LeBron James and Stephen Curry are the top 3 greatest players of this generation. They have been playing at an elite level and have faced each other many times. They fought battles on the biggest stage and during building one of the best dynasties in NBA history. And both these teams are currently in the same division meaning they play each other the most number of times during the regular season.
But during this time, have these players developed a beef and a rivalry? However, the narrative of LeBron James vs Stephen Curry will live on with the fans even after they both retire.
The history of rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry
The relationship between Curry and LeBron began back in 2008, even before Curry made his way into the NBA. LeBron James was a fan of Curry and was excited to see him come into the league.
Wasn’t some kid to me! I knew he was SPECIAL that’s why I went to see it up close and personal! https://t.co/x5NPFuC5KN
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 18, 2019
In 2009, after playing his first game against Curry, they hung out at LeBron’s house. In 2010, a video surfaced of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade in complete awe of how Curry was cooking up their teammates.
When LeBron James was a free agent in 2014, the Warriors even attempted to sign the King but could not secure the meeting. By 2015, the Warriors surprised the NBA with how they were playing and Stephen Curry met LeBron James in the 2015 NBA finals.
LeBron told the media before the finals that you cannot stop Curry, he’s just like LeBron. Love and Irving had injuries in the Finals which helped Steph Curry win his first NBA finals over LeBron James. The next season Curry and the Warriors broke the NBA record of most wins in the regular season. However, the Cavaliers went on to beat the Warriors in the most amazing fashion that you could imagine.
The Warriors acquired KD and Kyrie left Cleveland. That meant the Warriors just kept on destroying LeBron in the NBA finals, no matter what LeBron did. That created a lot of on-court frustrations between Curry and LeBron but no off-court beef.
“You guys make rivals. I think it’s great for the sport. It’s great for all sports. I don’t think me and Steph, when you talk about rivalries, you talk about Carolina-Duke, you talk about Ohio State-Michigan.”
LeBron James had a lot of love for Curry and gave him the recognition he deserved but this was never considered a beef. It was just a mini-rivalry. There were a lot of digs they took at each other but it was purely for the sake of competitiveness.
LeBron James and Curry’s off-court dynamic
During Donald Trump’s time at the Whitehouse, LeBron and Curry forgot all the finals beef they had in and focused completely on Trump.
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So, therefore, ain’t no invite. Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
Then LeBron came to LA and won an NBA title when Steph was out with an injury.
“Now obviously him being in the West, in the same division, and we should play them four times in a normal year. But I think at the end of the day if you get caught up in that, you’re already at a disadvantage just because there are so many other teams and other players at the top.
And what Bron did in the Finals, or the bubble season this year, and what he continues to do every year—it’s truly remarkable and unbelievable. I love that competition.”
Then the Warriors and Lakers played each other in the play-in tournament where LeBron beat Curry. And this season the Lakers played awfully and as soon as the season ended LeBron was attempting to recruit Curry to LA. Considering that the Warriors were playing amazingly and Steph is one of the most loyal players in NBA history, he put down LeBron’s advances.
These 2 players defined this generation and their finals matchups was the highlight of that decade. But they have too much respect for each other to be rivals. Could we see LeBron team up with Curry before he retires?
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