As I learned earlier this year, life definitely changes when you turn 30. You can't blame your age for mistakes any more. Gray hairs begin to show up on your head. And you're suddenly described as a dirty old man when looking at college girls.

For thirtysomething-aged NBA players, it's even worse. Despite having years of experience, teams that used to love having these veterans on their roster are now passing them over. And with less than two weeks remaining before NBA training camps open, there are numerous thirtysomething veterans with quality résumés still looking for jobs.

	NBA's Unemployment Line
	Player	Age
	Greg Anthony	34
	Dana Barros	35
	Mookie Blaylock	35
	Dell Curry	38
	Kendall Gill	34
	Tim Hardaway	35
	Jim Jackson	31
	Popeye Jones	32
	Grant Long	36
	Charles Oakley	38
	Robert Pack	33
	Mitch Richmond	37
	John Starks	37
	Rod Strickland	36

"It is just a matter of someone doing something," said Robert Pack, an 11-year NBA veteran and free agent who was signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 28 for the remainder of last season. "After going through (a long wait) last year, it let me know that these organizations are going to do what they want to do. It could come down to a last-minute thing, which may be it.

"I'm not beating myself over the head about it. I'm just continuing to work out and waiting to see what happens."

In the coming seasons, and possibly as soon as 2002 for some, the NBA veterans listed to the right will take down the net on their careers. But by looking at several of the thirtysomething veterans' statistics, many of them proved last season that they can still run with the youngsters.

Rod Strickland averaged 10.4 points and 6.1 assists per game last season. Popeye Jones was one of the top offensive rebounders and was a beloved teammate of Michael Jordan. Jim Jackson averaged 10.2 points per game in 33.2 minutes.

But while Strickland, Jones and Jackson are still waiting for that phone call, several young players who have yet to make a mark in the league were signed this month. Second-year point guard Carlos Arroyo was waived this year by Toronto and Denver (teams both in need of point-guard help) but was signed by the Utah Jazz last week. Unproven forwards Ruben Wolkowyski (Boston) and Jabari Smith (Orlando) were recently signed instead of a veteran. And point guard Pepe Sanchez, 25, who has already made stops in Philadelphia and Atlanta, was signed by Detroit for two seasons.

So why are the elder hoopsters getting passed over?

"Really, I have no idea," said Pack, who averaged 3.9 points and 3.1 assists in 15.1 minutes per game with Minnesota last season. "I couldn't imagine it being my play. I was healthy, I played well and showed I still possessed the skills I already had in the league."

Actually, there are several reasons why NBA teams are taking chances on young talent rather than proven veterans.

Injuries could be one concern. But other than Tim Hardaway, who broke his foot last season, injuries aren't a big concern with this elderly crew. And that even includes Jones and Pack, who have overcome past injury woes.

Another problem is salary cap and luxury tax issues.

Sanchez and Arroyo will make salaries in the $500,000 range. As for these veterans with 10 years of NBA experience, they must garner a minimum $1 million salary for their services. Moreover, Washington would love to re-sign Jones, but salary cap issues and the lack of a roster spot will likely keep that from happening. In the end, NBA teams might opt for saving money with unproven potential over not hitting the luxury tax with proven experience.

"Teams are talking luxury tax," Pack said.

Then, there are those thirtysomething players who judged the free-agent market wrong.

Veterans such as Utah swingman Calbert Cheaney, Phoenix center Scott Williams and San Antonio 40-year-old center Kevin Willis jumped quickly at taking the $1 million veteran's exception. But veterans such as Strickland and Oakley likely wanted more and are still free agents.

Wanting mo' money may cause some to end up with no money.

"A lot of agents misread the market," Nuggets assistant general manager David Fredman said. "The smart agents, like Calbert Cheaney's, saw early on what the market was going to be like. I've talked to a lot of agents about salary cap and luxury tax issues, and a lot of agents didn't want to hear that. Now, their clients are suffering."

And while these NBA elder statesman are getting older, some can't run from their past either.

Past issues with the law still haunt Strickland, Olden Polynice and J.R. Rider. An outspoken nature might have teams worried about Oakley and Chris Gatling. Moreover, past missing-in-action problems have made teams cautious about Blaylock and Cedric Ceballos.

	“	There are some good players out there. But there could be some character issues with some of them that can help teams win. It's non-basketball related issues. I don't want to knock anyone specific. But there are some things commonly known around the league in off-court habits that comes into play. ”
		— Nuggest asst. GM David Fredman

"There are some good players out there," Fredman said. "But there could be some character issues with some of them that can help teams win. It's non-basketball related issues. I don't want to knock anyone specific. But there are some things commonly known around the league in off-court habits that come into play."

Instead of waiting on the NBA, journeyman Gatling took matters into his own hands by saying goodbye.

The 35-year-old Gatling averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in just 15 minutes per game as a reserve last season for the Miami Heat. But after playing for eight teams during 15 unstable seasons in the NBA, the 1997 all-star signed a two-year deal on Sept. 15 with CSKA Moscow.

With NBA teams possibly turning their backs on them, it's time for these thirtysomething free agents to do it first by following Gatling's footsteps. Gatling is far from the first NBA veteran to take the trek overseas. Byron Scott, Darrell Dawkins and Rony Seikaly did it, too.

NBA thirtysomethings, forget about playing basketball five times a week in cities such as Memphis, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Sacramento. How about playing in such luxurious countries like Italy and Spain just twice a week for twice the money at a tax-free rate? What a deal. Then, imagine spending the off-day on some beach eating jumbo prawns you watched get fished out of the sea and the night drinking Pinto Grigio.

Sure, there is pressure playing in Barcelona and Treviso, but it isn't like playing in Madison Square Garden. And best of all, NBA thirtysomethings, the fans would treat you like the great you once were. Plus, you're encouraged to take all the shots you want.

Marc J. Spears covers the Denver Nuggets and the NBA for The Denver Post.