When former Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan made his iconic championship-winning shot over Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, it marked the end of an era in more ways than one. Jordan, at 35 years old, led the Bulls in scoring for their sixth and final championship. Since then, no player at that age has been the leading playoff scorer for a champion, except for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers at age 38.
As the NBA's older generation of MVPs aims to add another ring to their collection, players like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James are vying for another shot at a title. Curry, at 34, and Durant, at 35, are facing challenges as they battle to avoid the Western Conference play-in tournament.
History shows that the most common age for the leading playoff scorer on an NBA champion is 28, with a fairly normal distribution around that age. Superstars like Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James have extended their championship window by pairing with younger star players, as seen in past championship runs.
Among the older MVPs, Durant seems to have the best chance of winning a championship this season. The Phoenix Suns, with a healthy trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, have shown promise with a 50-win pace and strong net ratings.
The Lakers, led by LeBron James, are still in contention to avoid the play-in tournament and have a potential favorable path in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, face challenges in securing a playoff spot with a road-heavy remaining schedule.
Looking ahead, the Warriors have the most plausible chance of developing a young star to support Curry, with players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski showing promise.
While the road to another championship may be challenging for the older MVPs, their experience and determination will be key factors in their quest for another title.
