With the All-Star Game taking place this Sunday in San Francisco, the NBA’s brightest stars will come together as the league experiments with a new format to keep things exciting. Even with changes, it’s always thrilling to see both emerging and established stars team up and compete against each other.

For legendary players like Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, this could be one of their final All-Star Weekends. As both approach the twilight of their careers, it’s uncertain how many more times they will face off or play alongside each other in All-Star games.

These two icons have clashed in intense playoff and NBA Finals battles, creating some unforgettable moments in league history. However, their rivalry has transformed into a strong friendship over the years, especially after playing together for Team USA in the Olympics last summer.

James reflected on their relationship and why they disliked each other during their epic Finals showdowns, as shared with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk:

“When you’re in a dogfight and there’s one guy trying to stop you from achieving your goals, you’re going to dislike him,” James explained. “He disliked me, and I disliked him because we were both fighting for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.”

Curry expressed a similar feeling but made it clear that, despite the competition, he always respected James as a person:

“All you think about is just winning,” Curry said. “It was petty, competitive, with trash talk. But there’s always respect. I didn’t like the player, but the person is great. It’s just hard when he’s wearing No. 23.”

Now nearing the end of their careers, Curry took a moment to reflect on the unforgettable moments shared with James during their journeys:

“We talked about everything that had to fall into place to celebrate a gold medal,” Curry shared with ESPN. “LeBron had done it many times before, but it felt like relief and also a reminder of what we signed up for. It was more than just winning; it was about getting to know each other better. I’ve seen him celebrate championships, he’s seen me do the same. It was special to do it together.”

Ultimately, both stars share mutual admiration, knowing that time is running out. James is focused on cherishing each remaining moment, whether he’s playing with or against Curry, especially this weekend in the All-Star Game:

“As our careers wind down, you start appreciating what that person meant to you,” James said. “They motivated you throughout everything. You think, ‘How many more times will we face off? How many more moments will we have?’ When you look back, it’s clear: we always competed, and we still do. But now we appreciate the moments even more because they’re fewer.”

It’s heartwarming to see Curry and James grow into close friends over time, and their profound impact on basketball will never be forgotten. Hopefully, every matchup left between the two will receive the recognition it deserves.