Steph Curry said it was surreal to hear Darius Garland speak about him the way a younger player does after Garland called him a top-75 guy, a first ballot Hall of Famer and someone he is excited to compete against in Wednesday's play-in game.
Garland, 23, said it was super cool to go up against Curry and added that he is inspired by him. Curry, 38, responded by praising Garland's skillset, composure and continued growth, saying it is rare to reach this stage of a career and still have that kind of influence on players coming up behind you.
The exchange came before a matchup that carries immediate consequences: the winner on Wednesday advances to the first round of the NBA playoffs, while the loser is done. That stakes-heavy setup puts a spotlight on two elite point guards from different generations, with Curry still shaping the standard and Garland already established as a productive guard himself.
Garland is averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 assists per game, numbers that help explain why Curry singled out his ability so quickly. Curry said Garland was already a problem when he first arrived in Cleveland because of his speed, composure and overall skillset, a veteran's nod to a player who has grown into the kind of opponent stars notice before the opening tip.
The friction is simple: admiration does not soften the urgency. The respect between them makes Wednesday's game more interesting, but it does not make it any less unforgiving. One team moves on, and one season ends in a single night.
