National Basketball Association

LeBron James says he and Steph Curry are not rivals

Published Jun. 1, 2016 6:24 p.m. ET

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LeBron James and Stephen Curry will meet in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, but dont call them rivals.

On the eve of Game 1, James was asked about his controversial comments made after Curry won his second consecutive most valuable player award. James questioned the meaning of the MVP trophy, and noted that there is sometimes a difference between "best player in the league" and the "most valuable." James said Wednesday that he made a mistake answering the reporter's question in the first place.

"First of all, I made the mistake by even answering the question because I knew where it was going to go, and I guarantee how it was phrased to Steph wasn't how I answered the question. So obviously his reaction was what it was. And I've been there before as well. So Steph was definitely the MVP of our league and is the MVP in our league and is a great basketball player, and what he does for this league is amazing.

Then the question was asked if I had a vote what would the difference be between most valuable and MVP, and I gave my opinion. So obviously you guys ran with it."

LeBron also said he doesn't believe there's a rivalry between himself and Curry.

"You guys make rivals. I mean, I think it's great for the sport. It's great for all sports. I don't think me and Steph -- when you talk about rivalries, you talk about Carolina-Duke, you talk about Ohio State-Michigan. It's hard to say LeBron and Steph. If there's a smaller scale or another word for a rival.

The fact that we're going back-to-back I think is pretty unique. It's pretty unique to be in this position and just to have another opportunity, another opportunity for guys to write about it, for us to play it, for the people to talk about it throughout the world. I'm blessed that I can be a part of conversations."

This isn't the first time LeBron's shot down the rivalry narrative in the NBA. Back in 2013, James said that he believes there's no "real rivalry" anywhere in the league.

"What's a rivalry? A rivalry is Celtics and Lakers. They met like four out of five years ... Bulls-Pistons. Those are rivalries, man."