There was a lot of pettiness and resentment - Stephen Curry opened up on the heated rivalry with LeBron James in the 2010s.
No rivalry defined the 2010s NBA landscape quite like the one between Stephen Curry and LeBron James. At a time when LeBron, “The King,” was firmly seated atop the basketball world, Curry emerged seemingly from nowhere, disrupting the order and shaking up the league. Their rivalry began in the 2015 NBA Finals, stretched into the 2018 Finals, and continues to resonate even today, with their paths crossing on the court time and again.
In an interview with Malika Andrews on NBA Today, Curry reflected on how his relationship with LeBron has evolved over the years. While the two were once fierce competitors, their bond has since grown more cordial, even though it wasn’t always so friendly. Curry acknowledged that the early days of their rivalry were marked by bitterness and competitiveness that fueled their on-court intensity.
Despite the more collaborative and amicable nature of relationships between NBA players today—compared to the more hostile environment of the 1980s and 1990s—rivalries like Curry and LeBron’s have remained fiercely competitive. Their battles for supremacy in the 2010s were a reflection of this, and the animosity between the two was palpable on the court. As Curry and the Warriors clinched the NBA title in 2015, LeBron responded by leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic comeback in the 2016 Finals. After the Warriors set an NBA regular-season record with 73 wins, LeBron’s Cavaliers erased a 3-1 series deficit to claim the championship, forever cementing the rivalry’s significance.
The tension between the two was more than just on-the-court action. Off the court, there were plenty of passive-aggressive comments and moments of drama, adding layers to an already bitter rivalry. However, reflecting on their long-running battle, Curry now expresses a sense of appreciation for the relationship they’ve developed over time.
It's a fun battle because of the longevity of how long we've been doing this, Curry said. There's more appreciation and respect than probably back in the day because there was a lot of pettiness and resentment. The rivalry was real.
As Curry’s Warriors and LeBron’s Lakers prepare to face off on Christmas Day, both players acknowledge that despite the more amicable nature of their relationship today, their competitive fire remains as strong as ever. With both teams striving to improve their positions in the stacked Western Conference, the game is expected to be filled with intensity and fierce competition. Even though they may share more respect now, the rivalry’s competitive edge is still very much alive, making their matchups as exciting as ever.
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