Although plenty of spectacular talents have graced the league in the last two decades, Steph Curry and LeBron James have defined this era more than anyone else. While the latter has been the epitome of consistency and excellence since arriving in the league in 2003, the former has revolutionized the game and the league with mind-boggling proficiency from beyond the arc. The two superstars have won eight NBA titles and recently teamed up to help the United States win the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball tournament.
According to Curry, their experiences in Paris have allowed them to forge a more profound respect for one another. Even though the respect has always been there despite all their fierce battles on the court, the time spent together as teammates and representing their country has brought them closer.
The feeling is different when playing for the Stars and Stripes
The “Chef” and the “King” have teamed up several times before in different All-Star Games. However, the vibes felt different when they found themselves on the same side of the floor with the same goal – to bring home the gold for their country. Despite stiff resistance from the host country, France, who put up a valiant fight with their strong defense and accurate shooting, in the gold-medal game, Bron and Steph connected on several plays down the stretch to help Team USA pull off the golden victory.
“All the battles we've had on the court and the back and forth, the fact that we actually got to be teammates, not just in any game like an All-Star game or whatever, but in high stakes basketball with a lot on the line...I think there's a deepened respect and friendship there,” Curry told Natasha Dye of PEOPLE.
As the two players return to their respective teams, Curry said he’s looking forward to sharing more experiences with LeBron, whether on the court or off it.
“Hopefully, there will be more experiences in the future, even if we're teammates or not,” Steph stated.
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The secret to their longevity
Steph, now 36, and Bron, already 39, are at an age where they’re supposedly on the other side of the hill. However, their elite play suggests otherwise, as both were named All-Stars and got berths on the All-NBA Third Team. Curry was also named the Clutch Player of the Year. Many wonder what the duo’s secret to their longevity is. Steph answered that the answer to this is the league’s worst-kept secret: hard, consistent, and rigorous work.
“It's everything that most people don't get to see. It's the time on the recovery table, it's the time in the weight room, it's day in, day out,” Curry revealed. “That little bit of investment in preparing your body and your mind to perform. There's nothing really glamorous about it. It's extremely hard work.”
Steph and LeBron are generational players who understand and embrace the value of hard work. As they embark on what will likely be one of their final years in the league, fans and players must cherish their presence, as these kinds of players don’t come around often.
Related: "He didn't earn it this time" - Stephon Marbury said Stephen Curry should've been Olympics MVP over LeBron James
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