Bonus points for HOFers. Olajuwon is the measure at age 32, especially considering the huge jump he took in both the regular season and playoffs for both age 31 and 32, but 32 being the better one. But after the Dream... Nowitzki comes to mind. Although his regular season stats were similar for awhile from 27 yrs old on. His playoff stats for the championship year were his best by several measures, especially considering that was a sample of 21 games. He was also age 32. Others? We don't have to look for just 32yrs old or more. I'm interested in any age.
Sam Cassell made his one and only Allstar appearance at age 34. Chauncey Billups began "peaking" at age 26, and had his 5 Allstar appearances between ages 29 ad 33. 26 doesn't seem like a late peak, but he was in his 6th season and with his 5th NBA team already at that point.
And, that year, had Cassell not gotten injured against the 2004 Lakers Big 4 (Cassell was toying with Payton), we likely would have seen Cassell against Billups in the Finals...and Garnett against Rasheed...and Latrell Sprewell against everyone. Would have been two sweet matchups.
How about Bernard King? At age 28, 8th season in the league, he absolutely explodes for 33ppg. Quite possibly the biggest, single season jump from one plateau to another the league has ever witnessed. btw: little known fact. Bernard King's second highest scoring season was at age 34, in the freaking '90s ... 28.4
I remember Kidd being in his prime at around 29-30 and performing at high level until his mid 30s. It seems like the early 30s is where lots of great players get the perfect meld of mental and physical game.
Kobe: peak at 37 Oden peaked in his 2nd season at 44 yrs of Ge. Serious nomination for Mutumbo, could be argued he peaked at 33/34 when he led the league in rebounds.
No mention of the greatest? Jordan won most if not all of his championships in his 30s. Ray Allen Although I liked the athletic young ray as well. His 3pt prime was in his 30s. Luis Scola?
Not peaks, but still fantastic. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar... 21.0+ rating from the age of 30-38. Paul Pierce...every season, except for the last has been all-star quality, after 30. Andre Miller