Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers was marked by three things: LeBron James’ Herculean 51-point show out, (albeit a lost cause), J.R. Smith’s what-the-F moment, and some end-game chirping between LeBron and Stephen Curry. However, the trash talking seemed mundane, a natural by-product of two competitors in the heat of battle. Curry was dismissive of the episode, and even laughed about it post-game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfZur-aNmo8
A year later there is a different narrative unfolding. Evidently there is more to the Curry-LeBron dynamic, and it involves disdain — both ways. For starters, LeBron, along with a few other NBA superstars, purportedly loathe Curry. The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson detailed in 2017 that the Davidson alum is not well-liked by some of his NBA peers, and that “there’s this thing there with he [Curry] and LeBron.” The two, according to Thompson, were once close, but started growing apart when Curry began challenging LeBron’s position as the best in the NBA.
Curry doesn’t quite understand the hate, and is obviously bothered by it. He hasn’t, however, commented publicly on this alleged loathing. But NBC Sports reported that in a December episode of the podcast The Book of Basketball 2.0, Bill Simmons and Brian Windhorst (who has covered the NBA extensively) suggested that the disdain is very much a real deal.
“We know this — I’m not sure the average human being knows this — but the LeBron-Curry thing is pretty real,” Simmons told Windhorst, who replies in the affirmative. Simmons adds, “It is not friendly. I think LeBron really has genuine disdain for him. And I think Curry’s kind of like, ‘F–k you, I’ve won as many titles as you have.’”
Curry seemed to let his guard down in an August 2018 interview with Simmons, who prodded the star, “I don’t want you guys to get along. I want adversarial relationships.” Curry surprisingly agreed, telling Simmons, “They’re there. They’re there. I promise you.” But to be clear neither LeBron, who is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, nor Steph has admitted that there is beef between them. But their recent history suggests otherwise, and that is why any Warriors vs. Lakers match-up is still must-see TV.
Unfortunately the two superstars won’t play each other in anything of consequence this season. LeBron’s Lakers are contenders for the title. Curry’s Warriors, on the other hand, are on a down year – a far cry from their dominant displays of yesteryear. bwin Sports even reported that the Dubs are no longer prohibitive favorites to win it all, as they have lost Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets and Klay Thompson to injury. In short, they are no longer the super team they once were, when they won three titles, and lost two NBA Finals — one to LeBron’s Cavs in 2016 and the other just last year against the Toronto Raptors in a thrilling 6-game series.
Curry, not to mention, is injured, and might be out longer than planned. But he and LeBron will meet again, and it will be interesting to say the least.
