LeBron James Isn’t the Oldest! 7 NBA Veterans Who Played Past 40

Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) shoots the ball at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James is the poster boy for longevity in modern basketball. But believe it or not, he’s not the oldest player to ever suit up in the NBA. Several icons before him kept chasing rings (and records) well into their 40s, proving that age really is just a number when greatness is involved. Here are 10 NBA veterans who played past the age of 40, defying time and critics. 1. Vince Carter – Played Until 43 “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” became the ultimate ageless wonder. Carter played 22 seasons across four decades, finishing his career with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. He’s the only player in NBA history to play in four different decades. 2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Retired at 42 The NBA’s scoring king for nearly 40 years, Kareem dominated until the very end. He retired in 1989 with six MVPs, six rings, and a skyhook that never aged. 3. Dikembe Mutombo – Retired at 42 Finger wags didn’t slow down with age. Mutombo remained a defensive anchor into his 40s, finishing his career with the Houston Rockets in 2009. 4. Robert Parish – Retired at 43 The “Chief” played a record 1,611 regular-season games. His final year was spent with the Chicago Bulls in 1997, earning him his fourth championship ring. 5. Kevin Willis – Retired at 44 Willis was one of the few big men to keep up with the younger NBA crowd. He retired in 2007 after a 21-year career, playing his final game with the Mavericks. 6. Karl Malone – Retired at 41 “The Mailman” kept delivering buckets well into his 40s. His final season was with the Lakers in 2004, where he tried chasing a ring that ultimately slipped away. 7. Nat Hickey – Played at 45 Yes, you read that right. Hickey was a coach who activated himself for two games in 1948, making him the oldest player in NBA history at 45. Longevity Is the New GOAT Argument LeBron James is chasing greatness deep into his 40s, but he’s standing on the shoulders of giants who proved it could be done. These vets didn’t just hang around, they inspired entire generations with their endurance and passion for the game. Read More: LeBron James Unlocks Historic Achievement Despite Not Winning the NBA Season MVP Honor

‘I’m Not Here to Hold Your Hand’ Joe Flacco Snaps at Shedeur Sanders & Dillon Gabriel

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco looks downfield for a deep pass during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Jeff Lange / Imagn Images

Joe Flacco’s Frustration Boils Over And It’s Justified Joe Flacco’s name still carries weight: Super Bowl MVP, clutch playoff machine, and a quarterback with a legacy most players envy. But these days, the headlines aren’t about his arm, they’re about a role he never asked for: mentor. And frankly, he’s had enough. The so-called “mentorship narrative” has been a constant thorn in Flacco’s side, recycled year after year. During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot laid it bare: Who can blame him? Since 2023, whether with the Ravens, Colts, or now the Browns, Flacco’s been dodging the same question like a blitz; Are you here to guide the young guys?He’s answered it. He’s brushed it off. And now, he’s done. A Legacy That Deserves More Than a Side Role Let’s get one thing straight; Joe Flacco isn’t just some aging placeholder. He’s a Super Bowl champion. A former MVP. He’s still in the league because he can still make plays. So why keep reducing him to a glorified babysitter? Yes, rookies like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are showing promise in OTAs. And yes, the Browns have four quarterbacks on the roster. But Flacco isn’t ready to hand off the torch just yet.Flacco made it crystal clear: That’s the kind of honesty the NFL rarely gets, and it deserves respect. Joe Flacco Has to Compete With Deshaun Watson still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Cleveland’s quarterback battle is wide open. But while many expect Flacco to slip quietly into the mentor role, he’s not playing along. He’s here to compete. To start. To win. In a league obsessed with youth and potential, veterans like Flacco constantly get boxed in, forced to become side characters in someone else’s story. But Joe Flacco’s still writing his own. And perhaps the most valuable lesson for Sanders and Gabriel? Earn it. Don’t expect handouts. Don’t expect shortcuts. The mentorship question may keep circling, but Joe Flacco’s message is loud and clear:He’s not done yet. And if the rookies want the spotlight, they’ll have to take it the hard way. Read More: ‘He Won’t Make the Team’: NFL Analyst Predicts Shedeur Sanders May Not Survive Browns QB Room

