Steph Curry looking forward to moments with LeBron James, ‘teammates or not’

Stephen Curry and LeBron James, two of the NBA’s most iconic figures, recently shared the court in a way that fans have long dreamed of — but not in the typical NBA setting. Instead, the two joined forces to lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, reigniting discussions about their unique relationship and what the future holds for these two legends.

After winning gold last summer, Curry spoke with People’s Natasha Dye, where she reflected on the meaning of playing alongside James instead of against him. “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 an All-Star Game or something, but in high-stakes basketball where a lot is on the line.

“I think there’s a deeper respect and friendship,” the Golden State icon said. The experience, he noted, was unlike any All-Star game because it involved high stakes and a shared goal.

Steph Curry wants to gain the experience of playing with LeBron James again in the future

“Hopefully there will be more experiences in the future, whether we are teammates or not,”

(Via @people ) photo.twitter.com/KAeceuoJXY

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 4, 2024

Curry went on to express his desire for more opportunities to share the court with James, as teammates or rivals. “Hopefully there will be more experiences in the future, even if we’re teammates or not,” he added. “We still have to compete against each other until it’s all over.”

For many NBA fans, the idea of ​​Curry and James teaming up on an NBA team is enticing, though unlikely. Still, the idea has sparked plenty of speculation, especially as both players approach the twilight of their careers. Curry’s Warriors and James’ Los Angeles Lakers will be competing fiercely in the Western Conference next season, and while the chances of them being on the same NBA team are slim, the showdowns between their teams are eagerly anticipated.

The appeal of Curry and James sharing the same NBA court is rooted in their contrasting styles. James, with his unmatched physical strength and playmaking ability, can dominate in the paint, scoring or drawing fouls almost at will. Curry, on the other hand, is widely regarded as the best shooter in basketball history, with a skill set that redefined the game. That combination of power and precision was on full display at the Olympics, where they led Team USA to glory.

At the Paris Olympics, James and Curry were crucial to Team USA’s success, along with fellow superstar Kevin Durant. James, who turns 40 in December, showed his ageless talent, winning the tournament MVP with his ability to take over games at key moments.

Curry, who started the tournament slowly, delivered when it mattered. He was the team’s top scorer with 36 points in the semifinal against Serbia and 24 points in the gold medal game against France.

Curry’s Warriors emerged victorious in three of those finals series, although James scored a historic victory for the Cavaliers in 2016

Their partnership in Paris added a new chapter to a story that has captivated basketball fans for more than a decade. While Curry and James have always maintained mutual respect, their rivalry has been one of the NBA’s defining storylines, most notably during their four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2018.

Curry’s Warriors won three of those series, but James pulled off a historic victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, giving the city its first and only NBA championship.

Since James joined the Lakers in 2018, he and Curry have faced off more often during the regular season, though the intensity of those matchups hasn’t quite matched their epic Finals clashes. Still, every showdown between these two legends carries a sense of history and significance, especially as their careers wind down.

As Curry and James approach the twilight of their active days, the possibility of them teaming up in the NBA seems remote. But the shared experience in Paris and the mutual respect they’ve developed leave the door open for more memorable moments, whether as teammates or fierce competitors in the playoffs. For now, fans can look forward to a new chapter in the Curry-James saga as the 2024-25 NBA season unfolds.