After humiliating Doncic, LeBron James now fears 38-year-old Stephen Curry even more: “He still shoots the ball better than anybody in the league”

Few players understand the challenge of stopping Stephen Curry better than LeBron James , and the four-time NBA champion believes his longtime rival has lost remarkably little of the ability that made him one of basketball's most dangerous offensive players.

Now 38, Curry continues to dominate opposing defenses despite entering his 18th NBA season, with his shooting range and relentless movement remaining central to the Golden State Warriors ' offense.

James , who now plays for the Philadelphia 76ers , explained during an appearance on the Mind the Game podcast that preparing to face Curry requires the same level of attention it did during their memorable NBA Finals battles.

"Every time you play Golden State, he's still No.1 on the scouting report," James said. "No.1 and No.2. You have to find him early in transition, with the ball and even more when he's off the ball."

The comments reflect the respect developed between two players who competed in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018, with Golden State winning three championships during that period.

However, James believes Curry 's continued effectiveness comes from something beyond his extraordinary shooting ability, pointing to the physical demands he places on defenders throughout every possession.

Why Curry remains so difficult to stop

Defending Curry has always required more than assigning an individual player to follow him, with Golden State's offensive system designed to exploit even the smallest defensive mistakes.

James highlighted how Draymond Green 's screening creates additional problems, particularly when opponents attempt to pressure Curry before he reaches the half-court line.

"If you pick him up too high in the backcourt, then you got to watch for [Warriors forward Draymond Green] because there's going to be a pick in the backcourt, and if the big is not up, he's shooting it," James explained.

The 41-year-old also praised Curry 's conditioning, suggesting that his ability to maintain constant movement has prevented the natural decline experienced by many veteran players.

"He's still super efficient, he still shoots the ball better than anybody in the league. The guy seems like he never gets tired," James added.

That assessment has been supported by another impressive start to the season, with Curry averaging approximately 30 points per game while continuing to shoot efficiently from three-point range.

Curry threatens another LeBron James NBA record

Curry 's remarkable longevity recently reached another milestone when he scored 44 points during Golden State's 119-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves .

The performance represented his 15th regular-season game with at least 40 points since turning 35, moving him level with James for the most in NBA history.

Curry also contributed eight rebounds and six assists against Minnesota, demonstrating that his influence continues to extend beyond his scoring ability.

Golden State has recovered from a 0-3 start with five consecutive victories, supported by contributions from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and guard Brandin Podziemski .

Another 40-point performance would move Curry ahead of James in the record books, adding further significance to a rivalry that has already defined an era of basketball.

Despite their years competing against each other, James ' latest assessment suggests his admiration for Curry has only grown as both continue challenging expectations about longevity in the NBA.