NBA Ironmen: The 10 Most Durable Players
Every rookie fresh out of college can tell you about the wear and tear that the NBA presents.
The tough training schedule, back to back games, road trips, 82 games a season plus playoffs, and often even summer commitments. The style of play is also much faster and much more physical, so it's not surprising that many players get injured or are unable to complete a 82 game schedule.
These players, however, have played a great deal of games, and they are who I consider 10 of the most durable players today.
10. Samuel Dalembert
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Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Seton Hall, Samuel Dalembert played in 34 games in his rookie season before being injured and missing his entire sophomore year.
He returned in 2003-2004 to play a full 82 games, and would play 82 games four times in the next six seasons.
This is an amazing accomplishment for a player who plays in one of the most physical positions of the NBA and experienced a scary injury early in his career.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 75
9. Rudy Gay
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With only four years of experience and no NBA Playoff games under his belt, it may be hard to imagine why Gay would be on the list.
But Gay has been a good soldier for the Memphis Grizzlies, always a dependable player who the Grizzlies would know would show up ready come game time.
Gay never missed more than four games in a single season, and that was back in his rookie year. Gay has since won a gold medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championships and a place on this list.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 80
8. Dirk Nowitzki
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Dirk Nowitzki has done it all for the Dallas Mavericks. Taking pay cuts and taking hits, Nowitzki has battled through long seasons leading the Mavs as one of the elite teams of the NBA and playing in the many playoff runs they had, while also finding the time to represent Germany in the Olympics.
Nowitzki has only missed a couple of games each season since his entrance into the league and is definitely one of the most durable players in the league in addition to being one of the best.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 86
7. LeBron James
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It is no secret that LeBron is a physical freak, and it is also no secret that Mike Brown liked to rest LeBron before the playoffs.
There was no need for that—with the physique that LeBron had, it was unlikely that anything could happen to him in the last regular season game.
While LeBron's playoffs runs have not been as successful as he would have liked, he is still undoubtedly an extremely tough and durable player, especially given the fact that he had to carry the entire Cavaliers franchise since day one.
James has also represented Team USA multiple times throughout his career and will most likely continue to represent Team USA when he is free.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 88
6. Kevin Durant
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We've heard plenty about Kevin Durant this summer, and while you may know how many points he dropped on Lithuania, what you may not know is that Durant played more games in the past season than Greg Oden, picked one spot ahead of Durant in the 2007 NBA draft, has in his entire career. All while scoring 30.1 ppg and beating Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for the scoring title.
Durant has showed up and shouldered the responsibility of the entire Thunder franchise, and over the summer, his country, in the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 79
5. Derek Fisher
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Good old Derek Fisher, who hasn't missed a single regular season game since his days with the Golden State Warriors back in 2004-2005.
A veteran point guard with a knack for knocking down some big shots, Fisher has been surprisingly durable, playing 82 games a stunning 8 times throughout his career. He was also a part of the many playoff runs by the Lakers, so his season lasted well into June many times.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 88
4. Andre Miller
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Another veteran point guard that has been secretly racking up the games and minutes. Since being drafted way back in 1999, Miller has never played less than 80 games in a single season, and that includes the mid-season blockbuster trade that sent Hall of Famer Allen Iverson to Denver and Miller to Philadelphia.
Miller did all this while starting for 11 years, doing all the dirty work and never missing a beat.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 85
3. Kobe Bryant
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Everyone knows that Kobe is a hard worker. But what really got him onto this list was his performance in the past four years.
Kobe banged out two 82 game seasons and led team USA to victory in the Olympics in Beijing, while collecting back to back NBA Championships and Finals MVP honors.
Kobe has one of the highest games played totals of players on this list and shows no signs of slowing despite racking up over 1000 games played in the regular season.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 87
2. Andre Iguodala
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Drafted by a desperate Sixers team that needed a SG, Andre Iguodala was thrown into the starting lineup and played over 30 minutes—this continued for the rest of the season.
Iguodala would go on to play 82 games that season—all as a starter—and start in all playoff games that year. Iguodala has had a perfect season in five out of his six seasons, while competing in all playoff games and the 2010 FIBA Championships this summer.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 84
1. Dwight Howard
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Like Iguodala, Dwight Howard was drafted in 2004 by a Magic team that desperately needed a star player.
Howard was inserted into the starting lineup and given over 30 minutes a game—and he played every single game except for two for the next six years.
Howard has also grabbed an insane number of rebounds while leading the Magic to the Finals once and winning a gold medal in Beijing.
Superman is truly a super ironman.
Games per season average (including playoff games): 90
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