Stephen Curry and James Harden, both top picks in the 2009 NBA Draft (Harden third, Curry seventh), have carved out careers defined by brilliance and influence.
When it comes to championships, Curry holds the edge. He’s won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, most recently in 2022 against the Boston Celtics. At this stage, Curry says chasing a fifth ring is the only goal that drives him.
Harden, meanwhile, has built a Hall-of-Fame career without yet lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. His near-misses—especially against Curry’s Warriors—are a frequent topic among fans.
Curry vs Harden: NBA Championship, Playing style, Rivalry
Steph Curry’s the NBA’s all-time leader in made threes, and his influence helped turn the three-pointer from a weapon into a strategy. But his unselfish, motion-heavy style is tough to replicate for most players.
James Harden took the opposite route, after his move to Houston, he became the league’s isolation king, dominating in one-on-one and pick-and-roll scenarios. His signature step-back three became a league-wide trend. As Cam Thomas put it:
I think Steph really changed the way the teams around the league tried to play. James really changed the individual play of players.
Thomas said.
Harden ranks second all-time in made threes—behind only Curry—but his scoring approach has always leaned on control and creativity with the ball in his hands.
Their rivalry peaked in the 2010s and felt like a battle for the soul of modern basketball. They’ve faced each other 60 times—30 wins apiece—each averaging 25 points per game.
In 20 playoff games, Harden has slight statistical edges in points (29.4 to Curry’s 25.2), rebounds (6.5 to 5.2), and steals (2.4 to 1.6). Curry leads in assists (6.0 to 5.3) and blocks (0.5 to 0.4), according to Statmuse.
Steph Curry has spoken openly about James Harden
The 2018 Western Conference Finals remains a flashpoint—an epic series that stoked debate about supporting casts, refereeing, and legacy. Yet despite the heated moments, Stephen Curry has spoken openly about respecting James Harden:
Utmost respect and appreciation for who he is as a player, as a person. We go way back to even college days. We were All-Americans. We weren’t in the Final Four, but we were in Detroit hanging out at the hotel. Me, him, Jeff Teague, guys that been around since ‘09. And to know all the battles we’ve had.
Curry said.
There’s just a lot of love and a lot of respect for what he’s done his entire career and the levels that he’s pushed it. It’s kinda cool to keep having opportunities to do it in 2025.
Steph Curry on James Harden:
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 14, 2025
“Utmost respect and appreciation for who he is as a player, as a person. We go way back to even college days. We were All-Americans. We weren’t in the Final Four, but we were in Detroit hanging out at the hotel. Me, him, Jeff Teague, guys that been… pic.twitter.com/vhXduCQ0Fc
Both Harden & Curry are destined for Springfield. They changed the way basketball is played, taught, and imagined.
READ: The Relentless Architect: Stephen Curry’s Revolution of the Game
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
