Thompson: LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry is still the NBA's best theater

[ad_1]

SAN FRANCISCO – Despair overtook Stephen Curry. Until it boils and comes to the surface. Until he roars. Until he tore his jersey by the collar at 30.

He scored 46 points on 35 shots while making only three free throws in 43 minutes. He hit a game-tying layup at the end of regulation. In the final minute of the first overtime, he forced a turnover and then hit a big corner 3 that Klay Thompson set up a game-tying 3 that kept the Warriors alive. Then in the second overtime, Curry’s final points of the night came on a 26-footer from above with 4.7 seconds remaining, giving the Warriors a point.

He left his follow-through in the air while backpedaling. Much expense was spent on more elaborate celebrations. The NBA’s clutch points leader added 19 more in this double-overtime affair, including 10 in the second overtime. Most nights, that would be enough.

Mom, there goes that guy. pic.twitter.com/KsIABjnkfV

– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) 28 January 2024

But Curry’s grandeur had a partner on the other team. His most legitimate and brave enemy. Lebron James. They have embraced each other wholeheartedly over the years. James, whose Lakers eliminated Curry’s Warriors from the playoffs last year, was more saddened by the handover to Curry.

The 39-year-old James beat a rookie nearly half his age off the dribble, outshot another young, agile athlete and set up for a strong attack at the rim. He drew the foul and sank a pair of free throws to give the Lakers a 145–144 win, capping his great night. James’s 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists in approximately 48 minutes led to charges of fraud on his birth certificate.

They are not winning like they used to, both need everything they can to stay in the race, both are expected to get significant help to get them back into the realm of contenders. But Saturday showed that Curry and LeBron are still attractive. This coming February it will be a decade since LeBron’s buzzer-beating 3 against the Warriors at the Oracle in Oakland sparked “The Silencer” celebration and established the pair as must-see theater. All these years later, when they share a court, it’s still the best theater in the NBA.

“It’s something that you’ll really look forward to when you’re done playing,” LeBron James said during his on-court interview, “and be able to look at it with your grandchildren and say that’s one of the best players I ever played.” Have played against one of the. play this game. Steph came up to me after the game and said, ‘How does this keep getting better?’ How do we keep getting better?’ I think it’s a true testament to us working hard in the game, being true to the game, and the game keeps giving back to us.”

James and D’Angelo Russell made sure another close game slipped away from the Warriors’ hands. But this time, it wasn’t so much about what the Warriors didn’t do. The loss wasn’t due to any shocking turnovers, like the heartbreaking loss to Sacramento two nights earlier. Or a questionable coaching decision. Or because they scattered in the face of an attack. Or even because of a missed shot.

Still, one of his best efforts almost counts as a win. Easy. The Warriors are now 15-13 in clutch games with Curry (0-4 without him). They are five games below .500 and still out of postseason play. They can play as well as anyone else but cannot win as often as the better teams.

Curry said, “Throughout our season we’ve had some tough breaks, some self-inflicted wounds. Some games that obviously you should have won and disappointments. … We fought the whole way. Even when things weren’t going our way, we stayed in it, gave ourselves a chance. It went three or four times until the last possession in regulation, both in overtime. That shows we really want it. We want to finish our season.” “We’re playing with a bit of desperation in an attempt to turn the tide and we’ve got nothing to show for it right now.”

LeBron James and Stephen Curry combined for 82 points on 60 shots and several highlights in Saturday’s double-overtime thriller in San Francisco. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

But their peak is still so high that it can cause intoxication. Saturday was his best gallery.

Curry, obviously. Draymond Green was every bit the difference-maker he always has been, on both ends, and the burning will that often fuels him on this night kept the Warriors firing. After a brutal first half, Thompson was brilliant in the second half. His defense on LeBron, his shot-making, his competitive spirit. Jonathan Kuminga was poised and impressive. His 22 points and nine rebounds in 43 minutes showed he can play at this level. He should also have a big role in the crime.

Head coach Steve Kerr is certain a run is coming. His warriors are ready for success. They’ve got one more game against Philadelphia on this homestand, before a road trip that starts with three losing teams.

This is possible only when the Warriors’ resolve is stronger than the fabric of their jerseys.

“Our guys were amazing, they were amazing,” Kerr said. “The way he fought, competed and stayed in the game. Did a lot of drama. It felt like we deserved to win that game the way the guys fought. So many plays that could have gone any direction. It felt like this was a game we deserved to win. As long as we keep playing like we did tonight, I think we’ll turn it around and have a great season. “I really believe it.”

The Lakers are in the same situation, although they are a little closer to where they want to be than the Warriors due to a more stable foundation with James and an elite version of Anthony Davis. Even their best looks worthy. The Warriors seem to be bringing it out of them.

But in sports, it is not their problem to do their best in moments. This is stability. It is his lack of consistency and versatility that makes his greatness so great. It seems they can’t do it every night. It appears they can’t summon it in more ways than one.

Lakers and Warriors.

On Saturday, both teams conspired to achieve greatness. A prime time game. Very important for both middle squads. Hall of Fame presence all over the floor. Appreciating the stage, that moment and still being on it.

He presented a thriller. They lived up to their name. At times, Curry took matters into his own hands and performed like a superstar. But on this night, LeBron James had the last ball.

So Curry, overcome with disappointment, left the court. With your jersey in your hands.

“It actually makes it worse,” Curry said. “Make, miss or whatever, there’s an energy to what we’re trying to do. So the good news is that if we can continue to do that, you’d like to think that you can build momentum, and that’s our hope. But it’s tough … back-to-back games at home where you play well enough to win and not win.”