Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is on the verge of breaking Hall of Famer Ray Allen’s NBA record for three-pointers made. His greatest rival, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James — who won two titles with Allen — can’t wait to see it.
Curry drilled six threes against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, pulling his career (regular-season) total to 2,964 — 10 shy of Allen’s record.
When asked about his thoughts on Curry’s impending milestone after the Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, James showered the Warriors guard with praise. He said the fact that he even thought Curry might break Allen’s record vs. Portland exemplifies Steph’s unmatched greatness from downtown.
“First of all, the fact that the other night, when they played, we were really tracking to see if he could make 16 threes — it just lets you know how freaking amazing he is,” LeBron said. “If there’s one guy in NBA history that can make 16 threes, it’s Steph Curry. I’m literally sitting there doing the calculations in my head. I’m like, ’16. OK, I know he’s made 12 a few times. Well, if there’s someone that can do it, it’ll be him.’ That just lets you know how incredible he is.”
LeBron was asked if one particular Steph shot sticks out in his mind, and, while sitting in the Thunder’s press room, brought up Curry’s legendary double-bang dagger from 2016.
“Secondly, the one thing that sticks out in my mind…is really that shot he made here (in OKC). He pulled up from 38, 39, 40 feet and drained that thing. And obviously, we had so many great battles. He hit so many big-time shots and buckets against us. Obviously, he’s been phenomenal his whole career.”
Any lingering tension from James and Curry’s four consecutive NBA Finals matchups has seemingly worn off in recent years. At the 2021 All-Star Game, James was so outwardly fanboying over Curry that it caused speculation that he was recruiting him to the Lakers.
“More importantly, just a great dude,” LeBron added. “I wish I could be there to congratulate him. I’ll be one of the guys in our league that will congratulate him socially … Listen, I know Ray, I know the work that he put into it. And if there’s one guy he has to let pass his record, it being Steph, I know Ray is definitely grateful that it would be such a guy like that. Pretty cool accomplishment.”
The Lakers star then (accidentally?) referenced his former Nike tagline when lauding Curry.
“You can’t even jinx it, cause it’s gonna happen. It may not happen tomorrow … But it’s gonna happen. We’re all witnesses to what Steph Curry has done in his career and the way that he’s changed the game. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime basketball player.”
All eyes, including LeBron’s, will be on Curry when the Warriors host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night at the Chase Center. Curry has 22 (!) career games in which he’s made 10 or more threes.
