LeBron James celebrate a Steph Curry 3-pointer?
Given the contentious history between the multiple-time MVPs, it might shock the senses. But James and Curry were allies for the first time ever as pros in the All-Star Game in Atlanta a week ago, and the two men found the kind of easy chemistry that belies their rivalry.
After the 170-150 victory over Team Durant, James celebrated his 4-0 record as a team captain with the power to pick his roster: “I always try to pick the right team.” Curry was his second overall pick.
They’re more familiar opponents, going head-to-head in the NBA Finals in four consecutive years and six previous All-Star games. Golden State coach Steve Kerry said that competition has had another effect that made it easy to be All-Star teammates: It has bred mutual respect.
“There’s obviously great respect for each other, and I think the two of them would play unbelievably well together,” Kerr said. “Their games are so different, but they’re both so smart. So I think they recognize that, so there’s great respect.”
Although he hadn’t talked to James about the experience – which overall James was not high on – Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he saw the same kind of joy between James and Curry that Kerr did.
“It seemed like they enjoyed being on the floor in the same uniform for the first time the other night,” he said. “That was a neat thing for all of us that enjoy the game to see the two of them playing together and enjoying the game the way they did in the All-Star Game.”
James and Curry’s history actually begins with admiration: James was in Charlotte when Curry played for Davidson in college to watch him play in the NCAA Tournament. Now 13 years later, Curry is reaching up into the annals of history that James routinely tops.
The latest achievement for Curry was becoming the all-time leader in assists for Golden State’s franchise, which he achieved after notching his second in Monday’s game. Kerr said some of Curry’s flair reflects the vision sculpted by how defenses tend to flock toward him.
“He’s always been a risk-taker, so he throws some left-handed, over-the-top passes to weak-side shooters and those are difficult passes,” he said. “Nobody taught me how to make those passes. You realize, at this level, with the kind of pressure defenses put on you, you have to do some different things than what most of us grew up doing.”
CARUSO TO REMAIN OUT TUESDAY
The Lakers know for sure they’ll be especially short-handed for at least one more game.
Vogel clarified the timeline for reserve guard Alex Caruso, who is in the NBA’s concussion protocol after slamming his head against the court on Friday night against the Pacers. The earliest he could return is Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
That’s also the earliest the Lakers could see Marc Gasol or Kostas Antetokounmpo, both of whom will miss Tuesday’s game in the league’s COVID-19 protocols. The timeline suggests that both forwards have either returned a positive coronavirus test result in the last seven days or have been exposed to someone who has.
The Lakers first revealed Sunday that Jared Dudley, a lightly used 35-year-old forward, had suffered an MCL tear in his right knee that was initially thought to be a bruise suffered before the All-Star break against the Sacramento Kings. When it continued to cause him discomfort, an MRI showed the tear. Vogel said Dudley is still examining his treatment options.
The silver lining of the injury is that it won’t take away the chemistry factor that is Dudley’s most important contribution in the twilight of his career.
“His impact is invaluable to our culture, and to our team,” Vogel said. “His leadership, his glue, connecting guys, and teaching guys, putting guys in the right spot. He really has been an invaluable member of our team. So we expect that to be the same.”
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