Chris Paul reacts to Steph Curry's trash talk about 2014 in Warriors-Suns
Steph, CP3 react to ‘this ain’t 2014’ trash talk in Dubs-Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Steph Curry and Chris Paul go way back.
But despite their long history as both rivals and, at one point, mentor and mentoree, it appears there's a small chunk of time the Phoenix Suns star has blocked from his memory.
During the Warriors' 123-112 victory over the Suns on Monday night at Chase Center, Curry had some words for Paul after muscling through the opposing point guard and making a layup.
Curry yelled it wasn't 2014 anymore at Paul, invoking memories of the Los Angeles Clippers' opening-round NBA playoff victory over the Warriors nine years ago. Paul, in his ninth NBA season and third with the Clippers at the time, averaged 17.4 points, 9.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds in the seven-game series.
After the Warriors' win Monday, Paul told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic he had no idea what Curry was referring to with his trash talk and didn't even hear him say it.
"I don't know nothing about that, 2014," Paul told Rankin. "I'm not trying to be funny. Y'all got to ask [Curry]. I don't know what happened in 2014."
Paul went on to clarify everything is good between himself and Curry, even reminiscing on when the Warriors superstar spent the summer working out with him in 2009 after being drafted by Golden State.
"I don't know what happened in 2014?"
Chris Paul on Stephen Curry saying "this ain't 2014" during #Warriors win over #Suns tonight. #Clippers beat #Warriors in 2014 playoffs with Paul. #Suns https://t.co/VaY75SYxrz pic.twitter.com/ncSflsvMg6— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 14, 2023
And for Curry, his comments stemmed from his competitive nature and good-natured rivalry with Paul. It certainly isn't 2014 anymore, and the Golden State guard, now 35 years old and more bulked up these days, has a much easier time driving to the basket.
"It's all competition," Curry said after the game when Rankin asked about the comment. "You play against somebody for so many years, and the love I got for him -- our history and all that -- so this was competition, back and forth, give and take."
"It's all competition. You play against somebody for so many years, the love I got for him and our history."
Steph Curry on saying "this ain't 2014 no more" after scoring on Chris Paul, who fouled him.
Paul-led Clippers beat Golden State in 2014 playoffs in 7. #Suns #DubNation pic.twitter.com/Bew1RN4TtB— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 14, 2023
While it seems Paul might need to go back and watch the tape from the Clippers' 2014 postseason, Curry certainly remembers.
RELATED: Steph's down-to-earth outlook on being one-name celebrity
And on Monday, he provided Paul with a reminder of just how long ago it was.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast