Hakeem Olajuwan was one of the oldest players that was a member of the USA's Dream Team II - Maxi Basket photo

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SPORTS NOTES - The NBA's Oldest & Youngest Players

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The NBA recently released a list of its oldest and youngest players. Upon review you get a sense of where the league has been and where it's going. In my case, I've witnessed in person games involving everyone listed on the NBA's 50th Anniversary Greatest Players team. Believe me, there is a difference. The game and players have changed

Friday July 1, 2001

NBA CHANGES - THEN & NOW

The players in the NBA today are entering the league at a younger age. In the past it was virtually unheard of that a player could make the transition from high school basketball to the NBA. But that was then and this is now.

Today's young player has the benefit of modern nutritional diets, state of the art exercise equipment and a can do attitude. They also have benefited with modern technology having an abundance of games televised that helps them study the sport.

Additionally there are many more independent basketball leagues and courts to play on that weren't as available in the past. As a result, today's players are stronger, bigger, wiser and mentally cocky.

The NBA recently released a list of its oldest and youngest players. Upon review you get a sense of where the league has been and where it's going. In my case, I've witnessed in person games involving everyone listed on the NBA's 50th Anniversary Greatest Players team. Believe me, there is a difference. The game and players have changed.

The strength and strategy of the old NBA game is giving way to quickness and flashy play,including selfishness. Whatever your feelings are about the changes, the bottom line is today's NBA game is bigger and better for the fan.

With that said, I don't feel there has ever been a team, then or now, including the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls, who could defeat the Boston Celtics dynasty teams of the late 50's and 60's in an NBA championship series. The Celtics won 11 of 13 NBA titles between 1957-69, including nine consecutive years 1959-66. They had great players and the greatest ever-pro coach in RED AUERBACH who taught a tough disciplined game. He had a talented no nonsense no bull$#$# team. But that's another story to be told at a different time. But hey again. That was then, and this is now.

Never before in the NBA has age made such a difference as it does in this new millennium. There is a 20-21-year age difference between the NBA's oldest player DALE ELLIS, 39, (Charlotte Hornets) and youngest, JONATHAN BENDER (Indiana Pacers), who recently turned to the golden age of 19 on January 30th. Ellis will again have a 21-year advantage when he reaches the big 4-0, August 6th.

The Pacers have three players on the NBA young/old list including Bender ranking them number in the league. Joining Bender is AL HARRINGTON, who will be 20 on February 17th. This is his second NBA season. Thirty-nine year old SAM PERKINS is the oldest member on the Pacers team.

MOSES MALONE was the first high school player to go directly to the pros and make a significant impact. Malone entered pro ball as a third-round draft choice of the Utah Stars of the old American Basketball Associations in 1974. He averaged 18.8ppg and 14.6rpg in his rookie year and was selected to the league's All-Star team.

Malone entered the NBA in the 1976-77 season with the Buffalo Braves. He was then traded to the Houston Rockets, October 24 1976. After six seasons with the Rockets, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, September 18, 1982. That season Malone was a member of the Sixers 1983 NBA championship team. He went on to have a 19-year NBA career that included being selected as the league's MVP in 1981, 1984 1987.

DARYL DAWKINS made the big jump from high school to the NBA and had some success. The seven-footer began his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1975-76 season. In his rookie year, he played in only 37 games averaging 2.4ppg. He later developed and had productive years with the Sixers and New Jersey Nets. Dawkins played in the NBA finals three times, 1977, 1980 and 1982. He was a colorful character, who was known as "Chocolate Thunder," "The Man from Love-tron" among other nicknames.

Dawkins had a 14-year NBA career and played last with the Detroit Pistons' 1998-99 team in only 14 games. He was left off the playoff roster and was not a member of the NBA Championship winning roster Dawkins may be best remembered for his penchant for shattering backboards.

In recent years, the success of the Minnesota Timberwolves KEVIN GARNETT has opened the doors for the current abundance of high school players today in the league. The Timberwolves selected Garnett in the first round (5th overall) of the 1995 draft. Within three years, his game developed so well that he was given the largest ever NBA contract.

After averaging 10.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg in his rookie year, Garnett raised his career average of 16.2ppg and 8.4rpg entering his fifth season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, SHAWN KEMP, 30, was close to making the high school NBA transition. The 11-year NBA veteran was selected in the first round of the 1989 draft (17th pick overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics. The 6-10/280lb (2,08/127.) never played college basketball but did enroll at University of Kentucky before departing and taking on the big time. Kemp has been selected to the All-NBA second team three times (1994-96).

NBA wonder-kind KOBE BRYANT who also made the high school/NBA transition, is now at 21. He is "so old" that he doesn't qualify for the youngest NBA team. Go Figure

One thing is certain, whatever your feelings are about the changes in the NBA (if you're aware) the league's worldwide popularity proves - It's all good.

KOBE BRYANT - TYRA BANKS SING: Kobe Bryant and super model TYRA BANKS will team up for his debut recording K-O-B-E on the NBA "Team Up Celebrations" TV Special February 12th.

It will be the 21-year old Bryant's first performance before a live audience. His first album "Visions"" will be released sometime in March.

When asked if he was serious about his singing career Bryant replied, "I wouldn't do it if I wasn't serious. I really enjoy it."

The show will be televised on NBC, TNT, BET and Nickelodeon.

Birth dates of the NBA's Oldest and Youngest players

                OLD                                                      YOUNG
Dale Ellis, Char    August 6, 1960                Jonathan Bender, Ind.   January 30, 1981
Mark West, Pho      November 5, 1960         Al Harrington,  Ind     February 17, 1980
Terry Cummings, GS  March 15, 1961         Bruno Sundov, Dal       February 10, 1980
Sam Perkins, Ind    June 14, 1961               Ron Artest, Chi         November 13, 1979
Antoine Carr, Van   July 23, 1961                Corey Maggette, OR      November 12, 1979
Joe Klein, Por      January 4, 1962               Lamar Odom, LAC         November 6, 1979
Michael Cage, NJ    January 28, 1962          Ricky Davis, Char       Sept 23, 1979
John Stockton, UT   March 26, 1962            William Avery, MN       August 8, 1979
Jerome Kersey, S.A. June 26, 1962             Richard Lewis, Sea      August 8, 1979
Otis Thorpe, Mia    August 5, 1962              Tracy McGrady, Tor      May 24, 1979
Patrick Ewing, N.Y. August 5, 1962             Baron Davis, Char       April 13, 1979
John Williams, Dal  August 5, 1962             Elton Brand, Chi        March 11, 1979
Kevin Willis, Tor   Sept 6, 1962                   Jumaine Jones, Phil     January 23, 1979
Tyrone Corbin, Sac  December 3, 1962        Larry Hughes, Phil      January 23, 1979
H.Olajuwon, Hou     January 21, 1963          Dion Glover, Atl        Oct 22, 1978
Det. Schrempf, Por  January 21, 1963

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