We’re just a week away from 2025, which means that in just a few months it will be 10 years since the first NBA Finals between Stephen Curry’sGolden State Warriors and LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers. Time truly flies – that Finals was the first of four consecutive meetings between these two teams, something unprecedented in NBA history. It was also the first of five consecutive Finals appearances for the Warriors, making them the first team to accomplish that feat since the Boston Celtics did it in 10 straight seasons from 1957 to 1966.
This Finals streak included everything from the first of Curry’s now four championships to the legendary Game 7 with the iconic “Block by James” that secured Cleveland’s first title after coming back from a 3-1 deficit. It also included the arrival of two-time Finals MVPKevin Durant and the Warriors’ overwhelming dominance during his three seasons with the team. Fast forward to today, with the three most significant players from those Finals (Curry, Durant, and James) – not to diminish the roles of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, or Draymond Green – and recent Olympic champions, they can reflect on their rivalry and how they experienced those years. They recently did so in a special NBA feature, where they reunited to promote this year’s Christmas Day games, in which all three will participate, with Warriors vs. Lakers being the most anticipated matchup of the day.
The Big Three Reflect on Their Rivalry
The three stars have been in the league for over 15 years and are synonymous with basketball greatness. Having played against each other countless times – and even together, as Durant spent three seasons alongside Curry – they know each other’s games inside and out and can praise each other’s strengths. In the video, they were asked, ” Which attributes would you take from each other?” LeBron didn’t hesitate to say, “KD’s pull-up hesi-left,” noting how that shot secured two championships against him, both right in his face-something that surely still stings for LeBron. Durant also praised Curry’s quick twitch release, which played a key role in eliminating Durant’s team in the 2016 Conference Finals and has made him one of the all-time greats.
Curry, on the other hand, admired LeBron’s basketball IQ and his unparalleled understanding of the game. With 22 years in the league, the most minutes played, and the most points scored in NBA history, there’s virtually nothing LeBron hasn’t seen or experienced on the court, even as the game continues to evolve into a three-point shooting contest. LeBron’s longevity in the NBA is off the charts; while Curry and Durant also have long careers, they’ve been hit harder by injuries, and it’s uncertain whether their bodies will hold up long enough to match LeBron’s 22 years. And it’s safe to say that LeBron will be playing next season – he’s not leaving without the farewell tour he so richly deserves.
NBA Christmas Day: Must-Watch Matchups
Despite declining NBA ratings and the NFL now competing for Christmas Day viewers – with NFL games overlapping the first three NBA games – the NBA’s Christmas Day games remain a must-watch event. Perhaps the least exciting game is Celtics vs. Sixers, but the day still promises plenty of action. It starts with Victor Wembanyama taking on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, followed by a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals between the Timberwolves and Mavericks. Then the defending champion Celtics host the disappointing Sixers. The marquee matchup pits LeBron’s Lakers against Curry’s Warriors – an NBA classic – before the day ends with Kevin Durant’s struggling Phoenix Suns taking on MVP favorite Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Merry Christmas and enjoy a day of sports!
