Big Three: Whose Career will Last the Longest?

[TheGreenThumb]

I believe Ray Allen will last the longest and retire last.
*  He takes super care of his body
*  Because of the position he plays (SG), he is not subject to too much banging and physical "abuse".
*  He's like Reggie Miller and will retire around the same age.

Next would be Kevin Garnett.  He will outlast Pierce.
*  Even though he entered the league early, he also takes super care of his body.
*  He also does not like banging inside _ so he does not experience as much wear & tear on his body as Pierce does.
*  He is so super athletic, lean & muscular. Because of this body type, his athletic skills will take more time to diminish (as opposed to a player who steadily gains weight as they grow older.)

Paul Pierce would retire the earliest.
*  With his style of play, he gets banged up a lot
*  Amongst the Big Three, he has the body type that would probably gain weight as he grows older.  Hence, he would be the first to lose much of his athleticism.

What is your opinion?

[Big Ticket]

I voted Pierce... my list is actually opposite yours.

KG had played a ton of games and his body has taken a pounding.  He's had achy knees for years... eventually he just won't be able to do it.  But still, with all that demand for Joe Smith recently, I can still imagine a 40 year old KG doing the same stuff. 

I think Pierce's style is the most conducive to a longer career.  He doesn't rely on a ton of athleticism or speed, his jumper is more arms than legs, and he just hasn't been in the league as long as the other two.

Ray Ray... I don't know.  Tough to gauge.  He's been awesome this year, and I could see him playing this style for another few years easily.  But once his legs aren't there, I don't think he'll hang around much longer.

[Edgar]

garnett, ray , pierce

[wdleehi]

Jumpshooters that can avoid contact have the ability to last longer then banging big men and driving SFs.

[RebusRankin]

KG

[Drucci]

Ray's career will last the longest, then Pierce's and Garnett will be the first of the three to retire in my opinion (his knees have been bothering him for a long time).

[Cman]

Ray Allen.
Always a need for a someone to hit the corner 3... He might play until he is 40.

KG will probably retire before Pierce.  Pierce takes a beating, but he is rarely sidelined by injuries (knock on wood).  KG seems to be injured the most of the Big 3.

[Jaycelt]

  I pick Pierce for one simple reason....he absolutely loves to play the game.
 I think he stick around as long as someone is willing to put him on a roster.

  I think Ray will probably retire the soonest, not just because he's older but because he seems to have many other interests.

[Donoghus]

Ray...if he wants to.  I think its totally up to him how long he wants to stay along but I think he can manage to be effective well into his late 30s.

[Scalablob990]

I can't envision Pierce retiring, and neither can he probably. The man will play pro ball until he's unable to walk, the man is a warrior. When he does retire it's going to be weird and heartbreaking as well...I was too young to watch BBall when Bird retired, so i've grown up watching Pierce. I can't imagine the Celtics in the future w/o The Truth, the ones who watched the 80's and early 90's probably said the same thing when Bird retired. Who's the next Paul Pierce is the real question.

[Change]

I think Ray & Pierce will retire the same year, but after KG retires. KG has 2-3 years max, Pierce & Ray 4 years max.

[mainenbafan]

Ray Allen has such a perfect shot, and it would take quite an injury to mess that up. Shooters still make great bench players when they get older/slower and lose defensive ability. I feel like all three will play as long as their bodies let them, and I feel like Allen will keep it the longest.

[Bankshot]

Pierce.  He appears to be the most durable of the three.  The guy is almost never injured and when he is, he is usually able to play through it. 

[moiso]

garnett, ray , pierce

thats what i think.

[papa shuttlesworth]

I would think that Ray will last the longest because he can become just a spot up shooter off the bench when he is older.

But I'm not sure who will actually play the longest.  It seems like Paul will keep playing until someone has to cart him off the court, but with the contact he takes every game, that might come sooner than later.

For some reason, I think Ray will retire while he still has some years left.  He'll become one of those Reggie Miller/PJ Brown types that everyone wants until he is 50.

KG will be somewhere in the middle.