Best Last Year Ever

[Iceman#44]

See topic. Which player was still great in his LAST year? Im talking about all-time greats of course.
Let'see:


BOB PETTIT (Hawks): 30 years old, 1964-65
22.5 ppg, 12.4 rbs, 3.6 ast, .429 fg% in 35.1 min

JERRY WEST (Lakers): 35 years old, 1973-74
20.3 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 6.6 ast, .447 fg % in 31.2 min

LARRY BIRD (Celtics): 35 years old, 1991-92
20.2 ppg, 9.6 rbs, 6.8 ast, .466 fg% in 36.9 min

MICHAEL JORDAN (Wizards): 40 years old, 2002-03
20.0 ppg, 6.1 rbs, 3.8 ast, .445 fg% in 37.0 min

CLYDE DREXLER (Rockets): 35 years old, 1997-98
18.4 ppg, 4.9 rbs, 5.5 ast, .427 fg% in 35.3 min

DAVE DEBUSSCHERE (Knicks): 33 years old, 1973-74
18.1 ppg, 10.7 rbs, 3.6 ast, .461 fg% in 38.0 min

KOBE BRYANT (Lakers): 37 years old, 2015-16,
17.6 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 2.8 ast, .358 fg% in 28.2 min

JULIUS ERVING (Sixers): 36 years old, 1986-87
16.8 ppg, 4.4 rbs, 3.2 ast, .471 fg % in 32.0 min

GEORGE GERVIN (Bulls): 33 years old, 1985-86
16.2 ppg, 2.6 rbs, 1.8 ast, .472 fg% in 25.2 min

JOHN HAVLICEK (Celtics): 37 years old, 1977-78
16.1 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 4.0 ast, .449 fg% in 34.1 min

ISIAH THOMAS (Pistons): 32 years old, 1993-94
14.8 ppg, 2.7 rbs, 6.9 ast, .417 fg% in 30.2 min

MAGIC JOHNSON (Lakers): 36 years old, 1995-96,
14.6 ppg, 5.7 rbs, 6.9 ast, .466 fg% in 29.9 min

CHARLES BARKLEY (Rockets): 36 years old, 1999-00
14.5 ppg, 10.5 rbs, 3.2 ast, .477 fg % in 31.0 min

ALLEN IVERSON (Sixers): 34 years old, 2009-10
13.8 ppg, 2.8 rbs, 4.0 ast, .430 fg% in 30.9 min

PETE MARAVICH (Celtics): 32 years old, 1979-80
13.7 ppg, 1.8 rbs, 1.9 ast, .449 fg% in 22.4 min

WILT CHAMBERLAIN (Lakers): 37 years old, 1972-73,
13.2 ppg, 18.6 rbs, 4.5 ast, .727 fg% in 43.2 min
*Lead the league in Rebounds per game and FG %.

KARL MALONE (Lakers): 40 years old, 2003-04
13.2 ppg, 8.7 rbs, 3.9 ast, .483 fg% in 32.7 min

OSCAR ROBERTSON (Bucks): 35 years old, 1973-74
12.7 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 6.4 ast, .438 fg% in 35.4 min

RICK BARRY (Rockets): 35 years old, 1979-80
12.0 ppg, 3.3 rbs, 3.7 ast, .422 fg% in 25.2 min

ELGIN BAYLOR (Lakers): 37 years old, 1971-72
11.8 ppg, 6.3 rbs, 2.0 ast, .433 fg % in 26.6 min

JOHN STOCKTON (Jazz): 40 years old, 2002-03
10.8 ppg, 2.5 rbs, 7.7 ast, .483 fg % in 27.7 min

KEVIN MCHALE (Celtics): 35 years old, 1992-93
10.7 ppg, 5.0 rbs, 1.0 ast, .459 fg% in 23.3 min

JAMES WORTHY (Lakers): 32 years old, 1993-94
10.2 ppg, 2.3 rbs, 1.9 ast, .406 fg% in 20.0 min

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (Lakers): 42 years old, 1988-89
10.1 ppg, 4.5 rbs, 1.1 blk, .475 fg % in 22.9 min

