HOUSTON — This time seven years ago, the Spurs were the defending champs. And Michael Jordan had a birthday, albeit a less-celebrated one.

This time seven years ago, there was a popular Nike ad that featured an athlete, a smiling child, an old man and a too-cool guy in a designer business suit. LeBron James played each role, as well as the one of the well-respected talent.

LeBron is back to that again, and what Kobe Bryant did Sunday night showed that.

Then, Bryant defended LeBron in the final minutes of the All-Star Game as if it mattered.

What has happened in the past seven years also shows how much time has passed. In 2006, the last time the All-Star Game was in Houston, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Allen Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal were All-Star starters.

Now they are long gone, and others are nearing the exit. Namely, they are Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

Also in February of 2006, a high school kid from Maryland named Kevin Durant was heading to Dallas for a game. Now he's scored 30 points in three consecutive All-Star games, the only one in history to do it. And all that stopped him from winning consecutive MVPs was Chris Paul.

Sitting back, watching his competition in the Western Conference sweat, Gregg Popovich loved the show. He went with a small lineup at the end, with Blake Griffin at center, because Popovich has always admired how Durant changes the game. When your power forward is a 7-footer in length, then how small are you?

Also, for those keeping score: After Sunday, Popovich, Duncan and Tony Parker have been on the losing side only a dozen times this season.

This time seven years ago, as Durant was going to Dallas, LeBron was nearby in Houston. Then, he became the youngest MVP in the history of the NBA All-Star Game at 21 years, 55 days.

“It feels awesome,” James said that night. “All the hard work and dedication has paid off.”

He would achieve more, making the Finals against the Spurs the next season. But in the years that followed, he mixed disappointment with a public-relations disaster.

The hits kept coming. He failed against Dallas in 2011, and the final insult was in this game last February. Then, at the end, he passed on a shot as Bryant looked at him in disgust.

Bryant's face said it: I would have never done the same.

What has followed since is a remarkable rebirth. From his first title, to Olympic gold, to a roaring start in the first half of this season.

What changed?

“Let's just say he's a grown-ass man now,” Popovich told reporters this weekend. “I'm thankful as hell that we caught him at the right time (in 2007). That's called serendipity. But he's a grown man now. Different story.”

Popovich says LeBron is a better shooter now, changing the way teams can play him. “But the second thing about him is peace of mind,” Popovich said. “He's learned how to tune out all the people out there who give him advice and don't have a clue what they're saying.”

But it's also true LeBron doesn't have much to tune out anymore. He's established himself. Durant is the only one in the league close to his level, which is why Bryant reacted as he did Sunday.

Bryant's Lakers likely aren't going anywhere this spring. So Sunday was his one chance to show up LeBron.

Bryant did. He defended him as All-Stars rarely do, and his block of LeBron led to a Durant breakaway at the end. Bryant had some of the same body language of a year ago, too.

But will this hang on LeBron? Will anyone make fun of him now because of what happened in an exhibition?

Times have changed.

bharvey@express-news.net