No rivalry has defined the NBA in the 2010s up to now more than the one between Stephen Curry and LeBron James. With eight NBA championships between them, the two sports megastars have been in an epic tug-of-war for league dominance for nearly two decades.
Whether it was fiery clashes in the NBA Finals or even mere regular-season games in October, every game between them was must-see.
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With the end of their respective careers in sight, Steph recently reflected on the rivalry and his experiences with King James, be it as an opponent in the NBA or a teammate on Team USA, saying the versatile forward has been a significant part of his story from the moment he entered the league in 2009.
A healthy animosity and a genuine respect
When Steph joined the big league in 2009, LeBron was already the standard-bearer. Although he had yet to win the Larry O’Brien trophy, he had already gone to the NBA Finals once and was widely considered one of the best in the league.
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Meanwhile, Curry took some time to really get going. After overcoming his ankle troubles, he stamped his rise to bona fide superstardom in 2015, when he ironically led the Warriors to the title at James’ expense. From that point, they would face off in the finals three more times, with Curry winning twice.
“It’s always been a part of the experience,” Curry said, referring to James’ standing in the way of his journey towards hoop greatness. “From ’09 when I first got here to now. And there was a genuine respect and appreciation from us being teammates at the Olympics, and then every matchup that you have from there on out.”
Although the Warriors and Lakers have yet to match up against one another since the 2023 West semifinals, every game involving Curry and James seems to hold a special significance. Each time they share the court, it’s a clash of two of the greatest players in NBA history, with their legacies intertwined. Curry figures the narrative will remain the same even though at this point, they’re well-versed in what to expect from each other.
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“There’s still going to be a healthy animosity and that idea of, ‘I want to beat you,'” Steph remarked. “But at the end of the day, there’s respect and admiration for the longevity of this thing and the opportunity to keep going at it.”
How much longer will Steph go?
Speaking of longevity, with his age and mileage accumulating on his body, Curry is often asked how much longer he’ll be able to perform at the level he’s currently playing at. He turns 38 next year and will be playing in his 17th NBA season.
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“No clue,” Steph responded. “I just know it’s closer than it was even yesterday. It’s just a matter of acknowledging — it’s fun, because the more I talk about it, the more I appreciate what all goes into preparing yourself.”
“Acknowledging that it does take a little longer to get warmed up for practice, for a game, or that recovery might take a little longer. But all that stuff is just the privilege you’ve earned because of all the work you’ve put into it,” he continued. “I’m trying not to put any timestamps or anything on it, other than knowing there’s a sense of urgency in the now.”
Curry and LeBron’s stars continue to shine bright despite the presence of young superstars like Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, there’s no denying that the end is coming for both players eventually. As fans, it’s best to appreciate every moment they share on the court and continue to marvel at their once-in-a-lifetime greatness.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.