“There Was a Lot of Pettiness and Resentment” – Stephen Curry Opens Up on the Heated Rivalry with LeBron James in the 2010s
Stephen Curry has always been known for his calm demeanor and approach to the game, often steering clear of drama or unnecessary conflict on the court. However, in a recent interview, the Golden State Warriors’ superstar opened up about the intense rivalry he shared with LeBron James during the 2010s, revealing that there was “a lot of pettiness and resentment” in their battles, particularly when the two players faced off in the NBA Finals.
The rivalry between Curry and LeBron James became one of the most captivating storylines of the decade, with the two going head-to-head in the Finals in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. As the Warriors and Cavaliers dominated the league during this period, each meeting between Curry and LeBron brought an escalating sense of drama, competition, and emotional intensity. In his latest interview, Curry offered a candid reflection on what those years were like, revealing the complex emotions that went hand-in-hand with their fierce battles.
The Rise of the Warriors and the Cavaliers
The 2010s marked a defining decade in the NBA, with two teams – the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors – emerging as the league’s most dominant forces. For LeBron James, the journey was one of redemption and leadership. After returning to Cleveland in 2014, LeBron had one primary goal in mind: bringing a championship to his hometown. His Cleveland Cavaliers were poised to challenge for the title, but standing in their way was the Warriors, led by the explosive Stephen Curry and his sharpshooting partner Klay Thompson.
When the Warriors and Cavaliers first met in the 2015 NBA Finals, the Warriors were seen as the underdogs, despite their record-setting regular-season performance. It was Curry’s breakout moment, as he had already solidified himself as the most dangerous shooter in the NBA. However, despite the Warriors’ dominance, the Finals were far from easy. The Cavaliers, with LeBron at the helm, proved to be a worthy adversary, with James putting up legendary performances throughout the series.
The Warriors ultimately won the championship in six games, but the battle between Curry and LeBron had only just begun. What followed in the subsequent years would be a back-and-forth war, each Finals featuring a new chapter in their rivalry.
The 2016 Finals: The Turning Point
While the 2015 Finals saw the Warriors crowned champions, it was the 2016 Finals that defined the rivalry between Curry and LeBron. The Warriors, after setting an NBA record with 73 regular-season wins, were expected to win their second consecutive title. But in what became one of the most shocking comebacks in NBA history, LeBron James and the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the championship, delivering Cleveland its first-ever NBA title.
In the aftermath of Cleveland’s victory, Curry revealed there was a lot of “pettiness and resentment” between the Warriors and Cavaliers, especially from the Warriors’ side. “We felt like we had done everything right and still got knocked down,” Curry admitted. “There was a lot of pettiness and resentment in the way it all went down, and it took some time for us to really digest what happened.”
The Warriors’ Dominance: 2017 and 2018
After the crushing defeat in 2016, the Warriors bounced back in dominant fashion, adding Kevin Durant to their already potent roster. The 2017 and 2018 Finals were a stark contrast to the previous years, as the Warriors rolled to back-to-back championships, defeating the Cavaliers in four and then again in a five-game series in 2018. While LeBron’s performances in these Finals were heroic, the Warriors’ sheer talent and depth proved to be too much.
For Curry, these two years were a chance for redemption. After the 2016 heartbreak, he finally had the opportunity to exact revenge on LeBron and the Cavaliers. “It was kind of like we were proving a point,” Curry said. “We knew what happened in 2016, and we knew what we were capable of. But it wasn’t just about getting revenge. We wanted to show the world that we were the best team in the league.”
Despite their success, the rivalry with LeBron was far from over. The animosity that brewed between Curry and James on the court was undeniable, especially after the Warriors’ dominance in 2017 and 2018. For Curry, who had often been regarded as the best shooter in the league, the Finals victories over LeBron and the Cavaliers felt like an affirmation of the Warriors’ supremacy.
However, Curry also admitted that the tension wasn’t entirely rooted in competition. “There’s a lot of pride in these matchups,” Curry explained. “It wasn’t just about basketball. It was about legacies, about who’s the best in the game. And when you’re fighting for that, things can get personal.”
A New Era: Respect and Reflection
As both Curry and LeBron have evolved as players and individuals, their rivalry has softened into a mutual respect. The two players, who once engaged in fiery Finals showdowns, now share a more cordial relationship. They’ve seen each other’s struggles, achievements, and personal growth over the years. Curry’s recent comments reflected this evolution, as he expressed gratitude for the lessons learned through his battles with LeBron.
“I have nothing but respect for LeBron,” Curry said. “He’s been through a lot, and he’s still performing at the highest level. Our battles were tough, but they made me better as a player. We’ve both been on the biggest stages, and we both understand the grind it takes to stay there.”
Curry also reflected on how their rivalry helped shape the trajectory of both the Warriors and the Cavaliers during the 2010s. “It wasn’t just about winning or losing the Finals,” he explained. “It was about pushing each other to be better. I don’t think the Warriors would have had the success we had without LeBron and those Finals matchups. He pushed us to get better, and we did the same for him.”
The Legacy of the Rivalry
Looking back on the intense rivalry between Curry, LeBron, and their respective teams, it’s clear that their battles defined the 2010s. For Curry, LeBron was the perfect adversary, someone who brought out his best on the court and forced him to elevate his game. Despite the “pettiness and resentment” that Curry admitted to feeling at times, the rivalry was also a source of motivation and growth.
Now, with both players well into their 30s, their rivalry has given way to respect and shared history. While the Warriors and the Lakers may not face off in the Finals every year, the legacy of their battles will undoubtedly live on. Curry’s acknowledgment of the emotional ups and downs during their years of competition shows that, behind the fierce competition, there was a shared understanding of the sacrifices, challenges, and rewards of being at the top of the basketball world.
As both LeBron and Curry continue their legendary careers, their journey together as rivals and, ultimately, as mutual respect, stands as one of the defining stories of the modern NBA. The years of pettiness and resentment now seem like distant memories, replaced by the realization that their rivalry has pushed them both to greater heights.
