I see what you're saying. It is pretty amazing how time flies.
I remember following Shaq, Webber, Iverson, Camby, Kidd, Mashburn, G. Robinson, etc... all tearing it up in college during my pre-teen/early teen years and thinking the world of them. Now all these guys are either retired or have their basketball careers winding down. It's amazing how time flies.
The first "time flies, holy cow" moment that really stuck with me for some reason was when Bledsoe retired. I remember hearing about this gunslinger from Washington State and the whole Mirer/Bledsoe debate. His rookie year woes and his coming out party in year 2. Guy played 13-14 years in the NFL. Just wow.