As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to take on the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, the NBA world is abuzz with excitement. The game will mark the fourth Christmas clash between two of basketball’s biggest stars, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. While fans often tout their matchups as the defining rivalry of modern basketball, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas offered a surprising take, claiming that the rivalry isn’t “real.”
Arenas shared his perspective on his Gil’s Arena Podcast, stating that true rivalries exist between players who directly guard each other or play the same position. In his view, the longstanding battles between LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and Stephen Curry’s Warriors were more about team dynamics than individual competition.
LeBron versus Steph is not a real rivalry. A rivalry is two players that play the same position…Golden State versus Cleveland is a real rivalry, the team… The real rival is the guys who got to guard each other. The real rivalry is LeBron versus KD that’s a real rivalry. Yeah, who is the best small forward in the game, that’s a rivalry… Curry versus Kyrie that’s a rivalry.
Gilbert Arenas said on the show
Gil and Mr. B argue over what defines a true NBA rivalry. pic.twitter.com/u0PROfEEjk
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) December 23, 2024
Gilbert Arenas’ comments stem from the idea that James, a forward, and Curry, a guard, impact the game in fundamentally different ways. While both players have defined the last decade of basketball, their contrasting styles mean they rarely go head-to-head in a traditional sense.
Arenas also pointed to Kevin Durant as LeBron James’ true rival, citing their direct positional battles and debates over who reigns as the best small forward in the game. Still, for fans and analysts, the sheer magnitude of the LeBron-Curry matchups transcends positional arguments. Their four NBA Finals showdowns and countless matchups have been a defining part of modern basketball history.
LeBron James reveals thoughts on Christmas matchup against Stephen Curry
Following the Lakers’ narrow 117-114 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, LeBron James shared his thoughts on facing Stephen Curry in the much-anticipated Christmas Day game. The two legends will meet for the first time this season, adding another chapter to their storied history.
Acknowledging the significance of these matchups, James expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete against Curry.
Any time you get an opportunity to be on the court and compete vs. one of the greatest to ever play this game, you don’t take it for granted. I don’t know how many more opportunities we’ll get to go against each other, so it’s always fun.
LeBron James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin
When the Lakers and Warriors match up Wednesday, it will be the 4th time LeBron James and Stephen Curry will have played each other on Christmas. LeBron: “I don’t know how many more opportunities we’re going to get to go against each other …” pic.twitter.com/y8MCZJR1aD
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 24, 2024
This year’s game marks the fourth Christmas Day showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry, with the Lakers star holding a 2-1 advantage in previous holiday meetings. Over their illustrious careers, Curry has the edge in regular-season games, leading 12-11, while his playoff record against James is more dominant, with 17 wins in 28 matchups.
The stakes for this year’s game are heightened as both players near the twilight of their careers, with speculation about the retirement of two of the NBA’s most-viewed stars looming in the air. As always. the true essence of rivalries lies in the stories they create, and few rivalries have told as compelling a story as LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry.
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