Eyewitness Confirms Charley Hull Visibly Frustrated as Lexi Thompson Commits LPGA’s Most Hated Offense

May 29, 2025; Erin, Wisconsin, USA; Charley Hull tees off at the 1st hole during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Slow Play Sparks Drama Between Lexi Thompson and Charley Hull The LPGA has been cracking down on slow play this season, but the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open isn’t covered under those new rules, and it’s already causing friction among the Tour’s top stars. During Thursday’s round at Lancaster Country Club, tensions rose when Lexi Thompson took her time lining up a birdie putt on the 8th hole. Meanwhile, Charley Hull, clearly annoyed, walked ahead to the 9th tee and sat down on the grass, a move that quickly went viral after being posted by Meg Adkins of Fried Egg Golf. The moment lit up social media. Some fans slammed Hull’s behavior as disrespectful, while others applauded her for silently protesting what she’s long criticized: slow play. Hull and Thompson’s History with Pace-of-Play This isn’t new territory for either golfer. Hull has been outspoken about slow play, even suggesting in 2024 that repeat offenders should lose their Tour cards. Thompson agreed, calling the idea aggressive but necessary. Both have pushed for reform, and the LPGA responded by implementing season-long timing policies and fines. So far, 22 players have been fined, and 9 have received two-stroke penalties this season. But none of those penalties apply at majors like the U.S. Women’s Open, and Hull’s frustration may reflect a growing impatience with that loophole. Was Lexi Taking Too Long, or Just Playing Smart? Thompson had every reason to slow down. After landing in the rough off the tee, she nailed an approach to within 7 feet and sank the birdie putt, improving her score to +2. While Korda and Hull both carded pars, Thompson’s careful play helped her climb the leaderboard, though she still trailed both by one shot. Hull’s reaction may have seemed harsh, but it underscores a real issue. Without universal enforcement, players are left to police themselves, and tempers can flare. Whether fans side with Hull’s protest or Thompson’s methodical play, one thing is clear: slow play remains one of the game’s biggest frustrations. With pace-of-play reforms gaining momentum, moments like this could shape how future majors are governed.

5 MLB Manager Decisions That Cost Their Teams Everything

Bobby Cox
Openverse

Baseball is a game defined by strategy, but sometimes even the best managers make decisions that backfire, and badly. These critical moments often change the course of games, playoff series, and entire seasons. Here are five unforgettable examples where managerial calls cost MLB teams dearly. 5. Bobby Cox’s 1996 World Series Intentional Walk Gone Wrong During Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, Braves manager Bobby Cox intentionally walked a dangerous hitter to face a perceived weaker batter. The plan backfired when the next batter launched a game-winning home run, shifting momentum and ultimately impacting the series outcome. 4. Tony La Russa’s 2011 ALDS Overuse of Chris Carpenter In the 2011 ALDS, La Russa kept starting pitcher Chris Carpenter on the mound despite signs of fatigue. Carpenter’s performance dipped, leading to a critical loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cardinals fell short that postseason, with questions lingering about the pitching manager’s decision. Read More: MLB Managers Who Left a Lasting Legacy on the Game 3. Joe Maddon’s 2015 World Series Game 1 Bullpen Decision Joe Maddon’s decision to use a tired closer against a hot hitter in Game 1 of the World Series cost the Cubs dearly. The Royals capitalized on the Manager bullpen misstep to come back and win the game, setting the tone for their eventual championship. 2. Lou Piniella’s 2003 ALCS Game 7 Pitching Change In Game 7 against the Boston Red Sox, Piniella pulled starting pitcher Freddy Garcia earlier than expected. The move brought in less reliable relievers, allowing the Sox to rally. Boston went on to win the series, ending the Yankees’ postseason run and changing the course of both franchises. 1. Terry Collins and the 2016 Mets NLCS Game 5 Blunder In a pivotal moment against the Dodgers, Mets manager Terry Collins left closer Jeurys Familia in to face Corey Seager despite signs of fatigue. Seager crushed a game-tying home run, swinging momentum to Los Angeles. The Mets lost that game and the series, missing a chance to reach the World Series. In high-stakes baseball, a single MLB managerial decision can ripple through the season. While hindsight is 20/20, these moments remind fans and teams alike how razor-thin the margin between victory and defeat truly is.

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