NBA: Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd and 5 NBA All-Stars Slowly Heading for Retirement

The last decade has given the NBA many stars to put in its history book. These careers have blessed us with some memorable moments, to say the least. They've led their teams to a championship or two (or five) during their time spent in the NBA.

Their names will be known for generations to come.

Unfortunately, a good thing must end. These players are slowly aging as a new wave of young talent hits the NBA. They are now veterans that are shown much respect.

5. Kobe Bryant

The scary thing is, even with this selection, Kobe remains a top-five player in the league. Kobe Bryant has slowly evolved from an afro-strutting athletic superstar into the deadly assassin we know today as the Black Mamba. He has played at  the elite level for most of his career and hasn't been slowed down much by his age.

His body has tallied quite a bit of mileage, though.

The last few seasons have been riddled with injury for Kobe. He sprained his ankle last season and his index finger the year before.

Despite these, he played through them most of the time and still had two great seasons.

Where his age was most evident was in the playoffs. Kobe was not the same as the two years in which the Lakers won their most recent championships. He seemed tired.

Now, it may have been because of his team's lack of production, but this problem never had happened before, and especially not during the postseason.

4. Steve Nash

Steve Nash still has the knack to make everyone on the court with him better. His passing is unsurpassed, he can can still pull up from almost anywhere on the court and he remains a pesky defender even with the new wave a young point guards.

His age is obvious, though.

With Aaron Brooks in Phoenix, the Suns are looking to use Nash as a mentor to help Brooks with his game.

"Nashty" has changed from the two MVP-worthy seasons he once had.

3. Kevin Garnett

Ask Kevin, and he'll say I'm crazy, but it's obvious he's no longer the dominating force he was in Minnesota. Big-men talents (Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, Kevin Love) are starting to make their names known in this league.

Unfortunately, Garnett hasn't adjusted well.

The Big Ticket has been injured in each of the last three seasons, and many are wondering he's become too old for the Celtics to win another title.

I don't think the Celtics are going too win another title, but KG still has a passion for the game that is matched by very few players in this league.

2. Jason Kidd

Although he is the oldest on this list, his recent championship made me put him at No. 2, rather than No. 1. He is the emotional leader on a great Mavericks team.

But his skills are definitely in check.

He has a high basketball IQ and has averaged 9.1 assists a game over his NBA career. He has brought what was a nonexistent jump shot to a reliable shooter and just so happens to be third all time in most three-pointers made.

He does have a tough time guarding young players such as Derrick Rose, but he remains a solid defender.

When it comes to Jason, with age comes wisdom on the basketball court.

1. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is no longer the dominating force he used to be. He is no longer the center of the Spurs offense.

Tim Duncan has officially entered the twilight of his career.

He still has the best bank shot in the league, though. He can pull up from anywhere inside the three-point line and uses it to his advantage against the more athletic defenders.

Duncan will not win another ring.

His age hurt the Spurs in the series against the Grizzlies. He was no match for Memphis' Zach Randolph.

Tim Duncan has just a few drops left in the tank.