NBA superstars Stephen Curry and LeBron James have been two of the best players in recent times. Despite mutual respect, the two share a huge rivalry as well. They have faced each other in four-straight NBA finals. While Curry won three, James managed to win one. However, their friendship dates back to Curry’s Davidson days. At the time James was already a well-established superstar in the league. But that did not stop him from showing support for the sharpshooter.

James was a national sensation ever since his high school days. There was huge hype around him because of his unbelievable displays as a high school kid. Everyone could see he was destined for greatness. Sports Illustrated even dubbed him the Chosen One. He declared for the 2003 NBA draft straight out of high school. Then he signed one of the biggest endorsement deals with Nike even before he was drafted.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him as the #1 pick and the responsibility of delivering a ring for the city fell on the rookie. However, he was prepared to take the challenge head-on. He took the league by storm and won the Rookie of the Year award.

LeBron James gave huge props to Stephen Curry

While LeBron James has always been a superstar, Stephen Curry had to bide his time. Being a late bloomer is almost always a bad thing in sports. However, in the case of Steph, his patience paid off huge. After high school, Davidson College is the only Division I team?that offered him a spot. Even though it was a small school, he decided to take the offer to play Division I basketball. With his hard work and persistence, he soon became one of the best college players and James took notice.

In 2008, James watched Curry play against N.C. State in Charlotte before the Cavs faced the Bobcats. He then talked about Curry’s talent.

?He?s one of those players in basketball right now, period, that you get somebody out to go watch. He?s a really good talent. Not taking anything away from that school, but their team isn?t the best. But he makes those guys play hard and they compete every last game they?re in, even against teams people say they shouldn?t be,” he said.

Some might say that LeBron threw a little shade at Curry’s team. However, he did so to highlight Curry’s impact in the game.

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Davidson had a decent team at the time. However, it was evident Curry was leading them to impressive wins. When Curry came to the league in 2009-10, James won his first-ever MVP award. In his second stint with the Cavs, he delivered their first-ever NBA title against Curry and the Golden State Warriors.