BILL RUSSELL (Celtics): 34 years old, 1968-69
9.9 ppg, 19.3 rbs, 4.9 ast, .433 fg% in 42.7 min

ALEX ENGLISH (Mavs): 37 years old, 1990-91
9.7 ppg, 3.2 rbs, 1.3 ast, .439 fg% in 22.1 min

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL (Celtics): 38 years old, 2010-11
9.2 ppg, 4.8 rbs, 1.1 blk, .667 fg % in 20.3 min

TIM DUNCAN (Spurs): 39 years old, 2015-16
8.6 ppg, 7.3 rbs, 1.3 blk, .488 fg % in 25.2 min

DAVID ROBINSON (Spurs): 37 years old, 2002-03
8.5 ppg, 7.9 rbs, 1.7 blk, .469 fg% in 26.2 min

HAKEEM OLAJUWON (Raptors): 39 years old, 2001-02
7.1 ppg, 6.0 rbs, 1.5 blk, .464 fg % in 22.6 min

BERNARD KING (Nets): 36 years old, 1992-93
7.0 ppg, 2.4 rbs, 0.6 ast, .514 fg% in 13.4 min

STEVE NASH (Lakers): 39 years old, 2013-14
6.8 ppg, 1.9 rbs, 5.7 ast, .383 fg% in 20.9 min

PATRICK EWING (Magic): 39 years old, 2001-02
6.0 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 0.7 blk, .444 fg% in 13.9 min

SCOTTIE PIPPEN (Bulls): 38 years old, 2003-04
5.9 ppg, 3.0 rbs, 2.2 ast, .379 fg% in 17.9 min

ADRIAN DANTLEY (Bucks): 34 years old, 1990-91
5.7 ppg, 1.3 rbs, 0.9 ast, .380 fg% in 12.6 min

GARY PAYTON (Heat): 38 years old, 2006-07
5.3 ppg, 1.9 rbs, 3.0 ast, .393 fg% in 22.1 min

DOMINIQUE WILKINS (Magic): 39 years old, 1998-99
5.0 ppg, 2.6 rbs, 0.6 ast, .379 fg% in 9.3 min

ELVIN HAYES (Rockets): 38 years old, 1983-84
5.0 ppg, 3.2 rbs, 0.9 ast, .406 fg% in 12.3 min

WALT FRAZIER (Cavs): 34 years old, 1979-80
3.3 ppg, 1.0 rbs, 2.7 ast, .364 fg% in 9.0 min

MOSES MALONE (Spurs): 39 years old, 1994-95
2.9 ppg, 2.7 rbs, 0.2 blk, .371 fg % in 8.8 min

BILL WALTON (Celtics): 34 years old, 1986-87
2.8 ppg, 3.1 rbs, 1.0 blk, .385 fg% in 11.2 min



I will say that the best last was Wilt 72-73 season. He won the rebound title and he set the all-time record in FG %. Honorable mention for Mr.Clutch, Russell (won title), MJ. Bird was barely moving yet he posted almost a 20-10-7 season, just with his will and pure talent.
Some are really hard to watch, like Moses or Scottie. Similar numbers for David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

[feyki]

See topic. Which player was still great in his LAST year? Im talking about all-time greats of course.
Let'see:


JERRY WEST (Lakers): 35 years old, 1973-74
20.3 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 6.6 ast, .447 fg % in 31.2 min

LARRY BIRD (Celtics): 35 years old, 1991-92
20.2 ppg, 9.6 rbs, 6.8 ast, .466 fg% in 36.9 min

MICHAEL JORDAN (Wizards): 40 years old, 2002-03
20.0 ppg, 6.1 rbs, 3.8 ast, .445 fg% in 37.0 min

KOBE BRYANT (Lakers): 37 years old, 2015-16,
17.6 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 2.8 ast, .358 fg% in 28.2 min

JOHN HAVLICEK (Celtics): 37 years old, 1977-78
16.1 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 4.0 ast, .449 fg% in 34.1 min

MAGIC JOHNSON (Lakers): 36 years old, 1995-96,
14.6 ppg, 5.7 rbs, 6.9 ast, .466 fg% in 29.9 min

CHARLES BARKLEY (Rockets): 36 years old, 1999-00
14.5 ppg, 10.5 rbs, 3.2 ast, .477 fg % in 31.0 min

WILT CHAMBERLAIN (Lakers): 37 years old, 1972-73,
13.2 ppg, 18.6 rbs, 4.5 ast, .727 fg% in 43.2 min
*Lead the league in Rebounds per game and FG %.

