Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is looking forward to the next chapter of the LeBron James and Stephen Curry rivalry as the two NBA superstars prepare to face off in the playoffs once again.
Ham described the James versus Curry matchup as “the best rivalry of this generation” ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
The two players have faced off in four NBA Finals, with Curry’s Warriors coming out on top three times and James’ Cleveland Cavaliers winning in 2016. They also met in a play-in tournament in 2019, with the Lakers coming out on top.
As both players continue to perform at an elite level, Ham expects another exciting battle between the two.
"It's the best rivalry of this generation."@Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham shares his thoughts on the rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry ahead of tomorrow night's Game 1 of the West Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/WY5NEXEcPm
— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) May 1, 2023
“Just two of the most competitive players that have ever played this game,” James said of himself and Curry on Monday, per NBA writer Mark Medina. “And we want to etch our names in the history books as much as we can. But playing and doing it our own way.”
James recently had an outstanding performance, becoming the first Lakers player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 to tally at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in one playoff game. Meanwhile, Curry is coming off an NBA Game 7-record 50-point performance in Golden State’s series-clinching victory over the Sacramento Kings.
With both players determined to etch their names in NBA history, Ham expects an intense battle between the two rivals. He believes that their rivalry will be remembered for generations to come and is excited to see how it unfolds in the playoffs.
“It’s going to be another fun battle,” Ham said, according to Sports Central LA. “That’s the rivalry. Rivalry of the generations, particularly those two players.”
The Clash of the Titans: Stephen Curry and LeBron James’ Legendary Rivalry
Stephen Curry and LeBron James’ rivalry is one of the most captivating matchups in NBA history. The two superstars have faced off in four NBA Finals, each determined to lead their team to victory. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers battled it out for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017, with the Warriors winning two of the three matchups.
However, the most memorable moment of their rivalry came in 2016 when James led the Cavaliers to their first-ever championship. Despite trailing 3-1 in the series, James delivered an epic performance to lead his team to a historic comeback victory. Curry and the Warriors were left stunned as they lost their chance at becoming the greatest team in NBA history, finishing the season with a record of 73-9.
Their rivalry continued in the 2019 play-in tournament when the Lakers faced off against the Warriors. The game was a nail-biter, with LeBron James registering a triple-double and Stephen Curry dropping a game-high 37 points. In the end, the Lakers came out on top, but the game was a testament to the fierce competitiveness of both players.
As both players enter the latest chapter of their rivalry in the playoffs, NBA fans around the world are eagerly anticipating another epic clash of the titans. The legacy of their rivalry is already etched in NBA history, and it will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
