【1997 Archives】

NBA stars: They grow up so fast997 Archives you know?

One season, your favorite player is a young rookie full of promise. Then, what feels like a few months later, your guy is a grown-ass man with a bushy beard and the sneaky veteran's bag of tricks to match.

That's why these 10 GIFs are so completely mesmerizing -- they cram years of growth and evolution into just a couple seconds.

A few months back, we showed you an eye-popping GIF that illustrates LeBron James' progression from teenage rookie to NBA demigod. Now the folks behind that animation, SportsBettingExperts.com, are back with more. Bless them for it.

Here's Houston Rockets star James Harden, also known by his nickname, "The Beard." Not that long ago, he was a (relatively) fresh-faced rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now? Not so much.

Here's power forward Chris Andersen, who's undergone quite a transformation himself over the years.

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis has gotten hairier, too.

But Carmelo Anthony has gone in the opposite direction since entering the league as a long-haired Denver Nuggets rookie in 2003.

Meanwhile, back-to-back league MVP Steph Curry hasn't changed much.

Now here's a look at his new teammate in Golden State, Kevin Durant.

What's that, you say? More? Can't get enough?

Well, you came to the right place.

Here's Russell Westbrook, the NBA's face-melting meteor.

Here's Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.

Here's Dwyane Wade, who's playing back in his hometown of Chicago after spending his first 13 NBA seasons with the Miami Heat.

And finally, here's King James (again) reeling in the years.

(Editor: {typename type="name"/})