The word “unc” gets tossed around a lot in the NBA, and James Harden’s girlfriend isn’t having it, as Clippers star, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook all turned back the clock with vintage performances this week.
While the league is getting younger and younger, players like Curry, Harden, and Durnat continue to astonish despite being near the tail end of their careers.
Curry, who will turn 38 in March, could quite possibly be the best shooter in the league right now, and his numbers this season have been nothing short of sensational. The Warriors star had back-to-back 40-point games this week, tying Michael Jordan for the most (44) after turning 30. He scored 49 points in a 109-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, and just two days later he notched 46 points in a 125–120 victory over the same team.
•
James Harden, who turned 36 a few months back, also shows no signs of slowing down. His 41-point heroics on Friday ended the Clippers’ six-game trot in a 133-127 win that went into double overtime.
Westbrook, who reinvented the meaning of “triple-double,” snagged his first of the season in his first start for the Sacramento Kings on Friday. The 18-year veteran posted a 13-point, 14-assist and 10-rebound stat line in a 124-110 loss to the Timberwolves.
And Durant is still one of the best scorers in the league despite his autumnal age. The Slim Reaper turned 37 last month and continues to give nightmares to NBA defenders, showing his enduring class in a blowout win over the Trail Blazers. Durant recorded 30 points on 63% shooting in the game. The future Hall of Famer looks deadlier than ever in his 18th season in the league as he aims for a third championship with the Rockets.
Fliff posted a graphic of all four on their Instagram page, with the caption reading,
“Tonight felt like 2016 again.”
James Harden’s girlfriend, Paige Speights, did not mince words when resharing the post on her IG Story.
“Y’all gotta watch who y’all calling ‘unc’ out here 🤷🏽♀️,” she captioned.
Looks like Speights believes these players are far from earning that ‘unc’ label, with plenty of sparkle still left in them at age 35+.
Kevin Durant Shouts Out Steph Curry, James Harden and 35+ Age Players in Inspiring Message
Kevin Durant hailed Steph Curry, James Harden, and other players aged 35 and older for inspiring him after his sensational game-high 30 points on 63% shooting in the Rockets’ 140–116 win over the Blazers.
When a reporter pointed out that what Durant does at age 37 is far from ordinary and asked how often he takes time to appreciate playing at this level.
Durant made sure to give his flowers to his peers.
“We got guys like Steph Curry, LeBron James, James Harden, and DeMar DeRozan,” he said. “I missed so many other 35-plus-year-olds in the league. But when they go out there and set the tone and still look like they’re in their mid-20s every day, then they just inspire me to keep doing what I’m doing. So, shout out to all the 35-plus guys in the league. They’re definitely out there inspiring a lot of people. So, I just want to be a part of that group and be aggressive and play my game, man.”
Durant’s message is just another fresh reminder that age is no barrier to being the best in one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet.
Edited by Mervin LR
