The 2024-25 NBA season is upon us already with only a few weeks left before the start of the season. However, some of us are feeling a bit older at the moment because of how fast time is flying and the seasons finish. As we approach the start of the new regular season campaign, here are 10 things that are making us feel old right now.
- 1. Bronny James Will Play With His Father LeBron
- 2. NBA Rookies Are Born In 2005
- 3. Stephen Curry Will Turn 37 Years Old
- 4. Chris Paul Will Play His 20th Season In The NBA
- 5. 15 Years Since Kobe Bryant’s Last Championship
- 6. 9 Years Since The Iconic 2016 NBA Season
- 7. Oklahoma City Thunder Look To Make Finals For First Time In 13 Seasons
- 8. Kevin Garnett’s 30th Anniversary Since Being Drafted In 1995
- 9. Joe Mazzulla Is Only 36 Years Old
- 10. Russell Westbrook On His 6th Team In 7 Seasons
1. Bronny James Will Play With His Father LeBron
In 2024-25, LeBron James and his son Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA simultaneously. LeBron has openly expressed his desire to share the court with his eldest son before retiring, and with Bronny being taken No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, that dream is on the cusp of reality. LeBron’s longevity in the league, playing at an elite level in his 22nd season, is remarkable and rare, as very few athletes maintain this level of excellence as they approach 40 years old.
Bronny, born on October 6, 2004, grew up in the public eye, and his path to the NBA has been closely watched since his high school days at Sierra Canyon although he had a disappointing campaign in college with USC (4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG on 36.6% FG). It will nonetheless be interesting to see the young guard compete in the NBA alongside his father.
LeBron’s commitment to staying in peak physical shape, paired with his elite basketball IQ, makes the idea of playing alongside Bronny a major feel-good story. The fact that we are witnessing LeBron’s son play with him on the Los Angeles Lakers will likely be one of the biggest talking points of the 2024-25 season.
2. NBA Rookies Are Born In 2005
The 2024 NBA Draft will feature players born in 2005, a stark reminder of the rapid passage of time. These rookies (including Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr), will enter the league having grown up watching LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant as established superstars. It feels surreal for fans who vividly recall the early 2000s era of basketball to realize that these new NBA players were born after iconic moments like Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue in the 2001 Finals or Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in 2006.
These 2005-born rookies have been molded in an era heavily influenced by analytics, three-point shooting, and positionless basketball. Their basketball upbringing differs from earlier generations, shaped by advanced training methods and a globalized NBA influence. These young athletes grew up watching YouTube highlights, studying advanced metrics, and idolizing players from an era that feels contemporary but is already part of NBA history.
3. Stephen Curry Will Turn 37 Years Old
As Stephen Curry gets closer to turning 37 in March 2025, it’s a reminder that one of the league’s most revolutionary players is entering the latter stages of his career. Drafted in 2009, Curry’s transformative impact on the game through his shooting range has fundamentally changed how basketball is played. With four NBA championships and two MVP awards under his belt, he continues to defy age with his conditioning and skill level.
Even as he approaches 37, Curry remains one of the most lethal shooters in the league, still averaging 26.4 points per game in the 2023-24 season. The fact that Curry has played 15 years in the NBA, entering his 16th year, and is still at the top of his game shows how much the game has evolved to allow players with elite skills to remain dominant well into their late 30s.
4. Chris Paul Will Play His 20th Season In The NBA
Chris Paul will hit a major career milestone in the 2024-25 season as he enters his 20th year in the NBA. Drafted in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets, Paul has been one of the most consistent point guards in NBA history, known for his court vision, leadership, and mid-range shooting. He’s amassed over 21,000 points and 12,000 assists, ranking him among the all-time greats in the assist category (11,894), only behind John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091).
Even as his athleticism has declined with age, Paul’s basketball IQ and ability to control the tempo of games keep him relevant. Now with the San Antonio Spurs as the man to help Victor Wembanyama grow into a superstar, he’s transitioned to a complementary role with leadership intangibles. Fans who remember Paul’s early days playing against the likes of Kobe Bryant will undoubtedly feel the weight of time as he embarks on this two-decade milestone.
