Ever been in a musical tug-of-war where you are so enthralled by one melody that your enthusiasm wanes for another? With Steph Curry and LeBron James leading the way in a lighthearted discussion that is delightful to listen to, a symphony of viewpoints has emerged recently. The discord? Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us—a track that’s been spicing up the pre-and post-game arenas with its West Coast vibes since it dropped in May 2024.
While the track served is a biting diss aimed at Drake, Curry appears to have become bored with the song. After all, even the most delicious beats can leave you craving a new flavor if you feast too often. Yet, LeBron James can’t get enough of Lamar’s chart-topping hit.
How Did LeBron James & 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 song Not Like Us during a recent Team USA exhibition game. It seems that Curry has had his fill of the catchy track, while James is still grooving to its West Coast vibes.
Following Team USA’s exhibition victory in Abu Dhabi (see NBA News), Lamar’s highly acclaimed hit song played over the speakers, but Curry had grown frustrated with it. In a video that is making the rounds on social media, the latter can be seen jokingly expressing his annoyance at hearing Not Like Us once again. With a smile on his face, he quipped:
It’s not the only song in America.
Anthony Edwards, his USA teammate, was then seen sliding up behind him and dancing to the song. James, on the other hand, shrugged Curry’s words off with a laugh, saying:
As much as I love it, we’ve got to get something else.
While Curry’s comments may have been in jest, it’s clear that he’s ready to switch up the playlist. Perhaps the song has been overplayed to the point of exhaustion for the Golden State Warriors star.
The dynamic between Curry and James seems to be reminiscent of the rivalry between Lamar and Drake, with each pair having their own competitive yet friendly relationship. Also, note that Lamar’s diss track is currently at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Regardless of music preferences, Curry and James earlier had a “healthy resentment” for each other on the court (see NY Times).
The Untold Story of Tension Between LeBron James & Stephen Curry
Despite Stephen Curry and LeBron James’ intense NBA Finals battles, both superstars admitted that there was some friction; however, they ultimately saw it as a “healthy resentment” motivated by competitive spirit. To quote Curry (via NY Times):
It was like a healthy resentment of somebody that’s standing in your way. But through it all, like there’s obviously the utmost respect for who he is as a person and a player and like how good he is and the challenge of trying to beat him and trying to solve that problem every year.
James concurred, pointing out that the idea of a long-standing rivalry was primarily manufactured by the media. Beyond just basketball, he stressed, relationships are important and that the notion that people should be “hating each other” is a myth.
Thanks to their shared experience with Team USA, James and Curry have had a unique chance to work together as teammates and respect one another’s methods of play. So, whether it is Kendrick Lamar’s catchy beats or something else entirely, there is never a dull moment when Curry and James are the center of attention.
