NBA: 7 Former star veterans who are currently effective bench players
Asking a star player to change his playing style would result in major backlash towards anyone in charge of an NBA team, and more often than not, most GMs would rather let the star have his way than risk losing his locker room.
The following seven players, however, have aged remarkably well in the run-and-gun NBA circa today, and have successfully carved themselves a respectable role in their teams' rotations following years (sometimes decades) of dominant play as a starter.
These players have adjusted their game to remain at their prime efficiency and gave up quality minutes of playing time while dealing with the slowdown of their aging physiques. Let's take a look at our top 7 veteran stars who are coming off the bench this season:
#7 Vince Carter
The G.O.A.T. as far as in-game dunking is concerned, Air Canada (as Vince has fondly been called throughout his career) made the NBA a watchable league in the days post-Michael Jordan's retirement and pushed an expansion team in Toronto to playoff contention during his initial years in the league.
While playing alongside Muggsy Bogues and Tracy McGrady, the Raptors were one of the most feared teams in the NBA. Through his career, Carter has been a legitimate scoring threat with the ability to nail 3-pointers as well as having a reliable mid-range jumper and ultimate athletic ability to finish in the paint.
He has also aged remarkably well, going off for a game-high 29 points against LeBron James' Cavaliers while leading the Kings to a rare victory in his age-41 season.
Honours: 8 x All-Star(2000-2007), 2 x All-NBA honours (2002, 2003), Rookie of the Year (1999)