The game has changed from strength-based to speed based over the last decade or so. Not saying that the previous game didn't rely on speed or the current game didn't require strength, just that the balance has tilted a to more speed based. Yes, you would require the strength to create contact on offence and finish in a crowd, but the speed aspect is, imo, more important due to all the cutting, change in directions and shiftiness in moves. This means that youth actually has more of an advantage than before, and with players coming to the league younger and younger, you have these 25 year olds who have been in the league for 6 years but still have the speed they had in the early 20s, where in the past they'd be sophs without the knowledge or developed skills. Long way of saying, these teams built on older late 20's early 30's stars seem to be faltering.
To be clear though, I don't mean younger is better, as the Nets, Wiz, Pels, Hornets, Grizzlies aren't that good and they are all very young, but when you look at the top teams like OKC (6th youngest), DET (13th youngest), Spurs (14th youngest) and TOR (9th youngest), young rosters doesn't necessarily mean bad. Of course there are good teams that are old, but a few got an old average age, but are skewed by old guys who play less than the young guys.
- Houston is the 3rd oldest team, but only Durant (37) plays significant minutes (36mpg). Adams plays 22, and Capela plays 11. Everybody else who plays more than 20 mpg are 27 and younger.
- LAL is the the 7th oldest team, but they are clearly built around Luka, who is only 26, and Reaves, who is 27. Lebron at 41 pulls their age way up., then it's Smart at 31. Other players like Rui, Aytno, Vanderilt, Hayes and LaVaria are all 27 and under. Besides, they just somehow kept winning these games they shouldn't win (13th in NetRtg, while tied for the 3rd best record in the West and 4th in the league) while once again leading the league in FTA (2.9 more than the Spurs and 5.5 more than the Knicks, who just happened to have the same record as them) and having the 7th least FTAs given to the opponents. Intriguing.
I'd say the Knicks (5th oldest) and Denver (9th oldest) are the two old good teams.
Comparing the 10 oldest and 10 youngest teams in the past few decades
| 10 Oldest teams | | | | 10 Youngest Teams | | | |
| Year | W | L | W% | # with W% >=.5 | W | L | W% | # with W% >=.5 |
| 2024-25 | 472 | 348 | .576 | 7 | 376 | 444 | .459 | 4 |
| 2015-16 | 513 | 307 | .626 | 10 | 371 | 449 | .452 | 4 |
| 2005-06 | 510 | 310 | .622 | 9 | 326 | 494 | .398 | 2 |
Note:
Compared to 10 years ago, in the 2015-16 season, the best teams (50+ wins) in the league were GSW (the 73 win one, 10th oldest), Spurs(2nd), OKC (21st), LAC (4th), Cleveland (7th), and Raptors (18th). All 10 of the oldest teams had a .500 or better record, while 6 of the 10 youngest teams had a losing record (exceptions being POR, DET, BOS and OKC).
Then 20 years ago. The 50+ win teams were Pistons (5th), Spurs(1st), Suns(8th), Mavs(7th), Cavs(12th), Heat(2nd). The Nets, a 49-win team, was the 3rd oldest.. 9 of the 10 oldest teams in the league had a winning record, with the Rockets (3rd) being the only exception. Only 2 of the 10 youngest teams had a winning record.
) to put the pedal to the metal on the tank post-deadline.. Just hope nothing crazy happens with the ping pong balls, i can live with Thunder getting the 7th or 8th pick. Still, an insane trade and genuinely worse than the Luka one. At best, Lakers will win one Championship and then Doncic will get fat again. The Clippers? They built a dynasty for another franchise.