KARL MALONE (Lakers): 40 years old, 2003-04
13.2 ppg, 8.7 rbs, 3.9 ast, .483 fg% in 32.7 min

OSCAR ROBERTSON (Bucks): 35 years old, 1973-74
12.7 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 6.4 ast, .438 fg% in 35.4 min

ELGIN BAYLOR (Lakers): 37 years old, 1971-72
11.8 ppg, 6.3 rbs, 2.0 ast, .433 fg % in 26.6 min

JOHN STOCKTON (Jazz): 40 years old, 2002-03
10.8 ppg, 2.5 rbs, 7.7 ast, .483 fg % in 27.7 min

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (Lakers): 42 years old, 1988-89
10.1 ppg, 4.5 rbs, 1.1 blk, .475 fg % in 22.9 min

BILL RUSSELL (Celtics): 34 years old, 1968-69
9.9 ppg, 19.3 rbs, 4.9 ast, .433 fg% in 42.7 min

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL (Celtics): 38 years old, 2010-11
9.2 ppg, 4.8 rbs, 1.1 blk, .667 fg % in 20.3 min

TIM DUNCAN (Spurs): 39 years old, 2015-16
8.6 ppg, 7.3 rbs, 1.3 blk, .488 fg % in 25.2 min

DAVID ROBINSON (Spurs): 37 years old, 2002-03
8.5 ppg, 7.9 rbs, 1.7 blk, .469 fg% in 26.2 min

HAKEEM OLAJUWON (Raptors): 39 years old, 2001-02
7.1 ppg, 6.0 rbs, 1.5 blk, .464 fg % in 22.6 min

STEVE NASH (Lakers): 39 years old, 2013-14
6.8 ppg, 1.9 rbs, 5.7 ast, .383 fg% in 20.9 min

SCOTTIE PIPPEN (Bulls): 38 years old, 2003-04
5.9 ppg, 3.0 rbs, 2.2 ast, .379 fg% in 17.9 min

MOSES MALONE (Spurs): 39 years old, 1994-95
2.9 ppg, 2.7 rbs, 0.2 blk, .371 fg % in 8.8 min



I will say that the best last was Wilt 72-73 season. He won the rebound title and he set the all-time record in FG %. Honorable mention for Mr.Clutch, Russell (won title), MJ. Bird was barely moving yet he posted almost a 20-10-7 season, just with his will and pure talent.
Some are really hard to watch, like Moses or Scottie. Similar numbers for David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

First tier - Russell,West,Wilt

Second tier - Oscar,Stockton,Bird,Jordan,Hondo,Admiral

[andgar923]

What's the 'context' tho?

It's really irking me that we look at stats without understanding their context.

I honestly can't say what the context is for the real old school players (West, Wilt, etc.) because I wasn't around to watch it unfold. Footage won't give me a realistic glimpse either because most footage is from either their prime or selected clips.

We need actual 'context' such as:

Were they injured? if so how severe? what kind of injury?
Technology at the time?
What was their role/load?
What was the league like at the moment?
Who were their teammates?
Did the rules affect their play?
Was their team in serious playoff contention?

Those and other factors must be taken into consideration to even begin in moving forward with any argument.

