WSJ: Tayshaun Prince, a king of NBA longevity

[Smashcat]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/tayshaun-prince-a-king-of-nba-longevity-1453746019

Tayshaun Prince may not be the hottest star in the NBA. But when the Minnesota Timberwolves signed the 35-year-old forward last year, they saw his value as a veteran player.

In a league where the average career lasts five years, according to the NBA, Mr. Prince is in his 14th season, still starting games and still having an impact.

Mr. Prince credits his longevity in a sport with endless travel and an 82-game regular season to his work with Arnie Kander, named the Timberwolves’ vice president of sports performance in September. Mr. Prince worked with Mr. Kander for 11 years when they were both with the Detroit Pistons

 

[Nubb16]

He's not a prince, he's a king!

 

[mj2k10]

I became interested in career longevity as a quick, easy way to analyze NBA drafts. I don't think most people appreciate just how rare a long NBA career is. For example, there were 46 guys drafted from 1980-89 who made the 1000 game mark, so less than 5 per year on average. From the 90's, it was only 35.

Tayshaun Prince is now 15 games short of that 1000 regular season games for his career. In the entire history of the NBA and ABA, only 124 guys have hit that mark. And the most recent?

Nazr Mohammed.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Good for Tayshaun been a fine UK representative. And the holder of the best block in NBA history.

 

[kybassfan]

Just goes to show you never can tell. I thought Prince was too thin to get by in the NBA. However, aside from a few injuries along the way, he's held up fine. Shows what I know.

 

[Orange Soda King]

Great for him, he's had a very good basketball career.

 

[MychalG]

Prince= 4 year player..Bogans = 4 year player..Hayes = 4 year player..my kind of players..

 

[irishcat1965]

Prince= 4 year player..Bogans = 4 year player..Hayes = 4 year player..my kind of players..

And never sniffed a final four. I love them but Cal's system is where the success is found.

 

[UKSanders]

And never sniffed a final four. I love them but Cal's system is where the success is found.

Saying never sniffed a final four is a bit of an overstatement. The Bogans/Hayes team in 2002-2003 is still probably my favorite team to watch. They just played so unbelievably well together. You'd be hard-pressed to convince me they don't get past Marquette if Bogans' ankle was good.