Ant comparisons to other greats at same age

[Q-is-here]

Thought this would be interesting. Here is where a few of the other all-time greats, both past and present, were at in their 4th season:

Michael Jordan - Age 24 - Lost in the conference semis. Had not previously gotten out of the first round.

Kobe Bryant - Age 21 - Won a title. Not the best player though. Shaq was.

D-Wade - Age 24 - Won a title. He was the best player in this case.

LeBron - Age 22 - Lost in the Finals. Didn't win a title until he made "The Decision" and joined Miami.

Curry - Age 24 - Lost in the conference semis. Had not even made the playoffs in his first three seasons.

Jokic - Age 23 - Lost in the conference semis. Like Curry, didn't even make the playoffs in his first three seasons.

Giannis - Age 22 - Lost in the first round. Had yet to make it out of the first round.

[Q-is-here]

I think the last three guys - Curry, Giannis, and Jokic - are the ones that are encouraging, as they are all part of the modern era and also on teams that largely built themselves up through smart drafting, trades, and signings versus having some superstar drop in their lap via free agency or a forced trade demand.

Here is another thing to note. Between their 4th years and the year they won a title, Jokic and Giannis had only ONE teammate that was with them in both seasons: Murray and Middleton respectively. Otherwise, their entire roster turned over between Year 4 and their Finals year (Year 8 for both players).

[Wolvesfan21]

Tim Duncan. Magic. Bird.

[Q-is-here]

Tim Duncan. Magic. Bird.

Yeah, I only went back so far. Duncan won a title very early in his career, but he had 4 years of college and was a very refined player from day one. Plus he had the luxury of joining an already really good David Robinson-led team.

[Wolvesfan21]

Tim Duncan. Magic. Bird.

Yeah, I only went back so far. Duncan won a title very early in his career, but he had 4 years of college and was a very refined player from day one. Plus he had the luxury of joining an already really good David Robinson-led team.

I believe all 3 won before their 4th year. Though of course they all went to school much longer too. You don't HAVE TO "pay your dues and work your way up". I think Magic won as a rookie even. I can't think of any other superstars who won as a rookie though and contributed a ton also.

[Q-is-here]

Tim Duncan. Magic. Bird.

Yeah, I only went back so far. Duncan won a title very early in his career, but he had 4 years of college and was a very refined player from day one. Plus he had the luxury of joining an already really good David Robinson-led team.

I believe all 3 won before their 4th year. Though of course they all went to school much longer too. You don't HAVE TO "pay your dues and work your way up". I think Magic won as a rookie even. I can't think of any other superstars who won as a rookie though and contributed a ton also.

Well, you don't have to pay your dues and work your way up if you are immediately playing with the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or David Robinson! Bird is indeed the exception in that he was truly the best player for the C's when they won it all in his second year. Of course he was already 24 years old by then.

[Q-is-here]

Bumping this to add a bit more info.

Year and Age at which the following players made their first Conference Finals appearance:

Michael Jordan - 5th Season, Age 25 (lost in Conference finals)
LeBron James - 4th Season, Age 22 (went on to Finals and lost)
Steph Curry - 6th Season, Age 26 (went on to win his first title)
Giannis - 6th season, Age 24 (lost in Conference finals)
Nikola Jokic - 5th Season, Age 24 (lost in Conference finals)
Luka Doncic - 4th Season, Age 22 (lost in Conference finals)
Anthony Edwards - 4th Season, Age 22 (TBD!)

This is why a lot of folks in the NBA media are saying, "it's happening so fast!"

Edit: Added Giannis to the list above