Steph Curry and LeBron James: Different Animal, Same Beast

“Who’s the better offensive player: you or LeBron?”

In an August interview, Dan Patrick asked Stephen Curry this question to which Curry responded, rather quickly, with: “Me. Gotta be, right?”

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The Internet (and Skip Bayless) thought this was crazy–just blasphemous that he (or anyone not named Kevin Durant) could possibly be better than 4x MVP LeBron James at anything. In reality, it wasn’t all that crazy then. And sure isn’t that crazy now as the two Akron, Ohio-born stars face off in the NBA Finals.

This is what the basketball world has been waiting for. Sure, Curry vs. fellow All-NBA First Team-ers Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol, and James Harden was fun, but this? This is prime time. This matchup has the allure of Magic/Bird or Russell/Wilt or any of the greats. Though Curry and James don’t play the same position and won’t spend much time actually matched up with each other–granted, James will probably take a turn on no.30–this is as marquee of a matchup as any in the NBA today.

Finesse vs. power. The new kid on the block vs. the seasoned veteran. Good vs. evil. The Baby Faced Assassin vs. The King. David vs. Goliath. The narrative writes itself. Curry, over the course of the season, has become the face of the NBA while James is still the supreme talent. With his boyish appearance, popular family, and inspirational road to success, Curry directly opposes James. On the other hand, the 6’9 Cavaliers’ star was destined for greatness as a high school student in the town that he famously abandoned then ceremoniously returned to.

Stylistically, the two superstars contrast each other as Curry’s trademark three pointer reaches the rim with only a fraction of the force of one of James’ jaw-dropping tomahawk dunks. Curry’s skill set is unparalleled in the NBA while James’s combination of freakish athleticism, raw ability, and basketball IQ are unprecedented. Curry will wear defenses down with an array of dazzling dribble moves and incredible passes. James, on the other hand, will go through the defense–attacking the rim with speed and power and taking out everyone with the courage to stand in his way. One enters this matchup with two rings while the other seeks his first.

Despite their differences, they have one commonality that sets them apart from most of the NBA: their killer instinct.  Curry’s jumpers can deflate an arena and a team just as much as a James slam. Two players that can take over a game pretty much whenever they want to. Two competitors that won’t let their team go down without a fight.

In 2008, LeBron James was in attendance to watch Curry and his Davidson Wildcats take on NC State. With the clock winding down, Curry launched a deep three to put his team up by four. As the ball dropped through the net, Curry ran back and stared down James who was giving him a standing ovation. Even at that point, James recognized and respected the greatness.

There was never really a doubt that these two stars would face off against each other. They’ve completely dominated the competition en route to the championship series and made it look easy. Curry’s averaging 29.2 while shooting 43% from beyond the arc while James is scoring 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. Both have hit clutch shot after clutch shot to propel their team to victory. The Warrior point guard set the record for most three pointers in a postseason while Cleveland’s prodigal is climbing up the ladder in virtually every all-time postseason statistic.

Though Curry has had a season most basketball players could only dream of, he’s not quite on James’ level yet. LeBron James is an all-time great, larger-than-life figure. Curry, in his sixth season, is starting to build his already impressive resume. This matchup almost seemed pre-determined. Two superstars–not just stars–meeting in the Finals. Two superstars born in the same hospital. Two superstars whose paths have crossed even before both were NBA players and surely before they were both MVPS.

Regardless of the outcome, we should appreciate the magnitude of this series. Both Curry and James will try to lead their perennial loser franchises to glory, to basketball immortality. Two premier players that have decimated anyone that dares stand in their way now will do battle. There will be magic. There will be a display of basketball greatness. And once the legacy-defining battle is over and the dust settles, there will be only one with the ultimate prize.