Taj Gibson is as steady as they come in the NBA, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are lucky to have his veteran presence in the lineup on a nightly basis. The 33-year-old knows he's blessed to still be playing in the league and is enjoying every day he's playing.
“Man, I’m still in the NBA. Every day is a blessing. Every day is fun,” Gibson said to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. “You get to get up, work out, play the game I love — which I would do for free — on any given day. Be around great guys and still grow. I’m having a great time.
“Everybody’s journey is different. You look at my rookie year, my draft class, so many guys not playing anymore. Look at the guys who were starting ahead of me when I was on the Bulls and a lot of them aren’t even in the NBA. I’m still very thankful of the moment, of the opportunity I get, and how I learn every day.”
Gibson came into the league as an older player. He was 24 during his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls in 2009-2010. A late first-rounder, Gibson quickly developed into a consistent contributor for Chicago. He has maintained that consistency throughout his career, and Gibson is still going strong almost 10 years later.
Gibson has outlasted many of his fellow first-round picks from the 2009 draft, including second overall pick Hasheem Thabeet and sixth overall pick Jonny Flynn.
Most players don't last nine years in the league like Taj Gibson, and few can maintain the type of consistency he has shown during his career. He's definitely blessed to still be playing in the league, but he has earned everything he has gotten thus far.
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