It’s not every day that one witnesses the birth of a legend, but it was precisely 15 years ago when LeBron James caught a glimpse of an extraordinary talent who would later become his arch-rival.
That day, LeBron found himself watching a young Steph Curry making history in the NCAA tournament. As the two basketball icons continue to dominate the NBA, James couldn’t help but look back on that memorable day and pay tribute to Curry’s early brilliance.
How did LeBron react to Curry’s NCAA performance?
At the time, Curry was only in his sophomore season at Davidson College, but he was already demonstrating his uncanny scoring prowess, averaging 25.9 points across 36 games.
The 2008 NCAA Tournament saw Curry put on a clinic, guiding Davidson to a remarkable run that included toppling three formidable teams—Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin—securing the underdogs’ spot in the Elite Eight.
Curry’s meteoric rise didn’t end there. He chose to return to Davidson for his senior year instead of entering the NBA draft. Looking back on Curry’s awe-inspiring performance on its anniversary, LeBron James took to his Instagram story, proudly admitting, “Knew he was special!!”
Curry continued to make waves in the college basketball scene, finishing as the Southern Conference’s all-time leading scorer with a staggering 2,635 points. His skills did not go unnoticed, and in 2009, Curry entered the NBA draft, where the Golden State Warriors picked him seventh overall.
Over the years, LeBron and Curry have developed a thrilling rivalry, most notably clashing in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. The first face-off saw Curry and the Warriors emerge victorious, clinching the championship in six games.
The following year, LeBron and the Cavaliers pulled off an astounding comeback, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to end Cleveland’s championship drought.
The 2017 and 2018 Finals, however, were both dominated by Curry and the Warriors, who claimed back-to-back titles against LeBron and the Cavaliers. Despite their fierce competition, the mutual respect between the two superstars is hard to deny, as evidenced by LeBron’s homage to Curry’s early success.
As the two basketball titans continue to dazzle fans with their performances, their rivalry remains a testament to their dedication, skill, and sportsmanship. LeBron’s tribute to Curry’s NCAA achievements not only highlights Curry’s incredible journey but also signifies the deep-rooted respect that transcends competition.
Wasn’t some kid to me! I knew he was SPECIAL that’s why I went to see it up close and personal! https://t.co/x5NPFuC5KN
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 18, 2019
Regardless of the outcome of their future duels, LeBron and Curry’s rivalry will go down in history as one of the most exhilarating battles the NBA has ever seen.
