Stephen Curry could use advice given by LeBron James to beat him in the NBA Finals

In 2009, LeBron pulled aside a young Steph Curry to give him career advice

(AP Images)

Back in 2009, shortly after LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat then-rookie Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors team, James pulled Curry aside and gave him some career advice.

“He pulled me off (to) the side right before I left the court,” Curry said, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. “He understood the situation I was in. As a rookie, we were not a very good team at the time. I was trying to find my way as a player, and he basically just said the one thing you control is your preparation every single game, how you're going to find ways to get better and just having tunnel vision.

”No matter what's going on around you, you can control your effort every game, your professionalism and just what you do day in and day out to get yourself ready. There is going to be a time when it's all going to work out because you'll be ready for that moment. So not to get caught up in the drama of what was going on with my team or the situation, because you'll hopefully have a long career.“

Not only is Curry in the midst of what figures to be a long career, he has become one of the best players in the NBA, possibly the best shooter in NBA history. And he could use that advice to beat James in the NBA Finals, which start on Thursday.

Curry’s Warriors have been the best team in the NBA this season, beating opponents by an average of more than 10 points per game. Curry was the league’s Most Valuable Player this season and set the season record for number of three-point baskets made, hitting 276 in the regular season.

The Warriors and the Cavaliers tip of the NBA Finals on Thursday night in California and will play a best-of-seven series to determine the NBA championship.

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