Player honours at the Paris Olympics to his trophy case. New coach J.J. Redick says he wants to get the ball out of James’ hands, and that might be a good thing. The forward can always find a way to score 20 points, no matter how the offence works. He played in 71 games last season – compared to 55 and 56 in the previous years. He still averaged 35.3 minutes per game. No player 37 years or older played more than 30 last season.

Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 36

After struggling with injuries during the 2023 season, Durant played in 75 games and averaged 27.1 points on 52.3 per cent shooting from the field – 41.3 per cent from behind the arc. Pretty good, right? The whole world could see how smooth Durant was when he checked in against Serbia in the opening match of the Olympics. He is still a viable lead scorer.

James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, 35

Harden openly discussed his taking over the Clippers’ reins during media day. During the pre-season, he proved that. The Clippers’ offence 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 at the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles, will he go back to the Houston Rockets Harden?

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, 35

Play-off Butler 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 play-offs. Entering the final year of his contract, his future is up in the air.

DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings, 35

A reliable and durable guard who can take the last shot for the Kings, DeRozan played 76, 74, and 79 games in the past three seasons with the Chicago 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 per cent shooting 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 DeRozan.

Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs, 39

A decline has been evident but Paul still averaged 6.8 assists per game for the Warriors last season. He is now paired with one of the brightest upcoming stars in the league in Victor Wembanyama. The veteran 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. REUTERS