Bill Clinton was in office, Y2K was becoming a thing and a certain British spy was making his way to Hollywood. Britney sang “Baby, one More Time” and John Elway was leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl. A year was 1999 and the San Antonio Spurs won their first championship. Let’s take a look at what some current NBA stars were up to while Duncan was reaching the pinnacle of NBA success.
Kyrie Irving, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers (Seven-Years Old)
This young star was seven-years old when San Antonio defeated the New York Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals. Looks like a good kid in that photo. A bright smile and a button-up shirt. He was in second grade when the Spurs won their first title.
Dwyane Wade, Guard, Miami Heat (17-Years Old)
Even Wade, who is now a seasoned veteran, wasn’t even known to the NBA world for a few more years when Tim Duncan and Co. brought home their first of what is now three titles. Wade was a senior in his school when San Antonio wont its first title back in 1999.
Stephen Curry, Guard Golden State Warriors (10 Years Old)
Right there pictured above is a young Stephen Curry with Don Nelson, Mitch Richmond and his father, Dell Curry of the Charlotte Hornets. Flat tops were the craze, and the younger Curry was pimping an awesome Nike jacket. Remember those? Curry was likely an awkward fifth-grader when Tim Duncan and San Antonio won its first title.
Kevin Love, Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves (10-Years Old)
We couldn’t find a picture of Love at 10, but him in a baby seat with two basketballs will work just fine. The one he is holding here is about five times the size of his head. He was in fourth grade when the Spurs won their first title.
Dwight Howard, Center, Houston Rockets (13-Years Old)
This is the only photo you will ever see of Howard towering over Kobe Bryant. It won’t happen again, trust us. Just if they could have been this buddy-buddy as teammates with the Lakers. Dwight wasn’t even in high school when San Antonio nabbed its initial NBA Title.
Damian Lillard, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers (Eight-Years Old)
And so it had to be. Lillard’s excellence on the court dates back to his days as a baller in Oakland. Anyone who caught a glimpse of him as a prep knew he was going to be a star. Lillard, pictured above in high school, was a second grader when Duncan hoisted his first trophy.
LeBron James, Forward, Miami Heat (14-Years Old)
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Even as a freshman, LeBron knew he was destined for great things. Interestingly enough, during James’ freshman season of high school, Duncan grabbed his first title. While it would take a few years for Duncan to notice him, we are pretty sure the Spurs big man does now.
Joakim Noah, Center, Chicago Bulls (14-Years Old)
Noah never really looked like a NBA star, even during his years with the Florida Gators. It wasn’t as much about his hair, as it was about his awkwardness on the court. Well, Noah has proven skeptics wrong. He’s pictured here in eighth grade.
Marc Gasol, Forward, Memphis Grizzlies (14-Years Old)
You can say Gasol lost his baby fat a bit late in life. But compared to how he looks now, it’s surprising the big man was such an effective high school player.
Anthony Davis, Forward, New Orleans Pelicans (Six-Years Old)
You cannot tell me that Davis doesn’t look like Urkel on the right side of that photo. I wanted to do a comparison photo, but decided to settle for a You Tube clip. “Did I do that…right?”
Photo: Business Insider
