LeBron James joined an exclusive club when he started his 20th season this year. That type of longevity requires talent, interpersonal skills and a little luck
For Willis, who today is considering producing a television series about those who have played 20-plus-years in professional sports, body maintenance is paramount. He’s 7ft and that was especially valuable in the 80s and 90s when the game was more about physicality and proximity to the hoop. But Willis was fast, too.
Willis’ selflessness was a big reason for his long career. In fact, he remembers talking about all of this to his teammates in Toronto in the late 90s. Carter, who was a star with the Raptors, played for 22 years in the league, learning to adapt in his later seasons, coming off the bench and acting as a mentor to young stars like Atlanta’s Trae Young. At his peak, Carter was a 27.6 points per game scorer. In his final year with the Hawks, he averaged five points, playing in 60 games.
Over the course of his career, Willis watched the league change. It was physical when he started and still boasted some of that same punch when he retired. But as he left the NBA and shooting became more of a priority, Willis has seen it lose some of its hard edge. He says he loves players like Curry and his “Splash Brother” teammate, Klay Thompson. But he wishes the center position boasted a bit more oomph.
“Vince was a rookie when I was in Toronto,” he says. “He and T-Mac, those guys used to tease me. I was in my 16year, and they were saying ‘OG this and that.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s right! You better hope you get to this point!’ Then when Vince got to 20 [years] and he was in Atlanta, I said, ‘You remember all that in 1999, 2000? Now you see what I was talking about!’”
In other sports, there are stars who have achieved great longevity, too. Nolan Ryan played 27 seasons in MLB. Gordie Howe played 26 in the NHL. And Tom Brady is in his 23rd season in the NFL. In the NBA, Carmelo Anthony, if he’s picked up by a team this year, will also hit 20. But for James, given the levels at which he can still perform, it’s unclear where, exactly, his finish line will be. Maybe he will be the first to play for 25 seasons. Time will tell.
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