When it involves NBA titles in head-to-head matchups, here is that the score:
Steph Curry 3, LeBron James 1
When LeBron went back to Cleveland within the summer of 2014, he didn't think his Cavs would find yourself facing the soldiers within the NBA Finals four straight years.
The four-time NBA MVP had no clue Curry would rise to the prominence he attained.
On the foremost recent episode of "The Book of Basketball 2.0" podcast, The Ringer's Bill Simmons and ESPN's Brian Windhorst (sorry for the aggregation, guys) had an exchange that certainly are going to be of interest to basketball fans everywhere:
Simmons: "We know this -- I'm unsure the typical person knows this -- but the LeBron-Curry thing is pretty real."
Windhorst: "Oh yeah."
Simmons: "It isn't friendly. i feel LeBron really has genuine disdain for him. and that i think Curry's quite like, 'F--k you, I've won as many titles as you've got.' And you'll feel it festering during this 2016 (Finals) because there's this underlying current of LeBron has gone back to Cleveland, the King is back, then Curry comes in and type of grabs the crown a touch bit.
"And more importantly i feel to LeBron ... became really popular."
Windhorst: "I do not know if the word jealous is fair because i do not think LeBron is jealous of anybody. But he didn't think it had been fair. He's like, 'What about me?'"
Speaking of popular -- Curry had the No. 1 selling jersey for 3 straight years from 2016 to 2018 (LeBron was No. 2), and received more All-Star votes than LeBron in 2015 and 2016.
Additionally, Curry became the primary unanimous MVP united history in 2016. within the eyes of the many, the "Baby-Faced Assassin" had supplanted LeBron because the face of the NBA.
For further context and evidence, do not forget about the conversation Curry and Simmons had back in August 2018:
Simmons: "I don't need you guys to love one another. this is often my biggest problem with this decade. i prefer that I'm not positive you and LeBron like one another (Curry starts laughing). Watching from afar, it doesn't appear to be you wish one another. I'm sure there is a mutual respect."
Curry: "There's definitely a mutual respect. i might say though once you see guys understanding with one another within the summers and you see guys playing pickup and every one that -- once you step foot on the court during the season, it is a totally different environment.
"Guys are often buddies and friends and whatnot and have whatever sort of relationship they need to possess within the summer and off the court, but the rivalry and competition and egos and every one that stuff that lives in an NBA game and when you're trying to carry that trophy ... it's really there and it isn't going anywhere."
Simmons: "I don't need you guys to urge along. i would like adverserial relationships."
Curry: "They're there. They're there. I promise you."
Enough said.