Speaking to the media after the Lakers’ double overtime win, LeBron James spoke candidly on his dynamic with Stephen Curry and how crazy it is that they’re still having such elite battles so long after their first playoff matchup in 2015.
“Steph after the game came to me and said ‘how does it keep getting better, how do we keep getting better?’ And I think it’s just a true testament to us putting the work in and being true to the game and the game just continuing to give back to us.”
When asked to reveal the secret behind staving off Father Time, James pointed to humility and following the example of those who came before him.
“Never taking the game for granted, knowing that at any moment it can be taken away from you. So, every time we step out on the floor, every time we have film sessions, every time we around our teammates we try to pour energy into the game and the game gives it back to us on the court.”
Really wonderful 90 seconds here to cap off the night. LeBron James gives Steph Curry his (much deserved) flowers and explains how they keep battling Father Time.
I don't care who you stan or who your GOAT is, if you're an NBA fan I hope you are appreciating this while it lasts. pic.twitter.com/MSWIpjLqkm
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) January 28, 2024
Tonight was just one of the many times that LeBron James and Stephen Curry have battled on opposite ends of the court. And while the stakes for this game were relatively low, it’s still impressive that they combined for 74 points.
The Kings Of Longevity
Since the early 2010s, LeBron James has been dominating the league and he’s got more wins than anyone over the past 20 years. At nearly 40 years old, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron is making history and setting records with each point he scores and somehow always finds a way to be effective on the court. While the Lakers have been pretty bad as a team this season, LeBron’s play is the only thing keeping them alive in the West playoff picture right now.
As for Stephen Curry, his play this season is going underappreciated because of the Warriors’ record but he’s been just as good as LeBron, if not even better. Through 39 games, Steph is putting up 26.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game on 44.8% shooting. In the aftermath of a combined 74-point effort from the pair, nobody knows what to expect when Curry and James meet again next month but there’s no doubt it’ll be a sight to see given the kind of play we’ve seen from them lately.
Lakers Vs. Warriors In The West?
Last season saw these teams match up in the second round, but they’d be lucky to get that far this time. As it currently stands, the Lakers would have to win two play-in games to qualify for the post-season… while the Warriors wouldn’t get a chance at all to progress since they are currently 12th. So, for now, the Lakers are still a step or two ahead of Golden State and it’s a real shame given the fact that Steph is still an elite-level superstar.
But regardless of where these teams end up, neither of them stand a chance against the Nuggets, who proved last year that they are the team to beat in the West. Unless they make trades or change their scheme in a drastic way, the Lakers and Warriors are the underdogs for the title this year and their window as contenders is closing fast.
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