Lowry s new season is the 20th season of his career. How strong is this honor? They are all superstars

On July 16, in the NBA's history scroll, there were only a handful of players who were able to compete in 20 seasons. This achievement itself is the highest recognition of the durability and stability of players' careers. Kyle Lowry will usher in his 20th NBA season in 2025-26, which puts him in an extremely special group - legends who stand firm in the league.

### **20 Seasons: A milestone that symbolizes greatness and persistence**

NBA history has fewer than 30 players who have completed 20 seasons of career, and most of them are Hall of Fame-level superstars. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James... These names are all monuments in basketball history. Their commonality is not only dominance at their peak, but also extraordinary self-discipline, adaptability and love for the competition.

In contrast, Lowry's career starting point is not high - he was selected by the Grizzlies with the 24th pick in the first round in 2006. He was just a role player in the early days, and even was labeled as "not excellent enough". However, it is precisely with his tenacious fighting spirit, smart playing style and continuous improvement of skills that he has gradually grown from a substitute point guard to an All-Star, a champion member, and now a "veteran leader".

### **Lowry's counterattack path: From the marginalist to the championship core**

Lowry's career can be divided into several key stages:

1. **Early Struggle (2006-2012)**: During the Grizzlies and the Rockets, he was more of a substitute point guard. Although he showed a certain organizational ability and defensive resilience, he was not regarded as the core of the future.

2. **Rise of the Raptors (2012-2021)**: After transferring to the Toronto Raptors, Lowry ushered in a real transformation. He formed the "trash brother" with Demar DeRozan and led the Raptors to become the Eastern Conference powerhouse. Despite repeated setbacks in the early playoffs, in 2019, with Kawhi Leonard joining, Lowry finally realized his dream of winning the championship and contributed a key performance as a core point guard.

3. **Vehicle Leader (2021 to Present)**: After leaving the Raptors, Lowry played for the Heat and the 76ers. Despite the decline in data, his experience, leadership and calmness at critical moments still allowed him to play an important role in the locker room and on the court.

### **Why can Lowry last for 20 seasons? **

1. **Technical Transformation**: Lowry relied on speed and breakthroughs in the early days, but as he grew older, he gradually improved his outside projection and organizational skills, which allowed him to influence the game through his basketball IQ even if his athletic ability declined.

2. **Professional Attitude**: Lowry is known for his hard training. His physical care and game preparation are extremely rigorous, which is also the key to his ability to remain competitive after the age of 37.

3. **Role adaptation**: From core point guard to substitute veteran, Lowry never resisted the role change, but always put the team first. This selfless attitude makes him the object of trust for coaches and teammates.

### **Comparison with top superstars: Lowry's unique value**

Although Lowry's career achievements cannot be compared with the top ten super giants in history such as Kobe, Duncan, and James, his story is also inspiring. He has no amazing talent, but has gained a foothold in the NBA through hard work and wisdom; he has no MVP or scoring champion, but has won the championship and respect with a team-first style.

More importantly, Lowry's 20 seasons proved one thing: **Greatness is not just one definition**. Superstars dominate the league by talent, while players like Lowry write their own legends by perseverance, wisdom and professionalism.

### **Conclusion: The big legend of the little people**

When Lowry stepped on the court in the 2025-26 season, he will not be just a veteran, but a symbol - a symbol of the power of persistence, the inheritance of professional spirit, and extraordinary stories that "little people" in the basketball world can also create. The honor of 20 seasons is the best compliment for his entire career.