The Battle for Akron by the Boys from Akron - Stephen Curry versus LeBron James - the NBA Championship again, and again, and again, and again…

Four years ago when the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers squared off for the National Basketball Association World Championship, I wrote the following story.  During the last four years nothing seems to have changed.

This year, for the fourth straight year, yet another new NBA record, the same two teams have played for the world championship four years in a row.  For the third time in four years Curry's team reigns supreme, and the seeds of a powerful basketball dynasty might be taking root.

After this year's blowout by Golden State Stephen Curry and LeBron James each have won three world championships.  Between them they are rewriting the record book in scoring, winning, and about every other aspect of basketball.

As the following story tells you, what an irony that the two greatest and most dominating players of the present day NBA were both born in the little town of Akron, Ohio, about forty miles from where world championships between them are now being played, Cleveland of course.

Here is the reprint from the first confrontation between these two giants of the game.

June 5, 2015

National news is captivated by the NBA Championship series that began last night between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State is led by the Most Valuable Player in the NBA this year, Stephen Curry.  Cleveland is led by returning superstar LeBron James, four time MVP and winner of two NBA Championships.

However, there is more intrigue to this game.  You see, the City of Akron, Ohio, a small city of less than 200,000 people and 39 miles from Cleveland and Lake Erie, is the rubber and tire capitol of the world.  Well the reigning king of the NBA, LeBron, is about to be unseated by the future king Stephen Curry.

Did I mention both were born in Akron.  Indeed,  when Stephen Curry was born in 1988, LeBron was already four years old and entertaining people with with dribbling and shooting exhibitions.  You should read his story, as he and his mother had to overcome some difficult times before he could lay claim to being the King of the NBA.

Curry had a much different ride to the top.  After being born in Akron, he followed his father to Charlotte, North Carolina, then Toronto, then back to Charlotte.  His father was a basketball star for Virginia Tech, then played in the NBA for 16 seasons on five different teams.  His mother had been a volleyball star for Virginia Tech.

The encouragement and opportunity to pursue his love for the hoops came from his parents.  That was fine with young Stephen.  It was a well rounded life and education for him.  Then came time to go to college and show the nation his skills,  The problem was, he was a shrimp physically, and no matter how good he was on the court, college scouts did not think he could survive.  Thus the future king of the NBA could not get a single scholarship offer for college from  a major basketball powerhouse.

In spite of his boyish looks he went to Davidson College and led them to the final eight in the NCAA national tournament.  He was drafted by Golden State and became an immediate super star in his 2009-2010 rookie season. In 2010 and 2014 he was part of the USA National team that won the Gold Medal both times.

Now Curry is playing for the NBA Championship, the highest pinnacle you can achieve in sports, even if you are a shrimp, and darn if he still does not look boyish.

For comparison, at 6' 3" Curry weighs in at 190 pounds, most likely wet, and with a weight belt.  LeBron, on the other hand, towers over him at 6' 8" and weighs about 250 pounds. Side by side it is like a VW Bug facing off with a Mack Truck.
   

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Stephen married his former college sweetheart, Ayesha Alexander, on July 30, 2011 in Charlotte. The couple had their first child, daughter Riley, on July 19, 2012.

Ironically, it is Riley, at two years young, who often upstages her famous father during television interviews.

Seems I remember another very young girl who used to disrupt her understanding and famous father under the glare of media spotlights.  I believe her name was Caroline.

Here is a series of Riley photos demonstrating how Riley can control the future NBA King.

Curry is absolutely the perfect role model for any kid who desires to be perfect.  Last night he proved he belonged in that championship game when his team won the first game 108-100, in overtime.

It may be a long series but the battle for bragging rights in Akron is going to provide some of the best basketball in a long time, and Americans need a break from the nonsense, confusion, and apathy that is sapping our spirit and wounding our pride.

My advice, give yourself a break and watch the clash of titans, it beats watching the Evening Blues, or is that News.

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NBA Finals - Battle for Supremacy - Records shattered in Greatest of all Championships

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LeBron James and Stephen Curry have now met three times in the playoff and records are falling to the wayside.

After three games and 583 points scored, the combined scoring difference between the two teams is just ONE POINT, Golden State has 292 and Cleveland 291, though Cleveland holds a 2-1 lead in games.

The first two games ended in overtime, a new NBA record, and LeBron James scored 123 points in the first three games, another new NBA record.

