"It was super cool" - LeBron was stunned by Steph Curry's defense against KD in Team USA practice

Whenever Stephen Curry is discussed, the conversation almost always gravitates towards his offensive brilliance, and understandably so, after he has stood tall in pressured moments in the NBA as well as on the international stage.

For instance, he shot 17-of-27 from beyond the arc across the last two games in the 2024 Paris Olympics to secure Team USA's gold medal. However, for LeBron James, Steph's impact impressed him even long before the tournament began.

Interestingly, for King James, it wasn't Steph's lights-out shooting or playmaking that left the most lasting impression, but rather watching the two-time MVP dedicate himself solely to playing defense against the greatest and most imposing scorers.

LeBron on watching Curry play 1s

Curry, along with Kevin Durant and LeBron, had joined Team USA with a unified purpose to establish American dominance on the international stage. The sting of defeat from the previous  FIBA World Cup still lingered, and the veteran core understood that restoring pride required more than just star power.

It needed leadership, a dedicated work ethic and relentless zeal that even the younger players could embody. And most importantly, that standard wouldn't be set with performances in games, but in daily practice sessions where mentalities are built.

So when LeBron watched Steph, who is just over six feet, guard Durant, whom James considers a seven-footer, he was taken aback. It was the sight of Curry pushing himself to the edge in trying to set the tone with his defensive work and show that no task was impossible that truly won LBJ over.

"I got an opportunity last summer, being on the Olympic team, to watch a lot of our guys play 1s. I watched KD, Book, and Ant play 1s. There's one practice where literally Steph just went out there and just played all defense. He's guarding KD… just out there just guarding the whole time. It didn't matter who it was," James said on his show. "He didn't want to play offense, and I thought it was super cool to witness that."

Steph Curry set the tone early for Team USA

Interestingly, LeBron's admission highlights something deeper - when the moment demanded it, these veterans rose to the responsibility of building an identity. A long NBA season behind them and fatigue still in their legs, they could have stepped back, but didn't.

Instead, they carried the expectations of millions of American basketball fans, fully aware that anything short of a gold medal would be considered a failure. They arrived not just to participate, but to restore status, rewrite narrative, and reflect what USA Basketball is meant to be.

So, in many ways, it becomes clear that Steph went above and beyond, both defensively and emotionally, to set the tone for Team USA, something that truly impressed King James about the kind of commitment the other veterans wanted to display.

Who knew that the greatest shooter of all time would inspire his teammates with the aspect of his game that is often criticized?

Related: The Smart Effect: LeBron hails role players as the 'Toughest' group Lakers have had in years

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the International section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.