Legendary careers nearing their end! Curry and Durant share mutual respect: They faced off at age 9.

On April 16 Beijing time, the Warriors will face the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament, which could be Curry's final game this season. Looking back on his basketball journey, Curry is filled with emotion and appreciation. His former teammate Durant shares similar sentiments. The Athletic interviewed these two superstars, discussing their legendary careers gradually approaching their conclusion.

At 38, Curry isn't sure how much longer he'll play, but after 17 NBA seasons, he knows clearly: the end of his career is far closer than its beginning.

Curry isn't alone in feeling this way. Over 1,500 miles away in Houston, Kevin Durant deeply understands. At 37 in his 18th season, he also has no definite answer about retirement timing. But he is certain he increasingly respects and cherishes the glorious achievements he and his legendary contemporaries have created.

For Curry and Durant, the start of the new season's playoffs isn't just a fresh chance to compete at the highest level; it also reminds them how remarkable it is that they've stood in the league for so many years and still maintain elite form.

When asked about the experience of consistently being among the league's top tier alongside Durant and LeBron James, Curry said in an interview: "I think everyone's experience is different.For me, I faced KD in an amateur youth league when I was 9 years old. I was living in Charlotte, he was in the Washington D.C. metro area. There's always been a joke in the circle that he thought I was just a skinny white shooter, didn't know me at all, and that's his favorite tease about me. It was around '97, '98, thinking about how long it's been. Words can't fully capture it."

This bond spanning decades makes their reunions more meaningful. Pre- and post-game greetings, brief chats, and embraces have become their默契 habit. Their golden window hasn't fully closed, but it's no longer infinitely long.

Durant admitted: "I'm grateful to compete and coexist in the same era with these legendary stars. For years, we've given our all and fiercely competed against each other. As we age, we gradually realize how hard it is to maintain competitive form day after day. Random aches and injuries have become the norm."

For nearly two decades, Curry, Durant, and James have been the league's benchmarks and faces. Meanwhile, Durant also mentioned veteran stars who have persisted for years: Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, Taj Gibson, etc., who have also written legends of超长 careers.

The rise of new-generation players inspires Curry and Durant, and each other's presence further motivates them to keep moving forward.

Durant said: "Seeing peers still full of fight every day inspires you to keep going alongside them. LeBron, from around 37, 38, has been pushing me, setting a new standard for older players in the league. Curry at 38 is actually quicker; H登, after leaving the Nets for the Clippers, upgraded his game again; Westbrook, even as a替补, performs solidly and brightly. Seeing old comrades still on the court pushes me into the gym, refining skills,坚持 playing."

Curry feels the same. Early youth court battles have evolved into peak clashes between legendary stars, and both have grown into among the greatest players in basketball history.

"Absolutely," Curry said, "whether as teammates or long-time rivals,我和KD know how much it costs to maintain top level for years. We've developed a brother-like respect and mutual appreciation. Years of fierce competition and court隔阂 eventually turned into mutual admiration, which is truly precious. This feeling, we all know it, I often mention it. We all know careers will end, farewell is near. Everyone is trying hard to extend their basketball生涯."

This is also the core reason Curry returned from injury late this season instead of resting early. High-stakes关键 games are no longer easily available.

The same belief supports Durant坚持 training and heading to the court day after day. Interviews in March show his love for basketball hasn't diminished at all. But he doesn't think his love surpasses other stars at his level; this love is common among all top players.

Durant stated: "When players reach top天赋 level and have long careers, their love for basketball is essentially the same. I always tell people I love this sport. You might see me actively present,亲近 younger players, focused on the court, but every legendary star around me loves篮球 with the same sincerity."

Durant believes the key to a player lasting long in the league is strong mentality, and the determination to stick to初心 after novelty fades.

"For young players entering the league, loving basketball is simple," Durant said, "but when you've seen everything in the league, played over ten seasons, understood the利益博弈 and complex rules behind the court, witnessed off-court纷扰, after看清一切, can you still remain unchanged? Going through injuries,低谷, wins and losses, still wanting to play, giving your all to be the best yourself—that's true love."

Last week, leaving the visitor locker room at Golden 1 Center, Curry tried to describe his current mood: legendary friends who grew up together are gradually reaching career尾声. He used a not-quite-fitting but格外 realistic比喻 to express his心声.

"This比喻 isn't quite appropriate," Curry admitted, "In the movie 'Coming to America 2,' there's a scene called a 'living funeral,' where people celebrate the king's life before he dies, which was the king's wish. We won't do that, but we cherish and致敬 each other, like our own gentle way. Because we all know how hard it is to carry the pressure and使命 of top stars for a lifetime."

Now, when legendary stars meet on the court, no默契 signals are needed; everything is understood. Familiar faces have been constant scenery in arenas for decades. And when they eventually leave the top stage, this era of并肩对抗 will become their deepest怀念.

Curry concluded: "This is mutual appreciation. Each person's successes and experiences seem like独自 journeys. But it's the greatness of同行强者 that一路鞭策,激励, shaped each other's careers. This is a crucial part. Years of针锋相对, mutual角逐,经历无数胜负, make each achievement more significant. All of us, in对抗 against each other, mutually成就,共同成长."