NBA Playoffs 2012: Could This Be the End for These 8 Players?

As the first round of the NBA playoffs draws to a close, we can start seeing the desperation and last-minute surges from all of the players.

Win or lose, most will wake up after the playoffs knowing this is not the end. However, not all players will have that luxury.

Here are eight who have had long successful careers but will never check into a playoff game again.

Erick Dampier

Team: Atlanta Hawks

Age: 36

Erick Dampier has had an impressive career. He has never been considered dominant at center, but playing for 15 years at a consistently productive pace is quite admirable.

Though Dampier does not have a ring, he has had his fair share of playoff experience. Dampier started at center for the Dallas Mavericks in six consecutive seasons from 2005-2010 and is coming off the bench playing valuable minutes for a banged-up Hawks squad.

However, you can see Dampier’s age starting to show.  Not only are his postseason rebounds, blocks, assists and steals lower this year than his career average, but just by using the eyeball test anyone can see that this 15-year veteran is starting to break down.

I hope he enjoyed the playoff win in Atlanta last night. It is likely the last one he will ever have.

Baron Davis

Team: New York Knicks

Age: 33

What can you say about Baron Davis that hasn’t already been heckled at him by his former owner, Donald Sterling?

The 33-year-old Davis doesn’t have a ton to show for his 12-year career playoff-wise, but he has been one of the best scorers in the league since his second season. Perhaps one of the more impressive aspects of Baron’s career is that he was able to get to the playoffs seven times with a usually below-average supporting cast.

Baron did help the Knicks break their playoff drought with a win in Game 4 against Miami, but unfortunately he was unable to celebrate as he was carted off with torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

That injury makes it doubtful that Davis will find his way onto another playoff roster. But if he does, he will probably be near the bottom of the depth chart.  

Juwan Howard

Team: Miami Heat

Age: 39

Juwan Howard’s career has fallen off a bit in his elder years, but that is to be expected for a player with 17 years of NBA experience.

One of the most notable aspects about Howard’s career is that five of the eight teams he played for appeared in the postseason..

Nevertheless, the NBA playoffs are getting ready to waive goodbye to the last of the Fab Five.

Derek Fisher

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 37

There are many words you can use to describe Derek Fisher, but the one that probably works best is winner. He has titles upon titles, and has been in the NBA playoffs 14 times. That in itself is a notable achievement.

Unfortunately, Fisher will be a 38-year-old free agent by the time next season rolls around, and his season stats are as low as they have ever been.

Just by being on Oklahoma City, he has a shot at another title. And even if the Thunder do not win it all, Fisher has the opportunity to leave with class.

Win or lose, this will be the last time Fisher will grace this familiar stage.  

Jason Kidd

Team: Dallas Mavericks

Age: 39

If there is any NBA elder statesman who can measure up to Derek Fisher’s long-term accomplishments, it would be Jason Kidd.

He has won wherever he has been. He was able to lead the New Jersey Nets to two consecutive appearances in the NBA finals, and finally claimed a ring of his own last year in Dallas.

The problem for Kidd is that he is now a 39-year-old free agent, and I don’t believe any team is going to want to spend the type of money it will take to keep him around.

He has had a successful 17-season career, making the postseason a remarkable 16 times.  That should be enough for Kidd.

Gilbert Arenas

Team: Memphis Grizzlies

Age: 30

Oh, how quickly some things can change.

It seems like just yesterday Gilbert Arenas was averaging more than 20 points per game and signing multiple endorsement deals to match his juggernaut of a contract extension.

However, after injuries, dismal play on the court and several off-the-court issues, "Agent Zero" finds himself buried at the end of the bench for a Grizzlies team that may bow out of the playoffs Wednesday night.

Arenas is the youngest player on this list. Unlike others, he still has time to get back to the player he once was and least be a solid contributor on a playoff team. But after the past couple seasons, he is the least likely person on this list to turn himself around.

Could he find himself on another playoff roster before the end of his career? Sure, but it will probably be for depth only.

Ray Allen

Team: Boston Celtics

Age: 36

After a disappointing injury-plagued season, these playoffs will surely be Ray Allen’s last hurrah.

Allen has cemented his place in history as the all-time three-point king. But, more importantly, he now has a ring to show for all of his hard work.

No one can question the work ethic and drive of Allen, but his ankle is still not 100 percent after about six weeks of rest.  That is a sign that the soon-to-be 37-year-old free agent needs to wrap up incredible 15-year career.

If the Celtics can make one last deep run in the playoffs during the Big Three era, Allen will be able to step away without any regrets.

Tim Duncan

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Age: 36

Of anyone on this list, Tim Duncan is the complete wild card. He is the one player on this list who I can say will be in the playoffs again if he returns to San Antonio.

However, the 36-year-old is a free agent next year, and after a very successful and lucrative career, he has a hard decision to make.

Duncan is a competitor who enjoys playing the game at the highest level.  You can tell without looking at a box score that if he was to limit his minutes, he would definitely still have something left in the tank.

Two factors that could keep him from coming back next season are his two kids, which at “some point” will be the deciding factor, and the possibility that the Spurs may win the NBA championship.  If Duncan can add a fifth ring to his collection this year, he would be the perfect player to leave the way everyone would like to, as a champion.