The Golden State Warriors can never forget the 3-1 lead they blew in the 2016 NBA Finals vs. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After that, the Warriors added Kevin Durant to the roster and won consecutive NBA Championships in 2017 and 2018. Fast forward to the 2023 NBA playoffs following the Warriors’ Game 2 win, it is the first time that Curry has defeated James without Durant in 2,518 days.
When Kevin Durant was a part of the Warriors, it seemed like an impossible job to stop them. In the 2017 NBA Finals, the Warriors won 4-1. And in 2018, the Durant-led Dubs swept the Cavaliers in the finals.
The Warriors were simply phenomenal as they had a 127-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2. In the win, Stephen Curry recorded 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 assists. On the other hand, LeBron James finished the matchup with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Western Conference Semifinals series is now tied at 1-1.
LeBron James Predicted Stephen Curry’s Success
Over the years, James and Curry have given fans some phenomenal matchups. Whenever the two superstars locked horns, fans stayed on the edge of their seats.
While LeBron was always expected to be a superstar in the league, the same wasn’t said for Curry when he first arrived in the league. However, an old video shows LeBron James predicting his future rival’s success in the NBA.
“Stephen Curry? Yeah, I think so,” said a young James when asked about Curry’s NBA future. “He knows how to play the game of basketball, being the son of a former NBA player. He was taught well how to play the game of basketball. He has the talent. He’s good, I was impressed…”
It just goes to say that James has a keen eye for spotting talent. Speaking of their rivalry, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes it is similar to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s rivalry.
Which superstar will take his team to the Western Conference Finals? We will find out over the next few days as the Lakers are ready to welcome the Warriors to the Crypto.com Arena for Game 3.
