Stephen Curry is making headlines this offseason with his mission to get LeBron James involved in golf, using humor and lighthearted teasing as part of his approach. While competing in the 36th Annual American Century Championship, Curry labeled his encouragement of James to play golf as “rookie hazing,” highlighting the potential he sees in the Lakers star’s game despite some initial struggles.
Stephen Curry’s Playful Critique of LeBron’s Golf Swing
At a recent press conference during the American Century Championship, Curry addressed questions about a viral clip where he humorously critiqued LeBron James’ first attempts on the golf course. He described LeBron’s swing as having a solid foundation, saying the Lakers star only needs consistent practice and coaching to improve. Curry remarked,
“Rookie hazing. He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week and he told me how much fun he had. You know, there’s something to work with that swing, though. That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and a good foundation, and if he spends a little bit of time practicing, a little bit of coaching, he’s got potential for sure. So, I’m excited to see it.”
The conversation then turned to whether James, standing at 6’7
“, could be competitive in professional golf events. Curry humorously used Charles Barkley as a point of comparison, joking,”
Out here? I mean, Charles [Barkley] plays, so probably.”
This jab at Barkley is not new; Curry and Barkley share a playful rivalry dating back to 2024 when Barkley called out Curry for missing a celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe. Barkley did not hold back, saying,
“Steph Curry, you’re a coward! You are ducking me. You knew I was going to beat you this year. You thought you were going to skate because you’re going to the Olympics? What kind of weak excuse is that? You’re going to the Olympics. You are ducking me, Steph Curry. You’re a coward!”
LeBron James Responds to Curry’s “Rookie Hazing” with Laughter
LeBron James reacted to Curry’s teasing by sharing the video clip on his Instagram story, accompanied by multiple laughing emojis, signaling a good-natured acceptance of the roast. Curry previously expressed that golf could benefit from LeBron’s involvement, both as a new challenge for the athlete and as a way to bring fresh excitement to the sport. While Curry poked fun at Barkley in the process, his overall message encouraged James to take golf seriously and potentially compete in future events.
Many NBA stars take up hobbies like golf during the offseason as a way to unwind from the rigors of basketball. It remains to be seen if LeBron will pursue golf as a regular pastime after retirement or challenge other celebrities at prominent tournaments. While it is likely James will adopt golf as a leisure activity and perhaps a business interest, regular competitive play similar to Curry or Barkley seems less probable at this stage.
Kevin Love and NBA Fans Join in on Lighthearted Jabs at LeBron’s Golf Game
Adding to the offseason golf banter, Kevin Love and other NBA personalities have joined fans in teasing LeBron James over his early struggles on the course. The playful back-and-forth highlights the camaraderie among NBA athletes, where golf has become a popular off-court activity that fosters friendly competition and social interaction beyond the basketball court.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Stephen Curry wear 4?
A. FIBA, which manages Olympic basketball, once limited player numbers from 4 to 15 to simplify things for referees during matches. Although FIBA removed this rule in 2014, Team USA has continued this practice in international competitions, like the Paris Olympics. This is why Curry continues using the No.