A post I just made on Reddit:
The Big 3 of Steph/Klay/Draymond is still younger than Ray/Pierce/KG when the joined the Celtics in 2007
I just feel the need to point this out. Steph and Klay are already statistically the greatest 3-point shooters of all-time. Draymond is an all-star level player as well. That trio already won a title together and followed it up with a 73 win season in which they were literally seconds away from being back-to-back champions (Game 7 was tied with 53 seconds left) had it not been for career-defining performances from Bron/Kyrie.
They remained the clear favorites to win with or without Durant the past couple seasons. They just proved this by sweeping their way to the Finals without him. 3 Rings in the Bag. Likely a 4th on the way.
And yet, for some perspective, that Big 3 is STILL younger than Pierce, Garnett and Ray when they teamed up on the Celtics in 2007.
Current Warriors Ages:
- Draymond = 29 years - 75 days
- Klay = 29 years - 99 days
- Steph = 31 years - 65 days
Boston's Big 3 Opening Night November 2, 2007:
- Pierce = 30 years - 20 days
- Garnett = 31 years - 167 days
- Ray = 32 years - 105 days
Boston won the title in 2008. KG's injury in 2009 held them back, but they returned to the Finals in 2010. Their run effectively ended in 2012 when they made Game 7 of the ECF. In that Game 7, Pierce was 34 years (240 days), KG was 36 years (21 days), and Ray was 36 years (325 days).
If the Warriors Big 3 sticks together and follows that 5 season window the Celtics had, they could still be "contenders" for 5 more years after this - regardless of whether Durant tags along.