Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors fell to the Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry have written another chapter of their rivalry. With the Lakers defeating the Warriors in Game 6 on Friday night, they advanced to face the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, while the defending champion Warriors were sent home.

Following Game 6, Curry was asked about the matchup with James, and gave an extended answer:

“It’s just a battle every time,” Curry said. “I know there’s a lot of different narratives within each of the series we’ve had, different teams and teammates and all the above. But it’s just great basketball, great competition. Understanding who LeBron is, and who he’s been his entire career. The accolades and the championships he’s won, and the records he has. He’s an amazing basketball player, and brings the best out of you. You know you have to be your best if you’re gonna try to beat him, and I think he feels [the same] vice-versa. So you love those experiences. Somebody has gotta win, and it’s part of the nature of what we’re dealing with. But there’s so much respect and appreciation for the battles and the experiences and the back and forth, because it’s basketball at the highest level and that’s all you can ask for.”

It was a disappointing ending for Curry and the Warriors, but this core expects to be back in the mix next season.

“It’s just a battle every time,” Curry said. “I know there’s a lot of different narratives within each of the series we’ve had, different teams and teammates and all the above. But it’s just great basketball, great competition. Understanding who LeBron is, and who he’s been his entire career. The accolades and the championships he’s won, and the records he has. He’s an amazing basketball player, and brings the best out of you. You know you have to be your best if you’re gonna try to beat him, and I think he feels [the same] vice-versa. So you love those experiences. Somebody has gotta win, and it’s part of the nature of what we’re dealing with. But there’s so much respect and appreciation for the battles and the experiences and the back and forth, because it’s basketball at the highest level and that’s all you can ask for.”