Who lasts longer in the NBA? Novak or Wade?

[TomW1365]

Novak is 3 years younger and a specialist.  Wade is an NBA superstar.  Who's going to be in the NBA longer?  

[Stronghold]

Even if Novak lasts longer, Wade has already made more money than Novak ever will.  Hope they both stick it out as long as possible.

[Rockmic87]

Don't black people last longer in the NBA?

[mr.MUskie]

Don't black people last longer in the NBA?

Using a panel study of annual NBA data (1989-99), evidence of exit discrimination on career
length in the NBA is not found.

http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Groothuis_Peter_2004_Exit_Discrimination.pdf

[Silkk the Shaka]

Wade is my favorite MU player ever, followed by Crowder and Butler.  He's also my favorite NBA player ever, followed by Hakeem Olajuwon and Ray Allen.  Novak is my favorite specialist ever at any level of basketball.

This is a really interesting question, as I could definitely see it go either way.  On the one hand, Wade will have bankability beyond his prime, which is coming sooner rather than later.  LeBron may have extended Wade's career several years, as Wade no longer carries the burden every night, which has limited his necessary reckless forays into the paint.  He's also steadily improving his jumper, which is a must as his explosiveness begins to wane.  But I don't see him ever being great in that department.  If he can stay relatively injury free, I could see him staying on the Heat under a good will contract through age 37 or 38 (2019 or 2020) even though he's no longer worth the $$$. But if he has to get a couple more surgeries over the next few years, I could see him hanging 'em up by 2017 so he can walk past his 50s. 

In Novak's favor, he doesn't rely on elite athleticism, just his ability to get a shot off.  And the fact that he's 6' 10" ain't changing, so he should be good to go there.  He's also not expensive.  All he has to do is play to age 35 to pass Wade's maximum likely career, and the fact that he's made a bit of a name for himself as a shooter should help in that department.  I could also see the Bucks retaining him at the vet minimum during the twilight of his career, with the ability to play until almost 40 if he wants.  All in all, I'd say it's a slight edge to Novak.

[79Warrior]

Novak is 3 years younger and a specialist.  Wade is an NBA superstar.  Who's going to be in the NBA longer?  

Novak has done virtually nothing for the Knicks the second half of the season. I think he all of five minutes on the court today and did nothing.

[jeffreyweee]

Serious question to Wade lovers - do you not mind his constant whining to officials? Most players do it but he definitely takes it to an extreme. I like his game, I like him as a person off the court and with his kids, but when he's complaining I cannot stand him. I much prefer Novak, Jimmy and Wes to Wade.

[buckchuckler]

Why does it matter who lasts longer?  Wade is the much more significant player.  He is a historic great in the NBA.  Steve is a role player.  I guess I just don't understand the point in this question. 

[jeffreyweee]

Why does it matter who lasts longer?  Wade is the much more significant player.  He is a historic great in the NBA.  Steve is a role player.  I guess I just don't understand the point in this question. 

Because it's the off-season and we have nothing better to discuss.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Why does it matter who lasts longer?  Wade is the much more significant player.  He is a historic great in the NBA.  Steve is a role player.  I guess I just don't understand the point in this question. 

Nobody's claiming Novak is a better or more significant player. To answer your question, it doesn't matter one bit.  Just an interesting topic to ponder.

[buckchuckler]

Nobody's claiming Novak is a better or more significant player. To answer your question, it doesn't matter one bit.  Just an interesting topic to ponder.

Ok fair enough.   I guess I just don't find it interesting.  So I don't have to participate.  Didn't mean to be a poopy head.   Have at it. 

[77ncaachamps]

Serious question to Wade lovers - do you not mind his constant whining to officials? Most players do it but he definitely takes it to an extreme. I like his game, I like him as a person off the court and with his kids, but when he's complaining I cannot stand him. I much prefer Novak, Jimmy and Wes to Wade.

If you think you're a great player in the NBA, you're gonna whine.

I saw Lawson do it last night. He's not on Wade, Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo level either.

It's all a set up: get the ref to pay more attention to you.

[MUHoopsFan2]

Serious question to Wade lovers - do you not mind his constant whining to officials? Most players do it but he definitely takes it to an extreme. I like his game, I like him as a person off the court and with his kids, but when he's complaining I cannot stand him. I much prefer Novak, Jimmy and Wes to Wade.

Get over it....Jordan whined. Kareem didn't until he went to the Lakers. Durant whines more. Its a respect factor.
If you are a Superstar the NBA more then any other Professional sport is a political star crossed one.
That is just the way it is. Blame Stern. After Bird and Magic everything has changed. No one whined back in the day like Rick Barry, but he could play.

So can Wade...and has hard as he plays he deserves it. The thing I do not like about Wade is he dishes it out and should not get upset if he gets it back...

I am disappointed in him when he whines and then doesn't run back down on defense. He never did that here at MU. Wade is my boy and I will never knock him him.

