Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Popular radio host Charlamagne (also known as Charlamagne tha God) seems to think that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry belongs ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in the all-time NBA picture.
“I got Steph in my top five,” Charlamagne said. “I actually got Steph No. 3. … My top five is Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Bron and Magic Johnson.”
To Curry’s credit, he has historically gotten the better of James when the two have faced off against each other on the NBA’s biggest stage: the NBA Finals. James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and Curry’s Warriors played each other in the championship series for four straight years from 2015 through 2018, and the Warriors won three of those matchups.
The only time that James got the better of Curry during that stretch came in the 2016 championship series, and for a while, it seemed as if Golden State would come on top in that series as well. After all, the Warriors held a commanding 3-1 lead after Game 4. But James and the Cavaliers claimed Games 5, 6 and 7 to stun the NBA world and win the series.
Cleveland is still the only team in the history of the NBA Finals to rally all the way back from a 3-1 deficit to win the title.
In addition, despite the fact that Curry is 3-1 against James in the NBA Finals, both players have won the same number of titles during their careers (four). Curry won his most recent title in 2022, while James’ last one came in 2020.
James’ resume also arguably outshines Curry’s in several areas. James has twice the number of All-Star selections to his name as Curry does, as the 39-year-old has 20 while Curry has 10 so far. James also has won double the number of MVP awards that Curry has (four compared to two) and has more Finals MVP awards (four compared to one).
The league’s oldest player will hope to earn the fifth title of his NBA career this coming season and eclipse Curry in that regard, but it remains to be seen if James has the supporting cast necessary for Los Angeles to compete for a title. The Lakers lost in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs and have yet to make a major addition this offseason.
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