Who are some players in the NBA that started late?

How Late Bloomers Like Damian Lillard and Jimmy Butler Proved Everyone Wrong in the NBA

Late bloomers in the NBA have always had to prove their worth against the odds, and Damian Lillard and Jimmy Butler are no exception. Both players have had to overcome the fact that they started their careers late, and have become two of the best players in the NBA today.

Damian Lillard was a relative unknown when he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012. He was picked sixth overall, but not many people had heard of him. He had played in college, but he was overlooked by the big name schools and was seen as an afterthought in the draft. However, he proved everyone wrong with his hard work and dedication, becoming one of the most dominant point guards in the league.

Jimmy Butler was a late bloomer as well, going undrafted in 2011 and signing with the Chicago Bulls as a free agent. He was seen as a bench player at best and was often overlooked by his teammates. However, Butler worked hard and proved everyone wrong as well, becoming an All-Star and one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

These two players have faced a lot of adversity to get to where they are today, but their hard work and dedication have paid off. They are now two of the most successful players in the NBA and have shown that you don't have to start early to make it in the league. They have shown that if you put in the work, you can make a name for yourself no matter when you start.

The Unstoppable Rise of Late NBA Starters: From Unknowns to MVPs

There's something inspiring about the success of late starters in the NBA. While many of the league's brightest stars were drafted in the first round and developed through the ranks of elite college programs, there are a few players who had to take the more difficult route to reach the pinnacle of their profession.

These players come from all walks of life and have an array of different stories and backgrounds. Some were overlooked by the NBA for years, while others were late bloomers who took the long path to get where they are today. Regardless of the circumstances, these players have all been able to rise above and make a name for themselves in the NBA.

Kawhi Leonard is probably the most well-known late starter in the NBA. After being drafted 15th overall in the 2011 NBA draft, Leonard spent two seasons in the NBA Development League before finally breaking out in the 2013-14 season with the Spurs, where he was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Since then, he's gone on to become one of the most dominant players in the league, winning two NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP award.

Another late starter is Draymond Green, who was not drafted until the 35th pick of the 2012 NBA draft. He was a key member of the Golden State Warriors' famed “Death Lineup” and was instrumental in their three championships. Green was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and is a three-time All-Star.

J.J. Redick is another late starter who has achieved great success in the NBA. After falling to the 11th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, Redick bounced around the league for several seasons before finding his stride with the Clippers in 2012. Since then, he has become one of the most reliable shooters in the NBA and has been a key contributor to the Sixers since joining the team in 2017.

Finally, there is Jimmy Butler, who was selected 30th overall in the 2011 NBA draft. Butler's worked his way up from being a role player with the Bulls to becoming one of the premier two-way players in the NBA. He won the NBA Most Improved Player award in 2015 and has been an All-Star four times in the past six years.

These players prove that no matter the circumstances, it's never too late to make it in the NBA. With hard work and dedication, late starters can achieve great success in the league and become some of the best players of all time.

The Unconventional Paths of NBA Late Starters: From High School to the Pros

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has seen a number of players who have taken unconventional paths to the professional game. While the majority of players are drafted out of college, some have chosen to take the more difficult route of starting their NBA careers after high school.

These players have had to navigate the difficult world of professional basketball without the benefit of college experience. Some have done so successfully, while others have not been so lucky. Nevertheless, the stories of these players can inspire others to never give up on their dreams, no matter what path they take to get there. Here are some of the NBA’s most successful late starters.

Kobe Bryant was one of the most successful late starters in NBA history. He was drafted straight out of high school in 1996 and went on to become one of the greatest players of all time. He won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was an 18-time All-Star, and was the 2008 NBA MVP.

Kevin Garnett also made the jump directly from high school to the NBA. He was the fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft and went on to have an illustrious career. He won an MVP award and was a 15-time All-Star. He also led the Minnesota Timberwolves to their only playoff appearance in 2004.

Rashard Lewis started his professional career after high school, but he did not make it to the NBA until he was 20 years old. He became the second overall pick in the 1998 draft and went on to have a successful career. He was a two-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2012.

These are just a few of the many late starters who have found success in the NBA. While the odds may be against them, these players have proven that it is possible to make it to the top no matter what path you take.

How Late Starters in the NBA Overcame Adversity to Become Superstars

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is home to some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in sports and many of these players have made it to the top of the game by overcoming adversity and starting their careers later than usual. From late bloomers to former college stars that didn’t make it to the NBA until their mid to late twenties, here are some of the best late starters in the NBA who have become superstars.

The first and most obvious example of a late starter in the NBA is Kawhi Leonard. The former San Diego State star was drafted 15th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, but he didn’t make his debut in the league until he was 22 years old. Despite the late start, Leonard has become one of the best players in the league and was the NBA Finals MVP in both 2014 and 2019.

Another late starter in the NBA is the Los Angeles Laker’s LeBron James. After entering the league straight out of high school, James was already making his mark, but it wasn’t until he was 27 years old, after he had switched teams and won two championships with the Miami Heat, that he truly became a superstar.

The last late starter to become a superstar in the NBA is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook. Westbrook was drafted fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, but he didn’t make his debut until he was 21 years old. Since then, Westbrook has become a seven-time All-Star and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2017.

These three late starters in the NBA all overcame adversity and late starts to become superstars in the league. Their stories serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication, regardless of when you start.

How Players Like James Harden and Paul George Proved That It's Never Too Late to Start in the NBA

When it comes to the NBA, most players have been training and playing since they were kids. However, there are some players who prove that it’s never too late to start in the NBA.

James Harden is one of the best players in the NBA, and one of the most impressive stories when it comes to late bloomers. After playing college basketball at Arizona State University, Harden was drafted third overall in the 2009 NBA draft. Despite not having a lot of experience, Harden was able to prove that he belonged in the NBA. In the years since then, he has become one of the best players in the league and one of the best scorers in NBA history.

Another player who proved that it’s never too late to start in the NBA is Paul George. After playing college basketball at Fresno State, George was drafted 10th overall in the 2010 draft. He wasn’t expected to have much of an impact, but he quickly proved his worth and became one of the best players in the league. He has gone on to become an All-Star, an MVP candidate, and one of the most important players on the Los Angeles Clippers.

These two players prove that it’s never too late to start in the NBA. Even if you don’t have the same pedigree as other players in the league, you can still prove yourself and become one of the best players in the league. All it takes is hard work and dedication, and you can make a name for yourself in the NBA.