In 1985-86, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the previous NBA record of 16 seasons held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas and Elvin Hayes; he ended his own. Robert Parish, center, had a remarkable career spanning 21 seasons, during which he played for the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls. Kevin Garnett's career also lasted 21 seasons, during which he showcased his talent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Dirk Nowitzki, a power forward, spent his entire 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks, making him the player with the most seasons for a single team in NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 after playing 20 seasons and is known for his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. After the “21 Club”, we have four other basketball greats who played for 20 seasons: Los Angeles Lakers legends, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the late Kobe Bryant, Jamal Crawford, three-time winner of the NBA's sixth man of the year award, and Udonis Haslem, of the Miami Heat. It should be noted that big men, such as center backs and power forwards, tend to have longer careers as NBA players compared to guards and smaller players due to the physical demands of their positions. In 1985-86, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the previous NBA record of 16 seasons held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas and Elvin Hayes; he ended his career in 1988-89 with a record of 20 seasons played at the time. The NBA has witnessed the careers of numerous talented players who have achieved remarkable longevity in the sport.
The NBA has had a select group of players who have left a lasting legacy thanks to their exceptional longevity in the sport. A former New York Knicks guard who was the sixth generational player played 20 seasons and made history while doing so. Longevity in the NBA is also influenced by a player's dedication to fitness, fitness, and injury prevention throughout of his career. The eight-time All-Star first played with the Toronto Raptors in 1998 and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999. The ability to adapt to the changing nature of the game, together with mastery of skills, play a fundamental role in maintaining a long career in professional basketball.
To shed light on this, let's dive into the details of players who have played 20 or more seasons in the NBA. Only ten players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have played 20 or more seasons in their respective careers.
