Father Time comes for us all — even the greatest athletes in the world. With another NBA Media Day in the books signaling the start of a new season, it’s a fun time to look back at the rookie photoshoots for some of the biggest stars in the league and see just how much they’ve aged over the years.
NBA fans have been incredibly fortunate to see today’s greatest players extend their careers longer than ever. While Michael Jordan only played 14.5 seasons, and Bill Russell and Larry Bird played 13 seasons each, there are several future Hall of Fame inductees beyond for 20 years or more in the league. LeBron James is entering his 23rd season in 2025-26, while Chris Paul is entering his 21st season. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry aren’t far behind them.
LeBron James: 2003 vs. 2025
Steph Curry 2009 vs. 2025
Kevin Durant 2007 vs. 2025
Nikola Jokic 2015 vs. 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013 vs. 2025
Giannis was sick for media day, so this photo from two weeks earlier at EuroBasket will have to do.
