Have you ever been in a musical tug-of-war where you’re so enthralled by one tune that your enthusiasm for another fades? With Steph Curry and LeBron James leading a lighthearted discussion that’s fun to listen to, a symphony of viewpoints has recently emerged. The dissonance? Kendrick Lamar’s Not like us– a track that has been livening up pre- and post-game arenas with its West Coast vibes since its release in May 2024.
Although the track is a scathing nod to Drake, Curry seems to get bored with the song. After all, even the tastiest beats can leave you craving a new flavor if you indulge in them too often. Still, LeBron James can’t get enough of Lamar’s chart-topping hit.
How did LeBron James and Stephen Curry react to Kendrick Lamar’s latest hit?
Stephen Curry and LeBron James, two of the biggest names in basketball, shared a playful exchange about Kendrick Lamar’s hit Not like us during a recent friendly match for the US team. It seems Curry has had enough of the catchy song, while James is still grooving to his West Coast vibes.
After the US team’s friendly win in Abu Dhabi (see NBA News), Lamar’s highly acclaimed hit was played over the speakers, but Curry was frustrated by it. In a video making the rounds on social media, Curry can be seen jokingly expressing his anger at being Not like us again. With a smile on his face, he joked:
It’s not the only song in America.
Then Anthony Edwards, his US teammate, was seen sliding behind him and dancing to the song. James, however, laughed off Curry’s words and said:
As much as I love it, we need to get something else.
Curry’s comments may have been in jest, but it’s clear he’s ready to change the playlist. Perhaps the song was played so many times for the Golden State Warriors star that he was completely exhausted.
The dynamic between Curry and James is reminiscent of the rivalry between Lamar and Drake, with each pair maintaining their own competitive but friendly relationship. Also note that Lamar’s diss track is currently at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Regardless of their musical preferences, Curry and James had previously had a “healthy resentment” for each other on the pitch (see NY Times).
The untold story of the tension between LeBron James and Stephen Curry
Despite the intense battles between Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the NBA Finals, both superstars admitted that there was friction, but they ultimately saw it as “healthy resentment“motivated by a competitive spirit. To quote Curry (via NY Times):
It was like a healthy grudge against someone who stands in your way. But despite everything, of course, there is the utmost respect for him as a person and as a player, for his ability and for the challenge of beating him and solving this problem every year.
James agreed, pointing out that the idea of a long-standing rivalry was largely created by the media. Beyond basketball, he stressed, relationships are important and the idea that people “hate each other“ is a myth.
Thanks to their shared experience with Team USA, James and Curry have had a unique opportunity to work together as teammates and respect each other’s playing styles. Whether it’s Kendrick Lamar’s catchy beats or something else entirely, there’s never a dull moment when Curry and James are the center of attention.
