Stephen Curry seems to have found the perfect side quest for this offseason: convince LeBron James to play and promote golf. Curry is competing in the 36th Annual American Century Championship during the offseason. During a press conference in the competition, the media asked him if he was making fun of James in his viral video from the day before.
“Rookie hazing. He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week and he told me how much fun he had. You know, there’s something to work with that swing, though. That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and a good foundation, and if he spends a little bit of time practicing, a little bit of coaching, he’s got potential for sure. So, I’m excited to see it.”
The reporter followed up and said that one doesn’t usually expect a 6’7 athlete to be good at golf. Therefore, he asked him if he thought James at that size could actually compete in professional events. He had the perfect example ready in his head.
“Out here? I mean, Charles [Barkley] plays, so probably.”
This is not the first time Curry has taken a dig at Charles Barkley’s golfing skills, but it still is funny to hear him say that about an NBA legend. Barkley and Curry share a banterous relationship, especially when it comes to golf.
In 2024, when Curry missed the celebrity golf event in Tahoe, Barkley hilariously called him out in an interview.
“Steph Curry, you’re a coward! You are ducking me. You knew I was going to beat you this year. You thought you were going to skate because you’re going to the Olympics? What kind of weak excuse is that? You’re going to the Olympics. You are ducking me, Steph Curry. You’re a coward!”
LeBron James Reacts To Stephen Curry’s “Rookie Hazing”
James saw the video of Curry’s comments about him and Barkley and responded on his Instagram story. He did not say anything but posted the video of Curry’s response with multiple laughing emojis.
The Warriors’ superstar earlier admitted that the game of golf needs LeBron James as a way of welcoming the Lakers’ superstar to the sport. While he took a shot at Barkley in the process, his intention was still to encourage James to improve and eventually see him compete at golfing events.
NBA players very commonly pick up new hobbies and recreational activities during the offseason to decompress from the stresses of the season. Do you think James will pick up golf as a hobby after his retirement and eventually compete with other celebrities at major events?
I think he will pick it up as a hobby and potentially invest in it as a business venture, but it is unlikely that we will see him compete regularly like Curry and Barkley.
