The best NBA player, right now, of every age

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans interact in the third quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

6 of 8

The best 29-year-old: Damian Lillard

Eight years ago, rookie Damian Lillard led the league in total minutes and formed a dynamic one-two punch with LaMarcus Aldridge. Last season the 29-year-old led the league in minutes per game and formed a dynamic one-two punch with CJ McCollum. The man is a metronome of productivity who’s also constantly pushing himself further. Lillard set career highs in scoring (29 points per game) and assists (7.8) while tying a personal best 39 percent from deep on 10 attempts per game. He’s come out on top in playoff matchups with James Harden, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, with his 40-foot buzzer-beating 3/literal wave-off the death knell of the Westbrook Thunder. Casual fans root for the Trail Blazers every year just so they can see Lillard being Lillard in the postseason.

The best 30-year-old: James Harden

The only player since 1963 to average more points a game than James Harden’s 36 two years ago is Michael Jordan. Even with Houston importing Westbrook and him averaging 27.5 per game while using more than a third of the Rockets’ possessions, The Beard still scored 34 a game while his shooting numbers and assists stayed practically the same. There may not be another star in the league who could absorb the switch from Paul to Westbrook while maintaining an equilibrium of performance besides Harden. Not sure what that’s a testament to, but it’s something to watch.

Home/NBA