The era of Durant, James and Curry has passed, and all three have been eliminated

On May 16, in the history of the NBA, every era has its own iconic superstars, and they defined an era with outstanding performance and brilliant achievements. However, time is ruthless, and even the greatest players cannot resist the erosion of time. The playoffs of the 2024-2025 season seem to have become a turning point in an era - Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, the three superstars who once ruled the league, collectively suffered a career-long Waterloo. Durant failed to lead the Suns into the playoffs, and the Lakers led by James were eliminated in the first round, while Curry and his Warriors also stopped in the second round. This scene makes people sigh: Is the era that belongs to them really gone?

Durant's situation is perhaps the most regrettable. As one of the top scorers in the current service, Durant was once highly expected after joining the Suns. However, the Suns have suffered from injuries this season, and the lineup has not been able to meet expectations. Although Durant's personal data is still impressive, with an average of 28.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, the team's overall performance is sluggish, and in the end he failed to even cross the threshold for the playoffs. Durant has entered his 17th season in his career, and although his skills are still impeccable, frequent injuries and age have gradually declined his dominance. The Suns' failure not only exposed the flaws of the team's lineup, but also made people begin to question whether Durant can still carry a team alone.

LeBron James' first round of the playoffs also seems to herald the end of the "Jackson era". This season, the Lakers barely squeezed into the playoffs as seventh in the West. Facing the young Thunder in the first round, the Lakers seem to be helpless. Although James tried his best in the series, averaging 26.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, the decline in physical fitness and explosiveness made him less dominant at critical moments. Especially on the defensive end, 39-year-old James can no longer cover the entire game as he did when he was young. The Lakers' exit was not only due to the lack of lineup depth, but also because James could no longer change the trend of the series with his own strength as he did in the past. After the game, James showed rare fatigue and helplessness, and even suggested that he might consider retirement. Whatever decision he made in the end, the four-time champion's legendary career seems to have entered the countdown. In contrast, Curry's playoff journey went a little further, but the ending was also regrettable. When the Warriors faced the Nuggets in the second round, Curry's performance was still amazing, averaging 30.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, but the team's overall strength is significantly different from that of the opponent. Especially on the defensive end, the Warriors' aging problem was fully exposed, and Curry did not receive enough support on the offensive end. In the end, the Warriors were eliminated 2-4. Curry is 36 years old. Although his shooting ability is still at the top in history, the decline in physical fitness and speed makes him more difficult when facing high-intensity defense. The Warriors' "small ball era" once swept the league, but as the core lineup ages, their competitiveness is gradually weakening. Curry's future is also full of uncertainty. Perhaps he will continue to compete, but it is already extremely difficult for the Warriors to return to the top. The collective frustration of Durant, James and Curry marks the end of an era in the NBA. Over the past decade, these three superstars have almost monopolized the honor and topic of the league, and the showdown between them has become a classic that fans talk about. However, with the rise of the younger generation, the alliance's landscape is undergoing profound changes. New generation stars such as Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Jason Tatum have begun to take over the game. Their skills and leadership are no less than their predecessors, and their age and physical fitness are their huge advantages. The NBA's scepter is being passed quietly.

Of course, this does not mean that Durant, James and Curry have completely withdrawn from the stage of history. They still have top-notch technology and experience and can still perform amazingly on some nights as long as they stay healthy. But it is undeniable that their peak period has passed, and their future careers will be more related to "persistence" and "inheritance" than to "rule" and "conquer". It was a time of sadness and hope for fans. Sadly, we may never see them as omnipotent as they used to; hopefully, a new generation of stars are writing new legends in their way.

Looking back at the careers of Durant, James and Curry, their achievements are already brilliant enough. Durant is one of the purest scorers in history. The four-time scoring champion and two championship trophys are the best proof of his ability; James is the most versatile player in basketball history, and the four MVP trophys and four championship trophys have made him firmly in the top two in history; Curry used his epoch-making three-pointer to change the development direction of basketball, and the three championship trophys and two MVP trophys have made him the greatest player in the history of the Warriors. Their names have long been engraved in the NBA's Hall of Honor. The change of the era is an inevitable law of competitive sports, and no one can always stand at the top. The times of Durant, James and Curry may be over, but their legend will always be remembered by fans. And for the NBA, a new chapter has just begun.