LeBron James and Stephen Curry: A Rivalry Reimagined
In the moments following LeBron James outshining Stephen Curry‘s 37 points with an ageless 42-point, 17-rebound performance, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. As the iconic “I Love L.A.” played, Curry encountered the Lakers’ newest superstar, Luka Doncic. The two shared a laugh, and Curry embraced Doncic before exchanging a heartfelt handshake and hug with James, their mouths covered to keep their words private.
Their teams, however, have given the NBA plenty to discuss, especially during the trade deadline week. The blockbuster trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers and the deal that brought Jimmy Butler to the Warriors have reshaped the Western Conference landscape. Both franchises are gearing up for another potential showdown, reminiscent of their four consecutive NBA Finals matchups from 2015 to 2018, two of which featured Kevin Durant alongside Curry.
While the Lakers and Warriors might face each other in the playoffs, the dynamic between James and Curry has evolved significantly from their days as fierce rivals. What was once a relationship filled with “dislike” and “hate” has transformed into what Warriors and Team USA coach Steve Kerr describes as a “total bromance,” forged during their time together in Paris, where they won a gold medal with Team USA.
The Trade Deadline Drama
The Warriors have made attempts to pair superstars, including an unsuccessful bid to acquire James last season. Ahead of the recent trade deadline, they explored trading for Durant but ultimately found success in acquiring Butler. Curry, rejuvenated by Butler’s arrival, isn’t holding out hope for a future team-up with James or Durant in Golden State, despite the NBA’s penchant for surprising trades.
“No, I mean, the league has surprised us for sure,” Curry told ESPN. “Yeah, you could say that anything can happen. A version of ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ is that phrase. I don’t think about that, though.”
As the All-Star Weekend festivities unfold in San Francisco and Oakland, Curry, James, and Durant find themselves on the same stage once more. With James at 40 and Curry and Durant at 36, they acknowledge the limited opportunities left to share such moments.
“There ain’t going to be that many times left,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “So you take it all in and you don’t take it for granted. It’s coming to an end soon.”
A Journey from Rivalry to Friendship
When Curry was a rising star at Davidson, he was surprised to learn that James had requested tickets to watch him play against Wisconsin in the 2008 Sweet 16. James, then with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was indeed in attendance, and Curry’s fan base wore red “Witness” T-shirts in homage to James’ Nike slogan.
Over 15 years later, the Warriors attempted to pair Curry and James during a clandestine 24-hour window before the 2024 trade deadline. Despite encouragement from Draymond Green, the Lakers were not interested in trading James, and the idea was ultimately shelved.
“Like any talented high-IQ basketball player, whether it’s LeBron, whether it’s KD, whether it’s me, whether it’s AD, whoever you put him on any team, you should be able to figure it out,” Curry told ESPN about the trade scenario. “That’s as far as it got from a year ago. Because it sounded outlandish when I first heard about it. I never thought he’d leave the Lakers. And I obviously said I never really wanted to leave here.”
Reflecting on the Past and Embracing the Present
James and Curry last faced each other in the NBA Finals in 2018, with James’ Cavaliers losing for the third time in four Finals to Curry’s Warriors. The idea of them teaming up seemed far-fetched during their intense rivalry.
“I mean, s—, when you’re in a dogfight and there’s one guy that’s trying to stop you from reaching your goals, you’re going to dislike that person,” James told ESPN. “He disliked me, I disliked him because we were both fighting for what the f— we wanted, and that’s the Larry O’Brien trophy.”
Despite the competitive nature of their past encounters, Curry and James have developed a mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s contributions to the game. As they prepare for the All-Star Game, they reflect on their journey from rivals to friends and the moments that have defined their careers.
- James and Curry’s rivalry dates back to their first NBA Finals meeting in 2015.
- Their relationship has evolved from “dislike” to a “bromance” over the years.
- Both players have expressed a desire to savor the remaining moments of their careers.
This weekend, Curry, James, and Durant will look to create one more memorable moment together, picking up where they left off in Paris. As they embrace the present, they acknowledge the limited opportunities left to share the court and the camaraderie that has developed over the years.
“I always had a bond with LeBron and Steph,” Durant told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Obviously being [Curry’s] teammate. So mutual respect has always been there. It was cool just hanging around them every day [with Team USA]. It was simple and easy to be around them. It felt like we’d been playing together for the longest.”
As the All-Star Game approaches, Curry, James, and Durant are aware of the preciousness of these opportunities. They cherish the chance to play together once more, knowing that their time on the court is limited.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