[Psileas]

See topic. Which player was still great in his LAST year? Im talking about all-time greats of course.
Let'see:


JERRY WEST (Lakers): 35 years old, 1973-74
20.3 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 6.6 ast, .447 fg % in 31.2 min

LARRY BIRD (Celtics): 35 years old, 1991-92
20.2 ppg, 9.6 rbs, 6.8 ast, .466 fg% in 36.9 min

MICHAEL JORDAN (Wizards): 40 years old, 2002-03
20.0 ppg, 6.1 rbs, 3.8 ast, .445 fg% in 37.0 min

KOBE BRYANT (Lakers): 37 years old, 2015-16,
17.6 ppg, 3.7 rbs, 2.8 ast, .358 fg% in 28.2 min

JOHN HAVLICEK (Celtics): 37 years old, 1977-78
16.1 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 4.0 ast, .449 fg% in 34.1 min

MAGIC JOHNSON (Lakers): 36 years old, 1995-96,
14.6 ppg, 5.7 rbs, 6.9 ast, .466 fg% in 29.9 min

CHARLES BARKLEY (Rockets): 36 years old, 1999-00
14.5 ppg, 10.5 rbs, 3.2 ast, .477 fg % in 31.0 min

WILT CHAMBERLAIN (Lakers): 37 years old, 1972-73,
13.2 ppg, 18.6 rbs, 4.5 ast, .727 fg% in 43.2 min
*Lead the league in Rebounds per game and FG %.

KARL MALONE (Lakers): 40 years old, 2003-04
13.2 ppg, 8.7 rbs, 3.9 ast, .483 fg% in 32.7 min

OSCAR ROBERTSON (Bucks): 35 years old, 1973-74
12.7 ppg, 4.0 rbs, 6.4 ast, .438 fg% in 35.4 min

ELGIN BAYLOR (Lakers): 37 years old, 1971-72
11.8 ppg, 6.3 rbs, 2.0 ast, .433 fg % in 26.6 min

JOHN STOCKTON (Jazz): 40 years old, 2002-03
10.8 ppg, 2.5 rbs, 7.7 ast, .483 fg % in 27.7 min

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (Lakers): 42 years old, 1988-89
10.1 ppg, 4.5 rbs, 1.1 blk, .475 fg % in 22.9 min

BILL RUSSELL (Celtics): 34 years old, 1968-69
9.9 ppg, 19.3 rbs, 4.9 ast, .433 fg% in 42.7 min

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL (Celtics): 38 years old, 2010-11
9.2 ppg, 4.8 rbs, 1.1 blk, .667 fg % in 20.3 min

TIM DUNCAN (Spurs): 39 years old, 2015-16
8.6 ppg, 7.3 rbs, 1.3 blk, .488 fg % in 25.2 min

DAVID ROBINSON (Spurs): 37 years old, 2002-03
8.5 ppg, 7.9 rbs, 1.7 blk, .469 fg% in 26.2 min

HAKEEM OLAJUWON (Raptors): 39 years old, 2001-02
7.1 ppg, 6.0 rbs, 1.5 blk, .464 fg % in 22.6 min

STEVE NASH (Lakers): 39 years old, 2013-14
6.8 ppg, 1.9 rbs, 5.7 ast, .383 fg% in 20.9 min

SCOTTIE PIPPEN (Bulls): 38 years old, 2003-04
5.9 ppg, 3.0 rbs, 2.2 ast, .379 fg% in 17.9 min

MOSES MALONE (Spurs): 39 years old, 1994-95
2.9 ppg, 2.7 rbs, 0.2 blk, .371 fg % in 8.8 min



I will say that the best last was Wilt 72-73 season. He won the rebound title and he set the all-time record in FG %. Honorable mention for Mr.Clutch, Russell (won title), MJ. Bird was barely moving yet he posted almost a 20-10-7 season, just with his will and pure talent.
Some are really hard to watch, like Moses or Scottie. Similar numbers for David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

It's between Wilt and Russell for me, but you have to add Bob Pettit, Chet Walker and Dave DeBusschere in there. You may argue that Dave's last season was statistically the best of his career. :eek: Chet Walker averaged numbers above his career avg at the age of 35. Pettit was at 23/12, despite playing a career low 35 mpg and facing some injuries - hence his huge playoff drop.

PS. Btw, where is Lazeruss? He's been out for 1 month now.

[Gileraracer]

Bird is pretty impressive, 20/10/7 with 35 years and with his back problems? Chapeau!

[Prime_Shaq]

The only thing holding Shaq back was health, he was still a monster in the paint. Was bullying Dwight till his final season.

