Who doesn’t like some heated entertainment? No! Don’t get the wrong idea, we don’t want gladiator battles. But, sometimes, intense games are everything NBA fans need. Especially when the biggest names like LeBron James and Stephen Curry come face-to-face. They need to set aside the camaraderie and appreciation for some real business. But is the rivalry between LeBron and Steph one of the greatest stories the NBA has ever told? Bobby Marks, NBA front office insider for ESPN, sat down for an important discussion on this very topic during the popular show First Take.
When asked, “Is the rivalry between Steph and LeBron one of the greatest in the NBA or the greatest ever?” Marks responded emphatically, “I disagree with you.” But why? After all, we're talking about two of the biggest stars in NBA history! What does it mean to have rivalry, anyway? Bobby Marks clarifies, telling viewers, “I think when I hear the word rivalry, I hear the word dislike. I see two players who have genuine like for each other, certainly off the court and on the court here.”
It’s widely recognized—LeBron and Steph share mutual respect and admiration. Such camaraderie isn't merely fabrications from dedicated fans; it’s backed by history. On Steph’s NBA debut for the Warriors, LeBron was there to make the rookie feel comfortable, which speaks volumes about their rapport.
Still, watching the two stars compete on the court has been nothing short of thrilling. But Marks points out something important we might have missed for so long. Taking us back to classics of the NBA, he remarks, “I’m going to go all the way back, certainly to those Magic-Bird teams. Those Lakers and Celtics teams—I’m even going to throw out Knicks, Bulls, Ewing, and Jordan here. Those are the teams who disliked each other. I just don’t see (that) even with LeBron and Cleveland now with the Lakers.”
Oh, the classic rivalries! The NBA, without doubt, misses such sheer moments of intense competition. This comparison triggers nostalgic memories, reminiscent of the iconic Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks showdowns of the eighties—Michael Jordan facing off against Patrick Ewing. Back then, the tension and animosity were palpable, exemplified by MJ's 30-point game followed by the thrilling payoff, where Ewing would emerge triumphant.
One prominent factor, as Bobby Marks points out, is the modern concept of player movement impacting rivalries. Switching teams didn’t ignite LeBron’s competition and definitely didn’t contribute to any dislike-laden rivalry with Curry. “I don’t see this dislike on the court,” he clarifies, adding, “Remember, out of all the games we played on Christmas, this is only the second that's been competitive.” That stark lack of animosity begs the question—has the rivalry style evolved?
When we analyze the LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry matchup, their head-to-head stats carefully outline years of competition. They’ve faced each other 53 times, with Curry holding the advantage with 29-24 overall wins and 17-11 during playoff encounters. Yet, interestingly enough, LeBron remains dominant pointwise, averaging 30.4 points per game compared to Steph’s 25.3 ppg. One can’t overlook the fact—this provide rich storytelling for fans and analysts alike.
Marks’ claims serve as somewhat of a reality check for the stars now well deep within the twilight of their careers. Perhaps the rivalry might have lacked the palpable tension of yesteryear, but one thing is undeniable—entertainment levels remain high whenever LeBron faces off with Stephen.
How do you feel about Bobby Marks’ perspective? Does the LeBron-Curry matchup lack the fire of legendary rivalries? Is this new era of amicable competition less appealing than its friction-filled predecessors? Basketball aficionados are invited to share their thoughts!
