Stephen Curry applauds Lakers star James for longevity in NBA

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has set the standard for longevity in the league as the 36-year-old entered his 19th season, Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry said.

The 17-time All-Star James picked up his fourth NBA Finals MVP title last year after helping the Lakers win the championship over the Miami Heat, adding another accolade to his dazzling career.

Curry, who faced James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for four straight years in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, heaped praise on James.

“He set the standard for that,” Curry said before Friday’s preseason game against the Lakers, which the Warriors won 121-114.

Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prior to the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“Nine straight Finals, all the things that he’s accomplished. You have a vision of sustaining your prime for as long as you can, kind of re-imagining what that looks like.

“So you know the work that goes into it, especially in the off-seasons, especially how you take care of your body, your mind. Balance on court, off court.”

Two-time MVP Curry said James started attending his games while the Warriors star was still playing for Davidson College in North Carolina in 2008.

“For me, it’s a weird perspective just because I still remember my college days and he was just coming into his prime in the league,” Curry said.

“And my sophomore year, (NCAA) tournament run he came to a game, then came to a game my junior year. This is hilarious. I still have a jersey that he signed back in ’08 in my parents’ house back in Charlotte.

“So it’s kind of weird to think about what’s happened in the last 13, 14 years.”

The 2021-2022 NBA regular season will begin on Oct. 19.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)