Sixteen years after the 2009 NBA Draft, only three of the top ten picks remain active in the league: James Harden, Stephen Curry, and DeMar DeRozan. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Harden with the third overall pick, while Curry went seventh to the Golden State Warriors, and the Toronto Raptors used their ninth pick to select DeRozan. The other seven players from the top ten are either retired or no longer playing in the NBA. The enduring presence of these three athletes highlights their longevity and remarkable careers.
To commemorate Harden’s 16th season, his current team, the Los Angeles Clippers, shared a special photo on Instagram. The post featured a memorable moment of Harden dapping up fellow 2009 draftee, Stephen Curry. The Warriors’ star noticed the tribute and felt compelled to share the image himself, adding a short but heartfelt four-word message for Harden.
Harden responded with his own affectionate message, calling Curry his “brother.” While the two have faced off in numerous intense matchups over the years, there is clearly a strong sense of mutual respect and camaraderie between them. Despite their on-court battles, the bond they share off the court remains evident.
The upcoming NBA season will see Harden and Curry continue their rivalry, with their respective teams, the Clippers and Warriors, competing in what promises to be a fiercely contested Pacific Division. Both teams will be vying for supremacy alongside other formidable contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings. With so much talent concentrated in one division, the 2024-2025 season is expected to be highly competitive, and fans can look forward to multiple showdowns between these two future Hall of Famers. Even as their individual careers have taken them in different directions, Harden and Curry continue to leave a lasting impact on the NBA, both as rivals and as brothers in the sport.
Leave a Reply