10 NBA Stars Who Are on the Decline

There are, and always will be, certain NBA stars who continue to impress us year after year. Yet we sometimes forget that every player is susceptible to age and other rigors that come with the job.

Like it or not, no player, regardless of his legacy, can stay on top of his game forever. Many may excel at a high level for quite some time, longer than expected, while others like Gilbert Arenas taper off earlier than projected. But no one stays ahead of the pack forever.

Oftentimes we are guilty of arguing that a player's worth far exceeds his abilities, just to maintain the hope or even illusion that he are still in his prime. The ugly truth eventually reveals itself and we are forced to accept the reality.

Players age, bodies diminish and value depreciates; all reigns must come to a close.

And here are 10 stars who are proving there are no exceptions.

Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

While Jason Kidd played an integral role in the Dallas Mavericks' championship run, it became more than apparent that age was finally catching up to the 38-year-old, 17-season veteran.

Kidd averaged 7.9 points, 8.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game last season, scoring more than five points below his career average. He could still pass the ball, though not as well because his ability to play in transition was clearly hampered.

Kidd's numbers may not have lived up to his career averages, but it is his style of play that is the real concern. He is no longer the elusive ball-handler he once was, and if it wasn't for Dirk Nowitzki's constituent shooting, Kidd would not appear to be the same passer either.

As far as point guards go, Kidd has a reputation for being one of the most durable, and he has played in 80 regular season games in each of the last three seasons. But he will not be able to keep his endurance up.

His speed and agility have already begun to disappear, and while he has adjusted his game to allow himself to stay on the court without risking major injury, he has begun the inevitable decline in every statistical category.

Kidd is one of the best point guards to ever play the game. But next season, his abilities will begin to be more questioned than ever before. And many will wonder if it is time he hangs up his sneakers and calls it a career. 

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

In addition to Andre Iguodala's future being up in the air with the Philadelphia 76ers, so is his ability to perform.

The versatile shooting guard averaged 14.1 points, 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last season, which are solid numbers that just about measure up to what he has done for his career. However, it is clear there is not much left in his tank.

Over the course of this past season Iguodala lacked the elusive and powerful nature that propelled his claim to fame. He was still solid on both ends of the floor, but not in the eye-catching way we are used to. He did not finish as strong on offense and got beat more easily and often on defense.

Additionally, at only 27, his knees have already developed a bad case of tendinitis, which is likely to prohibit him from soaring through the air and running the floor as effectively as he used to. 

For one of the more heralded players in the NBA, Iguodala has always flown under the radar so to speak. Next year, though, there is a good chance he falls off it entirely.

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

Gary Neal emerged as a consistent and capable shooting guard this past season, and it could not have come at a better time for the San Antonio Spurs, who are major victims of age-related issues.

Manu Ginobili had another stellar season, averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, numbers that actually measure up or exceed his career averages. However, if we take a closer look we will see that both Ginobili's three-point and overall field goal percentages dropped off ever so slightly.

No, this is not the only warning sign of decline. Ginobili is 34 and his legs do not have as much jump left in them. This season's statistics, not to take anything away from him, are partly a result of Richard Jefferson's decreased role and production. It has given Ginobili more touches and responsibility, elevating his stats a bit.

However, this is not a role Ginobili will be able to maintain for much longer. He had to put up more shots than normal to produce the way he did and when in transition, his speed and agility showed signs of heading downhill.

Ginobili is still a capable player, yet his days as the dominant sharp-shooter he has always been are drawing to a close. Each passing day brings us closer to a full-blown passing of the torch to Neal.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics as a team are on the wrong side of the hill, which they showed in their postseason matchup against the Miami Heat. Such struggles will only become further evident as Paul Pierce begins his steady decline in production.

Pierce, 33, averaged 18.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, numbers that just do not quite measure up to his career averages of 22.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. In Pierce's defense, there was no need for him to put up the type of numbers he used to once Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen came to town. But their presence is not the soul reason for a decline in the star shooting guard's production.

Pierce proved he could still hit the big shot as well as anyone, but all too often we saw him settling for the quick jumper instead of trying to create a better shot for himself like he usually does. He is still one of the most consistent players in the league, yet his age and the age of those around him suggest his reign as a top tier player may be over.

As the youngest of the "Boston Three Party," Pierce will be leaned on more so than the other two, though his body cannot handle playing 35 minutes in 80-plus games per season any longer. He rose to the occasion this past season, but his body won't be able to effortlessly stand up to the rigors of the game much longer.

Looking ahead, Pierce's numbers are bound to drop significantly and his reign among the top performing forwards in the league will come to a close.

Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

It is incredibly difficult to put Steve Nash among the rest of these players after the season he just had. But next season, age is going to become an issue.

The 37-year-old Nash averaged 14.7 points and 11.4 assists per game, great numbers that are slightly above his career averages. However, Nash often became a liability on defense for the Phoenix Suns, and while he remained one of the more elusive guards in the league, there was just not as much pop in his step.

Additionally, next season is of major concern for Nash. He is on a young team that hasn't quite admitted they are ready to enter rebuilding, and this puts an enormous amount of pressure on him.

Is Nash capable of serving as a mentor to young players? Yes. And does he have any talented players he can dish off to? Certainly, Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat have proved to be consistent.

