NBA fans are buzzing after LeBron James made a surprisingly candid confession on his podcast Mind the Game — admitting that he “doesn’t exactly like” Stephen Curry, largely because of their intense battles in the NBA Finals.
“He beat my a** three times in the Finals, so yeah, I don’t really like him,”
LeBron said with a laugh when asked about his relationship with the Golden State Warriors superstar.
Though the comment was made lightheartedly, fans immediately picked up on its honesty. Within hours, the clip spread widely across social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), with many calling it one of the most authentic moments from LeBron in recent years.
A Rivalry That Defined a Generation
LeBron James and Stephen Curry are two of the defining figures of modern basketball.
From 2015 to 2018, they faced each other in the NBA Finals four straight times, turning the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors matchup into one of the most iconic rivalries in league history.
The results of those encounters tell the story:
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Curry’s Warriors won three titles (2015, 2017, 2018).
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LeBron’s Cavaliers won once (2016) — in what remains one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history, overcoming a 1–3 deficit to capture the championship.
That stretch made Curry something of a nemesis for LeBron, even as the two have maintained deep mutual respect over the years.
“Curry’s one of the greatest shooters ever — I’ve always respected that,” LeBron added.
“But when a guy beats you that many times on the biggest stage, you can’t help but feel a certain way.”
The Internet Reacts
LeBron’s candid remarks immediately became headline news on outlets like ESPN, Bleacher Report, and ClutchPoints, with fans flooding social media to weigh in.
Some took it as pure humor — LeBron simply being self-aware and poking fun at his Finals history.
Others, however, felt it reflected the genuine competitive fire between two legends who pushed each other to their limits.
One fan wrote on X:
“LeBron’s just keeping it real. Every player has that one rival who haunts them — and for him, it’s definitely Curry.”
Meanwhile, Warriors supporters were quick to fire back:
“Curry beat him three times, and LeBron’s still talking about it? That’s dominance.”
Mutual Respect Between Two Icons
Despite the playful jab, LeBron made it clear he holds no real animosity toward Curry.
In fact, he called him “one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever faced.”
Curry, for his part, has also praised LeBron in the past, calling him “a symbol of longevity and greatness at 40.”
Though their Finals duels are behind them — with LeBron now leading the Los Angeles Lakers and Curry continuing to shine with the Golden State Warriors — their matchups still feel like mini-Finals whenever they meet.
“We created something special,” LeBron reflected toward the end of the podcast.
“Whether we like it or not, our legacies are connected — and that’s something I’ll always respect.”
