Curry explains trash talk with LeBron in Game 1 of Finals

This year's NBA Finals tilt between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers already feels like ancient history. But after having more than two months to reflect on the events of his team's emphatic sweep, Stephen Curry was able to elucidate one of the series' forgotten moments: a tense exchange of words with LeBron James toward the end of Game 1.

Here's how Curry explained the moment in an appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast":

It was never going to spill over (into a fight). But it was an interesting moment ... I was hot because I was trying to finish out a possession, I think it was less than a minute left, I didn't see him coming over from the weak side so I tried to do a little soft scoop layup and he pinned it. Then he stared me down and he said something to me.

And I was like, 'That's what we're really on right now? We're about to win and you're worried about mean-blocking my shot and talking trash?' And then the whole Tristan and Draymond thing happened and I went back up to him and I was like, 'Yo, what's up? Is this really what we're about right now?'

And he was like, 'I gotta do that to make sure my teammates know I'm a mentor' and it's a part of his leadership and that type of deal. And I was like, 'I don't want to be the sacrificial lamb for your leadership.' Come on man, that's messed up.

Whether it was showmanship or gamesmanship, it doesn't appear there was ever any serious threat to Curry's well-being. In any case, the two-time MVP got the last laugh, securing his third NBA title in four seasons - and pulling even with James on the championship ring leaderboard.

- With h/t to NBC Sports Bay Area's Drew Shiller