According to sources, Lakers star LeBron James used the 2021 All-Star game as a sort-of recruiting pitch for his old friend, and rival, Steph Curry.
Since Curry is up for an extension this summer, James apparently took it upon himself to plant the seeds of a potential departure from the Warriors.
Still, it seems not everyone is sold on the legitimacy of that tale. In his podcast, Bill Simmons attributed the report to sheer “boredom” from the media.
“There was this weird ‘LeBron is recruiting Curry’ story that just seemed like sheer boredom from the media. I don’t know where it was coming from. I don’t know why anybody who has followed Curry’s career at any point would think he would ever leave Golden State [or] he would want to jump on the LeBron bandwagon and be LeBron’s sidekick.
The whole thing was bizarre to me. I don’t think it’s been the tightest relationship over the years. I’m sure they get along better [now]. I thought that was one of the weirder fake stories that we’ve had. If he ever was gonna go anywhere, the only place that makes sense is Charlotte — to go home where his dad is and the place he grew up as a kid.”
When it comes to loyalty, Curry is one of those who takes it to heart. While the Dubs have fallen on enormous success over the past few years, they were a rather insignificant franchise before — and, still, Steph never showed any intention to leave.
The idea that he’d go now, after achieving so much, just doesn’t sit well in the eyes of some.
“After the ASG, Curry must be telling his wife ‘you’re not going to believe this LeBron was talking to me the whole time. I think he wants me to play with him, telling me how great LA is. He must have forgotten that I already have 3 rings.'”
Indeed Curry has got nothing left to prove at this point. There’s no need for him to “ring chase” or join forces with a competitor for the sake of filling out his display case.
He’s done it all, he’s been at the top of the mountain, and he has already etched his name into the history books. Could LeBron’s sweet words really do much to sway him at this point?
