Steph Curry, LeBron James, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Paul Pierce, NBA GOAT, Warriors trade rumors, Kuminga trade rumors
Getty
Former NBA champion Paul Pierce let loose on his thoughts between LeBron James and Steph Curry, and who he thinks is better between the two.
The NBA ‘GOAT’ debate has lasted for decades, and will likely continue for many more, but while fans tend to be steadfast in their opinions, the question of ‘the best player of a generation’ becomes more apt, and in this generation, LeBron James and Steph Curry have led the conversation.
Most recently, former NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, made his feelings clear on how hesees the Curry-LeBron debate.Speaking on his podcast, the forward said he thinks Curry has ‘every right’ to feel like he’s the best player of his era.
“How many times has Curry beat Bron in the Finals?” Pierce asked. “The man has a unanimous MVP while LeBron was in his prime. Like, Bron can’t get one vote…Nobody is getting a unanimous MVP in the Jordan era.”
NBACentral
Paul Pierce says Steph Curry has every right to feel like he’s the best player of his era over LeBron James.
“Nobody is getting a unanimous MVP in the Jordan era.”
(🎥 @NFGShow )
Both James and Curry have won four NBA titles, but in many other statistical respects, the former has the advantage. While James’ points and games played total, many credit Curry’s three-point shooting for revolutionizing the game of basketball. Most recently, Curry just passed Michael Jordan for having the most 40-point games over the age of 30.
Paul Pierce On Curry vs. LeBron
While some might point totheir four consecutive Finals matchups between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 to 2018, it might be bit unfair to James to say that Curry beat him three out of four times, especially when comparing the complete rosters of both teams.
However, Pierce wasn’t afraid to make that claim against his former rival, as well as a few other hot takes that he got off his chest.
“If we’re saying [LeBron James] is the second greatest player of all time, which a lot of people do, how can a man get a unanimous MVP when you’re not hurt?” Pierce asked. “That wasn’t his prime?”
As he mentioned, Curry is the only player in NBA history to win the MVP award by getting every single vote. Shaquille O’Neal came close in 2000, but famously, missed out on winning unanimously after one voter gave the nod to Allen Iverson.
Pierce might have some outside influence on his thoughts on James vs. Curry. He had multiple battles with the former in the late 2000s and early 2010s, so there’s a chance his perspective couldbe clouded by his rivalry with James.
Yet still, even as some of the oldest players in the NBA, both of the four-time champions are showing high-level play and longevity that hasn’t been seen before in league history.
Curry Breaks Michael Jordan’s Record
Most recently, while James was battling with Dillon Brooks and hitting clutch free throws against the Phoenix Suns to secure another tight win, Curry was doing his best to lead the middling Warriors to a victory.
While Golden State did lose to the Portland Trail Blazers by five points, Curry finished the night with 48 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.He was the only Warriors player to score more than 20,and with his total, he passed Jordan to have the most games with at least 40 points by a player over the age of 30.
Here’s what the updated list now looks like: Stephen Curry – 45,Michael Jordan – 44,Damian Lillard – 31,Kobe Bryant – 30, andJames Harden – 30.
While Curry’s scoring prowess has continued late into his career, the same team success he had previously in Golden State has notbeen matched this season. The Warriors are currently 13-14 and eighth in the West. They’ve dealt withmajor injuries and have serious problems with defense and making shots.
Curry continues to be dominant, but with this current roster, it isn’t enough to single-handedly find wins on a nightly basis. There is the expectation that the Warriors will make a Jonathan Kuminga trade sometime soon, and while Curry continues to break records, hopefully for him, the front office can add some talent through a trade.