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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 26

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts as he comes to the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Oklahoma City defeated Toronto 119-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Serge Ibaka

There’s no question about Serge Ibaka‘s two-way importance to the Oklahoma City Thunder. His ability to spread the floor from three-point range, his shot-blocking dominance and the rebounding supplies in the middle makes him the incredibly important third member of OKC’s Big Three.

Only…is he really that important these days? He’s only averaging 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, after all. That three-point range? This season, he’s down to 33.3 percent shooting from downtown. The shot-blocking dominance? I’d hardly call 1.9 blocks per game “dominant” anymore. And the rebounding? Those 6.8 boards per game are are his lowest since his rookie season.

With Steven Adams and Enes Kanter onboard, the Thunder don’t need Ibaka to block as many shots or pull down as many boards. But Ibaka’s scoring touch — especially as it pertains to his perimeter shooting — has been as mediocre as it’s been in years, which is not exactly ideal for a player so vital to the team’s championship aspirations.

Next: No. 8