5. 15 Years Since Kobe Bryant’s Last Championship
It’s been 15 years since Kobe Bryant won his fifth and final NBA championship in 2010, a realization that can make any long-time fan feel the passage of time. That 2010 Finals series against the Boston Celtics was one of the most iconic in recent history, with Kobe leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a Game 7 victory and earning Finals MVP. That win solidified Kobe’s legacy, placing him firmly in the conversation among the greatest players in NBA history.
Kobe’s final championship run feels etched in recent memory, but a decade and a half later, the league has changed drastically. The rise of new superstars, the analytics revolution, and the three-point era have defined this new generation of basketball. Yet, Kobe’s relentless work ethic, scoring prowess, and “Mamba Mentality” continue to inspire today’s players even though his last title feels like it was just yesterday.
6. 9 Years Since The Iconic 2016 NBA Season
The 2016 NBA season is widely regarded as one of the most memorable in modern NBA history, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since the Golden State Warriors went 73-9 and LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an epic comeback in the Finals. That Game 7, highlighted by LeBron’s iconic chase-down block and Kyrie Irving’s clutch three-pointer, remains a defining moment of the last decade.
Since then, the NBA landscape has shifted dramatically, with key players from that Finals series—LeBron, Kyrie, and Draymond Green—now veterans in the twilight of their careers. The 2016 season also marked the start of the Warriors’ dynasty and solidified LeBron’s legacy as one of the greatest of all time and all of us being a part of Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour. Reflecting on how much has changed in the league since then serves as a reminder of how fast time moves in the world of the NBA.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder Look To Make Finals For First Time In 13 Seasons
It’s been 13 seasons since the Oklahoma City Thunder last made the NBA Finals in 2012, led by a young trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. That Finals appearance, where they lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, feels like a major moment in NBA history. The fact that OKC hasn’t been back since might make fans who followed that era realize just how much time has passed since those young stars first emerged.
Today’s Thunder are built around a new core of young talent, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. While the team is aiming to return to Finals contention, fans who remember the Durant-Westbrook-Harden era might find it surreal to realize it’s been over a decade since that team was together, considering the massive expectations they carried at the time.
8. Kevin Garnett’s 30th Anniversary Since Being Drafted In 1995
The 2024-25 season marks 30 years since Kevin Garnett was drafted in 1995, a fact that underscores how much time has passed since he revolutionized the power forward position. Garnett, drafted directly out of high school, helped pave the way for future generations of prep-to-pro players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. His intense passion, defensive dominance, and versatile offensive skill set made him a legend over his 21-year career.
Reflecting on Garnett’s legacy, especially his MVP season in 2004 and his title run with the Boston Celtics in 2008, reminds fans of an era where big men played a different style than today’s stretch forwards. Garnett’s intensity and leadership remain unforgettable, and the fact that it’s been three decades since his draft entry will make long-time NBA fans appreciate the greats who shaped the league’s evolution.
9. Joe Mazzulla Is Only 36 Years Old
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla being only 36 years old is a startling fact for many fans, especially considering that he’s younger than active players like LeBron James and Chris Paul. Mazzulla, who took over the Celtics’ coaching job from Ime Udoka in 2022-23, represents the new wave of young coaches who are making their mark in the NBA. His rapid rise through the coaching ranks and success with the Celtics signal the generational shift occurring on the sidelines as well as on the court.
For fans who remember legendary older coaches like Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich dominating the sidelines, Mazzulla’s youth underscores how much the NBA has changed. Coming off an NBA championship in 2023-24, Mazzulla looks to stamp his mark in NBA lore once again next season. Fans who once idolized players of Mazzulla’s age now see them leading franchises, which can definitely make one feel the passage of time.
10. Russell Westbrook On His 6th Team In 7 Seasons
Russell Westbrook has been on six different teams in the last seven seasons, a whirlwind of movement for the former MVP who is one of the greatest players in the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder. After his MVP season in 2017, where he averaged a triple-double for the first time, Westbrook’s career has taken him to Houston, Washington, the Lakers, the Clippers, and now the Denver Nuggets. For fans who remember him as the explosive guard in OKC, these rapid changes can feel jarring.
Westbrook’s constant relocation since 2019 highlights the shifting dynamics of NBA rosters in the modern era. Once a franchise cornerstone, his role has evolved, and though his athleticism remains, his fit on teams has become more situational. It just seems like yesterday when we saw one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history when Westbrook captured his first and last MVP trophy.
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