Hold the goodbye tributes, heartfelt testimonials and parting gifts for Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. (I mean, what do you get a guy who takes every shot?)
Just weeks from his 37th birthday, Kobe won’t say yet if this season – his 20th – is his last.
Why keep going?
“I’m crazy,” Bryant said. “I love playing. It’s weird. You go from as a kid loving the game, thinking you will be able to play forever, to being where I am now and understanding there is some finality to it.”
Kobe is among a group of great golden oldies – all sure-fire future Hall of Famers – who are nearing the end of their decorated careers:
Tim Duncan, 39, San Antonio
With far less fanfare, Duncan is neck-and-neck with Kobe as the top player of his generation (each has five titles).
I give The Big Fundamental the nod because he has sacrificed more for his franchise.
Unlike Bryant, Duncan has taken large pay cuts since he was 35 to ensure the Spurs can keep talent around him (like fellow AARP guard Manu Ginobili, 38.) Duncan signed a two-year deal, making just $5.2 million this season and $5.6 million next.
Duncan has been the rarest of superstars, willing to remain in a small market. Appreciate his final days.
Kevin Garnett, 39, Minnesota
Garnett is back to where it all started for him 20 years ago as the T-Wolves’ first pick in 1995. But it’s no ceremonial homecoming.
Coach Flip Saunders says Garnett will be in his starting lineup, playing alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, 19.
Garnett played 12 seasons in Minnesota before being traded to Boston, where he won a ring. His role now is to guide a young T-Wolves team featuring Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Garnett has a two-year deal and hopes to retire to the front office.
Vince Carter, 38, Memphis
He not only appeared at Orlando Summer League to mentor Grizzlies hopefuls but was spotted diving on the floor for a loose ball in a practice.
He’s played for six teams, including the Magic, and isn’t ready to leave the stage after 18 seasons.
Carter has adapted to a diminished role, showing flashes of Vinsanity. This could be it for Carter, whose career mirrors Dominique Wilkins’ ringless run.
Dirk Nowitzki, 37, Dallas
Like Kobe and Duncan, the German-born Nowitzki is a one-team man. And he carries another distinction as he enters his 18th season with the Mavericks.
“Dirk Nowitzki is the best foreign player of all time, period,” Bryant said.
Dirk is also the best-shooting 7-footer of all time, period.
He’s also Duncanesque in that he takes less money for the greater good. He’s the Mavs’ third-highest paid player, making $8.3 million this season and $8.6 million next.
Paul Pierce, 37, L.A. Clippers
He’ll always be known as a Celtic and still looks strange in any other uniform.
The southern California-born Pierce – who turns 38 on Oct. 12 – has come home. His last roundup as a hired gun has a familiar feel: His new coach (Doc Rivers) is his old coach (in Boston).
One of the NBA’s most clutch players, Pierce will make $3.3 million this season and $3.5 next – a senior-citizen discount in reverse.
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