I knew the original group (Vance Astro, Yondu, Charlie-27, Martinex) and I was aware that Quill et al had taken the name but I never read them. I knew Rocket, Drax, and Nebula from appearances before they joined Quill. It’s news to me that they were animated.

No, I was actually one of those people who thought it was a stupid idea when I heard about it. Of course, I ended up loving it.

I nerver heard about rocket or groot . but apparently , some actors don't wanted join the first movie because they afraid than it's would make a flop

The only other time I heard the name Guardians before movie was in Lego Marvel Super Heroes

That's where I saw them too.

The Only three I knew about was Nebula, Gamora, and Quill due to how important they were in the early days of Marvel Comics and for Quill he was Kitty's Boyfriend in X-Men.

Other then I barely heard about Drax but he didn't look a thing like the MCU counterpart, Rocket I might have seen once or twice with the High Evolutionary but I can't remember.

The Tree though. I never heard of Groot until the first film.

Drax looks nothing like the Hulk

I also thought Gamora was She-Hulk