![Steph Curry and James Harden, part of the 2009 NBA Draft class, met on Saturday for a preseason game in Hawaii. [photo: @stephencurry30/IG, @laclippers/IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/ad7e7-17281833674011-1920.jpg)
Steph Curry and James Harden met on Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii for a preseason game. Curry led the Golden State Warriors, while Harden, without Kawhi Leonard, headed the LA Clippers. The two superstar point guards played only in the first half before giving way to their less-heralded teammates.
After the game, Curry promptly went on Instagram to give a shout-out to “The Beard.” The two-time MVP wrote:
“16 years on em!!! @jharden13”
![Steph Curry to James Harden on Instagram. [photo: @stephencurry30/IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/b7a45-17281829109115-1920.jpg)
The 2024-25 season will be the 16th in the careers of Steph Curry and James Harden, who both entered the NBA in 2009.
Harden, the former Arizona State guard, went No. 3 to the OKC Thunder. Curry, the skinny star from Davidson, was passed on twice by the Minnesota Timberwolves before the Warriors grabbed him at No. 7.
Curry and Harden have somewhat similar but still drastically different careers. They have reached superstar status, but the former has played for one franchise while the latter has suited up for a handful already. Curry hopes to lead the Dubs to their fifth championship in his era, while “The Beard” is still looking for his first.
The Golden State Warriors look ready to return to the playoffs this season despite losing Klay Thompson in free agency. Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. retooled around Steph Curry, Draymond Green and the emerging Jonathan Kuminga.
Meanwhile, James Harden’s LA Clippers couldn’t find enough talent to cover the loss of Paul George and Russell Westbrook. If Kawhi Leonard’s knees remain problematic, the Clippers could head opposite the Warriors’ way.
James Harden and Steph Curry lead six other players entering their 16th NBA season
Besides Harden and Curry, six other players are entering their 16th season in the NBA. DeMar DeRozan (Kings), James Johnson (Pacers), Jrue Holiday, (Celtics) Taj Gibson (Hornets), Garrett Temple (Raptors) and Joe Ingles (Timberwolves) entered the league in 2009. Temple and Ingles weren’t called on draft day, but they are part of the group led by Harden and Curry.
“The Beard,” the Warriors’ franchise cornerstone, DeRozan and Holiday are starters for their respective teams. The rest earn their pay coming off the bench.
