This was definitely a thing just back in the 2000s. You had guys like melo, tmac, Paul pierce, wade, Dwight ect all decline in this age range or way before. People always mentioned lebron still being so good when he was 33. At first that seemed like an anomaly. Now, you have guys like curry, kd, kawhi, dame, lebron still(lol) jimmy butler, all still being in their prime at 33+. Is it an advancement in technology and medicine? Something else?
Michael Jordan and Karl Malone won MVP at 34/35. John Stockton has been the same level of player in terms of PER between age 25 and 40.
Bird with no back put up 20/10/8 on 46/40/88 at 35.