There have been a lot of individuals in LeBron James’ rogues gallery. It started with the Tim Duncan-led San Antonio Spurs all the way to Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets. However, one adversary will be more of a staple when fans look back at his career more than others. The Golden State Warriors had the greatest collection of offensive weapons and they dominated the league for over a decade. Their cornerstone star, Stephen Curry, will always be seen as the main adversary in the Cleveland Cavaliers legend’s career even when he moved to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Stephen Curry and LeBron James were a matchup made to shatter basketball history. It was the promised chosen one who earned the title back in high school and the elite sharpshooter capable of changing the game while climbing his way up from Davidson. The Warriors guard loved to move without the ball while the Cavaliers and Lakers great was most effective with it. Stephen Curry’s most iconic on-court moment was a heave from near halfcourt while LeBron James’ was a block to come back from three-to-nothing.
The most glaring difference is that Stephen Curry has gone on to stay with the Warriors. Meanwhile, LeBron James is one of the biggest proponents and catalysts for player movement. It was unheard of that a superstar would explore options outside of the team that drafted him prior to his Miami Heat move.
Warriors legend has a lot of love
Jan 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) talk after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of this on-court animosity, Stephen Curry knew that giving LeBron James his flowers would not be so hard. He even outlined how they could even be very lethal together on the same team, albeit with some reservations. The Warriors guard noted it in his latest podcast episode, via Heat Check.
Everybody just talked about his ability to lift those around him… I heard he’s like a light-hearted type of guy. Always wants to have fun… Maybe we’ll get that, not in the NBA, but maybe on a team USA-type vibe.
These two have always been on the opposite sides of the court and coin. But, this does not mean that the Warriors star has no amount of love for the veteran entering his 22nd year of NBA ball. After all, these two have faced each other a combined 52 times in the regular season and in the playoffs.
While this rivalry has been ongoing for over a decade, the Warriors star has maintained the upper hand in terms of entries in the win column. Curry has won 29 games to James’ 23 but the Lakers and Cavaliers legend can still catch up if he sweeps their season series against the Warriors and have a postseason clash with one another.
The Warriors legend also has the upper hand in steals with his 1.6 average per night. James, on the other hand, has more points, rebounds, assists, and blocks throughout their clashes. This rivalry is all but done as these two have shown a great deal of longevity. But, fans will be in for a treat because they will team up for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
