The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 127-97 last Saturday in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers, led by LeBron James, go 2-1 up in the series.
LeBron James started slow but finished with 21 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers.
However, the hero of the night was Anthony Davis, who had 25 points and 13 rebounds, enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to regain their lead in the Western Conference semifinal.
Historical Rivalry
The ongoing NBA Playoffs have reignited one of the most storied rivalries in basketball history this century: LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry. As the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors face off, the basketball world remembers the intense history shared by these two legends.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham referred to this rivalry as "the best rivalry of this generation", and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr drew parallels with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Kerr stated: "It's wonderful for basketball fans, incredible for the league...two all-time greats at the peak of their powers for almost an entire decade playing against each other frequently. Quite, quite incredible rivalry ".
The individual trajectories of these superstars have been very different. LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003 as the top overall draft pick with immense expectations, which he somehow managed to exceed. With four NBA championships, four regular seasons, and NBA Finals MVP, James is widely considered the greatest player of all time.
Stephen Curry, on the other hand, had a more modest start to his career. He attended little-known Davidson College and was drafted seventh overall in 2009. Despite initial ankle problems, Curry eventually swept the league, winning two regular-season MVP awards, a Finals MVP, and four NBA championships.
The rivalry between James and Curry was forged in the playoffs, specifically in the NBA Finals. From 2015 to 2018, their teams met in four straight Finals, with the Curry's Warriors emerging victorious in three of those series. Their head-to-head matchups have provided some of the most memorable moments in recent NBA history.
This year's NBA Playoffs present another opportunity for these two titans to battle it out on the game's biggest stage. As Curry said, "You have to reflect on everything we've been through since the 2015 Finals and just appreciate the opportunity to have another chapter in that battle and that competition."
The rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry has defined an era in basketball this century, and their ongoing playoff competition only adds to their already impressive numbers. Basketball fans around the world can look forward to witnessing more unforgettable moments between these two living legends. Only one of them will continue to advance, the winner of the series will play the Western Conference final.
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