The NBA is witnessing a seismic shift, as the era dominated by superstars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant appears to be giving way to a new generation of talent. This year’s Western Conference Finals, featuring a showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by 26-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, spearheaded by 23-year-old Anthony Edwards, underscores this changing of the guard.
The Timberwolves’ playoff run has been nothing short of electrifying. In the first round, Anthony Edwards and his squad took down LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, signaling that the young stars are ready to challenge the old guard. They followed this up by defeating a formidable Golden State Warriors team, led by Stephen Curry and bolstered by Jimmy Butler, in the second round. These victories were not just wins—they were statements.
Boston Celtics legend and former NBA champion Paul Pierce didn’t mince words when discussing this transition. On a recent broadcast, Pierce declared that the league is moving on from the era of Curry, James, and Durant. “This is the signal of the end of an era now,” Pierce said. He pointed to key moments this season that hinted at the veterans’ resilience, such as Jimmy Butler joining Golden State and “cracking the window open” for a potential extension of their dominance, or Luka Dončić’s efforts with the Lakers to keep their era alive. But, as Pierce put it, the young stars have decisively shut that window.
No Bron, KD or Steph in the picture? Looks like the new era has finally arrived 📈 pic.twitter.com/z62Z0OLSrM
— All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) May 28, 2025
“These young kids were like, ‘nope. Bron, Steph, KD, appreciate y’all. This our moment now,’” Pierce said. “And they closed the window on the old era… This is what they showing us with OKC, Minnesota, New York, Indiana.”
The Conference Finals reflect this shift starkly: no veteran-led teams remain. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the youngest team in the NBA, are now the heavy favorites to win the championship. With rising stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards leading the charge, the league is in capable hands. As legends like Curry and James approach the twilight of their careers, the NBA is ready for its next chapter, driven by a fearless new generation.