During the 2022 ESPY Awards, NBA Champion and host Stephen Curry playfully threw some shade at his rival LeBron James over the time the Lakers hosted after “losing the NBA Finals.” “I’m the second NBA player to host this award show, which is kind of crazy to think about,” said Steph, 34, noting that he was following in the footsteps of LeBron James. “LeBron James, he hosted this award show back in 2007, after losing the NBA Finals,” said Steph. While basking in the glory of his and the Golden State Warriors’ recent NBA Championship, Steph took a drink and said, “So yes. You guessed it: this feels better. This feels better.” Steph had a few zingers in his opening speech, noting there were “so many amazing talents, so many teammates, so many Olympians, so many champions, so many potential Dancing with the Stars contestants.”
On July 20th, 2022, Ayesh Curry, Stephen Curry, Riley Elizabeth Curry, and Ryan Carson Curry arrived at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California.
Russell Wilson and Ciara ESPY Awards, arrivals, Los Angeles, California, USA – July 20, 2022.
Steph Curry reunited with LeBron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, in a recent monologue. Curry joked about the Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, being in the house and how inspiring it was to watch them play and win. However, the joke did not entirely land as LeBron and the Lakers won the NBA Championship in 2020, just two years after he traded his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey for the purple and gold. Curry’s wife and daughters also made an appearance on the red carpet during the ESPYS. During the show, Curry brought attention to the wrongful detainment of WNBA player Brittany Griner and had fellow WNBA players Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith address her status. More information about Steph Curry and LeBron James’ head-to-head matchup in the NBA playoffs can be found.
Steph expressed her concern for Brittany who has been wrongly detained for 153 nights and is miles away from home, family, friends, and team. She acknowledged that although they have kept her in their thoughts and hearts, it is not enough to bring her home. However, she urged the global sports community to continue to be energized on her behalf. Steph also wore Brittany’s Phoenix Mercury jersey under his tracksuit, emphasizing that she is part of the team of athletes in the room and around the world who have nothing to do with politics or global conflict.