As the referees allow an amazing amount of physical contact, the floor of the game is often covered with bodies in hot pursuit of the ball.  Such enthusiasm was almost lost in the deluge of cash pumped into professional basketball and it is great to see it resurface.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, in existence since 1970, have never won an NBA Championship during the forty-five year history, although LeBron James won two while with the Miami Heat.  Unlike his stint at Miami, James is no longer surrounded by a supporting cast of superstars.

Out west the Golden State Warriors, who were founded in Philadelphia in 1946 and moved to the west coast in 1962, have won three NBA championships but it has been forty years, 1975, since they last won.

In terms of television interest, and noting that TV viewership nationally continues to fall, the first two games drew the largest audiences since ABC took over the broadcast in 2003.  Game 1 drew about 17.8 million viewers and game two 18.8 million viewers, new ABC records and up 26% from last year.

Highlights include a maturing of LeBron James into one of the greatest team leaders, most inspirational motivators, and relentless physical stalwarts to ever play the game.

His success in leading the Cavaliers is in spite of the loss of two stars at the beginning of the finals, and being the decided underdog against the Warriors.

As for the favored Golden State, Curry knows he must be far more aggressive from the start of the game, take more shots rather than pass off so often, and turn up the emotion in order to lead his team back into the lead.

America is being served a dose of basketball the way it used to be before money dominated the game. This series is all about passion, grit, and guts and the battle between the opposing superstars.  It should be a great finish.
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The Battle for Akron by the Boys from Akron - Stephen Curry versus LeBron James - the NBA Championship

.

National news is captivated by the NBA Championship series that began last night between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State is led by the Most Valuable Player in the NBA this year, Stephen Curry.  Cleveland is led by returning superstar LeBron James, four time MVP and winner of two NBA Championships.

However, there is more intrigue to this game.  You see, the City of Akron, Ohio, a small city of less than 200,000 people and 39 miles from Cleveland and Lake Erie, is the rubber and tire capitol of the world.  Well the reigning king of the NBA, LeBron, is about to be unseated by the future king Stephen Curry.

Did I mention both were born in Akron.  Indeed,  when Stephen Curry was born in 1988, LeBron was already four years old and entertaining people with with dribbling and shooting exhibitions.  You should read his story, as he and his mother had to overcome some difficult times before he could lay claim to being the King of the NBA.

Curry had a much different ride to the top.  After being born in Akron, he followed his father to Charlotte, North Carolina, then Toronto, then back to Charlotte.  His father was a basketball star for Virginia Tech, then played in the NBA for 16 seasons on five different teams.  His mother had been a volleyball star for Virginia Tech.

The encouragement and opportunity to pursue his love for the hoops came from his parents.  That was fine with young Stephen.  It was a well rounded life and education for him.  Then came time to go to college and show the nation his skills,  The problem was, he was a shrimp physically, and no matter how good he was on the court, college scouts did not think he could survive.  Thus the future king of the NBA could not get a single scholarship offer for college from  a major basketball powerhouse.

In spite of his boyish looks he went to Davidson College and led them to the final eight in the NCAA national tournament.  He was drafted by Golden State and became an immediate super star in his 2009-2010 rookie season. In 2010 and 2014 he was part of the USA National team that won the Gold Medal both times.

Now Curry is playing for the NBA Championship, the highest pinnacle you can achieve in sports, even if you are a shrimp, and darn if he still does not look boyish.

For comparison, at 6' 3" Curry weighs in at 190 pounds, most likely wet, and with a weight belt.  LeBron, on the other hand, towers over him at 6' 8" and weighs about 250 pounds. Side by side it is like a VW Bug facing off with a Mack Truck.
   

    .    

Stephen married his former college sweetheart, Ayesha Alexander, on July 30, 2011 in Charlotte. The couple had their first child, daughter Riley, on July 19, 2012.

Ironically, it is Riley, at two years young, who often upstages her famous father during television interviews.

Seems I remember another very young girl who used to disrupt her understanding and famous father under the glare of media spotlights.  I believe her name was Caroline.

Here is a series of Riley photos demonstrating how Riley can control the future NBA King.

Curry is absolutely the perfect role model for any kid who desires to be perfect.  Last night he proved he belonged in that championship game when his team won the first game 108-100, in overtime.

It may be a long series but the battle for bragging rights in Akron is going to provide some of the best basketball in a long time, and Americans need a break from the nonsense, confusion, and apathy that is sapping our spirit and wounding our pride.

My advice, give yourself a break and watch the clash of titans, it beats watching the Evening Blues, or is that News.

.