[Sarcastic]

Jordan putting up 20 ppg at 40 years old is absolutely insane, and might be his greatest feat.

[Iceman#44]

It's between Wilt and Russell for me, but you have to add Bob Pettit, Chet Walker and Dave DeBusschere in there. You may argue that Dave's last season was statistically the best of his career. Chet Walker averaged numbers above his career avg at the age of 35. Pettit was at 23/12, despite playing a career low 35 mpg and facing some injuries - hence his huge playoff drop.


Right. I will add some players. Pettit is kind of strange 'cause he is the only one who retired at 30 years old 'cause he got a good job opportunity i think. Added DeBusschere, Thomas, Gervin, Walton, Drexler, Hayes, Worhy and more in the 1st post.
Drexler also had a very good last year: 18.4 ppg, 4.9 rbs, 5.5 ast.

[Iceman#44]

We must say that injury and age are key factor here: after age 35 i think the decline is really fast and its really hard to keep doing big numbers. Of course for wing players is harder, but look at the numbers of the power forward or center who keep playin after 35.
Shaq, Ewing, Hakeem, Admiral and TD are all below 10 ppg.
Thats why i consider Wilt Chamberlain 72-73 the best: He was 37 years old, after that knee surgery in 70, and he still lead the league in boards and set the all-time record in fg%. Yes, he doesnt carry the offensive load like before, but he was still dominant. And he also got an estimated 5.5 blk per game in his last season.

[IllegalD]

Worthless without context, as another poster said:

You should also include:

- Number of seasons played
- Total career minutes (milage)
- Injury history


Based on the exchange this seems like an obvious agenda post by Wilt/Russell/caveman-era Stans trying to pump up their prehistoric players.


The truth of the matter is that there are only 2 players on your entire list who 30 years from now people will remember their last year:

Bill Russell and Kobe Bryant


Bill Russell's will be remembered because he lead an aging Celtics team as player-coach to their 11th and final ring by upsetting the heavily favored Lakers superteam of Wilt, West, and Baylor. The series is most famous for Russell masterfully using a memo by then Laker's owner Jack Kent Cooke about the ceremonial proceedings of a pre-assumed Lakers victory to motivate his team to a Game 7 win. Russell walked off into the sunset as a champion.


Kobe Bryant's will be remembered because he had the greatest final performance in NBA history by putting up 60 points that is historic in multiple ways: Most points scored by a player in his final game; Most Scored by a player in his 20th season; and most impressively Oldest Player to Score 60, beating Wilt's record by 5 years (Wilt's scoring records are considered so unbreakable they are put in their own category)

[ShawkFactory]

Worthless without context, as another poster said:

You should also include:

- Number of seasons played
- Total career minutes (milage)
- Injury history


Based on the exchange this seems like an obvious agenda post by Wilt/Russell/caveman-era Stans trying to pump up their prehistoric players.


The truth of the matter is that there are only 2 players on your entire list who 30 years from now people will remember their last year:

Bill Russell and Kobe Bryant


Bill Russell's will be remembered because he lead an aging Celtics team as player-coach to their 11th and final ring by upsetting the heavily favored Lakers superteam of Wilt, West, and Baylor. The series is most famous for Russell masterfully using a memo by then Laker's owner Jack Kent Cooke about the ceremonial proceedings of a pre-assumed Lakers victory to motivate his team to a Game 7 win. Russell walked off into the sunset as a champion.


Kobe Bryant's will be remembered because he had the greatest final performance in NBA history by putting up 60 points that is historic in multiple ways: Most points scored by a player in his final game; Most Scored by a player in his 20th season; and most impressively Oldest Player to Score 60, beating Wilt's record by 5 years (Wilt's scoring records are considered so unbreakable they are put in their own category)
The question wasn't who's campaign will be remembered the most, but who's was the best.

People will remember Kobe for his dreadful shooting just as much as his final game.

[Mr Feeny]

Jordan putting up 20 ppg at 40 years old is absolutely insane, and might be his greatest feat.on the otherhand you have a 37 year old Kobe chucking to the tune of 35%fg and 2.8 apg with 17ppg:roll:

[IllegalD]

The question wasn't who's campaign will be remembered the most, but who's was the best.