Then what's the problem?

Nash's quick and agile style of play is just not something players can maintain when they enter their late-30s. He has proved to be as close to the exception as we have seen, but make no mistake, his production will not be climbing.

At this stage of his career, Nash is best served on a contender that has multiple proven players who can take the pressure off of him to create for them on his own. With the Suns, however, Nash is going to be counted on to do too much, and while he is still a capable leader, he is no longer fit to be the primary pillar of a team.

This upcoming season, expect to see Nash finally act his age on the court. And no, this isn't a good thing. 

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

In all honesty, Joe Johnson's abilities were never worth the $119 million over six years that the Atlanta Hawks gave him. But there is no doubt after this past season that he is on the other side of his prime.

Johnson put up 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and four rebounds per game this year in response to such a contract. The numbers are actually right in line with his career averages of 17.7 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game; but Atlanta had hoped he had a few more seasons of 20-plus points per game left in him.

As it turns out, he doesn't.

At 30, Johnson's quick and accurate release that was so effective is nearly non-existent. He shot just over 29 percent from beyond the arc this season, his worst since his rookie season. He also wound up passing on open shots and letting the rest of his teammates worry about the offensive burden.

And passing up the chance to shoot, especially if he is open, is not Johnson's style. He loves to and usually shoots the ball like it's his job.

Oh wait, it is.

His disappointing display in 2011 paves the way for an even more disappointing 2012, and leaves the Hawks without a doubt that they just committed a boatload of money to a player on the decline. 

Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls

Carlos Boozer's appearance on this list is not the sheer result of his disappointing playoff performance, though it was factored into the decision making.

Boozer averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season—solid numbers, and ones that are in line with his career average of 17.3 points and 10.1 rebounds. That being said, he only played in 59 games during the regular season thanks to a combination of hand and ankle injuries.

Boozer is no senior citizen, but he plays one of the most physical positions in the league, making his 29-year-old body seem much older. How much longer can Boozer's body withstand the beating that is a prerequisite for his position? Who knows?

We do know that Boozer only put up 12.6 points per game in the postseason. Sure, the postseason is only one time of the year; but Boozer struggled in all 16 of the Bulls' playoff games, which is no coincidence. He remained a stellar rebounder, but that aspect was cancelled out by his becoming as big a liability as ever on defense.

Let's also point out that Boozer's regular season numbers could also be bolstered by the fact that opposing defense's tend to gravitate toward Derrick Rose every time he penetrates toward the basket, creating some pretty easy looks for the power forward.

Boozer's previous accolades earned him a fat five-year contract, yet his days of dominance are gone. Now the Chicago Bulls are on the hook for an overpriced star on the wrong side of his prime. 

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan is a player that is hard to include on this list, yet his 2010-11 doesn't warrant his omission.

Duncan averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, failing to average 30 minutes or more per night for the first time in his career. Age is finally catching up with the 35-year-old center, and his days of dominance are long gone.

Obviously, Duncan's knees are not what they used to be after years of being abused and dulling out punishments in the low post. His soft corner bank shot may never fully disappear, but the lift he once got on it is all but gone.

Talk of Duncan being on the decline has existed for a couple of years—but now it is a certainty. Hopefully next season he can find the strength to play at a somewhat high level, but his three-and-a-half-decade old body may not allow him.

Duncan had a good run as one of the best centers in the game, but such a run is over, leaving us to ponder just how many games that aging body of his has left in it.

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics serve as one of the poster-childs for age-related declines in production, making it fitting that they, like the San Antonio Spurs, have two stars that find their way onto this list.

Kevin Garnett may be far from irrelevancy, but this is mainly because his 6-foot-11 lanky stature does not allow him to be. Garnett averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game this season, numbers that pale in comparison to his career averages of 19.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.

Additionally, his struggles are most evident on defense, where he now wreaks more havoc with his mouth than his shot-blocking. Earlier in his career, one would be hard pressed to get a shot off above that freakishly large wing span of his; but now, with his aging legs keeping him a bit more stationary, it is not uncommon.

Is Garnett incapable? No, that would be inaccurate.

Though at 35, Garnett still seems to have plenty of fire and trash talk left in the tank, gone are the days where he can back all of it up with his performance.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

After 15 magnificent seasons in the NBA, it has finally come time for us to admit that Kobe Bryant is on the downside of his career.

There will be critics to such a notion, but it is the truth. And said critics, along with the rest of us, should take solace in knowing that Kobe staved off the disease that is age longer than most would have.

Bryant averaged 25.3 points, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game, numbers that are almost perfectly in line with those of his career. He still proved to be elusive and one of the most prolific players in the game, yet he showed us at the same time he is human.

Kobe played in all 82 regular season games this year, but such an accomplishment did not come easily. By the playoffs, he was banged up pretty bad and showed flashes of succumbing to the difficulties that arose as a result of his physical state.

Next season, Kobe can and still should put up 20-plus points per game, but gone are the days he flew through the air with reckless abandon. Gone are the days he was able to outrun and out-maneuver everyone else on the court. And gone are the days Kobe carries the Lakers through to the NBA Finals without the help of another superstar.

For the first time in his career, Bryant is no longer focusing on improving his game, but rather surviving it.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @DannyFavs2033