But if you don't get the call, I do not mind him letting the ref know because I am not one to side with game officials at all being a Bucks fan for these many years.

But a Cardinal Rule for me is don't EVER let that effect you getting back down on D....and finishing a play. I can't stand to see anyone do that, I don't care who it is.

Always respect the game at least. If I had a kid he would NEVER DO THAT if I had a say so without hearing it from me. And do not ever lift your leg to kick anyone in the groin...like he did Rip Hamilton.

Otherwise DWade to me is the best...

[MUHoopsFan2]

Also I too am puzzled by this question as well....

Wade is a Hall of Famer but he gets banged up a lot as well. His body might tell him to hang it up and his heart and head [and hopefully not his wallet] might tell him to keep playing.

I would say Novak because Steve has a skill set that the NBA needs for as long as he can shoot that ball and hit shots...

Steve is the epitome of a team player and is never disruptive for a team, coachable and will always have a place in the league.

If you are 6'10 and can shoot like he can he can play another 10 years if he wants to. Playing in New York will help him as well. Everyone will know him when he gets older and has some options left.

Wade has kids and is a devoted father and might want to see his kids grow up and his body might tell him when he is done.

So my answer is Novak.

[Sunbelt15]

The only thing that will stop Wade from lasting longer is injury. Novak will be coaching in the next 3 or 4 years.

[TomW1365]

The only thing that will stop Wade from lasting longer is injury. Novak will be coaching in the next 3 or 4 years.

I think Novak has 5 more years in the league minimum.  He's just recently made a name for himself while on the Knicks. He's been getting solid minutes and he should get one more $2m/year contract and make some solid cash. 
While Wade is a superstar, we knew when he started in 2004 that his body would take a beating based on his style of play. 
I think Novak will be the last MU player standing among the 3 NBA players (since Diener's last year in 2010) on the 2003 Final Four team. 

[pbiflyer]

Serious question to Wade lovers - do you not mind his constant whining to officials? Most players do it but he definitely takes it to an extreme. I like his game, I like him as a person off the court and with his kids, but when he's complaining I cannot stand him. I much prefer Novak, Jimmy and Wes to Wade.

At least Wade whines during the game. Jennings whines before and then goes 6-16 and 2-7 from 3 after he whines.

[MU82]

Wade's body takes a beating and eventually there will come a time where he says: "You know, I've already won X amount of championships and I've already made X amount of money. I'm tired of always hurting." Whether that time comes before or after Novak's relative 15 minutes of fame expires ... that's the question, I guess.

I'm saying Wade sticks longer, but I wouldn't be even a little surprised if it's the other way around.

[Rockmic87]

Novak wasn't even suiting up for an NBA team for a long time before he signed with the Knicks.

[brewcity77]

Novak without a doubt. Not only is he three years younger but he has a ton more tread left on the tires. Steve Novak could easily play for another 6-7 years and now that he's made a name for himself he's going to be given a contract. Wade has obviously been the bigger star but he's not the player he was 5 years ago. In 2-3 years I see Wade as a guy averaging less than 30 mpg and watching his ppg total dip down around 18. Will he still want to stick around if he's not able to perform at a superstar level? I would put the cap on Wade at 4 more years, tops. He just doesn't seem like the type who will be happy as a role-playing 7th or 8th man, and he doesn't have the game that translates to a long career; he's not nearly the shooter a Ray Allen is. I see no reason Novak won't be coming off someone's bench for longer than that.

[Aughnanure]

Never put your money on the 1-dimensional role player whose had limited success at best for only one team.

[jpvegas]

I saw Novak play in the Vegas rookie league a few years ago.  The local radio station had a couple of NBA scouts on after the games and they raved about Steve's potential to be a long term (10-12 year) player in the NBA.  They said he is a niche player, but it was a niche that almost every team in the NBA needs and would bode well for him in the future.

[brewcity77]

I saw Novak play in the Vegas rookie league a few years ago.  The local radio station had a couple of NBA scouts on after the games and they raved about Steve's potential to be a long term (10-12 year) player in the NBA.  They said he is a niche player, but it was a niche that almost every team in the NBA needs and would bode well for him in the future.

Exactly. And never underestimate a guy's desire to go out on top. Wade could easily have more injuries in his future given his history, I could see him retiring if the Heat won 3 in a row, and definitely if they won 4.

[Golden Avalanche]

Considering Novak hasn't had the smoothest career, it's interesting to read so many of the lemmings fawn over his long term employment.

[MerrittsMustache]

Never put your money on the 1-dimensional role player whose had limited success at best for only one team.

Matt Bullard played 11 seasons. Steve Kerr played 15. Jason Kapono lasted 9. Hubert Davis 12. Tim Legler 10. Dell Curry 16. Craig Hodges 10. Fred Hoiberg 10.

When a player's "1-dimension" is shooting, he can stick around for a long time. It's the NBA equivalent of a left-handed relief pitcher.