People will remember Kobe for his dreadful shooting just as much as his final game.


No they wont Only insecure grown men like you who have Kobe living rentfree in their heads and doing all sorts of mental gymnastics to try to diminish him will remember. And in that case...he STILL wins, because he has you jumping through mental hoops for the rest of your life.

People will only remember the high highs. The 60 Point Finale.

:banana: :lol :bowdown:

[NBAGOAT]

No they wont Only insecure grown men like you who have Kobe living rentfree in their heads and doing all sorts of mental gymnastics to try to diminish him will remember. And in that case...he STILL wins, because he has you jumping through mental hoops for the rest of your life.

People will only remember the high highs. The 60 Point Finale.

:banana: :lol :bowdown:

People will check stats even more in the future and will see that atrocious shooting. Even not looking at that, they'll remember how terrible the Lakers were. Comparing him to Wilt or West who were still top players in the league and made the playoffs or MJ who had a lot of 30 and 40 point games at age 38-40 is just delusional.

[IllegalD]

People will check stats even more in the future and will see that atrocious shooting. Even not looking at that, they'll remember how terrible the Lakers were. Comparing him to Wilt or West who were still top players in the league and made the playoffs or MJ who had a lot of 30 and 40 point games at age 38-40 is just delusional.

Wilt and West played 14 seasons. Jordan played 15.

Comparing that to a 20th season. Talk about delusional. :roll:

[NBAGOAT]

Wilt and West played 14 seasons. Jordan played 15.

Comparing that to a 20th season. Talk about delusional. :roll:

the question was just best last year ever. If you want someone who played close to 20 years, I put Stockton way ahead of Kobe. 2nd best player on a playoff team and was still really consistent.

[Mr Feeny]

the question was just best last year ever. If you want someone who played close to 20 years, I put Stockton way ahead of Kobe. 2nd best player on a playoff team and was still really consistent.

Moreover who cares how many seasons he played?
If someone plays 2 seasons then retires and comes back after 15 years, I'm not about to make ridiculous comparisons of that 36 year old to Jordan's 3rd season.

40 years is 40 years.
Lots of players played at 37. Nearly all of the above were better at 37 than the chucker who's name shan't be uttered :lol

[ShawkFactory]

No they wont Only insecure grown men like you who have Kobe living rentfree in their heads and doing all sorts of mental gymnastics to try to diminish him will remember. And in that case...he STILL wins, because he has you jumping through mental hoops for the rest of your life.

People will only remember the high highs. The 60 Point Finale.

:banana: :lol :bowdown:
YOURE the one with Kobe living rent free in your head. I personally don't give a fvck. It's just funny someone trying to justify (and actually seeing the evidence for that justification) that his season was better than Jordan's last. Or Birds. Or Wests.

Your entire post seems like an insecure rant from a person who's been mindfvcked by people like dubeta.

[Mr Feeny]

YOURE the one with Kobe living rent free in your head. I personally don't give a fvck. It's just funny someone trying to justify (and actually seeing the evidence for that justification) that his season was better than Jordan's last. Or Birds. Or Wests.

Your entire post seems like an insecure rant from a person who's been mindfvcked by people like dubeta.

:lebronamazed:

[SuperCereal]

Larry Bird.

[Jasper]

I like how Admiral went out ... as a champ and passed the reins to Duncan

[scuzzy]

YOURE the one with Kobe living rent free in your head. I personally don't give a fvck. It's just funny someone trying to justify (and actually seeing the evidence for that justification) that his season was better than Jordan's last. Or Birds. Or Wests.

Your entire post seems like an insecure rant from a person who's been mindfvcked by people like dubeta.
:yaohappy: :hammertime: :banana:

[Psileas]

Wilt and West played 14 seasons. Jordan played 15.

Comparing that to a 20th season. Talk about delusional

Do you really want to go there?
How about the fact that Kobe is 11th all-time in games played? Or that he's barely played any more minutes than "only 14 season" Wilt? And that he had played even less minutes/games/seasons in his last really relevant season (2013)?